Panathinaikos were left to regret a catalogue of wasted opportunities in their UEFA Europa League clash with Go Ahead Eagles, as Milan Smit inspired the Dutch side to a historic 2-1 comeback victory in Athens, their first-ever group stage triumph in European competition.
Making their maiden appearance away from home in a continental league-phase fixture, the Eredivisie underdogs endured a relentless first-half storm.
Jari De Busser kept them alive with a string of crucial saves, denying Tete twice and tipping Adam Gnezda Čerin’s header over the bar to frustrate the Greek hosts before the interval.
Panathinaikos finally made the breakthrough shortly after the restart when Karol Świderski ghosted in front of his marker to nod home Tete’s near-post delivery, his second successive goal in the competition.
The Greens, dominant throughout, seemed poised to put the contest beyond reach, only for De Busser to thwart Filip Đuričić with another fine stop.
That moment proved pivotal. In a rare foray forward, Dean James broke down the flank and found Smit, whose instinctive flick slipped past Alban Lafont despite the goalkeeper’s touch. Suddenly, the balance of the game had shifted.
Stunned but still searching, Panathinaikos pressed on, yet the visitors struck again late on. James and Smit combined once more in the 82nd minute, with the striker sliding in to complete a sensational turnaround and seal an unforgettable night for Melvin Boel’s men.
For Go Ahead Eagles, it was a milestone win celebrated with ecstasy. For Panathinaikos, it was a sobering first home defeat of the season and a painful lesson in the cost of missed chances.
