Champions League to continue without Greek Champions

By: Peter Katsiris | August 27th, 2008

I can’t believe it, but it is a reality:Olympiacos is officially out of the UEFA Champions League for this season. It’s something I wouldn’t expect to say until after the group stage, or even later — especially after making the Round of 16 lineup. Unfortunately, ‘O Thrylos’ couldn’t stave off an early exit, and the Greek Champions now face a UEFA Cup run instead of the prestigious Champions League.

Olympiacos’ mainstay in the UEFA Champions League is officially over after beating Anorthosis Famagusta 1-0, but ultimately falling 3-1 on aggregate to the Cypriot Champions. A stunning goal from Fernando Belluschi gave Olympiacos the win tonight at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, but the strike alone was not enough to erase the 3-0 defeat from a fortnight ago.

In what was supposed to a night of redemption for the hosts, began rather nerve-racking for the side down by three after one leg. Desperate for a swing in momentum, Olympiacos found it difficult to break through the Anorthosis backline. With the visitors controlling the tempo in the opening minutes, Olympiacos saw the pressure grow as a ruckus crowd began to rally their beloved club. Responding to the atmosphere, Olympiacos began to create chances but the efforts seemed to be missing the convincing flare.

Opting to attack down the flanks, Luciano Galletti and Sebastian Leto became conductors of the Olympiacos insurgence. Weaving their way through the maze of Anorthosis defenders, the two Argentines managed to send several balls across the Anorthosis box; sadly a red-and-white shirt wasn’t around to slot the ball home.

Darko Kovačević finally made his first impression when he turned the defender, but his ensuing shot sailed high over the bar. Anorthosis nearly ended any aspirations of an Olympiacos comeback when a header from Lukasz Sosin narrowly missed Antonis Nikopolidis’ goal.

Looking more promising after the restart, Olympiacos increased the tempo by testing Anorthosis keeper, Arian Beqaj, on several occasions. Ernesto Valverde introduced Kostas Mitroglou ahead of the second half, as Dudu made way for the Greek striker. After forcing a series of corners, Olympiacos dictated the ball in the center of the Anorthosis’ third, and a bouncing ball fell for Fernando Belluschi, who struck the ball with composure to give Olympiacos its first tally. It was nearly 2-0 for the hosts when Mitroglou was left free in the box; but he was unable to beat Beqaj. Hoping for more of the same, Olympiacos continued to attack, mounting pressure on the Anorthosis defense - which at this point had grown to ten defenders plus Beqaj.

Galletti, the culprit on many occasions this evening, fired a shot from the perimeter of the Anorthosis box; but the strong shot was sent out for only a corner. Belluschi looked keen to extend the lead and double his tally when he drove a shot from distance straight for the right corner of the goal; it proved to be a flashback of previous Olympiacos attacks, as Beqaj leaped to deflect the shot out for another corner. Olympiacos came even closer off a free-kick from substitute Predrag Djordjević, and the shot fooled everyone as it curled just wide of the right post.

As the time continued to tick away on the large scoreboard, it became clear that Olympiacos were facing an early exit from the Champions League. Not settling for defeat, Ieroklis Stoltidis managed to release a shot from the left side, but once again Beqaj held his ground to force a corner.

That effort proved to be the final decent effort Olympiacos mustered, as Herbert Fandel’s final whistle only added to the ‘Eruthroleuki’ misery.

For the first time in eleven years, Olympiacos will not be competing in the Champions League group stage; instead Anorthosis will feature in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, as the Cypriot club is the first of its kind to reach the round of 32. Olympiacos, meanwhile, will await the result of Friday’s UEFA Cup draw.

Olympiacos 1-0 Anorthosis (1-3 on aggregate)
Belluschi 54′

Yellow Cards:
Olympiacos - Dudu 23′, Galletti 37′, Leto 45′, Leonardo 84′
Anorthosis - Bardon 17′, Dobrašinović 56′

Olympiacos (Ernesto Valverde): Nikopolidis, Torosidis, Antzas (69′ Patsatzoglou), A. Papadopoulos, Leonardo, Galletti, Stoltidis, Dudu (46′ Mitroglou), Leto (63′ Djordjević), Belluschi, Kovačević.

Anorthosis Famgusta (Timur Ketsbaia): Beqaj, Constantinou, Dellas, Katsavakis, Liewakabessy, Ockokoljic, Costa, Dobrašinović, Bardon (58′ Sávio), Laban, Sosin (82′ Samaras).

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)