PAOK defender Dimitris Giannoulis sidelined with ankle injury

PAOK defender Dimitris Giannoulis suffered a grade two ankle sprain during the final minutes of the match against Panathinaikos at the OAKA stadium on September 6, 2026, which ended in a 3-1 defeat for his side. The 30-year-old player was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher and was subsequently seen wearing a protective brace and using crutches to stabilize his leg.

While initial reports suggested a six-week recovery period, further examinations have confirmed a grade two ankle injury, narrowing the estimated recovery time to approximately three to four weeks. As a result of this injury, Giannoulis will miss upcoming club fixtures, including matches against Atromitos and Panaitolikos. Furthermore, he is expected to be unavailable for the Greek national team's Nations League fixtures against Serbia, Germany, and the Netherlands scheduled between September 24 and October 1.

Medical staff performed imaging tests on September 8 to verify the extent of the damage. The player is expected to return to professional competition in the first ten days of October, following the conclusion of the international break.