athinaios

Unfortunately the egos involved won't make this possible. We know that when several big $$ guys were involved a few years back they couldn't agree on anything. Yes, they got the team to win a double, but they wasted a ton of money, and in essence left nothing behind but big debts.

I agree about the lesser teams not trying hard against the reds, but seriously, I've seen too many PAO games against lesser teams where we dropped points and the reality was: we sucked! Sorry, but when you play against a team about to fall a division and you can't dominate the game, there's no excuse. Of course you may drop a point here and there because the refs aren't playing you fairly, but many of those games we lost or tied were unwatchable, for me at least. Horrible effort by the greens. When PAO goes to the playoffs for 2nd place, wins--which shows that against the top finishers PAO plays well. I guess when it matters, they concentrate and give it all. But a championship is a long road. Consistency matters. I've heard this from many sources: many teams don't try hard against gavroi because they believe that either the ref won't be fair or that gavroi (at least in the many years in the past) they would show up to play a serious game. And, yes, because of all the money gavroi could have had a much better squad than the lesser teams. On the other hand, PAO was considered fair game by the lesser teams, that they could grab points with relatively little effort due to PAO's inconsistency. This is a problem that the team has to find a solution to. What needs to happen is--at least for home games--that when a mid to low level team shows up in Leoforos they know the result of a game before even the game stars! B)

PAO has been a very frustrating team to support. This season 2014-2015, PAO has more points than anyone else against the top 6 (or top 5, 4, 3) teams in the league. But, it has dropped many points against the bottom 5 or 6. This is a problem, a huge problem. If you want to be a champion, you must beat the lesser teams. I read a study somewhere that in other leagues, Italy, Spain, England, Germany, etc, those teams at the top do not drop many points against teams at the bottom of the standings!

Happy New Year folks! Greeks are still cutting vasilopita, and the Chinese new year isn't here yet. I have some drachmas left from years past, do you think they'll worth something this year?... Today is the birth of the modern drachma, which replaced the phoenix in 1883.

The new coach should establish a new culture within the NT. No more sacred icons, and even though I do not support a dictatorship, he should make sure that who ever is picked to be on the team they have to be absolutely professional about their work ethic and their conduct, off on the pitch. I agree with you who said we need to start from the goalie and a great defense to build the new team. But, they have to work on possession football and creativity. Sorry, but it's been very rare for this team to move as a unit, exchange several passes, etc. I was in favor of Karnezis when Santos was playing whatever his name was in the last Euro. But, today, Karnezis isn't good. He did not do anything special. Plus I did not like his demeanor during the penalty shootout. He was limp, looked lost, and of course totally useless. In contrast all the other goalies during showed that they were pumped up, etc. Anyway, I believe that in life you have to make a good, accurate assessment before proceeding with changes or a plan of action. I understand that self-deception, or wishful thinking may make people feel better. And, who wants to be told about reality when it's unpleasant. I read a few sports media sources after the last game of Greece and the return of the team home. I couldn't believe headlines like, "the return of the heroes," etc. What?!.... This team played horribly. By sheer luck made it to the next round, and when Costa Rika had collapsed after playing a man down for 1 hour, GR couldn't seal the deal. Anyway, the past is the past, but we should all learn from it.

I still think PAO was the better team. They got the most points. I'm not saying the first round shouldn't count, but if only the second round counted, PAO would have taken the title. This also shows how the team performed in the agregate, against all the other league teams, plus the cup competition. Against PAOK, I saw PAO as having better quality, much better. One correction: PAO was the best team in the second half of the season (2013-14), not in all 2014, since half of the year is still to unfold.

Who could have imagined it before the season began and even in the first round of the league. This case also demonstrates that with the proper internal culture, good fan support, and most importantly cultivating young talent that really wants to give 100% is the best recipe for success. At least in countries like Greece.

For the record, and a great win, PAO beats Oly 3-0 at Karaiskaki. I think the result was fair even though gavroi had most of the ball possession but didn't really threaten. Cheap penalty by Koutroubis pushing an red player in the box when it wasn't even necessary. Immature reaction. He's young, hopefully he'll learn. But, gavros missed the PK. I've seen so many matches between these two rival and I have to say this was entertaining for me. With a new roster, cheap players, this team showed great potential. Do you guys remember how the previous teams never ran as much? I'm impressed by the rerentless pressing by all greens (except Kapino). No excuse that Oly was thinking of MU. They came to play in this derby and possessed the ball 60-40 (or better). Anyway, great Berg plays, 1 assist and 1 goal.

This is risky for Mitro since he goes to a bad team (in relative terms) and if he fails to save Fulham, then what?

how much did Pao get?

He may have money, but he's said wants the club debt-free so it can be rebuilt. AEK just asked to be relegated to Div3 (however they call it now). This way, in 2 years, can be back to Div.1, debt free and stronger. Good luck.

Agree. Katidis should be given a second chance. I also believe that moments like this should be ..teaching opportunities! The league and all those who have sense should condemn such behavior. And, connect this to the behavior of the fans who do and say worse things than raising a fascist salute. All those idiots in the stands who want to f@ck :xxx: the ..mothers, daughters, the Virgin Mary and the whole city of ________ (insert your own city here)! :nono:

I also heard the AEK can be fined and even lose the game (3 valuable points) because of this. Does the right to "free speech" exist in this case, an athletic event? This ignorant man (he's not a kid) should have the right to own beliefs no matter how stupid, vile they are. However, I don't think this is the venue to do it. The sports scene in Greece is deplorable. I know we had long and hot conversations on this a few years back here. I said then that this sport should not be surrendered to animals or hooligans because it makes a good ..atmosphere. Fanaticism and violence, and diserspect don't belong in a sport much less in a society that wants to call itself civilized. Have you heard what the organized fans of each team sing, yell at the refs, players, etc? {if I weren't afraid Lazarus would ban me for life from this, I'd repeat some of those expressions}

I generally think 18 teams are better, but this doesn't mean the league will improve. It's a sham and it's been one for decades. Why can't they copy from the US leagues where the governing bodies, mistakes and everything, aren't dominated by 1-2 teams in the league. There is professionalism, standards, stability, and a more attractive product. As for the number of the teams, England has 20, 3 cups, Euro play, national team, etc, and their players can cope. As I said in another thread, in the last 15 years only 1 team (Oly) and occasionally another (usually PAO) competed for the domestic title. This show how bad things are.

Will happily do. I realize I spend too much time here, so I'll take a leave for a long while. If I come back, I'll see if anybody or the system recognizes me. So long.. :whistle:

Today, UEFA rejected Volos' appeal and their ban stands. Good. But, the team they beat twice is going through. I do understand that Greece's losing out, but what do you do at this late stage? You can't send another Greek team past the one Volos played. Can they? If any of out teams lost, say to another team that was eventually thrown out, then we'd expect OUR team to be going through, not some other one.... I don't think they can replay this round with new teams. I more angry at the Greek side (EPO, etc) that they're f@ked up.

I've suggested it before, if a team is caught cheating, it should be removed as if it didn't exist. The team that's a runner up should take its place. PLUS, all the money the cheaters made, say, by playing in the Europa league. Point-wise, it doesn't matter how many teams you've got in Europe for UEFA's standings, but the progress. In other words, it's better to have 1 team that goes to the semis, instead of 6 that don't make the first round. Points are divided by the number of teams from a particular country.

I thought Volos was relegated and that UEAFA would kick them out. This is weird. If a team was caught cheating (yes, the owner, etc) that gave it an advantage over other teams, then why is it allowed to continue? It now has financial benefits from playing in europe. no?

I read that UEFA threw out Volos and is waiting for EPO to declare another team. Also, that Oly is 50-50 to play in the CL next season!

I think the most important person is Zeljko O. He's built this team. Of course, the owners have provided not only the money but also a professional model of a modern & successful sports team. I'm sure that PAO doesn't have the highest budget, but this proves that money isn't the most important element of success. When I think that this team, from this small country, is arguably the best/most successful Euro team in the last couple decades I have to pinch myself that I'm not dreaming.Wow! How rare it is to be in a position to say (and feel) that no matter what the team does in the next many years, I won't have any complaints. I loved the reaction of our fans that welcomed the team "home" after it lost the cup to gavroi! What a terrific feeling :)

Just for the record, PAO won the series 3-1. Great 4th game at OAKA June 5th, and PAO beats gavroi in OT for the 9th consecutive and 32nd championship title. I think this season was the most successful for PAO. Obviously winning the first euro championship was huge (the first Greek team to do so) but this past season no one believed PAO could do well in Europe and many thought Oly, finally, would break PAO's dominance. Congrats. This team and the way is run should be an example to be followed by others in Greece.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa WE GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Number 6.... PANATHA--the most successful team in basketballs and football..... 6 euro trophies in 15 years!!!!!!!

4 points.... 20 secs :unsure:

Dimitris Diamantidis is taking care of this ..... Great pass to Batiste for score and then steals the ball and wins the foul... Wow!!! MVP

big mistake by PAO, couldnt inbound the ball, then Maccabi scores.... Down to 5 points with PAO having the ball now.... Geesh...