PAOK Saloniki B edged Apollon Kalamarias F.C. 2-1 in the Greek Super League 2 on 19 October 2026, using a late surge to claim all three points in a match that showcased the energy of PAOK’s development side and the stubborn resistance of the visitors. Played at 20:00, the contest was tight for long stretches before PAOK B found the decisive goal in the second half, leaving Apollon Kalamarias to rue a missed opportunity to take something from the game.

Match overview

PAOK Saloniki B started brightly, pressing high and forcing Apollon Kalamarias into early mistakes at the back. The home side’s younger legs and quick combination play created the first clear opening, and PAOK B took the lead around the 18-minute mark when a cutback from the right was swept home from the edge of the box. Apollon responded with a more compact shape, slowing the tempo and looking to spring forward through direct passes into the channels. The visitors equalised early in the second half after a sustained spell of pressure, converting from inside the penalty area to set up a tense final half hour.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw, but PAOK B pushed again in the closing stages. A substitute injected fresh pace into the attack, and the winning goal arrived in the 79th minute after a quick move down the left ended with a low finish across the goalkeeper. Apollon Kalamarias threw bodies forward in search of a second equaliser, but PAOK B managed the final minutes well and held on for a valuable 2-1 victory.

Key moments

• 18th minute: PAOK Saloniki B opened the scoring with a flowing move and a composed finish from the edge of the area.
• Early second half: Apollon Kalamarias levelled after pressing higher and forcing PAOK B into a defensive error.
• 79th minute: PAOK B’s substitute combined down the left before the winner was drilled low into the net.
• Final minutes: Apollon pushed for a late equaliser, but PAOK B defended their box with maturity and ran down the clock.

Tactical story

PAOK Saloniki B played with the intensity expected of a side built around young, ambitious players. Their pressing was aggressive, their midfield rotated constantly and their full-backs pushed high to create overloads in wide areas. That approach gave them control in the first half, but it also left space behind the defensive line when Apollon Kalamarias managed to beat the initial press. The visitors’ equaliser came from exactly that route: a direct pass into space, a quick lay-off and a finish from a supporting runner.

Apollon Kalamarias were organised and compact for much of the match, defending in a mid-block and looking to counter through the flanks. Their problem was sustaining pressure after the equaliser. PAOK B adjusted by moving the ball more quickly from side to side, stretching Apollon’s midfield and creating room for substitutes to attack the box. The winning goal was a product of that patience and rotation, with PAOK B’s wide players drawing defenders before the final pass opened up the central shooting lane.

Standout performers

PAOK B’s attacking midfielder Dimitris Theodorou was at the heart of their best moves, drifting into pockets of space and linking play between midfield and attack. His first-half performance set the tone, and his willingness to press without the ball helped PAOK B win possession in dangerous areas. The substitute who provided the late spark, Nikos Vlachos, changed the rhythm of the game with direct running and sharp movement inside the box.

For Apollon Kalamarias, striker Kostas Papadopoulos was the visitors’ most dangerous outlet, holding the ball up well and bringing teammates into play. His equalising goal rewarded a disciplined team performance, while central defender Petros Kampouris made several important blocks and interceptions. Ultimately, though, Apollon could not contain PAOK B’s late wave of pressure.

Super League 2 impact

Three points take PAOK Saloniki B into a stronger position in the Greek Super League 2 table and underline the value of their attacking depth. The result also highlights the competitive nature of the division, where development sides and traditional clubs meet in tightly contested matches. For Apollon Kalamarias F.C., the defeat is a reminder that away performances in Super League 2 require ruthlessness in both boxes. They matched PAOK B for long spells but lacked the final piece of quality in the closing minutes, while PAOK B showed the kind of late-game conviction that can turn promising performances into wins.