Dinamo Minsk footballers lose to Greek PAOK in the last but one round of the Europa League Group Stage

By Georgy Shablyuk

Dinamo Minsk footballers lose to Greek PAOK in the last but one round of the Europa League Group Stage

This meeting was much more important match for the Greek squad, who are fighting for entry into the quarter finals of Europe’s second most important international tournament. Unfortunately, a poor performance in the previous round has left Dinamo players without even the possibility of progressing from Group K.

The Belarusian frost was clearly not an issue for our sun-loving guests, who opened the match with a clear determination to win. It was only the early self-sacrificing play of Minsk’s defenders, and goalkeeper Sergey Ignatovich, that saved our home side from an early goal. Following a shaky start, Dinamo players began to attack in earnest, yet never managed to be a real threat to Panagiotis Glykos’ net. There were to be no goals for the Greek side in the first half either.

When play resumed after half time, the pressure on the home team was increased, but Ignatovich continued to save the squad, liquidating several dangerous attempts at the goal. In spite of his efforts, he was left helpless in the final 10 minutes when PAOK’s captain Stefanos Athanasiadis scored twice in just six minutes. The captain had shown similar dangerous skill at the teams’ last encounter in Thessaloniki, scoring three goals in Dinamo Minsk’s net.

This is the first season that Minsk has qualified at such a high level in European tournaments and their last match in the Europa League will be played in Florence, facing Fiorentina on December 11th.