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Soccer-Panathinaikos clinch Champions League place via playoffs

By Graham Wood

ATHENS, May 31 (Reuters) - Panathinaikos secured a Champions League qualifying spot by beating PAOK Salonica 2-0 on Sunday to extend their lead in the Super League playoffs to a eight points with two matches left.

Haris Mavrias scored after 10 minutes and Greece striker Nikos Karelis struck in the 28th to seal a comfortable home win in front of a sold-out Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium crowd.

The result moved Panathinaikos on to 14 points and means they are now mathematically assured of a place in the third qualifying round of European soccer's elite club competition.