The Greek Super League will return to action this weekend, after a break in play for international fixtures. A handful of teams, including Larissa, Olympiakos, and AEK will look to continue their perfect starts. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos and Panionios will be in search of their first victories.

The weekend starts with four games scheduled for a Saturday kickoff. Iraklis continues its home stay with Cretan club OFI FC visiting Kautanzogleio. Both clubs opened the season with a loss at home, only increasing the pressure for this coming weekend. Allowing a late strike dashed Iraklis’ chances of a successful start, while OFI was overpowered by PAOK.

Kicking off at the same time will be Skoda Xanthi and defending champions Olympiakos. Xanthi welcome the Piraeus giants, and will have a tricky task with the thus far perfect ‘Eruthroleuki’. The home side will be keen to continue their winning streak, after a 1-0 defeat of Panionios gave Xanthi a perfect start. Olympiakos will also be favoured to win, but injuries to club captain Predrag Djordjevic and matchday one MVP Luciano Galletti cause concern amongst the Piraeus ranks. Galletti scored twice in Olympiakos triumph over Asteras Tripolis, but the Argentine is expected to sit this one out. The visitors will look to stay focused, as their sights could linger to their midweek UEFA Cup encounter with Danish side FC Nordsjælland.

After slipping 2-1 in the Athenian derby against AEK, Panathinaikos returns to action and a win against promoted club Panthrakikos is highly expected. The Champions League will provide a distraction for the ‘Tryfilli’, as a meeting with Italian Champions Inter Milan looms midweek. Panthrakikos were robbed a Super League debut victory, as Ergotelis notched a 2-1 away win. The task will be much more draining this weekend against the Athenian giants. However, with no pressure on the visitors, Panathinaikos could be in for a rough match themselves. A win will be crucial for Panathinaikos, not only for the league race, but to boost confidence ahead of their opening Champions League fixture.

Closing out Saturday’s matches is an encounter between Panserraikos and Panionios. Panserraikos sealed an impressive return to the Greek top flight with a win over Iraklis in Thessaloniki. Summer signing, Patrick Zoundi, scored a brace to see the Serres club upset the home side. On the flip side, their second round opponents will be hungry for a win after coming up short against Xanthi in their season opener. Panionios has made a flurry of late transfers to replace the departed Rafik Djebbour. The acquisitions of Alvaro Recoba and Fabian Estoyanoff have boosted the hopes around Nea Smyrni. It is unclear if the two ‘bam’ signings will make their club debuts this coming weekend, nonetheless the match should offer plenty of intrigue.

Matchday two closes out on Sunday, with the remaining four matches taking place across Greece. Thrasyvoulos will look to make up for the destruction left by Larissa’s 3-0 demolition of the newly promoted club. An evenly matched encounter with Levadiakos could see the Super League debutants grab their first points of the season. Their opponents will be enjoying the comforts of their home ground, and they too will be keen to grab their first points of the new term. A 2-0 loss to Aris seemed inevitable, but the meeting with Thrasyvoulos could make up for the club’s matchday one blunders.

Two undefeated clubs look to continue their perfect starts, as Ergotelis welcome Aris to the Pangkritio Stadium. Both teams avoided any opening round shocks, but for Ergotelis the leeway was slim as Panthrakikos gave the Cretan club a real scare. For Aris a disappointing early exit from European competition was quickly brushed aside, and the club nickname ‘God of War’ cruised to a 2-0 victory over Levadiakos. The Thessaloniki based side will be favoured to continue their perfect start, but Ergotelis’ home advantage could prove to be a tricky task for Aris.

Two potential dark horses rekindle their rivalry in Tripoli as Larissa put their winning start on the line against home side Asteras Tripolis. The latter made their home ground a fortress last year, and pulled of shock defeats of Greece’s ‘Big 3′. However, a 3-1 loss to Olympiakos could dampen the team’s spirits but the midweek signing of Cameroon international Roudolphe Douala adds depth to an injury bit side. As for Larissa, a 3-0 win over Thrasyvoulos initiated early season celebrations as the club’s summer facelift proved to be a success on matchday one. Nolberto Solano played a well rounded seventy-five minutes, but Laurent Robert will be hoping for a spike in his minutes after being limited to a mere three minutes.

He weekend and the matchday conclude with a mouth-watering revival of the rich rivalry between PAOK and AEK. PAOK Toumba Stadium will be the venue for this early season derby, and the home side will look to test their revitalized roster. Led by the profitable knowledge of club president Theodoros Zagorakis, and manager Fernando Santos, PAOK pulled off many squad bolstering transfers this past summer. A dominant performance against OFI gave a glimpse of PAOK’s potential, but the Thessaloniki giants will be in tough against a confident AEK outfit. After defeating rivals Panathinaikos at OAKA, AEK will be looking to make it two-for-two in derbies this season as the ‘Enosis’ continued to adapt to Georgios Donis’ tactics. With Greece international Angelos Basinas at full fitness, AEK will be keen to avoid wasting their fine start.

Matchday two looks to top its predecessor in excitement, with several well matched encounters scheduled for kickoff this weekend. In all, eight clubs will look to double their winning streaks, while the remaining eight have their sights on their first wins of the season.

The result is a poor one for Aris, especially after qualifying for the group stages of the competition last year. Added to the fact Greece’s clubs are struggling in the early stages of the European season, the loss doesn’t do well for the country’s coefficient ranking. Prospering with the few wins thus far, Greece’s coefficient ranking will surely plummet until there is a change in Greece’s fortunes.

NK Slaven Koprivnica 2-0 Aris FC

Aris FC (Enrique Hernandez): Kelemen, Ronaldo Guiaro, Vangjeli (Neto), Toni Calvo (Javito), Garcia, Prittas (Sansone), Regueiro, Gentil, Koke.

The match opened with several chances for both clubs as the pace of the game was constantly increasing. Despite the surges of attack, the final ball was lacking from both sides. Whether it was the cross or the shot, it was going to take something special to beat either keeper. With finishing being poor, both keepers ensured a clean sheet for their repective clubs at least for the first forty-five minutes.

The breakthrough in the match finally came shortly after the restart. A solitary strike from Sergio Koke, with some help from the Slaven defense, saw the Aris supporters burst out in celebration. It was a complete solo effort from the Spaniard as he won possession with an aerial effort, and with superior ball control he surged towards the goal on a break-away. His strike was deflected into the Slaven goal, off a fortunate deflection off of the sliding Slaven defender. The Aris captain for this evening, certainly delivered on this night.

With Greek pride on a low after Greece’s finest slipped against Cypriot opposition in their respective ties, Aris restored some of that pride with their formidable — but slim — win over Slaven. Aris will now travel to Koprivnica, Croatia in two weeks time with the 2nd Qualifying Round tie set to be decided in Croatia.

Aris FC 1-0 NK Slaven Koprivnica
Koke 55′

Yellow Cards:
Aris — Koke 55′, Nacho 87′
Slaven — Jajalo 9′, Lapić 77′

Aris FC (Enrique Hernandez): Kelemen, Lembo, Aurelio, Jahic, Vangjeli (52′ Włodarczyk), Calvo (52′ Javito), Nacho Garcia, Battion, Gentil (64′ Neto), Koke, Regueiro.

NK Slaven Koprivnica (Mile Petkovic): Rodic, Bosnjak, Rogulj, Poldrugac, Bilen (67′ Gregurina), Lapic, Caval, Posavec, Jajalo, Vrucina (78′ Sehic), Juric (78′ Kresinger).

Chemistry seems to be in place at Aris, and the club nickname ‘God of War’ will look to continue the great team against Slaven tonight. Aris Coach Enrique Hernandez named his 19-man squad earlier in the week, and Spaniard hopes for a good start in this his second stint with the Thessaloniki club. After reaching the group stages of the tournament last season, a thumping against Bayern Munich ended Aris’ chances of progressing further in the complex competition. Now, Aris looks to establish itself in Europe with Slaven being the first hurdle in the way.

Sergio Koke will be the main threat in attack, and the Spaniard has a knack of doing so. Since agreeing to join Aris in 2006, the 25-year-old has scored 20 times on 62 occasions in the Aris yellow. Possibly paired with Marcio Amoruso, the Aris attack could be potent throughout the match. Koke’s countrymen, Felipe Sanchon, Javito, and Toni Calvo will most likely man the midfield; but look for new summer signing Mario Regueiro to have some playing time. Defensively, the departure of Avraam Papadopoulos leaves gap in Aris’ back line, but the likes of the Brazilian trio consisting of Marco Aurelio, Ronaldo Guiaro and Neto will provide the necessary cover. In goal, it is unclear whether or not the Hernandez will stick to last year’s favourite Marian Kelemen, or choose new signing Michalis Sifakis instead.

Aris will look to attack from the start, but their defense will be cautious of the threat posed by their Croatian opponents. With away goals deciding many of the ties during this stage, Aris will be keen on not allowing Slaven hit the score sheet in Thessaloniki.

Aris FC (Enrique Hernandez): Kelemen, Sifakis, Vangjeli, Neto, Ronaldo Guiaro, Jahic, Lembo, Aurelio, Calvo, Javito, Prittas, Garcia, Battion, Regueiro, Felipe, Thiago, Koke, Włodarczyk, Delorte.

AEK has faced Cypriot clubs before, but never have they played Omonia. Aris and NK Slaven Koprivnica will also be meeting for the first time.

Both Aris and AEK will make their season debut in the 2nd Qualifying Round. The first leg of the round is schedule for August 14th, while the return will be played on August 28th.

2nd Qualifying Round Match-ups:

NK Široki Brijeg (BIH) vs. Beşiktaş JK (TUR)

SC Braga (POR) vs. NK Zrinjski (BIH)

PFC Lokomotiv Sofia (BUL) vs. FK Borac (SRB)

FK Vojvodina (SRB) vs. Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC (ISR)

Aris Thessaloniki FC (GRE) vs. NK Slaven Koprivnica (CRO)

PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) vs. Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC (ISR)

RC Deportivo La Coruña (ESP) vs. HNK Hajduk Split (CRO)

APOEL FC (CYP) vs. FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)

KS Vllaznia (ALB) vs. SSC Napoli (ITA)

Maccabi Netanya FC (ISR) vs. PFC Cherno More Varna (BUL)

AC Omonia (CYP) vs. AEK Athens FC (GRE)

SK Liepájas Metalurgs (LVA) vs. SC Vaslui (ROU)

FC Zürich (SUI) vs. SK Sturm Graz (AUT)

VfB Stuttgart (GER) vs. Győri ETO FC (HUN)

KKS Lech Poznań (POL) vs. Grasshopper-Club (SUI)

FC Slovan Liberec (CZE) vs. MŠK Žilina (SVK)

FC WIT Georgia (GEO) vs. FK Austria Wien (AUT)

BSC Young Boys (SUI) vs. Debreceni VSC (HUN)

Legia Warszawa (POL) vs. FC Moskva (RUS)

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) vs. AC Bellinzona (SUI)

NK IB Ljubljana (SVN) vs. Hertha BSC Berlin (GER)

FK Sūduva (LTU) vs. FC Salzburg (AUT)

Djurgårdens IF FF (SWE) vs. Rosenborg BK (NOR)

Queen of the South FC (SCO) vs. FC Nordsjælland (DEN)

KAA Gent (BEL) vs. Kalmar FF (SWE)

Manchester City FC (ENG) vs. FC Midtjylland (DEN)

FC Honka Espoo (FIN) vs. Viking FK (NOR)

FC Haka (FIN) vs. Brøndby IF (DEN)

Stabæk IF (NOR) vs. Stade Rennais FC (FRA)

FC København (DEN) vs. Lillestrøm SK (NOR)

IF Elfsborg (SWE) vs. Saint Patrick’s Athletic FC (IRL)

Aston Villa FC (ENG) vs. FH Hafnarfjördur (ISL)

The draw, which is split up into three different European regions, sees both of the Greek clubs included in the list of seeded clubs in the Southern-Mediterranean region. By being seeded in this region, AEK and Aris will be paired with an opponent from the same region’s list of unseeded clubs. The second qualifying round is a knockout round lasting two legs — home an away. Winners of each tie will progress to the next round, known as the first round.

The second qualifying round will feature 74 clubs: 37 winners from the first qualifying round; 11 winners from the third round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup; and 16 clubs making their first appearance in European competition this year.

Southern-Mediterranean Region

Seeded teams

Deportivo (Spain)
Beşiktaş (Turkey)
Braga (Portugal)
AEK Athens (Greece)
Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)
Napoli (Italy)
Aris Thessaloniki (Greece)
Litex Lovech (Bulgaria)
Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)
Vaslui (Romania)
Lokomotiv Sofia (Bulgaria)
Cherno More (Bulgaria)

Unseeded teams

Hajduk Split (Croatia)
Vojvodina (Serbia)
Borac Čačak (Serbia)
Maccabi Netanya (Israel)
Ironi Kiryat Shmona (Israel)
Slaven Belupo (Croatia)
APOEL (Cyprus)
Omonia (Cyprus)
Interblock Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Vllaznia Shkodër (Albania)
Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia Herzegovina)
Široki Brijeg (Bosnia Herzegovina)

Central-East Region

Seeded teams

Stuttgart (Germany)
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine)
Austria Wien (Austria)
Hertha BSC (Germany)
Rennes (France)
Zürich (Switzerland)
Grasshopper (Switzerland)
Slovan Liberec (Czech Republic)
FC Moscow (Russia)
Debrecen (Hungary) ***

Unseeded teams

Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Young Boys (Swizerland)
Bellinzona (Swizerland)
Lech Poznań (Poland)
Sturm Graz (Austria)
Legia Warsaw (Poland)
MŠK Žilina (Slovakia)
WIT Georgia (Georgia)
Győri ETO (Hungary)

Northern Region

Seeded teams

Rosenborg (Norway)
Manchester City (England)
Aston Villa (England)
Copenhagen (Denmark)
Brøndby (Denmark)
Viking (Norway)
Queen of the South (Scotland)
Gent (Belgium)
Elfsborg (Sweden)
Lillestrøm (Norway)
Stabæk (Norway) ***

Unseeded teams

Midtjylland (Denmark)
Nordsjælland (Denmark)
Djurgården (Sweden)
Kalmar (Sweden)
Haka (Finland)
Honka (Finland_
FH (Iceland)
Liepājas Metalurgs (Latvia)
Sūduva (Lithuania)
St Patrick’s Athletic (Republic of Ireland)

*** Due to the uneven number of clubs in the Central-East and Northern Regions, Debrecen (Hungary) and Stabæk (Norway) are classified as ‘unknown teams. This means they will be drawn against a seeded team from another region.