Olympiacos and PAOK: Roadmap to the Europa League Knockouts

This time, luck was on PAOK’s side—now it’s up to them to prove it on the pitch. When your potential opponents are Ajax (who have eliminated you countless times) and Steaua, and you end up facing the Bucharest side, you can definitely feel fortunate.

Steaua, who defeated PAOK 1-0 in the League Phase at Toumba—a misleading scoreline, as the Romanians capitalized on their only chance while PAOK wasted multiple opportunities—may not be on the same level as the Dutch giants, but they remain a tough opponent. Beyond their win in Thessaloniki, they also held Olympiacos to a 0-0 draw in Bucharest.

The first leg will take place on February 13 at Toumba, with the return match scheduled for February 20 in Bucharest.

PAOK has been drawn to play against Steaua Bucharest.

Olympiacos and PAOK are both gearing up for their next challenges in the Europa League, with crucial matchups in the knockout stages. Olympiacos, having already secured direct qualification to the Round of 16, will face one of the following teams: Twente, Fenerbahçe, Anderlecht, or Bodø/Glimt. The first leg of their tie will be played on March 6th, with the return leg at home on March 13th.

PAOK, on the other hand, will begin their journey in the playoffs against either Steaua Bucharest or Ajax. Their first match will take place on February 13th at home in Toumba, with the return leg scheduled for February 20th. If PAOK advances, they will meet either Eintracht Frankfurt or Lyon in the Round of 16, with the first leg at home on March 6th and the return leg away on March 13th.

Both teams face different challenges due to their seeding in the competition. Olympiacos, ranked 7th, will play their first two games away from home in March, while PAOK, ranked 22nd, will play their first leg in Thessaloniki.

Greek Derby in the Semis?

As it stands, the two Greek clubs will only meet if both progress to the semifinals. Given their rankings, a matchup between Olympiacos and PAOK can only happen in the later stages of the competition, specifically in the semifinals.

Europa League Draw

The first legs of the playoff round will be played on February 13th, with the return matches on February 20th. The teams progressing to the Round of 16 are already set, with Olympiacos and PAOK both successfully securing spots.

The Round of 16 matches will occur in March, with Olympiacos set to play their home leg on March 13th, while PAOK’s first leg will be at home on February 13th.

The Full Europa League Playoff Landscape:

• Teams in the Round of 16:
  • Lazio
  • Athletic Bilbao
  • Manchester United
  • Tottenham
  • Eintracht Frankfurt
  • Lyon
  • Olympiacos
  • Rangers
• Teams in the Playoffs:
  • Bodø/Glimt
  • Anderlecht
  • Steaua Bucharest
  • Ajax
  • Real Sociedad
  • Galatasaray
  • Roma
  • Viktoria Plzeň
  • Ferencváros
  • Porto
  • Midtjylland
  • Union Saint-Gilloise
  • Alkmaar
  • PAOK
  • Twente
  • Fenerbahçe

Olympiacos’ Potential Opponents in the Round of 16:

Olympiacos, avoiding the Playoff round, will face one of four possible teams in the Round of 16: Bodø/Glimt, Anderlecht, Fenerbahçe, or Twente. Their matches are set for March 6th and 13th, with the first leg away and the return leg at home.

PAOK’s Potential Opponents in the Playoffs:

PAOK, ranked 22nd, will face either Steaua Bucharest or Ajax in the playoffs. If they progress, they will then meet either Eintracht Frankfurt or Lyon in the Round of 16. The first leg of their Round of 16 tie will be at home on March 6th, with the return leg away on March 13th.

Both teams face exciting and challenging routes ahead, with the potential for a dramatic “Greek derby” in the semifinals if both continue their successful runs in the tournament.

A Crucial Day for Greek Football

Today’s draws for the Champions League and Europa League bring a special buzz to the football scene. With both Olympiacos and PAOK securing spots among the top 24 teams in the League Stage, Greek football continues its European journey.

The Champions League draw will take place at 13:00 (Cosmote Sport 1), followed by the Europa League draw at 14:00, where the fate of the two Greek teams will be decided.

PAOK’s Playoff Opponent to Be Revealed

PAOK will learn its playoff opponent, which will be either Steaua Bucharest or Ajax— a club with whom the Thessaloniki side has a history of encounters. The first leg is set for February 13 at Toumba Stadium, with the return match scheduled for February 20 away from home.

If PAOK advances to the Round of 16, they will face either Eintracht Frankfurt or Lyon, with matches set for March 6 and 13.

Olympiacos Set for March Showdown

Olympiacos, having finished in a strong position, bypasses the playoff round and goes straight into the Round of 16, with their matches scheduled for March 6 and 13. Their potential opponents include Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, Fenerbahçe, or Twente, who will be drawn into two pairs in today’s draw.

The Piraeus side will have the advantage of playing the second leg at home, a crucial factor in their quest for European success.

Teams Already Qualified for the Round of 16

• Lazio
• Athletic Bilbao
• Manchester United
• Tottenham
• Eintracht Frankfurt
• Lyon
• Olympiacos
• Rangers

Teams Competing in the Playoffs

• Bodo/Glimt
• Anderlecht
• Steaua Bucharest
• Ajax
• Real Sociedad
• Galatasaray
• Roma
• Viktoria Plzen
• Ferencváros
• Porto
• Midtjylland
• Union Saint-Gilloise
• AZ Alkmaar
• PAOK
• Twente
• Fenerbahçe

What’s Next?

With both Olympiacos and PAOK carrying Greek hopes in the competition, today’s draw will shape their paths forward. While Olympiacos enjoys a direct ticket to the Round of 16, PAOK faces a tough challenge in the playoffs before dreaming of a deeper run.

The journey continues—Greek football is still in the game!