Greek Wrap (…not a Gyro) Round 19: Olympiacos extends its lead at the summit

By: Peter Katsiris | January 27th, 2009

Something of a revamped feature here at the Greece Blog at theoffside.com is this feature Greek Super League weekend wrap (…and yes it isn’t edible like a Gyro). My blogging partner, Chris Paraskevas, usually posted a Super League round-up similar to what follows below, but with my post secondary institution, yes its YORK UNIVERSITY, heading back into full swing after an 11-12 week strike, I’ll be unable to provide match reports like I had in recent weeks.

I might still be able to cover high-profile matches in the League, as well as the Cup during the week; not to mention Panathinaikos’ quest to go far in the UEFA Champions League.

Olympiacos fans, however, can head over to my Olympiacos Blog and get their fix of previews and reviews of matches – and much, much more – each week. The same can be said for AEK fans, as Chris takes care of you at over at the AEK Blog.

So here we go ladies and gentlemen…

Another weekend in the books, and it looks like there will be another Super League title added to Olympiacos’ very large trophy cabinet. The Greek Champions moved to eleven points ahead of PAOK, and twelve ahead of Panathinaikos, thanks to results for the pair in Crete and Thessaloniki favouring the ‘Eryhthrolefki’.

Olympiacos CFP 2-1 OFI Crete FC
Diogo 7′, Galletti 67′ – Simic 62′

Only two games took place on Saturday, rather than the traditional three matches. In Piraeus, Olympiacos returned home after a 2-0 Greek Cup win over OFI, as the same Cretan club visited the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium. Olympiacos dominated for most of the match, but the score-line didn’t do justice for ‘O Thrylos’. Diogo opened the scoring for the hosts just seven minutes in, but Aleksandar Simic replied for the Cretans shortly after the restart. Luciano Galletti grabbed the winner, soon after the Argentine was introduced as a second half substitute. [Read more...]

Ergotelis FC 1-0 Panathinaikos FC
Romano 55′

Ergotelis capped a rare double against Panathinaikos, as the Cretan side enflicted a shock 1-0 loss on Henk Ten Cate’s men, to improve not only their situation in the standings, but prematurely destroy Panathinaikos’ title hopes. Ante Rukavina was sent off just after the interval, and within three minutes of the Croatian’s dismissal, Diego Romano fired the hosts ahead. It was a devastating loss for Panathinaikos, who fell behind their fierce rivals and league leaders Olympiacos by an astonishing twelve points ahead of the two-third mark in the Super League. [Read more...]

Panthrakikos FC 1-0 Iraklis FC
Riera 4′

An early goal from Sito Riera was all that Panthrakikos needed to overcome an ailing Iraklis. A bad week turned worse for the visitors, who also lost out against Asteras Tripolis in the Greek Cup on Tuesday. The hosts, meanwhile, improved on their surprising form in their first season in the Greek top flight. Another three points catapulted the Thracian club back into the top half of the table, and two points off the last playoff race.

Asteras Tripolis FC 2-0 Levadeiakos FC
Filomeno 33′, 63′

A brace from Lucio Filomeno continued Asteras Tripolis’ resurgence in recent weeks, as the Arcadian club cruised to a 2-0 win over Levadeiakos in Tripoli. The Argentine struck in both halves to assure his side of three points, and of some much needed breathing room between them and the Super League relegation zone. Levadeiakos, meanwhile, were frustrated but a stern Asteras defense. The Peloponnesian side kept eight-goal scorer Leonardo off the scoring charts, after the Brazilian had tallied in five straight games for the visitors.

Larissa FC 1-1 Panserraikos FC
Zurawski 17′ – Konstantinidis 90′

Another late goal from Panserraikos troubled Larissa, as the Serres based side struck late to spoil Stelios Giannakopoulos’ return to Greece. Poland international Maciej Zurawski struck after seventeen minutes to put Larissa ahead, but a stubborn Panserraikos climbed back on level terms Sotiris Konstantinidis ahead of the final whistle, as Larissa failed to defeat the ‘Liontaria’ for the second time in five days. Still strapped in the relegation zone, and tipped to remain in the bottom three, it was a valuable point for Hugo Broos’ men who followed up their 1-0 win over Larissa in the Cup on Wedesnday with a crucial tie at the Alkazar Stadium.

Thrasyvoulos Fylis FC 1-1 Skoda Xanthi FC
Martorell 12′ – Poy 26′

Skoda Xanthi’s winless streak on the road was extended to six games, as Thrasyvoulos became the sixth team in the series of a half dozen games to frustrate Giorgos Paraschos’ men. Federico Martotell gave the hosts the lead after just twelve minutes with a sharp header past Michael Gspurning, but Xanthi replied within the opening half hour through Mauro Poy. Despite the dismissal of Thrasyvoulos midfielder Nikola Trajkovic, Xanthi failed to take advantage of their strength in numbers. Few opportunities were created by the Thracians; allowing Thrasyvoulos to hold on for a valuable point, while Xanthi continued to slip away from the playoff race.

Aris FC 0-0 PAOK FC

It was another goalless draw between two of Thessaloniki’s fiercest rivals, as the biggest northern Greek derby ended with a stalemate at Aris’ Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium. Playing for the second time in two weeks, the result was a repeat from the cup match in Toumba. Despite being under new management, as Enrique Hernandez was let go just days prior to the derby; Aris manage to control the match, and looked more promising to score. PAOK, however, stayed firm and held on to claim a valuable point in Thessaloniki. While a draw with their rivals in their opponent’s stadium is usually a great feat, the realization that their title quest is slipping away is a grim reality for a rejuvenated PAOK. Nonetheless, both sides will lock horns again on Wednesday, as the Greek Cup pairs the sides at the same ground for a final replay.

AEK Athens FC 3-0 Panionios GSS
Blanco 7′, Edinho 27′, Scocco 47′

While rumblings in behind-the-scenes at AEK cause a boardroom distraction, Dusan Bajevic and his players showed they were very focused on the task at hand on Sunday. An all South American trio paved the way for the hosts, as AEK cruised to a 3-0 win over Panionios at the OAKA Spyros Louis Stadium. Ismael Blanco opened the scoring after just seven minutes, and Edinho struck just before the half hour mark to make it 2-0. With the score already convincing, an early second half strike confirmed AEK’s performance as Ignacio Scocco struck to make it 3-0 after forty-seven minutes. It was a big boost for AEK, who host Olympiacos in a week’s time. Panionios on the other hand, will look to rebound when they tackle Veria in the Greek Cup on Wednesday.

Next Matchday – Round 20:
OFI Crete FC vs. Larissa
Iraklis FC vs. Aris FC
Panionios GSS vs. Panthrakikos FC
Panserraikos FC vs. Thrasyvoulos Fylis FC
PAOK FC vs. Ergotelis FC
Levadeiakos FC vs. Panathinaikos FC
Skoda Xanthi FC vs. Asteras Tripolis FC
AEK Athens FC vs. Olympiacos CFP