The away shirt sees a return to a black coloured kit for the first time since the 2004/2005 season. The supposed curse of the black kit is apparently avoided for this term as it might be worn on plenty of occassions throughout the season. The third shirt is a return to the red shirt that was highly recommended by the fans last season. Sadly it was limited to a few outtings, but it was worn during the Olympiacos - Real Madrid match at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Some of the features that are included in this year’s kits are:
1. An EXTRA-LARGE Vodafone logo: I don’t know if the club is trying to appeal to its myopic fans, but the Vodafone logo is massive. Since the beginning of the sponsorship deal with Vodafone, it seems that the size of the sponsor logo is increasing steadily. Verdict: It sure is BIG, but not a BIG issue.

2. A stylish collar: Something new for an Olympiacos jersey, and it seems to nestle in quite nicely. It is hard to tell if the collar is firm like a polo shirt, or flimsy like the design used by ‘Adidas’ kits worn by several MLS clubs. Verdict: I don’t mind collars, as long they look professional and not some flimsy blazer type. It looks good, end of story.

3. Large club crest: Wow I think this is the best feature of the new kits. I love the large crest (I guess it doesn’t look that big compared to the Vodafone logo, but it’s definitely bigger than previous years). Verdict: The only thing I would change is the positioning of the crest, by bringing it down so it is not nearing the shoulder.

4. Colours: Unlike the addition of a gold kit in previous years, the kits have respectable colours. I understand the idea of the club being ‘golden’ with all the success, but the gold kits were just pointless and never used. Gold was ok two years ago, with the nice watermark ‘efivos’ in the bottom corner. Red is back, and it better stay for future years. I think it’s really flashy, looks great. Black is a great shirt, looks pretty formal. Plenty of conspiracy around the black kit, and the apparent ‘curse’; but I am glad to see it back in the fold, and replacing the white kit which was just too plain for my liking. Verdict: The colours chosen are great and not some random colour that has no connection to the club colours or crest — aka Chelsea lime strip.

5. Watermark/Colour tone change: This is something we saw in Greece’s EURO 2008 kits, which created a design that resembled the Greek flag. The Olympiacos kits don’t use it to that extent, but there is a center stripe or panel that varies in colour tone — this can be examined by studying the center of the red kit, not so much with the black one. Verdict: I don’t really see the point, but whatever you can barely see it.

Overall Verdict: I am quite impressed with the new kits and especially the colours; they sure look more attractive than the suggested new kit by the prototypes circling forums ahead of the launch. I like the colours, and the design with the incorporated collar. The only changes I would make are: decrease the size of the Vodafone logo and label; shift the club crest to make a little more centered and not bordering the shoulder line; center the Puma logo on the front of the shirt and incorporate a front of the shirt number in the current location of the Puma logo.

The away and third kits have truly impressed the Olympiacos faithful, with limited debate over the collar and size of the Vodafone logo. The home kit is set to unveil in about twelve hours or so, and it is expected to be a similar design but an inclusion of the traditional red and white stripes. Hopefully the kit will look as good, if not better, than the kits we have seen ahead of the launch.

The match, according to highlights, kicked off with an Olympiacos surge that resulted in Luciano Galletti brought down in the box. Unfortunately it was not considered by the referee as ‘enough’ to earn a penalty, and the play continued. The next chance came five minutes later, when a cross from Pedrag Djordjevic was met by Didier Domi, whose header was pushed off the post by the Emmen keeper. Off the goal kick, Mikel Alonso — currently on trial with Olympiacos — had a glorious chance to open the scoring, but his shot sailed way wide. Another opportunity fell for Mikel Alonso — brother of Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso — nine minutes later, but the result was the same. A series of crosses and quick passing plays saw Olympiacos close out the half in style; but sadly the final ball was lacking every time. First a Pedrag Djordjevic cross was easily claimed by the keeper; then a cross from Tasos Pantos never reached Darko Kovacevic, who was in a clear goal scoring position. Moments later, Luciano Galletti’s free kick was scooped up by the keeper just before Kovacevic and Ieroklis Stoltidis arrived on the scene.

The second half was more of the same from the Greek Champions, as a quick start by Galletti saw a blocked shot drop for Stoltidis; by the player nicknamed ‘Hercules’ barely tested the keeper. The next attack featured Luciano Galletti once again, a shot from the Argentinean struck the post and sailed out of bounds. The game began to slow down in pace, and started to grow in congestion near the center of the pitch. Few attacks were carried out by Olympiacos, as Leonardo took a crack but his luck was not much better than the previous attackers. Mirnes Sisic had a shot sailed just wide, followed by a similar attempt by Leonardo.

Olympiacos’ next friendly is set for Wednesday against Eredivisie club FC Groningen. The competition will be much stiffer, seeing as the Dutch opponents are of higher quality.

***For the complete Olympiacos friendly list, click here

Olympiacos: Kovac (46′ Nikopolidis), Pantos (75′ Mendrinos), Galitsios, Avraam Papadopoulos, Domi (64′ Leonardo), Stoltidis, Mikel Alonso (87′ Katsikogiannis), Galletti, Djordjevic (64′ Raul Bravo), Óscar, Kovacevic (72′ Belluschi).

The reason behind his exit is said to be ‘that’ argument, but one can easily assume that the club was frustrated with Lua Lua’s ease of getting injured. Surely it is not his fault, but after being injured for a long period, Lua Lua returned to the squad prior to the second leg of Olympiacos’ Champions League tie with Chelsea FC. It proved to be one game too early, and Lua Lua went down to injury once again. The odd events that followed began to confuse the Olympiacos faithful. After have the star player return to fitness, he was left off the roster; something must’ve been wrong. For a player that was so explosive, and such a fan favourite, why would he be leaving a club before 12 months? Especially when you consider his contract was set to continue throughout the upcoming season. The deep fog seems to be brushed aside by Olympiacos officials, who claim that Lua Lua had a tendency to be tardy and unmotivated during training sessions. However, it is believed that the financial costs of having Lua Lua in the squad is the main reason behind the early exit. An apparent clause in the original transfer which saw the Congolese international leave Portsmouth and arrive in Piraeus, see the Greek Champions fork over cash to Pompey for each of the club’s acomplishments, during Lua Lua’s stay in Greece. The accomplishment include: the Greek Championship, Greek Cup, and progression from the Champions League group stage (check, check and check). In Olympiacos’ case, with the glory comes a price to pay.

So, this is as formal as it gets. Good bye Lomana Lua Lua! You will be missed in Piraeus!

For the complete fixtures list for all clubs, please check out the Greek National Team blog at the worldcupblog.org.

Matchday 1: (31/8/08)
Olympiacos - Asteras Tripolis

Matchday 2: (14/9/08)
Skoda Xanthi - Olympiacos

Matchday 3: (21/9/08)
Olympiacos - Panserraikos

Matchday 4: (28/9/08)
OFI Crete - Olympiacos

Matchday 5: (5/10/08)
Olympiacos - AEK Athens

Matchday 6: (19/10/08)
Olympiacos - Panthrakikos

Matchday 7: (26/10/08)
Aris Thessaloniki - Olympiacos

Matchday 8: (2/11/08)
Olympiacos - Ergotelis

Matchday 9: (9/11/08)
Panathinaikos - Olympiacos

Matchday 10: (16/11/08)
Olympiacos – PAOK Thessaloniki

Matchday 11: (23/11/08)
Iraklis - Olympiacos

Matchday 12: (30/11/08)
Olympiacos - Panionios

Matchday 13: (7/12/08)
Olympiacos - Levadiakos

Matchday 14: (14/12/08)
Larissa - Olympiacos

Matchday 15: (21/12/08)
Olympiacos - Thrasyvoulos

Matchday 16: (4/1/09)
Asteras Tripolis - Olympiacos

Matchday 17: (11/1/09)
Olympiacos - Skoda Xanthi

Matchday 18: (18/1/09)
Panserraikos - Olympiacos

Matchday 19: (25/1/09)
Olympiacos – OFI Crete

Matchday 20: (1/2/09)
AEK Athens - Olympiacos

Matchday 21: (8/2/09)
Panthrakikos - Olympiacos

Matchday 22: (15/2/09)
Olympiacos - Aris

Matchday 23: (22/2/09)
Ergotelis - Olympiacos

Matchday 24: (1/3/09)
Olympiacos - Panathinaikos

Matchday 25: (8/3/09)
PAOK Thessaloniki - Olympiacos

Matchday 26: (15/3/09)
Olympiacos - Iraklis

Matchday 27: (22/3/09)
Panionios - Olympiacos

Matchday 28: (5/4/09)
Levadiakos - Olympiacos

Matchday 29: (12/4/09)
Olympiacos - Larissa

Matchday 30: (26/4/09)
Thrasyvoulos - Olympiacos

It is rumored that this year’s kits will resemble the one which was worn two years ago; something that is upsetting many fans. However, some Olympiacos fans have taken the initiative to create the 2008/2009 Olympiacos jersey based on PUMA designs seen at EURO 2008. Designs range from the kits of the respected national teams of Italy, Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Home Kit - Design similar to that of 2006/2007 season: http://www.footcenter.fr/data/depot/213512-314-266.jpg

Away kit - Design based on Poland jersey: http://i32.tinypic.com/2i796bl.jpg

Away kit - Design Based on Switzerland Jersey: http://i32.tinypic.com/16tef8.jpg

3rd Kit - Design Based on Austria’s jersey: http://i29.tinypic.com/153oaxz.jpg

With the anticipation over the unveiling of the club’s new kits, the sense that fans wish the club would sign a sponoship deal with either Adidas, or Nike. A move that seems far off now, and leaves fans salivating in the presence of kits of: PSV Eindhoven, or Chivas USA.

Núñez embraced the prospect of a move back to Argentina last week after being interviewed by the Greek press. “I am very happy that a coach like Borgi wants someone like me to wear the number 9 on his team. I talked to Julio Comparada and I am very interested in their offer,” said Núñez. He further flirted around the subject by saying, “Independiente is a great club and I am very interested in playing for them. It is a unique possibility for me as the team is doing well.”

Núñez was bought from Argentinos Juniors last summer for a fee of approximately 1.85 million €. He was transferred in with plenty of expectations hanging over him, it was obvious once he was awarded the No. 10 jersey; which was previously worn by two of the most successful Olympiacos’ players in recent history — Giovanni and Rivaldo. In short, the club saw Núñez as the next big thing in the league; hoping his success from Argentina would travel across the Atlantic Ocean to a club looking to add a more attractive style to their play. Unfortunately, never had time to establish himself as a starter after poor performances early in the season. As the season continued, Núñez was able to establish himself as a quality striker and creative attacker. In Olympiacos’ Champions League run he was not a factor; but when given the start in Olympiacos’ successful Greek Cup run, Núñez was Olympiacos’ most dynamic player.

Although his stay with the ‘Eruthroleuki’ was short lived, the player known as ‘El Gordo’ will always be known for this:

Imports:
Georgios Galitsios
Born: June 8th, 1986 (22 years old)
Defender
From: AE Larissa
Transfer Fee: 800 000 € (or ~ 1.27 million USD)

Avraam Papadopoulos
Born: December 3rd, 1984 (23 years old)
Defender
From: Aris Salonika FC
Transfer Fee: 2 500 000 (or ~ 3.97 million USD)

Rumored Imports:
Julio Cruz from Inter Milan (Italy).
Santiago Solari from Inter Milan (Italy).
Hernán Crespo from Inter Milan (Italy) — currently a Free Agent.
Kanga Akalé from Olympique de Marseille (France) — currently on loan from RC Lens (France).
Juan Arango from RCD Mallorca (Spain).
Nuno Gomes from SL Benfica (Portugal).
Marc Crosas from Olympique Lyonnais (France) — currently on loan from FC Barcelona (Spain).
Mikel Alonso from Bolton (England) — currently on trial with Olympiacos.
José Sand from Lanus (Argentina).
Javier Saviola from Real Madrid (Spain).
Sebastián Leto from Liverpool (England).
Peter Luccin from Real Zaragoza (Spain).
Santiago Ezquerro from Barcelona (Spain) — currently a free agent.
Ebi Smolarek from Racing Santander (Spain).

Exports:
Tomislav Butina
Goalkeeper
To: Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
Transfer Fee: Free

Júlio César
Defender
To: TBD

Rumored Exports:
Lomana Lua Lua
*** Rumored to be on his way out of Piraeus after several disagreements with club management late last season. Interest has come from unnamed Premier League clubs as well as clubs from Qatar.

Leonel Núñez
*** Rumored to have attracted interest from Argentinian club Independiente.

The Greek Super League consists of 16 clubs, with each club playing a total of 30 matches — a home and away match against each of the other 15 clubs. This year’s version of the league will include the following clubs: Olympiacos CFP (defending champions), Panathinaikos FC, AEK Athens FC, Aris Salonika FC, Panionios GSS, AE Larissa, Asteras Tripolis, Skoda Xanthi, PAOK Salonika FC, Iraklis FC, Levadiakos, OFI Crete FC, Ergotelis FC, Panserraikos (promoted), Thrasyvoulos Filis (promoted), Panthrakikos (promoted).

Two of the 16 clubs representing the 2008/2009 Greek Super League will be making their top flight debut. B’ Division runners up Thrasyvoulos Filis, and third place finishers Panthrakikos will be the new boys on the block; while B’ Division winners, Panserraikos, will return to the top flight for the first time since their relegation in 1992. On the contrary, the big three in Greece: Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and AEK; will be spending their record 50th season in the Greek top flight. Thessaloniki club, Iraklis FC, will be making their 49th appearance in the Greek top flight.

It is uncertain if the League Board will enforce the idea of a 4 team playoff at the end of the regular seasons as they did to the last. An announcement clarifying this issue would most likely be made at a later date.

The match began rapidly with Olympiacos looking definite to score as Oscar forced the Groclin into a tricky save which resulted in a corner. Another shot from Olympiacos captain, Pedrag Djordjevic, sailed over the bar. Two missed opportunities by Olympiacos and Groclin began to attack; first by winning a corner, and then taking the lead ten minutes later. Ivanovski escaped from the center of the defense, and beat Pavel Kovac with ease. Olympiacos answered with an attack of their own, but an effort from Ieroklis Stoltidis only earned the Piraeus another corner. Continuous waves of attacks were blocked by the Groclin defenders in a ‘clogged’ center of the pitch.

The second half began much like the first, with Olympiacos attack right from the start. It was Leonel Nunez who released a shot from a free kick, but it sadly sailed over the bar. Ten minutes later, Didier Domi exploded down the flank only to have his cross headed wide by Olympiacos striker Darko Kovacevic. Olympiacos youngster, Aristides Soiledis, had a crack at goal but like the rest of the Olympiacos roster, his shot went up and over the crossbar. The misses hurt Olympiacos even more when Michalski made it 2-0 for Groclin off a free kick. Majevski sent in the free kick shot and a stellar headed effort from Michalski beat defender Domi and goalkeeper Leonidas Panagopoulos. An Olympiacos comeback was out of question now as the second Groclin goal came twelve minutes before full time.
Olympiacos’ next friendly is not until the club resumes training in Holland, as Eredivisie club FC Emmen will be the Greek Champions’ challenge.

Olympiacos:
First Half: Kovac, Pantos, Galitsios, Raul Bravo, Leonardo, Stoltidis, Katsikogiannis, Niklitsiotis, Djordjevic, Oscar, Mitroglou

Second Half: Panagopoulos, Galitsios, Avraam Papadopoulos, Raul Bravo, Domi, Mikel Alonso, Mendrinos, Sisic, Soiledis, Nunez, Kovacevic

Highlights:

***For the complete Olympiacos friendly list, click here

What I’m trying to say is that if anybody are interested in blogging for any of the remaining Greek clubs, including Panathinaikos, AEK, ARIS FC, PAOK etc. send the recruiting officer, Daryl, an e-mail at daryl@theoffside.com. I am looking forward to having some of the oher Greek Clubs getting the blogging coverage ahead of the 2008 Greek Super League.