GREEK side Panathinaikos broke holders Ajax record unbeaten 19 match European Cup run in Amsterdam last night, beating them 1-0 in their European Cup, first leg semi final match.

Polish striker Krysztof, Warzycha scored the goal in the 87th minute, his sixth in eight European Cup matches.

A brilliant 50 metre counter attacking run by substitute Dmitrios Markos and then a perfect pass to Warzycha, who has said he would retire if they win the European Cup, set the striker, up.

The 31 year old Polish international advanced into the penalty area and lifted the ball coolly over the dive of goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.

The Greek champions, who had to qualify through the preliminary round to enter the Champions League, were deserved winners.

A defence superbly marshalled by the 31 year old veteran Efstratios Apostolakis held out against the normally so potent Ajax attack.

Polish goalkeeper Jozef Wandzik saved brilliantly from Nigerian international Finidi George late on.

The Greeks' Argentinian play maker, Juan Borelli (25) controlled midfield and showed his days as a young player under Daniel Passarella at River Plate had not been wasted.

In attack Warzycha, with 150 goals for the Greeks, was sharp but his partner, substitute Georgios Georgiadis, was the catalyst for most of Panathinaikos' best play in the second half both in attack and defence.

Georgiadis forced Van der Saar into a brilliant save midway through the second half, after being put through by Borelli.