Soccer-Panathinaikos seal Champions League berth

By Graham Wood

ATHENS, May 31 (Reuters) - Panathinaikos secured a place in next season's Champions League after defeating city rivals AEK Athens 2-0 in the final game of the Greek Super League playoffs on Sunday.

Henk Ten Cate's team, who finished the regular Super League season in third place, clinched victory at the Olympic Stadium courtesy of goals from Giorgos Karagounis and Ante Rukavina, which ensured they topped the playoff mini-league by six points ahead of AEK.

Panathinaikos join Greek champions Olympiakos Pireaus in the draw for the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Greece's representatives in the new-look Europa League, which replaces the UEFA Cup, will be AEK, PAOK and Larissa.

(Editing by Ed Osmond. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)