Champions League Draw: Déjà vu for Olympiacos

By: Peter Katsiris | August 1st, 2008

UEFA officials conducted the 3rd Qualifying Round draw earlier today in Nyon, France; the result turned out to be a familiar one. Having to qualify for the first time since the 1998/1999 Champions League season, Olympiacos was paired up with an unknown opponent but a potential familiar foe. The Greek Champions will dip their feet in European water this season against the winner of the Rapid Wien (Austria) vs. Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus) tie. Currently, the Cypriot club holds a 3-0 aggregate lead, and should they maintain that lead they will set up an all Greek affair between the Champions of Cyprus, and those of Greece.

Incidentally, it wont be the first time these two teams will lock horns in Champions League qualifying; the last came ten years ago, as mentioned before the last time Olympiacos had to enter the qualifying rounds. In 1998, Olympiacos emerged victors with a 6-3 aggregate scoreline; however, the Cypriot club is confident history wont repeat itself.

Anorthosis Famagusta capped an impressive domestic run last year by winning the Cypriot Championship. Now, the club is looking to Europe for more success. Previous European seasons have seen the club from Larnaca make many successful strides in European competition; however, they have never made it to the group stage of the Champions League. With many squad bolstering acquisitions this summer — including Traianos Dellas from AEK Athens — the club is ready to make the leap into the group stages.

One of Anorthosis’ many Greek players, Ioannis Skopelitis, believes the Cypriots can knockout the Greek Champions. The former Portsmouth player believes the time is right for Anorthosis. “The draw could have been worse although we are still playing against a big club,” the 30-year-old said. “What is to our advantage is the fact things are not all that good at the moment at Olympiacos. Their fans have seen rivals Panathinaikos make big signings this summer and they are not too happy that their team have not followed suit,” he continued. “Olympiacos are beatable, especially if they have a bad night. Saying that, they have the second leg at home and we all know the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium is one of the most impressive and intimidating grounds in Europe.”

With the Cypriot team confident to progress, it seems evident that the pressure will be on Olympiacos to display a good showing. An ongoing drought in the transfer market has left the club reeling in attack, and exposed in the midfield. With only 7 days ahead of the due date for roster submissions, the club is looking desperate. With that being said, there is still plenty of depth to mount an Olympiacos victory. Darko Kovacevic will be a key figure, while captain Pedrag Djordjevic, Ieroklis Stoltids and Luciano Galletti will man the midfield. The defense boasts an abundance of talent, including Vassilis Torosidis, arguably one of Greece’s best wing backs. In goal, experience will be on Olympiacos’ side as Antonis Nikopolidis will be called upon to man the posts. Playing the best of football in his later years, look for the recent international retiree to steal the limelight over the two legs.

Olympiacos wont know their actual opponents until midweek, and by then the squad submissions for the two legs will be due. Foreshadowing a return to Cyprus, the upcoming friendlies against Atromitos and Spain’s Racing Santander will be a good indicator of the club’s chances of progression. The first leg will take place at the Antonis Papadopoulos stadium in Larnaca, while the return leg will see Olympiacos host the Cypriot Champions at the Georgios Karaiskakis.