PAOK and Olympiakos lose away battles but not their hopes

Olympiakos and PAOK lost on the road at the fifth round of games in the Europa League group stage on Thursday, but could still go through if results go their way in the last round of matches next month.

Olympiakos went down 1-0 at Real Betis, with the score being rather flattering for the Piraeus club. However the result is not so important given that the Reds still need to beat AC Milan by 2-0 or 4-1 in Piraeus in two weeks' time to advance to the knock-out stages of the competition.

Olympiakos was positive in its approach to the game in Seville over the first half, asking many questions at the host's defense.

However Betis got the better of the Greek defense at the other end, earning a penalty that Sergio Leon took and Olympiakos keeper Jose Sa parried to safety, before the Spaniards grabbed a goal through a Sergio Canales shot from outside the area on the 39th...

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