Marko booked their place in the League Phase of the Superbet Greek Cup on Monday, beating Ellas Syrou 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at the end of normal time. The tie was played in Ermoupoli, the capital of the Cyclades, where Ellas Syrou are based on the island of Syros.
The team managed by Soulis Papadopoulos looked set for a routine win in normal time when Negoul put Marko ahead in the first minute of stoppage time. Ellas Syrou equalised three minutes later, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, through a penalty converted by Nino.
Because the competition does not use extra time, the two sides went straight to a penalty shootout once the score stood at 1-1. Goalkeeper Theodorakis saved two penalties in the shootout to send Marko through to the League Phase for a second consecutive year.
How the shootout unfolded
Kyriakidis opened the shootout by scoring for Marko, before Tsiantoulas levelled for Ellas Syrou. El Arabi then put Marko back in front, but Theodorakis saved a penalty from Gemistos to keep Marko's lead intact.
Ellas Syrou goalkeeper Karargyris then saved a penalty from Marko's Seba, before Boulari scored to make it 2-2. Negoul scored again to put Marko ahead once more, only for Zachi to level at 3-3 for Ellas Syrou.
Mendoza then scored to put Marko 4-3 up, and Theodorakis sealed the win with his second save of the shootout, keeping out a penalty from Nino.
Lineups
Ellas Syrou started with Karargyris, Koutsoudakis, Diamantis, Vlachos, Zafeiris, Kretsi, Prevezianos, Faisal, Otsovetsi, Nino and Boulari. Faisal was replaced by Tsiaboulas in the 61st minute.
Marko lined up with Theodorakis, Tsaknis, Bousai, Smalis, Stamou, Fation, Kyriakidis, Petratos, Miller, Seba and Alexopoulos. Tsaknis was replaced by El Arabi and Fation by Oikonomidis, both changes made in the 56th minute.
The 16 teams in the League Phase
Marko join AEK Athens, Olympiacos, PAOK, Panathinaikos, OFI Crete, Aris, Levadiakos, Volos, Atromitos, Kifisia, AEL, Panserraikos, Kalamata, Niki Volou and Nestos Chrysoupolis as the 16 clubs confirmed for the League Phase of the competition, which is sponsored this season by the betting company Superbet and organised alongside the domestic league season.
What happens next
The draw for the League Phase is scheduled for Tuesday, 25 May, at 19:00.
