Aris progress to knockout stage
Aris Thessaloniki sealed their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League with a home win over Rosenborg.
Goals from Danijel Cesarec and Ricardo Faty in each half proved enough for the Greek side, whose win meant that holders Atletico Madrid were eliminated after finishing third in Group B.
Aris entered the match knowing they had to at least match Atletico's result at Group B winners Bayer Leverkusen to progress and always looked the most likely against a Rosenborg side whose season ended last month.
The Norwegian champions did create the first chance when Markus Henriksen saw a long-range effort saved by Michail Sifakis, but Aris controlled matters thereafter.
Costas Mendrinos tested away goalkeeper Daniel Orlund first with a 20-yard shot that was comfortably held before Juan Carlos Toja came closer only to see his shot kept out by the shot-stopper's legs.
The match was still inside its first 20 minutes when Peral Javito then shot over before Orlund had to move quickly to parry away a Garbini Michel free-kick.
Rosenborg were clearly going to have to take their chances if they were to earn anything from the match, but Rade Prica spurned their best opportunity on 30 minutes when he headed straight at Sifakis from close range.
Aris then got the goal to ease their nerves a minute before the interval.
Sergio Koke found space down the right flank and his ball to the far post found Cesarec to head his side in front from close range.
With Atletico's match in Leverkusen goalless at the break, Aris knew they held the advantage and they spent the second half ensuring they suffered no scares.
Mendrinos shot tamely for Orlund to make a routine save early on but goalmouth action was few and far between in a subdued half.
With the final whistle in sight Aris showed some sign of nerves as they relied on Sifakis to keep out shots from Mikael Dorsin, Morten Moldskred and veteran Steffen Iversen.
But the Greek side's progress was finally ensured in injury time when substitute Faty scored from close range.
Aris Salonika 2-0 Rosenborg: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.
Source: DSG
