Olympiacos fall to Groclin in Austria

By: Peter Katsiris | July 10th, 2008

A sloppy display and stiffer competition saw an experimental Olympiacos side fall 2-0 to Polish club Groclin Dyskobolia in Jenbach. Fresh off their 6-0 victory against Austrian 3rd division club SV Hall, Olympiacos looked sloppy in this match. New recruits Oscar Gonzalez and Avraam Papadopoulos made their pre-season debuts with the club; while trialist, Mikel Alonso, featured in a squad that lacked the finishing touch.

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: