Celebrations have gripped the northern metropolis of Thessaloniki as PAOK secured its fourth Greek Super League title with a 2-1 win over Aris.
The victory, which came despite PAOK playing with ten players in the last 17 minutes of the game, was sealed by a goal from Brazilian midfielder Taison.
Thessaloniki’s streets were packed with fans chanting and setting off flares, marking the team’s second league title in six seasons. PAOK’s win also ensures their entry into the Champions League qualifying rounds.
AEK Athens finished second after a 3-0 win over Lamia, while Olympiakos drew with Panathinaikos to finish third, securing a European competition spot. The season’s end was marked by widespread celebrations, overshadowing the intense rivalry and competition that characterized the league’s finale.
The championship-deciding match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with PAOK taking the lead through Brandon Thomas. Aris swiftly equalized with a spectacular goal from Loren Moron, but it was Taison, PAOK’s Brazilian midfield maestro, who delivered the title-winning goal, etching his name into the club’s history.
As the final whistle blew, the celebrations erupted across the city, with fans pouring into the streets, igniting flares, and chanting anthems of victory. Celebration continued through dawn with the city’s landmarks bathed in the glow of PAOK’s success.
The victory was a testament to the team’s resilience, especially after being reduced to ten men following Giannis Michailidis’s red card. Yet, under coach Razvan Lucescu’s leadership, PAOK held firm against Aris’s onslaught to clinch the championship.