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Olympiakos thrash PAOK

October 31, 2004 15:53 IST

Olympiakos Piraeus warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League match against Monaco with a crushing 5-1 win over PAOK Salonika on Saturday, two of the goals coming from Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo.

After his compatriot Giovanni had put Olympiakos in front after just seven minutes, Rivaldo, who was overlooked this week for a recall to the Brazil national squad, added a second in the 13th minute and the third in the 26th.

Just before half-time Rivaldo set up former Yugoslav international Predrag Djordjevic to make it 4-0 at the break.

The 20-year-old Uruguayan Nery Alberto Castillo then latched on to another Rivaldo pass to complete the rout in the last minute of the match.

In the only other game on Saturday, champions Panathinaikos also enjoyed a comfortable evening, beating Panionios 4-0.

There was a goal in each half for Greek striker Dimitris Papadopoulos, returning to action after three weeks out with a groin injury.

Michalis Konstantinou and Angelos Basinas scored the others.

Panathinaikos play Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday while Panionios, trailing 1-0 after the first leg, face a tough away game against Newcastle in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

Olympiakos and Panathinaikos are level on 13 points with AEK Athens at the top of the table but AEK play their match against Aris Salonika on Sunday.

Barney Spender
Source: REUTERS
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