Perennial Greek Champions and the team regarded as the greatest club in Greek football history, Olympiacos, will make a long awaited visit to Australia in May.
Perennial Greek Champions and the team regarded as the greatest club in Greek football history, Olympiacos, will make a long awaited visit to Australia in May.
In an exclusive one-off game against the Hyundai A-League-s most popular team, Melbourne Victory, Olympiacos will grace Etihad Stadium on Saturday, May 19 at 7.30pm (closed roof) following the completion of the Greek Superleague in April.
A huge crowd is expected at Etihad Stadium with Olympiacos- first visit to Australia since 1978 sure to raise excitement levels among Melbourne-s enormous Greek community.
Olympiacos has committed to bringing a full strength squad that will include five current Greek internationals, that will feature in the national team during the upcoming ‘Euro-s- in June.
Among the Greek internationals to feature in the Olympiacos line up will be exciting right back Vasilios Torosidis, left back Jose Holebas, central defender Avram Papadopulos, defensive midfielder Yiannis Maniatis and Greek attacking prodigy, Yiannis Fetfatzidis.
In addition, the Olympiacos squad will feature international players like leading goal scorer and excitement machine Kevin Miralas (Belgium), fellow striker Rafik Djebbour (Algeria), Sweden captain Olaf Mellberg, forward Kazim Richards (Turkey), midfielder David Fuster (Spain), Serbian star striker Marko Pantelic, midfield playmaker Ariel Ibayasa (Argentina), Former Manchester United Goalkeeper Roy Carroll (Ireland), Ivan Marcano (Spain), and Cameroon midfielder Makoun.
Olympiacos is currently 7 points clear in the current Greek Superleague and is heading for its third straight title, its eighth in the last 10 years. Olympiacos has also qualified for the Greek FA cup semi finals and recently reached the last 16 stage of the prestigious Europa League. As of mid-March, the club boasted the best attacking record in Europe, as well as the best defensive statistics having conceded an average of just under 0.50 goals per game.
Australian Tour Promoter John Denison of Entourage Football stated, ”This is an exciting international football event that will feature one of the best supported clubs in the world. It has been rumoured for many years that Olympiacos will be making the trek down under, well now it-s a reality and we expect a lot of Greek expats to rejoice – so much so that we expect a huge turnout at Etihad Stadium on Saturday May 19 when Olympiacos clash with Australia-s best supported club in Melbourne Victory, making for an electric atmosphere.”
Olympiacos President Mr Evangelos Marinakis commented, “It is an honour for our club to finally make the visit to Australia – we hope to further promote our club to the thousands of Greek expats in Australia and entertain them with our special brand of attacking football – we are rejoicing and cannot wait to bring joy to the throng of our supporters.”
Olympiacos Captain, Avram Papaadopoulos, went on to say, “It-s with much joy and anticipation that we make the trip to Melbourne – we have heard that there are thousands of Olympiacos fans in Australia waiting to see our team in action and we will not disappoint them.”
Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Richard Wilson was equally as pleased to be hosting another international opponent, “This is another coup for our football club. Olympiacos is one of the most famous clubs in Europe and it is a privilege for our players to take on such a profiled club, and again introduce our brand, and the Melbourne Victory experience, to more football followers.”
Etihad Stadium CEO, Ian Collins, said the announcement that Olympiacos will play a one-off game against Melbourne Victory further cements Etihad Stadium-s credentials as a venue for world class events.
“Olympiacos has built a reputation over many years as one of the world-s great football clubs and we will be privileged to host such an iconic sporting institution at our venue,” Mr Collins said.
“In recent years, we have helped to showcase the sport in Australia hosting Juventus, David Beckham-s LA Galaxy, the English Premier League-s Fulham, as well as a number of internationals involving the Socceroos.”
“With such a large and passionate Greek sporting community in Victoria, we are confident that the event will attract a fantastic attendance,” Mr Collins said.
Given the expected interest in the event, organisers have encouraged fans to purchase tickets early in order to avoid disappointment.
Tickets will go on sale via Ticketmaster on Wednesday, March 28 at 9am. Tickets start from $20 and also feature a variety of VIP fan packages, including the opportunity to meet the players at a specially organised training session at Etihad Stadium on Friday May 18.
Ticket Prices and Categories:
Ultimate Olympiacos Fan Package (including exclusive training session): $165
Platinum ticket: $88 (plus fees and charges)
Gold ticket: $66 / Concession: $55 (plus fees and charges)
Silver Ticket $49.50 / Concession: $38.50 (plus fees and charges)
Olympiacos Gate 7 (Behind goal and Active Area): $33 / Concession: $22 (plus fees and charges)
Melbourne Victory (Behind goal and Active Area): $33 / Concession: $22 (plus fees and charges)
For more tour details visit www.olympiacosaustralia.com or www.ticketmaster.com.au
Olympiacos Australian Tour Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Roy Carroll
Lajos Megieri
Defenders:
Vasilios Torosidis
Jose Holembas
Avraam Papadopoulos
Olaf Mellberg
Ivan Marcano
Tassos Papazoglou
Franco Modesto
Midfielders:
Yiannis Maniatis
Ariel Ibayasa
Jean Makoun
Pablo Orbaith
David Fuster
Djammel Abdoun
Feisa
Forwards:
Kevin Mirallas
Kazim Richards
Yiannis Fetfatzidis
Marco Pantelic
Rafik Djebbour
Diogo
(**2 to be omitted)
