Here's the latest: Giannoulis has signed for Norwich. It's a great move for him. Mitroglou for second place Aris. Sokratis for league leaders Olympiacos. Alanyaspor have set a price 5 million euros price tag on Bakasetas. It's difficult to see him leaving any time soon, which is rather unfortunate for a player of his quality. Giakoumakis' 16 goals in the Eredivisie mean he's now top scorer. He's had a breakthrough season. Fountas has received a ban for a spitting incident. Samaris may sign for Huesca, joining Siovas. Huesca are currently sitting last place in La Liga.
Christos Tziolis has just signed a deal to join Norwich. He and Giannoulis should work really well together. If they can help Norwich avoid the drop, that will be some achievement. Given how well Buendia had done at the club since leaving for Villa, it seems like Tziolis found the right club to cater to his development.
There used to be a time when Greek supporters could sit next to each other and support their clubs like decent people. That all changed with the hooligan culture that developed through the years and which still lingers. Just the other day a young man, in his teens, was killed during a brawl involving two sets of supporters of rival clubs Aris and PAOK. The other root of the problem is the anarchist/marxist mindset of many jobless youths. For all of the government's talk about clamping down on violence and hooliganism, there's a greater need to help Greece's young find better prospects for themselves.
Bakasetas and Siopis won the Turkish Superliga title with Trabzonspor over the past weekend. Well done lads.
Mavropanos could be on his way to West Ham. Good club for him. Shame he couldn't make the grade at Arsenal.
Olympiacos is out of the UCL after a crushing defeat to Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa. Pedro Martins will gone in the morning. Quique Setiens maybe? Marcelino? Both would command a salary over 2 million euros a season.
Another name mentioned is Carlos Corberán. He was at Huddersfield recently and was an assistant to Bielsa a couple of seasons ago at Leeds. He has some experience in Cyprus. He doesn't have a great winning record and he looks like something of a gamble, but he's an up-and-coming manager.
Roberto de Zerbi is another name being seriously considered. He'd be the best choice for the job of the names I see seriously in the conversation. Other names floating around: Xabi Alonso Tiago Motta Slaven Bilic Fabio Cannavaro Javier Calleja Jose 'Pepe' Bordalas A decision will be reached next week.
Greek football is in need of radical change. This is shaping up to be the worst season in Europe that I can ever remember and the national side has been woeful due to a lack of investment into Greek players and Greek coaches.
Olympiacos luckily progressed after a shoot-out. Only Greek team remaining in Europe. Too many fitness issues at Olympiacos.
Saudi Arabia to launch 2030 World Cup bid alongside Egypt and Greece Tournament would have to be played in winter again if bid was successful https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...-cup-bid-alongside-egypt-and-greece-cqwwnv9m7 I heard about this awhile ago, but it looks legit now. I much prefer this idea than the hosting the Euros with other Balkan states.
The new coach at Olympiacos was sacked. Laurent Blanc is being touted as his replacement. Ironically, Slaven Bilic came close to getting the job in the summer. He was the man who shamefully contrived to get Blanc sent off in the semi-final of the 1998 WC, which meant Blanc missed what would have been the most important game of his career.
There's a new Greek CB being talked up, Koulierakis. https://www.sportime.gr/podosfairo/...n-fan-ntaik-trivoun-ta-cheria-tous-ston-paok/ Inter are keeping tabs on him. I don't know much about him, but considering the other kind of players that have come through at PAOK and Greece recently, it will be difficult for him to succeed abroad.
Boris Kleyman accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year old Belgian girl. After being taken into custody by the police, he also was found to have some drugs on him. Volos FC have already started the process of dissolution of his contract. As well as that of João Escoval, who was also present during the incident.
Some guys just don't know how to treat women. I'm glad Volos are taking action. In the past, this sort of thing might have been overlooked.
Mavropanos is a good player, but the errors against France were just too much. Gave away the pen, handed France a re-take after Vlachodimos' fine save, and then the red which was at least somewhat forgivable. Retsos and Hatzidiakos were excellent though and give me a lot of confidence for the Netherlands game. The crowd at the Parc de Prince acted like they were at a tennis match. There were like 5 Greeks in the stands and they were the only people making noise.
Panathinaikos has remarkably reached the UCL playoffs after beating Marseille. They now face Braga in order to reach thr group stage. AEK have won the first leg against Dinamo Zagreb and will have Antwerp to play if they win on Aug-19. It's very possible we will see 2 greek teams in the UCL group stages for the first time in over a decade.
AEK lost to a defensively solid Antwerp. They will be a hard nut to crack in the return in Athens. Almeyda will have to come up with something clever. Hopefully Panathinaikos can surprise Braga today.
Can't believe Sokratis is still playing. He's at Pellegrini's Real Betis alongside a resurgent Isco. Fatih Terim has taken over as manager of Panathinaikos. Monday his team take on AEK in a big game.