WINNERS

OLYMPIACOS
Despite losing 2-3 to German champions Bayern Munich, even the fact that they were able to stand up against such a team where a single player is worth more than the entire Olympiacos squad, makes their performance quite admirable. A lot of the young Greek players that took part in the game such as Kostas Tsimikas and Giorgos Masouras who spearheaded the left flank have more than definitely gained the attention of many high profile European teams who will likely be knocking the Olympiacos door to acquire their signature.

CHRISTOS POUNENIDIS
The 23-year-old was just one of four Greek Australians to receive an award at the 2019 Football South Australia Celebration ceremony for their contribution to the National Premier League. Pounenidis won the Golden Boot after scoring 19 goals in 22 games, while Peter Katsambis, Alysia Panagakos and Elena Psaroulis also received awards. Overall it was a very good night, not just for the Greek Australians, but for football in South Australia overall, that closed off an impressive season.

READ MORE: Greek Australians recognised at Football South Australia Awards

ADELAIDE UNITED
Speaking of South Australia, football fans definitely had something to celebrate last Tuesday night after their local A-League club, Adelaide United, officially became the most successful team in FFA Cup history. Nathan Konstandopoulos and his teammates annihilated Melbourne City 4-0, with Liberian Al-Hassan Toure winning the Mark Viduka award in what he claims was a dream come true for him. This was the third trophy in a span of six years for the Adelaide club, a success they had repeated last season after they had beat Sydney FC.

SOUTH MELBOURNE FC NEW SIGNINGS
South Melbourne FC has announced a trio of key position signings during the week including striker Harrison Sawyer, defender Lirim Elmazi and midfielder Daniel Clark. The announcements began with Australian marquee signing, striker Harrison Sawyer who returns to Australia after a two season stint in Asia which began in 2017.

READ MORE: New trio signs up at Lakeside, as Demetriou signs up at Village

SINNERS

GREEK FANS
Once again, despite players doing their best to make the country proud, fans continue to show their ugly side. This time it was during the Olympiacos-Bayern Munich game that was played for the Youth League, with a violent group invading the pitch at the Rentis training ground where the match was being held just ten minutes before the end of the game. The youngsters ran scared and German fans came under attack by fans wearing red and white scarves around their necks. After the dust had settled and the rampaging group had been evacuated, the young players of the two teams gathered around the centre of the pitch and did a bit of training among themselves, in a move that displayed their unity against violence.

DANIEL RICCIARDO
It appears this just isn’t the season for the Australian Formula One driver. After an impressive result that saw him force his way from 16th place in Suzuka all the way to 6th, the decision to disqualify him altogether from the race came as a shock. This decision was made by the stewards after an appeal by the Rival Point team indicating that Ricciardo’s team, Renault, were in breach of the technical rules of the sport. This appeal was passed after footage showed that the team was using a “driver aid”. This decision will be a frustrating one for the Australian pilot who has failed to make his presence felt in this season, winning points in just 5 races so far.

READ MORE: Casper Ruud wants Nick Kyrgios suspended for at least half a year

AUSTRALIAN HORSE-RACING INDUSTRY
The several, horrendous incidents regarding the fate of racehorses that have seen the light of day are bringing the once elegant and noble sport to shame. Purebreds are being taken to knackeries where they are subjected to the most brutal behaviour, including (but not limited to) electrocutions and beatings, before they are eventually put to death and shredded in order for their meat to be sold off either as pet food or to be exported to other countries (with China and Russia being the most popular destinations.) Racing New South Wales claims they had no indication about the inhumane treatment of the animals, but recent reports suggest otherwise.

NICK KYRGIOS, STILL A BAD BOY
Greek Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios’ behaviour during their heated meeting at the Rome Masters in May has not been forgotten by Norwegian young gun Casper Ruud, aged 20. Kyrgios was defaulted in their game after he smashed a racket, kicked a water bottle and threw a chair. He was up 2-1 in the deciding third set and was fined and forfeited 45 ATP points, but that was not enough for Ruud. The young Norwegian said: “I’m not the only one who thinks he should be suspended for at least half a year.”