PAOK players dedicated their equalising goal against Atromitos in Peristeri on Sunday to team-mate Giannis Konstantelias after he suffered a severe knee injury.
The Thessaloniki club, known as the Two-Headed Eagle, went on to secure a 2-1 comeback victory at the Peristeri Stadium, maintaining their perfect start in the Stoiximan Super League.
Goal celebration and tribute
Dimitris Pelkas brought PAOK level during the second round fixture against Atromitos in the western Athens suburb of Peristeri. As soon as his shot hit the back of the net, Pelkas ran straight to the team bench.
The Greek midfielder raised a white shirt that displayed a message on the back wishing Konstantelias a speedy recovery. His team-mates quickly joined him at the bench to show immediate solidarity with their unlucky colleague following the goal.
Severe injury in Germany
Earlier on Sunday, August 30, medical evaluations confirmed the worst fears for Konstantelias after he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Greek international midfielder sustained the injury while playing for German club Borussia Dortmund against Hamburg in their opening match of the Bundesliga season.
An anterior cruciate ligament rupture is among the most severe knee injuries a professional football player can face, typically requiring surgical reconstruction followed by months of rehabilitation. The medical confirmation means Konstantelias will remain sidelined for several months.
Konstantelias had established himself as one of the most promising young talents in Greek football during his time at PAOK before completing a high-profile move to Germany to join Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.
Super League match results
Following the equalising goal by Pelkas, PAOK completed their turnaround in Peristeri to secure a 2-1 victory over Atromitos. Speaking after the final whistle, PAOK player Lici said that the team fully deserved the victory and achieved their goal on the pitch.
The result marked a second win in two league matches for PAOK, keeping them at the top of the Stoiximan Super League standings alongside Olympiacos and Aris on six points.
Olympiacos secured a 1-0 away victory against Asteras Tripolis thanks to a winning goal from Jota Silva. Olympiacos head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar said after the match that his side did not score as many goals as they had wanted.
Aris defeated OFI 2-1 at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium in Thessaloniki, ending OFI's winning streak to register their second consecutive league win. Elsewhere, AEK Athens dropped points after conceding an equalizer in the seventh minute of stoppage time to draw 1-1 against Kifisia at the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium.
Reflecting on the outcome of his match, manager Nikolic said that in certain moments the regulations applied while in others they did not, adding that his team should have closed out the game.
