Greek football
PAOK and AEK hooligans battle ahead of teams' cup final
So-called fans of PAOK Salonica and AEK from Athens fought as their respective teams prepared for the cup final. Paok ran out 2-1 winners on the pitch.
Fighting between rival fans delayed the start of the Greek Cup final between PAOK Thessaloniki and AEK Athens on Saturday leaving one fan reportedly in a serious condition.
Supporters fought on a bridge leading to the Panthessalikos Stadium stadium two hours before kick-off with fans then storming the pitch before riot police brought things under control.
Website e-volos.gr reported that the Volos General Hospital treated at least 11 injuries, 10 supporters and one police officer.
One fan was reported in a serious condition with a laceration in the neck from a screwdriver.
Tear gas used by police to quell the violence led to a choking atmosphere at the stadium where the 75th Greek Cup final was won 2-1 by PAOK.
Firecrackers, flares and a molotov were thrown inside the stadium.
In order to restore calm, the players of both teams came out on the pitch together in a show of unity, 50 minutes before the scheduled start of the match.
The sell-out match was won by PAOK with a late goal by substitute Brazilian midfielder Pedro Henrique.
It was their fifth trophy after a 14-year lapse with goals by Henrique at the 81st minute and Dutch midfielder Diego Biseswar in the 24th minute.
AEK's goal was scored by Greek international midfielder Lazaros Christodoulopoulos in the 26th minute.
AEK were defending champions having won their 15th cup last year.