Samsunspor s European dream dented: Panathinaikos secures 2 1 comeback win

Samsunspor's long-awaited return to Europe after 27 years ended in a 2-1 defeat against Greek club Panathinaikos in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie. The match, which marked the first-ever meeting between the two clubs in a European competition, took place at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, with Spanish referee Juan Martinez Munuera in charge.

Samsunspor started the second half on a high note, with Logi Tomasson scoring in the 51st minute to give his side the lead. However, the Greek team quickly responded. Kiriakopoulos equalized in the 66th minute, and Palmer-Brown sealed the victory for the home side with a goal in the 74th minute. The Turkish side had a goal disallowed for offside in the 37th minute, which would have put them ahead in the first half.

This was Samsunspor’s first appearance in a UEFA competition since the 1997-98 Intertoto Cup. Now, the "Red and Whites" will have to overcome the one-goal deficit at home in Istanbul to keep their European hopes alive.

Match details

Goals:

Starting Lineups:

Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Kotsiras, Palmer-Brown, Touba, Kiriakopoulos, Chrivella, Cerin, Bakasetas, Tete, Pellistri, Swiderski.

Samsunspor: Okan Kocuk, Zeki Yavru, Satka, van Drongelen, Tomasson, Celil Yüksel, Makoumbou, Ntcham, Dimata, Emre Kılınç, Mouandilmadji.