Reigning UEFA Youth League champions Olympiacos dramatically edged out Sturm Graz 5-4 in the penalty shootout phase on Wednesday after a 1-1 tie in regulation time.
The popular Piraeus side’s U19 team now has Salzburg in its path towards the Final Four
Olympiacos’ young stars first went ahead in the 61st minute with a goal by Antonis Papakanellos, with Sturm Graz’s Koïta equalizing in injury time. The “Reds” bitterly protested that a handball preceded the goal, something seen in the replays.


Every player on either side converted their penalty kicks to the point of 4-4, whereby Olympiacos’ keeper, Georgios Kouraklis, blocked the fifth penalty kick by a Sturm Graz player.
Argyrios Liatsikouras converted Olympiacos’ fifth try, sending the team to the quarterfinals.

According to the report by Nationaworld immediately after the match, the “…this triumph marks a significant milestone for the owner Evangelos Marinakis and his club’s academy, reinforcing Olympiacos’ growing reputation as a force in youth football. The team now turns its attention to RB Salzburg, who knocked out Atlético Madrid and will host Olympiacos in Austria for a place in the semi-finals.”