Olympiakos draws 2-2 with Giannena in Greek league

Nov 21, 2009 - 8:12 PM ATHENS, Greece(AP)-Giannena striker Ibrahima Bakayoko came off the bench Saturday to score a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Olympiakos in the Greek league.

Michal Zewlakow and Costas Mitroglou gave Olympiakos a 2-0 lead. Christos Tzanis narrowed the gap for Giannena before Bakayoko made it 2-2 in the last minute of regular time.

Olympiakos has 27 points from 11 games, one behind Panathinaikos, which hosts Asteras on Sunday.

With four regular starters sidelined because of injury, Olympiakos went on the attack squandering an early chance when Ieroklis Stoltidis shot wide from inside the six-meter (yard) area in the second minute.

Four minutes later, it was Giannena's turn to miss a chance when a header by Ivica Majstorovic from inside the area grazed the post.

Olympiakos' superiority paid off in the 23rd when Zewlakow put his team ahead with a header off a free kick by Jaouad Zairi.

Giannena, which returned to the top flight after six years in the second division, came close to equalizing in the 44th when a powerful shot by Patrick Dimbala from the edge of the area went wide.

One minute into the second half, a blistering shot by Giannena midfielder Petros Kanakoudis forced goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis to punch the ball away.

In the 80th, Olympiakos made it 2-0 with a goal by Mitroglou off a through ball by Dudu.

Three minutes later, Tzanis' powerful shot from outside the area found the net before Bakayoko, who had replaced Dimbala in the 76th, made it 2-2 with a header.

Also Saturday, it was: Kavala 2, AEK Athens 1 and Xanthi 1, Levadiakos 0.

On Sunday, it's: Panionios vs. Panthrakikos; Iraklis vs.Atromitos and PAOK vs. Aris.