Argentinian forward Luciano Galletti had earlier given the Greek champions the lead 10 minutes into the second half with a neat finish, but Zauri struck with just 13 minutes left on the clock to deny Takis Lemonis's men and earn a share of the points for his team.

The lack of supporters as Olympiacos served a one-match behind-closed-doors sanction as punishment for crowd disturbances last season made for an eerily silent atmosphere, but a vociferous gathering of Olympiacos fans in the parking area behind the main stand took it upon themselves to make as much noise as possible in an attempt to rally behind their team from afar.

It was the hosts who almost took the lead inside five minutes when captain Predrag Djordjevic prodded over from close range after a great run and cross by Vasilios Torossidis on the right.

There was danger at the other lend from the resulting goal-kick as Lazio won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Cristian Ledesma's curling effort was tipped round the post by Antonis Nikopolidis, however.

Lomana Lua Lua's trickery and athleticism caused no end of problems for Lazio in the early stages and on 14 minutes a trademark dribble took him past two defenders but his deflected shot fell kindly for Lazio keeper Marco Ballotta.

Neither goalkeeper was really extended in a tentative opening 45 minutes, with tame shots by Lazio duo Goran Pandev and Gaby Mudingayi easily gathered by Nikopolidis.

The visitors best chance came just after the half-hour mark, though and only a last ditch tackle by Olympiacos defender Michal¯Zewlakow blocked Stefano Mauri's goalbound shot as the Olympiacos back-line was caught napping.

The hosts finished the half strongly, however, as Galletti broke clear down the right channel and drew an excellent save from Ballotta at his near post.

A strong start to the second half from Olympiacos saw defender Paraskevas Antzas's point-blank header saved by Ballotta six minutes in before the hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

A slick passing move involving Lua Lua and Djordjevic unlocked the Lazio offside trap and sent Galletti galloping through on goal.

The Argentinian neatly rounded Ballotta before slotting home a right-footed shot which gave Olympiacos hopes of a dream start to their campaign.

With Lazio on the backfoot, Galletti won two corners in the space on a minute just after the hour mark as Olympiacos looked to extend their lead while Djordjevic fired a long-range effort just over the bar. Aside from a couple of dangerous crosses, Lazio struggled to create openings at the other end.

Delio Rossi sent on Simone Del Nero with 20 minutes remaining in an attempt to liven up his team, and the diminiutive striker made a nuisance of himself to unsettle the Olympiacos backline with his direct running.

But the action quickly turned to the other end again as Lua Lua showed a great turn of pace to accelerate past Emilson Sanchez Cribari before shooting tamely from distance, allowing Ballotta to gather the ball comfortably.

A lapse of concentration cost the hosts dear though with 13 minutes left on the clock.

There looked little danger when Pandev prodded a ball through the left channel, but home defender Christos Patsatzoglou failed to reach it and the ball fell to Zauri, who steadied himself before beating Nikopolidis with a low shot at the keeper's near post to spark frenzied celebrations on the Lazio bench.

Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi were both denied brilliantly by Nikopolidis with four minutes left as Lazio ended the match strongly.