Two free kicks were enough for Aris to turn the score in favor of Livadia, win (1:2) over the local team and now have the first reason to reach the “8” of the Greek Cup before the rematch at Kleanthi Vikelidis.

Thessaloniki, unimpressive with their game, were the ones with the ball in the first half, but they lacked a finishing effort, barring a 12th-minute Gray strike that Markovic saved. The home team, Jasminko Velic, found their way to the goal in the 40th minute with a shot from Tsirigotis’ place after an excellent pass from Vichos and were the first to go to the dressing room.

The Yellows equalized at the start of the second half (52′) with a direct foul by Iturbe, but the goal was scored by an erroneous decision by referee Evangelos, who gave an indirect goal in favor of the guests when Zamba played Markovic, a turn that was clearly not intentional, but a clean side kick blow.

Eleven minutes later (63 min.) with a new free kick from Palma, Alan Pardew’s players turned around to form a 1-2 final score that gave them a big lead.

In another match of the day, Panserraikos defeated Apollon Pontos 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals. Goals from the team of Pavlos Dermitsakis were scored by Kanis (12 minutes), Katsantonis (51 minutes) and Sofianos (79 minutes).

The results of the first matches of the “16” stage: Kalamata – PAOK 0-2, Lamia – Kallithea 1-1, Apollon Paralimniou – Agios Nikolaos 2-2, Panathinaikos – Volos 3-0, Olympiakos – Atromitos 4-1, Kifisia – AEK 0: 2, Panserraikos – Apollon Ponto 3:0, Levadeakos – Aris 1:2.

The return legs will take place on January 10, 11 and 12, and the quarter-final pairings will be as follows: the winner of Kalamata / PAOK – Panathinaikos / Volos, the winner of Olympiakos / Atromitos – Levadeakos / Aris, the winner of Apollo Paralimniou / Agios Nikolaos – Lamia. / Kallithea, the winner of Kifisia / AEK – Panseraikos / Apollo Ponto.