The Greek Cup 1980–81 was the 39th edition of The Greek Football Cup, or Greek Cup for short.
Contents
Tournament details
Totally 58 teams participated, 18 from Alpha Ethniki and 40 from Beta Ethniki. It was held in six rounds, included the final. Concerning the two previous years, two-legged tie would be extended in third round too.
Even if many Alpha Ethniki teams eliminated from the first round, afterwards there were very interesting matches. AEK Athens had the most difficult draws, after they eliminated Panathinaikos and Aris, in order to be eliminated by PAOK with two losses in the semi-finals (second leg became in Chalcis due to punishment).
Olympiacos had to win Panionios during the extra time of second leg in Third Round in order to qualify, while the surprise of season were Panegialios, which qualify to semi-finals, after qualifies against OFI and Doxa Drama, both teams of Alpha Ethniki. They achieved good results in away second legs.
The final was contested by Olympiacos and PAOK, after 7 years and in the same stadium (Nikos Goumas). Olympiacos took the title 3–1, while won The Double after both winning of Alpha Ethniki championship of the season. They would achieve this again in 1999. The match was marked by riots between fans of both teams, one of the first phenomena of hooliganism that were imported in Greece in the beginning of 1980 decade.
It is still characteristic that the footballers of both teams played wearing black brassards, Olympiacos players mourning the victims of tragedy of gate 7, and PAOK players in memory of their coach Gyula Lóránt, who had died at the bench on May 31, 1981.
Quarter-finals
First legs were played on May 13, 1981, while second legs on 27th.
Semi-finals
First legs were played on June 3, 1981. Second legs on the 10th.
Final
The 39th Greek Cup Final was played at the Nikos Goumas Stadium, Athens.