Dutch-Greek clash: European newbie NEC Nijmegen defeats Greek giant Olympiakos Piraeus in Champions League 3rd qualifying round

After a deserved but hard-fought victory over the red shirts of Olympiakos, who finished second in the Greek league last year, NEC Nijmegen now have only one hurdle left to overcome to qualify for the main tournament of the Champions League. Next week, on Wednesday, August 19, the Nijmegen side will first play home in football stadium De Goffert against Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, before striking the decisive fight in Norway the following week (Tuesday, August 25).

After a first half in which neither side managed to score, NEC have the upper hand. Things then look bleak for NEC for a moment, when the Nijmegen side concedes the 0-1 in the 46th minute immediately after the break. A good strike from Ayoub El Kaabi with his right foot finds the net following good pressure from the Greeks. The deserved equalizer follows in the 70th minute when Brian Linssen scored the equalizer after good preparation by Dušan Tadić.

After less fortunate play by Greek attacking midfielder Kostas Fortounis, who kicked NEC midfielder Darko Nešević hard on the ankle, a red card follows and Olympiakos continues with ten men. Nevertheless, the red-black jerseys fail to capitalize on this during regular time, but it makes this return match all the more exciting.

Kaj Sierhuis, notably born in Athens, seems to score the decisive goal in extra time—with a header—but a sharp, virtual line from the VAR throws a spanner in the works and extra time is required. And then, relief and euphoria in De Goffert, when the man who didn't get his piercing removed in time, Emre Mor, puts the 2-1 on the scoreboard in the 95th minute with the winning goal. Cheers ring out throughout the Netherlands, while in Kefalonia silence reigns on the streets and a torn red Olympiakos flag flutters here and there. NEC advances to the Champions League play-offs, where they will face the Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt.