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What we learned from Greece vs England at OAKA

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 What we learnt from Greece vs England at OAKA By Stephen Kountourou A first misstep will not necessarily define a team, and results in the future. That is, as long as the players and the manager learn from past mistakes and move forward.  Head coaches routinely say that you learn more from defeats than victories, and that is what fans of the Ethniki will be hoping after a disappointing night in the Athens Olympic Stadium against England, who ran out 0-3 winners. Ironically this was the result people had expected away in Wembley Stadium, with a few chances for Greece, and England asserting their dominants and running out comfortable winners. We all know what transpired there. But with a 60 thousand capacity OAKA, there was hope that Ivan Jovanvic’s men could perform another miracle, secure the top spot in the group and ensure promotion to League A in the Nations League.  Sadly the Three Lions did not underestimate their opponents this time. A much more functional formation, with player
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Heavy victory at Toumba for Olympiakos

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 Heavy victory at Toumba for Olympiakos By Andreas Mitsis Chiquinho was responsible for two goal-scoring performances at Toumba. In a wonderful event between PAOK and Olympiakos, the big club from Piraeus was able to leave Thessaloniki victorious with a 2-3 victory in the bag. Aris, AEK and Olympiakos top the table where all three stand on 21 recorded points after 11 league rounds. The match that stood out during the weekend's 11th league round was the one between PAOK and Olympiakos on Sunday evening (10/11) at Toumba in Thessaloniki. PAOK arrived at the summit from a respectable 2-0 loss to Man Utd in the Europa League earlier this week.  The reigning UEFA Europa Conference League champions Olympiakos in turn also came from play in EL where it was 1-1 at home against Rangers. Thus, the conditions were similar in that respect. Despite the slightly worn teams, we got to see a really great match at a high pace. One of the best so far this season in the league. Olympiakos drew the lo
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Olympiakos vs Rangers: UEFA Europa League Matchday 4 preview

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Olympiakos vs Rangers: UEFA Europa League Matchday 4 preview By Stephen Kountourou UEFA Europa League League Phase  Matchday Four: 07/11/24 Kick-off Time: 19:45 Greek Time Venue: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 3 HD As the season takes shape, it’s been a mixed start for UEFA Conference League champions Olympiakos. An inconsistent run and a lack of concentration in key moments, whether finishing chances, coming back from a goal down or forfeiting a comfortable lead has cost time in matches, particularly in the league. It has been a very different story on the international stage. Thrylos has played and performed as a champion of Europe should, with no fear or pressure regardless of the opponent. Jose Luis Mendilibar has highlighted in press conferences recently that it partly is due to the space that his team has found on the counterattack in the Europa League compared to Greece, where smaller clubs play much more conservatively against Olympiakos, which in tu
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Malmö FF vs Olympiakos: UEFA Europa League Matchday Three Preview

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 Malmö FF vs Olympiakos:  UEFA Europa League Matchday Three Preview By Stephen Kountourou UEFA Europa League League Phase Matchday Three: 24/10/24 Kick-off Time: 22:00 Greek Time Venue: Eleda Stadion  Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 3 HD Northern Europe can be one of the toughest places to travel for any football club. This is not just because there are tough teams that compete in Scandinavia, but because the cold is an element that can be a huge advantage to the host side in European competition.  Thankfully for Olympiakos, the fixtures have been kind to the Conference League holders, who travel to Sweden to play Malmö FF, just before the cold of winter sets in. That is not to say the Swedish champions will be easier to face. Still, Thrylos have one less aspect of this fixture to worry about, as it will be a storm they must weather to keep the momentum of staying in Europe beyond the end of the League Phase. Last time in the UEL Olympiakos After the defeat to Lyon, Mendilibar and his pl
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Olympiakos vs S.C. Braga: UEFA Europa League Matchday Two preview

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 Olympiakos vs S.C. Braga:  UEFA Europa League Matchday Two preview By Stephen Kountourou UEFA Europa League League Phase Matchday Two: 03/10/24 Kick-off Time: 19:45 Greek Time Venue: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 3 HD There are a few interesting narratives for Olympiakos, as they go into Matchday Two of their Europa League campaign against Portuguese side S.C. Braga.  Firstly there's Carlos Carvalhal, who briefly managed Thrylos last season. The Portuguese coach started well, by qualifying the Piraeus side for the UEFA Conference League, which they would ultimately go on to win with Jose Luis Mendilibar.  The performances were disastrous at the turn of the year. By the end of February, with Olympiakos in 4th place in the league, looking almost certainly out of the title race and with Europe a couple of weeks away, the club let Carvalhal go. After returning to Braga for a 3rd stint he will be looking to prove a point against his former employers.  Secon
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Olympique Lyonnais vs Olympiakos: UEFA Europa League Matchday One Preview

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 Olympique Lyonnais vs Olympiakos:  UEFA Europa League Matchday One Preview  By Stephen Kountourou UEFA Europa League League Phase MD-1: 26/09/24 Kick-off Time: 22:00 Greek Time Venue: Parc Olympique Lyonnais Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 2 HD European competition returns for another season and with it some big changes. A new format, more teams, more matches, more football and from a personal perspective, more previews from yours truly.  It is still strange to think that, only a few months ago, the footballing world witnessed Olympiakos lift the UEFA Conference League trophy in Agia Sophia. While it felt like an end of an era, the story of the beautiful game, never truly ends.  Everything is ripped up and starts fresh for the new season, and while as supporters we will never forget the greatest triumph in our club's history, we too must look to the future and what lies ahead. That being the UEFA Europa League. Gone are the group stages, much like the Champions League and Conference
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Greek clubs in Europe 2024/25

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 Greek clubs in Europe 2024/25 By Stephen Kountourou European football is back and with a brand new format, the League Phase. The move away from the group stages, after over three decades from 1991 to 2024, has excited some fans as a welcome change. More games, more teams and more action-packed fixtures between the big boys of the European stage. What's not to love?  Others may roll their eyes at the new format, as it can be seen as a prelude to the much-maligned European Super League, with more fixtures meaning less rest for players. This less competitive format almost guarantees the bigger clubs qualify for the Round of 16 over smaller teams and UEFA perhaps fixing a system that wasn’t broken, to begin with.  Whatever your opinion, it is time for continental football on the European stage again for Greek clubs, with three competing in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, respectively. But how did Olympiakos, PAOK, and Panathinaikos qualify, and who will they face? O
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One transfer for every Greek Super League Club 2024/25

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 One transfer for every  Greek Super League club 2024/25 By Stephen Kountourou The Greek transfer window has slammed shut and it has certainly been an eventful summer for the top flight. According to FIFA, Super League clubs spent a record-breaking €46.39 million in the summer of 2024.  In some ways, this big money expenditure shows that the years of careful spending and lack of funds due to a seemingly ever-looming national financial crisis is well and truly over. With all that being said here is one player from each club that, in my opinion, will make the most impact for each Greek side this season.  AEK - Erik Lamela Right Winger 32 years old  Argentinian Signed from Sevilla on a free transfer What better way to start than with one of the biggest summer transfers (which also helps that AEK comes first alphabetically) The former Europa League winner, who signed on a free transfer after his contract with Sevilla expired, had an injury-prone campaign last season, managing 19 appearance
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Ioannidis secured the victory in Jovanovic's debut on the coaching bench

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  Ioannidis secured the victory in  Jovanovic's debut on the coaching bench By Andreas Mitsis Attacking ace Ioannidis is hugged after his second goal of the evening. Ivan Jovanovic's debut on the coaching bench ended in a comfortable 3-0 victory against Finland in the Nations League. Two of the goals were scored by Fotis Ioannidis who was the best on the pitch. Next, Ireland await away from home next week. The premiere in the Nations League B league for the national team at home in Karaiskakis against Finland was also new national team captain Ivan Jovanovic's first game in charge of the national team. 3-0 ended the match after Fotis Ioannidis made the difference.  Jovanovic chose an eleven based on experience, chemistry and went a bit "safe", which is logical when he only had time for a few training sessions with the team.  The first 45 minutes were in fact no further effort from the national team. It was tentative, a bit nervous and contained some simple mistake
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The Best European Results From Every Greek Club

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The Best European Results From Every Greek Club By Konstantinos Massaras, I think it is fair to say last season was the most successful season in the history of Greek clubs competing in European tournaments.  The addition of the Conference League has certainly added an unprecedented element for Greek, and all other clubs who play in European leagues outside of the top 10, who do not regularly qualify for the quarter-final rounds of major tournaments.  It only took three editions of the competition for Greece to crown their first ever European Champion. On top of that, that was the only way Greece could reach the 15th spot in the UEFA Coefficient Ranking, meaning we will be competing for five European spots in the SLGR 2024-25, which include two Champions League Qualifying spots. To prepare for the upcoming European competitions, I will be looking at the best results in Europe from every Greek club that has played a match in a UEFA competition. To select the best result for each club, I
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