pash

Okay here goes: I think Olympiakos will comfortably win this one

The only way out of this is if I predict an Olympiakos victory.

^ and Olympiakos just had an offside goal (correctly) disallowed. Hopefully this result stands.

Lineup needs work. I really don't know if Canas will be available, but this is what I'm thinking needs to happen (no surprises here): --Glykos-- --Matos--Varela--Crespo--Leovac-- --Canas--Cimirot-- --Mistakidis--Warda--Henrqiue-- --Prijovic-- On the plus side, Olympiakos will attack us. Will give us a few more chances than the "sit back and waste time" strategy everyone else uses.

Haha Ivic absolutely laying into the ref

And that's game. Bad performance by our guys, but we're through to the next round.

Did the linesman just wave a flag for offsides, but the ref played on? What the hell? Guy was clearly offside, too

Soltani off with a red. Not soon enough if you ask me.

Four minutes extra time...

Prijovic about to come on. Good hustle by Campos saving that ball and then getting the corner

And there's the set piece goal

Handball in a dangerous space...

Biseswar coming on for Pelkas

^ we truly are living in blessed times, Blackhawk

I'd be surprised if we don't see Prijovic come on, though it won't do any good if he's not fed. Maybe Biseswar in for Pelkas or Campos?

Team booed at half time, rightly so. Stadium remarkably full for this match.

Wonderful consecutive dives by Xanthi players.

Yeah, sloppy game. What the hell is happening on the sideline?

Good lineup. Assuming Campos shows up. --Glykos-- --Kitsiou--Varela--Crespo--Leovac-- --Cimirot--Shakhov-- --Campos--Pelkas--Mistakidis-- --Koulouris-- Bench: Siabanis, Matos, Malezas, Kace, Biseswar, Mattheou, Prijovic

This is amazing. So fun to read!

Well, first two competitors are all but assured - Panathinaikos beat Asteras Tripolis 0-1 (0-5 on aggregate) to book their place in the next round. AEK is currently leading against a ten-man Platanias 2-0 at home (after a scoreless first round). Would be a huge upset if Platanias could steal a tie out of this.

Vellidis is trying out for Nottingham Forest. Would be a good move if he can swing that. Good luck to him.

Well we did just loan Lamprou out for 1.5 years ;)

I agree about Cimirot and Matos resting (though Matos did get a full week off prior to the game vs Iraklis). Kace should have played last time, but I think Charisis wasn't bad - Kace should have been in for Cimirot, IMO. I think your lineup is good, however. With some combination of Canas/Henrique/Warda/Prijovic coming on as subs later on. Good to see Shakhov back, surely he'll get the start. We're in a good position to get through, with two away goals. Hopefully Xanthi tired themselves out vs Panathinaikos last weekend.

I just hope the stadium will be full. I don't think the guys will be as lethargic as last time (but who knows, anything could happen). Looking forward to it, either way.