Report: PAOK 0 Hibernian 1
Hibs made it three wins from three games in pre-season with an impressive victory over Greek giants PAOK.
Against an experienced opposition full of international talent, David Gray’s men put in a really positive performance, particularly out of possession, to earn another win and another clean sheet.
The game was played in difficult conditions for both sides including incredibly strong winds at Sportpark Kerkebos throughout the 90 minutes, but Martin Boyle’s early goal proved the difference for the Hibees.
It was the second of two games in the Netherlands as part of Hibernian’s pre-season training camp. Joe Newell captained a starting XI that featured all three of our new summer signings including goalkeeper Josef Bursik and centre-backs Marvin Ekpiteta and Warren O’Hora.
Lewis Miller joined Ekpiteta and O’Hora in a back three, with Chris Cadden and Jordan Obita providing width as wing-backs.
Newell made up a midfield trio alongside Nathan Moriah-Welsh and Josh Campbell, the latter having scored in each of Hibernian’s friendlies against Edinburgh City and MSV Duisburg.
Boyle led the line alongside Dutch striker Dylan Vente, and it was the Australia international who put Hibs ahead - but not before an important save from Bursik at the other end.
Inside four minutes, the 23 year-old 'keeper got down well to deny Bulgaria captain Kiril Despodov from close range on the angle.
Then came the only goal of the game, as Boyle pressed ferociously and chased down Dominik Kotarski in the PAOK goal. The Croatian goalkeeper's attempted pass was cut out by Boyle and ricocheted into the net for 1-0.
Boyle had another chance not long after, forcing Kotarski into a smart save after a quick ball into him from Campbell.
Hibs were looking to move the ball forward at pace, finding Boyle and Vente between the lines, facing goal wards.
The back three of Miller, Ekpiteta and O’Hora were happy to deal with any pressure at the other end, with the latter showing a decent passing range on the left of the defensive trident.
It was Hibs who continued to have the better chances in the opening 45 minutes, with Campbell and O’Hora both forcing Kotarski into acrobatic stops.
PAOK looked to control possession but struggled to break Hibs down. The one time they found a gap and the goal, it was chalked off by the officials for offside.
The second half continued much the same as the first: difficult, windy conditions, Hibs keeping their structure and PAOK finding it tough to make their possession tell. All the while, Hibs remained a threat on the break.
Gray made a number of changes after an hour played, as the First Team continue to build back towards fitness ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Youngsters Rudi Molotnikov, Kanayo Megwa and Rory Whittaker came on for more valuable minutes and held their own against a team that lifted the Greek title in May.
Despite the swap in personel from the Hibees, PAOK were limited to half-chances in the second half. The closest they came to troubling the scoreboard was a Nicolás Quagliata strike late on that was saved well by substitute shot stopper Jojo Wollacott.
Hibernian will return from the Netherlands on Monday ahead of their first competitive fixture of 2024/25, away to Elgin City in the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday 13 July.
Hibernian
XI: Bursik; Miller, Ekpiteta, O'Hora; Cadden, Moriah-Welsh, Newell, Campbell, Obita; Boyle, Vente.
Subs: Wollacott, Boruc, Levitt, Youan, Amos, Harbottle, Megwa, Jair, Rocky, Molotnikov, Whittaker.