Olympiacos CFP Thread

[Celticrugby]

Olympiakos triumph again in Greece

Olympiakos CFP secured a tenth Super League title in eleven seasons, and their 35th overall, with a 3-1 home victory against Kerkira FC on Sunday.

Comfortable day
Rivaldo set Olympikaos on their way with an early goal and second-half strikes from Predrag Djordjević, from the penalty spot, and Nery Alberto Castillo made the game safe despite Flavinho's consolation for the away side. It means that Olympiakos cannot be caught by AEK Athens FC, who won 5-1 at relegated Ionikos FC today. The champions have a six-point advantage on their rivals, with two games to play, but crucially have the better head-to-head record after a win and a draw this season.

AEK consolation
Olympiacos coach Panagiotis Lemonis was without injured Cyprus strikers Michalis Konstantinou and Yiannis Okkas, but any concerns about a lack of firepower was to prove academic. The club will enter the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage, while AEK can at least content themselves with a spot in the third qualifying round after moving nine points clear of third-placed Panathinaikos FC after they lost 1-0 to visiting Aris Thessaloniki FC. Panathinaikos could still have the Greek Cup as a consolation when they take on Larissa FC on 5 May in Volos.

[Fins Prompte]

Hope Rivaldo reconsiders his retirement to play in the CL one more time.

[pyrtas]

Congrats!! And Rivaldo is on his way to get the top scorer crown. Unless mIeciel of PAOK finds his touch and gets another hattrick and more.

[Celticrugby]

Pride but little joy for Olympiakos

Monday, 23 April 2007

by Vassiliki Papantonopoulou from Athens

Olympiacos CFP won their tenth title in eleven seasons at the weekend but captain Predrag Djordjević admits "we haven't enjoyed it that much".

Final victory

Sunday's 3-1 home win against Kerkira FC secured the championship with two games remaining, but while Olympiacos will hold a celebration marking the season's end on 13 May, Djordjević concedes it has been an underwhelming triumph - even if he and Georgios Anatolakis became the first men to claim ten Greek titles.

Early exits

"It's a notable achievement for me and Georgios, but I have to confess we haven't enjoyed it that much," he said. "This season hasn't gone as planned. We got knocked out of the European competitions early and also got eliminated from the Greek Cup at a premature stage.

However, we managed to win yet another league and that's important." The 34-year-old Serbian international is not alone in feeling underwhelmed. A crowd of barely 20,000 attended the Kerkira match where a 33,000 sellout might have been expected, and there were chants of disapproval from the terraces as fans vented their anger at the board's perceived lack of ambition.

Inconsistent rivals
Olympiacos have probably not been at their best in this campaign, with many attributing their domestic dominance to the instability of their rivals. Coach Panagiotis Lemonis, who took over following Trond Sollied's dismissal in December, said: "Throughout the season we have enjoyed a considerable lead over our main challengers, AEK Athens [FC] and Panathinaikos [FC].

I want to congratulate my players, my assistants and my predecessor Trond Sollied." Brazilian veteran Rivaldo is optimistic next season will bring a little more cheer at the Piraeus club. "We always aim for the best and will hope to do well in the UEFA Champions League," he said. "We have another chance next term and will try to make the best of it."

[zeus3dfx]

Rivaldo is most likely staying with us for next year too, for one last final Champions League campaign. Don't forget he is getting on with age too guys, he just turned 35.

[zeus3dfx]

Some pics from the Kerkyra game..

Our captain, Predrag Djordjevic

[zeus3dfx]

Rivaldo

[zeus3dfx]

Hey all, I know we have some Panathinaikos fans, just wanted to know if there is anyone here who even remotely supports Olympiacos, apart from me obviously.. :cool

[Celticrugby]

I think you may be the only one. Hopefully we can attract more Greek fans to the site.

[pyrtas]

I could support them but Zewlakow makes me not to:)

[zeus3dfx]

lol... Zeulakow has been pretty good for us actually. Well, in the Greek league. Champions league, not so much :)

Pyrtas, why the hating tho? Wisla fans don't like him?:cool

[Vidi Vici]

I like Olympiacos. Don't exactly support them tho. But definitly favourite team in Greece/Turkey.

[zeus3dfx]

Cool man. Now I just got turn you into a passionate supporter of ours. lol
Someone has to help me promote the Greek champions.. btw Sollied flunked big time with us.

It wasn't all his fault though, he just couldn't take us to the next level. He basically got too acquainted with the Greek lifestyle and when it came to making the big direction changes for the club and revamping the squad he didn't have enough power and ability to do it.

Do you know where he is now? Any chance he might go back to Rosenborg?

[zeus3dfx]

I think you may be the only one. Hopefully we can attract more Greek fans to the site.

Lol Celticrugby bro, that has been my lifelong quest ever since joining this great site. All the Greeks seem to be hanging out at soccer.gr forums though, sadly enough. Hopefully though we can get some more on board here, should help out with the diversity here. :nod

[Celticrugby]

Lol Celticrugby bro, that has been my lifelong quest ever since joining this great site. All the Greeks seem to be hanging out at soccer.gr forums though, sadly enough. Hopefully though we can get some more on board here, should help out with the diversity here. :nod

Yeah, is where my buddy g00nis posts. We need to kidnap some people and get them to join over here.

I know the2ndmouse was from there, but I haven't seen him in a year or two.

[zeus3dfx]

Nah.. those soccer.gr guys.. I don't know about them... Very biased every time someone attacks Greece or Greek football directly or indirectly. Plus their knowledge of world football is lacking at best.

Looks like me and g00nis have to carry the flag around here. Also, if anyone needs info on Greek football history, current state of affairs, and anything else pertaining to football in the Balkans, I'll be more than willing to help out.

[Panatha13]

nice ;)

[pyrtas]

lol... Zeulakow has been pretty good for us actually. Well, in the Greek league. Champions league, not so much :)

Pyrtas, why the hating tho? Wisla fans don't like him?:cool


Not hating. I just find him a bit of a smug big-head. He is lucky that a wing backs is the most wanted player in Polish NT and the supply is really low.

[Celticrugby]

Rivaldo bids Olympiacos goodbye

Saturday, 12 May 2007
(http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%280%29)
Olympiacos CFP have parted company with veteran Brazilian playmaker Rivaldo after failing to agree terms on a contract extension with the 35-year-old.

Triple triumph
Rivaldo, who joined the Piraeus outfit in summer 2004, has been instrumental this season, scoring 15 times as the club claimed a third successive Super League title. The Brazilian gave an emotional press conference to announce the news while a statement from the club said: "The player did not accept the particular proposal and consequently Olympiacos CFP would like to thank him for his efforts up to today and wishes him good luck."

European hope
The club's supporters were expecting their talisman to remain in Athens for one last stab at taking them through the UEFA Champions League group stage. But the former FC Barcelona and AC Milan man will not even be present at the club on Sunday when Olympiacos host a party to celebrate the championship following their final match of the season against Ionikos FC.

[Dude]

MLS next move?:laugh

[pyrtas]

MLS next move?:laugh


Or Arabia finally . To earn for full retirement.

[Redhat]

hopefully the a-league to sydney FC :D

we can all dream!

[zeus3dfx]

Unbelievable. I've been in a total shock these past two days. I just can't understand what our directors are doing.....

[zeus3dfx]

He is a bit of a smug head. But he looks to be loyal too, so we'll keep him for the next little while..:laugh

[Constantinos]

Rivaldo is very close with agreeing with AEK Athens for next season. So he gets another chance to be in the CL..

[Celticrugby]

Rivaldo is very close with agreeing with AEK Athens for next season. So he gets another chance to be in the CL..

hahaha wow. :laugh

[zeus3dfx]

Yes, it is pretty sad. I can analyze the whole situation for you guys, from what I have heard through the Greek media obviously, since we don't have any first hand accounts, but I am just so annoyed at this whole incident of Ribo leaving us... so I'll do it another time.

Hey Constantinos, are you an Oly fan?

[forzaitalia25]

will olympiakos be in the champions league next season ?

[Celticrugby]

AEK ambition appeals to Rivaldo

Tuesday, 29 May 2007

AEK Athens FC have signed Rivaldo on a free transfer after the Brazilian ended his three-season stay with Greek champions Olympiacos CFP.

Still ambitious
The 35-year-old attacking midfielder has agreed a two-year contract with an AEK side destined for the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after finishing second in Greece's Super League. Rivaldo said: "I have left one big club to join another big club. AEK have great potential and the fact my family are settled in Athens was a factor in my decision. My aim is to help AEK win the league and get into the Champions League group stage."

Glittering CV
The move reunites Rivaldo, who claimed three championships and two Greek Cups at Olympiacos, with coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer - the pair having coincided at FC Barcelona. Rivaldo becomes AEK's fourth summer signing after Rodolfo Martín Arruabarrena, Tamandani Nsaliwa and Edson Ramos. A star on this continent with RC Deportivo La Coruña, Barcelona and AC Milan, the playmaker first shone on home soil with SC Corinthians Paulista and SE Palmeiras. The highlight of his long international career was lifting the FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan in 2002.

[Constantinos]

Olympiakos will be in the group stages and AEK will be in the 3rd qualifying.

Rivaldo has signed a 2 year contract with AEK ATHENS at the age of 35.

[Celticrugby]

Olympiakos make offer to Inter Milan attacker Recoba

tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007

http://www.tribalfootball.com/images2/spacer.gif
Olympiakos are moving for Inter Milan attacker Alvaro Recoba.

The Greek club's president, Sokratis Kokalis, is in Milan today for talks with Inter over the Uruguay international.

Kokalis is understood to have met with Recoba's representatives yesterday and made a three-year contract offer worth £1.5 million-a-season.

[pyrtas]

Would be a good shout. Looks like older, former stars are good enough to shine in Greek league.
Good luck to him if he joins.

[zeus3dfx]

we better get this guy... apparently he's asking for 2.5E million a year... :(

[Celticrugby]

Well, they've got to do something to make up for giving Rivaldo to one of your biggest rivals.

[zeus3dfx]

Well, they've got to do something to make up for giving Rivaldo to one of your biggest rivals.

Yes, true. The media in Greece for the longest time were saying that we were going to transfer Tuncay, never happened. Now we're apparently trying to transfer Recoba and Dahl Tomasson. We'll see....

And we already lost one of our big transfer hopes in Petric, who went to Dortmund. It's going to be a long summer :nod. Hopefully Makelele will want to give Greece a shot too, we have Karembeu talking to him alot, saying what a great club we are etc.. hopefully he can play his role and lure him over for a couple of years.

[Celticrugby]

Yes, true. The media in Greece for the longest time were saying that we were going to transfer Tuncay, never happened. Now we're apparently trying to transfer Recoba and Dahl Tomasson. We'll see....

And we already lost one of our big transfer hopes in Petric, who went to Dortmund. It's going to be a long summer :nod. Hopefully Makelele will want to give Greece a shot too, we have Karembeu talking to him alot, saying what a great club we are etc.. hopefully he can play his role and lure him over for a couple of years.

Yeah, Petric was a big loss, but it may help Celtic get Frei out of there. :D

Makelele I guess stated he may want to do the MLS too, so we shall see. He's older of course, but I think he'd be great in either league, and of course Olympiakos has CL football.

If you got either Recoba or Tomasson that would be big. Of course I favor PAO, but I think any signings that make the Greek league get more publicity and talent is good for the game there.

[zeus3dfx]

Petric going to Germany hurt alot...:laugh But I was expecting it. We're not at the point yet on the European stage where we can make signings of top players from competitive markets.

So you guys are looking at Frei? Not a bad choice. Actually now that I come to think of it, do you guys ever use Jarosik? We could use someone like that. I also read somewhere that we were interested in Beattie, but that was a while back. How did he do this year?

As for Tomasson, please dear Lord, do something so that we can get him :laugh. Someone of his caliber and professionalism is hard to come across anywhere, let alone in Greece.

[Celticrugby]

Petric going to Germany hurt alot...:laugh But I was expecting it. We're not at the point yet on the European stage where we can make signings of top players from competitive markets.

So you guys are looking at Frei? Not a bad choice. Actually now that I come to think of it, do you guys ever use Jarosik? We could use someone like that. I also read somewhere that we were interested in Beattie, but that was a while back. How did he do this year?

As for Tomasson, please dear Lord, do something so that we can get him :laugh. Someone of his caliber and professionalism is hard to come across anywhere, let alone in Greece.

Yeah, that's one of the rumors spinning around...but it seems Celtic want to buy up SPL class guys instead. Really, the team needs a top class guy to partner Air Force Jan up front. Frei is "supposedly" one of the five they are looking at.

Celtic does use Jarosik, but out of position. :rolleyes:

This is a debate we as fans have been having all season. When he is in the midfield, he scores goals...and some game winners, when he is up front and not in position, he can't do anything.

He said he wants back into the EPL or the Russian league, so we'll see what happens.

[Celticrugby]

Nikopolidis still needed at Olympiacos

Olympiacos CFP and Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis has extended his contract with the reigning Super League champions for another season.

Title hat-trick
The 36-year-old, part of Greece's triumphant UEFA EURO 2004™ squad, has won the title in each of his three seasons since joining the Piraeus club in 2004 after 15 years at Panathinaikos FC. Olympiacos, who will represent Greece in next season's UEFA Champions League, said: "Following today's meeting between Olympiacos vice-president Giorgos Louvaris and Antonis Nikopolidis both parties have agreed to the extension of his contract."

Nikopolidis made 28 appearances last season, as well as six in the UEFA Champions League, as Olympiacos finished ahead of AEK Athens FC to lift the Greek title for the tenth time in eleven campaigns.

[Celticrugby]

Núñez signs on for Olympiacos

Monday 25 June 2007
(http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%280%29)
Greek champions Olympiacos CFP have signed 22-year-old forward Leonel Núñez from AA Argentinos Juniors for a reported fee of €3m as they prepare for Europe.

'Historic club'
The Argentinian has signed a four-year contract with the Piraeus club having scored 13 goals in 34 games last season. "I am satisfied," he said. "I know Olympiacos from their UEFA Champions League participation and I have been very impressed by their fans. I want to win the Greek Super League. Olympiacos are a historic club. I believe that I will adjust quickly to the team."

Núñez is Olympiacos' first major signing of the summer, although they have agreed contract extensions with goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis, full-back Anastasios Pantos and winger Predrag Djordjević. They will compete in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage.

[GreenHerc]

Olympiakos is also on the verge of signing Galetti from Atletico. Hes a really good player. Im actually worried now as they are getting some decent players finally.

[Celticrugby]

Olympiakos is also on the verge of signing Galetti from Atletico. Hes a really good player. Im actually worried now as they are getting some decent players finally.

I would be worried when they bring back the "k" so their name looks more extreme. :o

[zeus3dfx]

Hopefully this Nunez will be a good signing for us. Looks to have all the qualifications for it, so hopefully he can come on over to us and improve.

And celtic, the whole issue revolving around our name has to finally be cleared up. We were known for our first 5 or so Champions League appearances and all of our Uefa cup campaigns as Olympiakos. Then the administration decided to change it to a 'c', Olympiacos. And as of now, I don't know what the correct spelling in English is. :laugh

So I am going to go with Olympiacos with c, I think it looks marginally better than with a k, even though that's how the spelling is in Greek, obviously.

[zeus3dfx]

Awesome. One more year of white hair dye to go though at Olympiacos :cool

[Celticrugby]

g00nis and I were talking about this the other day, I really prefer the K since I think its more exotic and bad ass.

I guess it changed when they brought the Olympics to Athens. :(

[zeus3dfx]

g00nis and I were talking about this the other day, I really prefer the K since I think its more exotic and bad ass.

I guess it changed when they brought the Olympics to Athens. :(


The k is seriously badass... but it also looks awkward. I actually kinda like the c for some reason, I am not sure why. So here it is people, the debate is on. Olympiakos vs Olympiacos.

[zeus3dfx]

Olympiakos sign Argentina midfielder Galletti

Written by: AFP


Greek champions Olympiakos announced Friday that Argentine midfielder Luciano Martin Galletti(R), seen here in 2006, has penned a four-year contract.

ATHENS (AFP) - Greek champions Olympiakos announced Friday that Argentine midfielder Luciano Martin Galletti has penned a four-year contract.

The club did not release financial details of the deal.

Galletti, 27, has played 13 matches for Argentina, scoring three goals.

For the last two seasons Galletti played for Atletico Madrid and before that for Real Zaragoza (2001-2005), Estudiantes (2000-2201 and 1997-1999) and in Italy for SSC Napoli and Parma AC (1999-2000).

"I am very happy and want to thank both Olympiakos and Atletico Madrid for this opportunity," he said.

"I am pleased with the way that the administration of Olympiakos, the coaching staff and the fans welcomed me and I want to show my appreciation on the pitch."

[Celticrugby]

Olympiacos bring back Antzas

Wednesday 4 July 2007
(http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%280%29)
Greece defender Paraskevas Antzas has returned to domestic champions Olympiacos CFP from Skoda Xanthi FC on a two-year contract.

Second coming
Antzas, 30, made 83 league appearances for Olympiacos between 1998 and January 2004, before "personal problems" caused him to move to third division Doxa Dramas FC.

He soon switched to Xanthi, where he had begun his top-flight career in 1995, in the following campaign and went on to feature in 23 games last season as his side finished tenth in the 16th-team Super League. Capped 16 times by his country, Antzas missed out on Greece's UEFA EURO 2004™ triumph but will hope transferring to the UEFA Champions League contenders can enhance his chances of an international recall.

Olympiacos, who released defender Georgios Anatolakis last week, have also signed Argentinian duo Leonel Núñez and Luciano Galletti, and look set to acquire Serbia striker Darko Kovacević after his departure from Real Sociedad de Fútbol.

[zeus3dfx]

Yup. Antzas is back. Not that it is anything exciting obviously, I just hope he plays well considering we're giving him a second chance. That and the fact that we have let so many defenders go, makes him an ok transfer.

Celtic, any reports yet about us getting Raul Bravo? That's been tossed around in the Greek news now for a while, was hoping you had something concrete from an international source.

Btw, your team PAO there seem to be asleep this transfer season. What's going on? :cool

[Celticrugby]

Yup. Antzas is back. Not that it is anything exciting obviously, I just hope he plays well considering we're giving him a second chance. That and the fact that we have let so many defenders go, makes him an ok transfer.

Celtic, any reports yet about us getting Raul Bravo? That's been tossed around in the Greek news now for a while, was hoping you had something concrete from an international source.

Btw, your team PAO there seem to be asleep this transfer season. What's going on? :cool

I was up in Ann Arbor this weekend and my buddy g00nis mentioned that you guys were in for Bravo. I've seen no official stuff yet, but I guess the Greek papers are a buzz with it.

I assume they are trying to make it up to the fans for letting Rivaldo go to an archrival (which I still can't believe).

Yeah, g00nis said they haven't been doing too much. I guess a Veron offer *might* have been made.

[zeus3dfx]

Well I don't know what panathinaikos are doing, but if they show up this year with a team equivalent to last year's, it will not be good. We need some challengers in Greece!

Check out this pic I found from the 1974 European Champions Cup, Celtic vs Olympiacos. I think it's the only time we have ever faced each other in a competitive match. I'm not exactly sure who won though. Celtic guy is obviously the one with the horizontal stripes.

[zeus3dfx]

KOVACEVIC SEALS OLYMPIACOS MOVE


Olympiacos have made their fourth signing of the summer after confirming the transfer of striker Darko Kovacevic.

The 33-year-old Serbian, who arrived in Athens late on Wednesday night to conclude the deal, penned a one-year contract for Takis Lemonis' reigning Greek champions on Thursday as the Pireaus club look to mount an assault on next season's Champions League.

"I am very happy to be here in Greece to play for such a major club as Olympiacos," said Kovacevic.

"I hope it is going to be a very positive experience and I hope to win titles with Olympiacos.

"I know a lot about Olympiacos as I have played against them both with Sociedad and Juventus.

"I also know some of the players very well, such as Predrag Djordjevic and Luciano Galletti. I know that they are a big club and I have seen many of their matches. I have also spoken with a lot of my compatriots about Olympiacos.

"I hope to give the fans joy and to score a lot of goals. This is important to win titles. I don't like to make promises but I want to help the team to achieve its objectives, to win the title and to do well in the Champions League."

The former Juventus and Real Sociedad frontman scored 101 goals in 278 appearances for Sociedad in two separate spells from 1996-99 and 2002-07 and Lemonis will be hoping the Serbian's addition can offset the departure of Rivaldo to AEK Athens.

Olympiacos are also hoping to tie up a deal to bring Real Madrid defender Raul Bravo to the Karaiskakis stadium.

If negotiations between the two clubs reach a successful conclusion, the 26-year-old is expected in Athens on Friday to agree personal terms on a three-year contract.

[Celticrugby]

Well I don't know what panathinaikos are doing, but if they show up this year with a team equivalent to last year's, it will not be good. We need some challengers in Greece!

Check out this pic I found from the 1974 European Champions Cup, Celtic vs Olympiacos. I think it's the only time we have ever faced each other in a competitive match. I'm not exactly sure who won though. Celtic guy is obviously the one with the horizontal stripes.

You beat us in the first round. :(

Celtic 1 (Wilson) Olympiakos 1 (Viera)
Olympiakos 2 (Kritikopolous, Stavropoulous) Celtic 0.

[GreenHerc]

I just hope he plays well considering we're giving him a second chance.

Really? I think its more of Antzas giving you guys a second chance considering he was your best defender before Kokkalis Jr started screwing his wife.

Antzas will be better than Anatolakis but he is still way too slow for the CL.

[zeus3dfx]

You beat us in the first round. :(

Celtic 1 (Wilson) Olympiakos 1 (Viera)
Olympiakos 2 (Kritikopolous, Stavropoulous) Celtic 0.


Ahh, Milton Viera, very good player back in the day.

[zeus3dfx]

Really? I think its more of Antzas giving you guys a second chance considering he was your best defender before Kokkalis Jr started screwing his wife.

Antzas will be better than Anatolakis but he is still way too slow for the CL.


File gooni, so he gives us a second chance and comes back to the squad now that Kokkalis Jr has an even more important position at the club? Why exactly would he do that if he has beef with him and Petros is at Renti almost every day it seems?

Antzas is a p***y, as simple as that, couldn't handle the spotlight, and had issues with barbageorge and his parea. And he wasn't that great even right before he left.
I don't understand why he's back but whatever, we need all the centre backs we can get.

Tora, synomosies typou o Kokkalis pidaei tin gynaika tou Antza klp den prokeitai na tis pistepso, ektos an to pei o idios:laugh. Ola t'alla einai kourafexala, kaneis den kserei akrivos tin alitheia.

A, kai prin ksehaso, tin gynaika ti tin ekane o Boulis, tin kleidwse sto spiti tou sthn Xanthi??:laugh

[GreenHerc]

Kserw gw ti kanei o Antzas. Mporei na tin afise i auta pou les oti oi gavrofilades grafane malakies (megali ekpliksi...). Telika stin Ellada mporei na kanei tin diafora alla sto CL... xes'ta.

[GreenHerc]

What happened to Konstantinou? I rate Mixalaki more than a 34 yr old Kovacevic.

As for Raul Bravo... :laugh

[zeus3dfx]

Olympiakos Set To Offer Michael Owen Huge Wage Deal - Report

The Greek outfit could be set to attempt to lure another Englishman to Piraeus...

Olympiakos, who have already signed two players with English connections this summer, are reported as being prepared to offer Michael Owen, whose contract with Newcastle United expires next week, an extremely lucrative contract in order to tempt him to Greece.

A report in British tabloid The Daily Mail suggests that the Greeks could be set to offer him a chance to rejuvenate his career ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Matt Derbyshire signed for the club last week from Blackburn Rovers, after he enjoyed a successful loan spell with the club in the second half of last season and became a fans' favourite, netting a dramatic late equaliser in the Greek Cup final, which Olympiakos won on penalties.

Former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg also joined the club over the weekend, and now they are considering a hat-trick of northern European signings by making a bid for Owen.

The Greeks feel that they can better any wage offer made by Hull City, and can boast Champions League football, which none of his English suitors can provide the former England man with.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/06/28/1352441/olympiakos-set-to-offer-michael-owen-huge-wage-deal-report

[Vidi Vici]

Some kind of financial support for Olympiakos atm?

[zeus3dfx]

Well, we need a striker. We only have Diogo and Derbyshire. Don't know if I really want Owen at our club though. He's expensive and not as good as he used to be, obviously. In short, he's a liability.

[Vidi Vici]

Well, we need a striker. We only have Diogo and Derbyshire. Don't know if I really want Owen at our club though. He's expensive and not as good as he used to be, obviously. In short, he's a liability.

Trying to copying the Turkish clubs policies?:devil

[zeus3dfx]

Well, it brought them a UEFA cup, right? I think Greek clubs need to improve their youth systems as well as signings big-name European players. It's the only surefire way to success.

[Vidi Vici]

Well, it brought them a UEFA cup, right? I think Greek clubs need to improve their youth systems as well as signings big-name European players. It's the only surefire way to success.

Completely true. Especially nowadays with the financial crisis. I'm pretty much fed up with sickening commercialisation in modern football.

[Max Power]

I really don't want to open myself up to being run, but hasn't Greek teams had some financial difficulty in the recent past?

Granted, Owen isn't going to break a bank though.

[zeus3dfx]

Yeah they have, but its usually the smaller ones. The big clubs can offer up to $2.5-3 million max per year per player (for only 1-2 players obviously or else the wage bill would get shot).

Also, the largest transfer fee for a Greek club is $10 million. So Greek clubs aren't exactly filthy rich but they're not poor either.

[GreenHerc]

Two of the big clubs have a lot of money - Olympiakos, Panathinaikos.

Two of the big clubs have no money - AEK, PAOK.

Everyone else is pretty much in the AEK/PAOK category of not having any real money.

[zeus3dfx]

Re, pote eftases 1,300 posts? I gotta start picking up the pace here..:nod

[GreenHerc]

Otan eisai douleia kai den exeis tipota na kaneis;

;)

[zeus3dfx]

Otan eisai douleia kai den exeis tipota na kaneis;

;)

Can I send my resume into your place?

[zeus3dfx]

I hope this doesn't go on all summer, but we really need a LM, and I guess we're being linked with anyone out there with some skill and the kitchen sink.

From Goal.com:
http://goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2009/07/03/1361607/olympiakos-keen-on-jose-antonio-reyes-report

http://i.media.goal.com/g/22347_news.jpg
Olympiakos Keen On Jose Antonio Reyes - Report

Olympiakos are weighing up a move for Atletico Madrid's unsettled winger Jose Antonio Reyes, AS suggests.

The former Arsenal man has struggled for form at the Vicente Calderon and is believed to be assessing his options ahead of the new season.

Reyes' agent has spoken of his client's desire to secure a permanent switch to Benfica, whom he represented last season on loan, but the Portuguese club are yet to reach a compromise with Atletico.

Reports in Spain on Thursday spoke of Fiorentina's interest in Reyes, but fresh speculation indicates that Olympiakos are now in the frame for the 25-year-old.

However, it is reported that the Greek giants see Reyes as their third option, behind Olympique Lyonnais' Kim Kallstrom and Real Betis winger Mark Gonzalez.

Olympiakos' signing of Kallstrom will be somewhat difficult as the Sweden international appears to be determined to stay put at the Stade Gerland and prove himself following the departure of Juninho.

AS reports that if negotiations for Kallstrom and Gonzalez fail to produce any effect, then Olympiakos will be interested in making a €5 million approach for Reyes.

Luís Mira, Goal.com

[DvA]

You will never have his full rights though, Benfica owns 25% Bought for 2,25 millions
He doesn't worth the 3 millions year wages he receives though.

[C]

how he has fallen

[Celticrugby]

Albanian Assignment for Olympiacos

By: Peter Katsiris (peter.katsiris@greeksoccer.com)

The draw for the first and second qualifying rounds of the 2010/2011 UEFA Europa League has paired Olympiacos FC with Albanian side Besa Kavaje. The Piraeus giants were the top seed in Monday's draw, and are certain favourite heading into the tie.

The Erythrolefki will be wary of their opponents for the second qualifying round with a loss to Anorthosis Famagusta in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round in recent memorty.

The first leg is scheduled for 15 July at the Stadiumi Besa in Kavaje, Albania, before the tie shifts to Greece as Olympiacos entertain their Albanian opponents at the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus on 22 July.

Other notable entrants for the second qualifying include Turkish side Besiktas JK who face Faroese side Vikingur. Meanwhile Cypriot side APOEL FC will face the winner of the first qualifying round tie between Llanelli AFC and FK Tauras, while APOEL's league rivals Anorthosis Famagusta are slated to meet Armenia's FC Banants in the second round.

[GreenHerc]

Champions League hopefuls Schalke have completed the transfer of young defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos from Greek giants Olympiacos for an undisclosed fee. The 18-year-old has signed a four-year deal with his new club.

Schalke were in the market for defensive reinforcements due to the ongoing uncertainty about the future of Benedikt Hoewedes and Heiko Westermann and have now signed a replacement in case either of the duo leaves Gelsenkirchen this summer.

Papadopoulos joined Olympiacos from Svoronos Katerinis in the summer of 2007 and is considered to be one of the most promising young Greek players around. He has been capped at under-21 level several times.

The centre-back was previously linked with clubs such as Espanyol and Manchester City, but has now opted to join Bundesliga side Schalke instead.

He's the fifth new signing for Schalke after the previous captures of Tim Hoogland (Mainz), Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid), Erik Jendrisek (Kaiserslautern) and Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)


Big talent who has played well for the youth national teams but is untested against senior teams.

The undisclosed fee was released and is 2.5 million Euro.

[GreenHerc]

Olympiakos Sign Francois Modesto

Player of Olympiakos officially is Francois Modesto. The French defender passed through medical examinations Thursday morning and signed a two year contract. The 32 year old will collect roughly 550.000 Euros annually.


He was a free transfer from AS Monaco where he had played for 6 years.

[Ugh]

Bit of a modest signing, isn't he?

Hehehe.

[GreenHerc]

Don't quit your day job ;)

[zeus3dfx]

Well, our transfer policy continues to suck. We let go of Kyriakos Papadopoulos for 2milE, and sign Modesto instead :ninja Why???

Why not train and improve our youth players??

[Celticrugby]

Vukcevic on the verge, Baptista in the shadows

The transfers continue to pour in at Olympiacos FC as the Piraeus giants are close to signing Simon Vukcevic on loan from Sporting Lisbon reports suggest. Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Julio Baptista could also be headed to the port city as new majority shareholder Vaggelis Marinakis looks to strengthen his team this summer.

According to reports, Vukcevic arrived in Athens over the weekend and is working out contract details with Olympiacos officials ahead of an anticipated loan switch to the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium.

Negotiations have gone so well reports say Vukcevic is due for a medical before the two sides put pen to paper early this week. The 24-year-old is seen as a fill-in for the gaping hole on the left side of the Olympiacos midfield.

Vukcevic started his career in Serbia with Partizan Belgrade before making a move east to Russia with Saturn Ramenskoye. His career, however, did not get off the ground until a year later when Vukcevic clinched a move to Portugal with Sporting.

Vukcevic is not known for scoring, but will provide a unique dimension to the Olympiacos attack with his presence down the left flank.

Meanwhile, a former Olympiacos volleyball coach has tipped the Erythrolefki as in the running for Roma’s Baptista. Gian Paolo Montali, who works for the Roma front office, has hinted that Olympiacos are in the running for Baptista after rumors surfaced late last week.

[GreenHerc]

Olympiakos Pireaus have completed the signing of Argentine midfielder Ariel Ibagaza on a free transfer, the Greek club said on Sunday.

The 33-year-old playmaker, who was released by Spanish club Villarreal, agreed a two-year contract.

"I'm very happy that I've come to Olympiakos," Ibagaza told the club's official website (www.olympiacos.org). "I know the team lost the championship last season and I want to help them regain the title."

Ibagaza spent the majority of his career in Spain with Real Mallorca and Atletico Madrid as well as Villarreal.

(Reporting by Graham Wood, Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)



Olympiakos look set to land Denmark international Dennis Rommedahl on a free transfer.

The winger is seeking a new club after parting ways with Ajax this summer, ending his three-season stay with the Dutch club.

Rommedahl, who enjoyed a fine 2010 World Cup, is reportedly poised to ink a two-year contract with Olympiakos, subject to a medical.

The 31-year-old's potential arrival would follow the capture of Argentine midfielder Ariel Ibagaza, who arrived in Greece on Sunday for a medical and to put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal.



Olympiakos have a lot of needs to fill. They will use Ibagaza as a playmaker and Rommedahl as the right wing replacement for the now finished Luciano Galetti.

Though definitely upgrades these would have been great signings 2-3 years ago. I'm not sure that at this point these players can have a big enough impact.


If I was an Olympiakos fan I would want them to build more through youth and less through formerly great players looking for one last paycheck.

[Hurley]

Rommedahl is replacing a player who's finished?

[GreenHerc]

Finished as in his career is over (its an American sports term sorry that I used it).

Galetti has had major health issues and was forced into retirement.

[Celticrugby]

Well, hopefully these moves make them lose next season too.

[mejulian]

Damn, Ibagaza's 33 already? I remember watching him with Lanus before moving to Mallorca with Cuper's gang.

[GreenHerc]

Excitement prevails in the ranks of Olympic, after the positive outcome of the discussions were transcribed for Albert Riera. The Peraiotes, after concerted moves of the new major shareholder of FC, Evangelos Marinakis, made the break-through and will provide more than 20 million (!) For the acquisition of the Spanish attacking midfielder.

Specifically, the 28 year old player will sign a four-year contract (3 +1) and annual earnings - including the bonus of achieving goals - will amount to 2.7 million. The net will not exceed 2 million. Regarding the money for Liverpool, it ranges from 4 million Euro to 5.3 million Euro depending on bonuses, maybe even more!

Nearly a year after the departure of Predrag Djordjevic, Mr Marinakis' "shook the pot in the air "and makes the most expensive transfer in history of Olympiakos (***). It is worth noting that the negotiations began on the ninth morning, Socrates Kominakis met Riera's management, Angel Castel and colleagues, at their hotel. There he became the first hours of discussions with the difference not covered.

Subsequently, two meetings (one in the office of major shareholder of EAE), the negotiations were tough and the Spaniards appeared unshakable. However, Mr Marinakis wanted to give joy to the people of the team and raised his offer so much that an agreement was reached.

(***) Not true - Olympiakos most expensive transfer is the 12 million they paid to Portuguesa for Diogo in 2008. What makes this move expensive is the contract offered to Riera.

After signing Ariel Ibagaza and Dennis Rommedahl to fill the AMC and AMR positions respectively Olympiakos massively upgraded their left side of attack by adding a very accomplished player in Albert Riera.

Currently it looks like manager Ewald Linen will want to go with a 4-2-3-1 system. With a scheme similar to this...

...................X..............Dudu
Rommedahl..........Ibagaza............Riera
.....................Diogo/Mitroglou

They turn their attention to obtaining a holding midfielder to act as an anchor and allow Dudu to focus on playing the box-to-box role which suits him best. They are currently linked to Gennaro Gattuso and Marcos Senna. Both DMCs passed their best but still good enough to really strengthen Olympiakos midfield.

[zeus3dfx]

Sweeeeet :salute

[Celticrugby]

The Greek league is going to be interesting at the top this year.

[C]

ive always thought riera was very overhyped but he should succeed in the greek league. overpriced though.