PAOK were seconds away from a decisive Europa League leap, but an 89th-minute equaliser from Brann left the Toumba crowd stunned and the qualification race wide open. Despite controlling long stretches and creating the clearer chances, Razvan Lucescu’s side had to settle for a 1–1 draw on Matchday 5 of the League Phase — a result that keeps both clubs level at eight points.

Pavlenka Saves Early Penalty, PAOK Take Control

The game burst into life in the 17th minute when referee Sascha Stegemann pointed to the spot after a clash between Meïté and Søren­sen. Emil Kornvig stepped up, but Jiri Pavlenka guessed right and pushed the effort away, igniting the stadium and shifting momentum firmly toward PAOK.

From that moment, the hosts pressed with confidence. Bianco forced a save from Dyngeland, Tyson went inches wide with a diving header, and the Brann keeper denied both Tyson (32’) and Giakoumakis (37’) with superb reflex stops. PAOK were better, sharper, but the first half ended goalless.

Ivanusec Breaks Through with Class

The breakthrough finally came on 64 minutes. A long pass from Michailidis found Giakoumakis, who combined beautifully with Tyson. The Brazilian’s perfectly weighted ball split the defence and Luka Ivanusec finished with a composed diagonal strike into the far corner — 1–0 and Toumba erupted.

Brann tried to respond, but Pavlenka once again came up huge, flying to his right to push away Castro’s powerful free-kick in the 70th minute.

PAOK Retreat… and Pay the Price

Despite Lucescu shouting for his players to push higher, PAOK gradually dropped deeper in the final quarter of an hour. Brann grew bolder, missed a big chance with Dragnes’ close-range header, and kept pressing.

Then came the gut punch.

In the 89th minute, after a corner was recycled to Soltvedt, the Norwegian curled a cross back into the heart of the box. Emil Kornvig — unmarked — guided the ball into the net with his chest from point-blank range. Brann’s bench exploded; Toumba fell silent.

PAOK pushed desperately in stoppage time, but the equaliser stood. A night that felt like a step toward the Europa League Round of 16 ended with frustration instead.

Qualification Picture

Both clubs now sit on 8 points, with PAOK keeping the advantage in goal difference. The final group match will decide everything, with PAOK travelling to Bulgaria to face Ludogorets on 11 December in a must-get-result clash.

Lineups

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu):
Pavlenka, Kenny, Kedziora, Michailidis, Baba, Bianco (Ozdoyev 62’), Meïté, Zivkovic, Ivanusec, Tyson (Despodov 79’), Giakoumakis (Tsálof 84’)

Brann (Freyr Alexandersson):
Dyngeland, Hegland, Pallesen, Sery Larsen (De Reve 72’), Dragnes (Soltvedt 87’).