PAOK have submitted an official appeal to UEFA to reduce a two-match suspension handed to club captain Andrija Zivkovic ahead of Thursday's fixture.
The Greek club are requesting that European football's governing body cut the penalty to one match. Zivkovic has already served a one-game suspension during the first leg of the tie in Thessaloniki.
PAOK officials maintain that the direct red card shown to Zivkovic during their earlier European fixture against Belgian side Anderlecht was entirely unfair. The club decided to pursue all available legal options to ensure the 30-year-old winger is available for the second leg in Bergen, Norway.
The availability of Zivkovic, who plays as a winger and attacking midfielder, has become vital following the departure of midfielder Giannis Konstantelias. Zivkovic demonstrated his influence during PAOK's opening domestic match of the Stoiximan Super League against Levadiakos, contributing to three goals with one goal and two assists in a 4-0 victory.
PAOK manager Alessio Lisci faces a tight window as the club requested an expedited review from UEFA's disciplinary panel before traveling to Norway. Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Toumba Stadium, Lisci considers Zivkovic's status a major factor in his squad planning. Lisci stated that the 4-0 league win over Levadiakos was a gift to the supporters, adding that the squad must demonstrate their capability during the upcoming fixture in Norway.
Super League results and transfer news
PAOK began their domestic campaign with a 4-0 win against Levadiakos, while AEK Athens also recorded a four-goal victory on the opening weekend of the Stoiximan Super League. Olympiacos and Aris Thessaloniki secured hard-fought wins in their respective openers. Panetolikos earned a 3-1 victory over Asteras Tripolis in Agrinio, while OFI Crete defeated Volos 2-0 following a penalty from Nous and an own goal by Volos goalkeeper Siabanis.
In transfer developments, Croatian defender Bosko Sutalo arrived in Thessaloniki to finalize his move to Aris. Meanwhile, African sports outlet Africafoot reported that PAOK have reached a verbal agreement to sign midfielder Kouassi Sibo. Elsewhere, Greek winger Christos Tzolis returned to Belgium to take a ceremonial kickoff for his former club Club Brugge, receiving applause from the home crowd.
European football and Salah performance
Across European domestic leagues, Barcelona produced a 5-0 victory against Elche in La Liga, highlighted by a dominant performance from winger Raphinha. Atletico Madrid played out a 2-2 draw against Villarreal.
In the English Premier League, Liverpool rescued a late 2-2 draw against Newcastle United, while Brighton thrashed Aston Villa 4-0. Manchester City recovered from a goal down to defeat Bournemouth 2-1. In the Turkish Super Lig, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah scored twice to lead Trabzonspor to a 2-1 victory over Basaksehir.
International athletics and motor sports
In international athletics, Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis cleared 6.00 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Silesia, Poland. Karalis attempted a national record height of 6.20 metres before finishing second behind world record holder Armand Duplantis. In Formula 1, British driver Lando Norris secured victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Greek athletes achieved success at the 2026 Mediterranean Games, where Apostolos Christou won gold in the men's 50-metre backstroke and Anna Ntountounaki placed first in the women's 100-metre butterfly. In volleyball, the Greece women's national team defeated Bulgaria 3-1 at the 2026 Women's EuroVolley to improve their chances of advancing.
In basketball news, organizers announced the schedule and ceremony details for Panathinaikos and AEK at the International Tournament Rhodes 2026. However, forward Vasilis Charalampopoulos withdrew from the Greek national team after sustaining an injury. Meanwhile, Olympiacos continue to evaluate roster options surrounding Giannoulis Larentzakis.
Broader news developments
In news from around Greece and internationally, maritime authorities responded after a Spanish businessman fell from a sailboat in the Ionian Sea, leaving his wife stranded on the vessel for three days near Meganisi, where American television personality Kimberly Guilfoyle was also vacationing. His wife reported hearing him shout to turn off the engine before he disappeared.
In Athens, police arrested a 48-year-old married father in connection with the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old woman in Nea Smyrni, noting his previous arrest in Tirana in 2016 for domestic violence, while his wife stated she knew nothing about any extramarital relationship. In Switzerland, a bar owner in Cran-Montana received a prison sentence following domestic abuse charges after his wife was hospitalized.
In Corfu, a 44-year-old female driver faces prosecution and potential fines up to 50,000 euros after hitting a dog with her car, though she claimed she did not intend to strike the animal. Authorities in the Athens area launched investigations into two separate transport incidents, involving a bus driver who threatened to ambush and injure an elderly passenger over a missed stop and a driver operating a vehicle with open doors inside an Athens-Corinth highway tunnel.
In international affairs, Iranian officials warned the United States that announced economic sanctions would backfire, while a wildfire in Reno, Nevada, forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. In Germany, education officials reported escalating violence and knife threats at a school, while Greek meteorologists forecast a prolonged heatwave with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius starting Friday.
Addressing national policy ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the government will not transfer economic burdens to future generations, adding that ongoing diplomatic dialogue with Turkey does not represent a concession. Commercial sponsor Allwyn also teased an upcoming racing experience linked to its partnership with Formula 1 and McLaren.
