Asteras and PAOK lose all Europa League hopes

Asteras Tripolis and PAOK lost even the mathematical hopes they had to advance in the Europa League, both failing to score any goals in the games they played on Thursday for the fifth round of games of the competition’s group stage.

Asteras lost 1-0 at Sparta Prague after a rather disappointing performance and remained without a point on the road in Europe.

The Peloponnesians needed at least a draw to stay alive in the group, but a goal by Jakub Brabec on the 33rd minute sealed their fate in the Czech capital.

PAOK remained winless in the group stage failing to beat even its Azeri visitor on Thursday, as it drew 0-0 with Qabala in Thessaloniki. The match marked the second goalless draw for the Black-and-whites in five days.

Notably when Dimitar Berbatov was substituted by PAOK coach Igor Tudor on the 71st minute he went straight to the locker room.