Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Friday, December 19, 2025, 07:38 / Updated Friday, December 19, 2025 07:40
Greek tycoon Marios Iliopoulos (59 years old), the patron of AEK Athens, was overjoyed after the victory with the University of Craiova3-2, as a result of which his team ranked among the top 8 in the Conference League, advancing directly to the round of 16.
In the 90th+7th minute, AEK was led home by Craiova University. At that score, the Greeks would not have made the TOP 8 and would have had to go through the play-offs to qualify for the eighth.
Two very late goals, signed by Kutesa ('90+8) and Jovic ('90+14, from the penalty) – this in the conditions where 8 minutes of extra time had been dictated from the break -, made AEK reverse the result and finish the league phase in 3rd place, and Craiova stay at home.
AEK's boss went wild after the win with Craiova University
The conduct of the match produced an explosion of joy in the home camp. After the match, AEK's owner, Greek tycoon Marios Iliopoulos, who owns the ferry company Seajets, took to the pitch to celebrate with his employees. He hugged some of the players and the party continued in the locker room.
Iliopoulos was the center of attention. Wearing AEK's scarf around his neck, he climbed onto a bench, shouted and gesticulated energetically in celebration. From the bench, the boss of the yellow-blacks threw himself into the arms of defender Harold Moukoudi, as can be seen in the images published by sport24.gr.
Four wins, one draw, one loss is AEK's record in the league phase. If they had not won against Craiova, the Greeks would not have reached the top 8 – a draw would have left them immediately below the line, in 9th place!
