Sparta were limited to long range shots from Libor Sionko and Jiri Jarosik, and showed little ambition as they allowed the Greeks to push forward.
Greece international Nikos Liberopoulos should have punished Sparta for their lack of ambition before the interval but glanced a point blank header wide of the post with the goal gaping.
Konstantinou struck again two minutes after the break with a pile-driving header after good work from Jan Michaelsen on the right.
Danish international Michaelsen was replaced soon after by Fernando Galetto after picking up a booking that will keep him out of the Athens side's Porto trip.
Livewire midfielder Giorgos Karagounis was influential along with Angelos Basinas but the hosts were content to retain possession and hold their 2-0 lead.
The strategy could have ended in tears as substitute Martin Klein threatened a late comeback for the visitors with an 89th minute headed goal.
Despite some scrappy late defending Panathinaikos never looked like conceding a second goal and experienced Dane Rene Henriksen shepherded injury time efforts to block any Sparta attacks.
Source: Onefootball.com |
