WINNERS
ANDREAS VAZEOS
The young athlete walked away with not one, but two medals from the 2019 European Swimming Championships in Glasgow. After finishing third in the 100 metre singles, he went on to win the gold in the 200 metre butterfly, with a Greek record time of 1:50.23. These results are the best to ever be recorded by a Greek swimmer in a single competition in the history of the sport, making Vazeos one of the most promising prospects for the nation ahead of the Olympic season.
OLYMPIACOS FOOTBALL TEAM
The club has faced many difficulties since the start of the season. They were forced to begin their training camp from early in July and have been going strong ever since with barely any breathing space. Their win against Red Star Belgrade was crucial as it would determine how the rest of the season would progress for them. Yet they showed character and were able to claim the all important win that sealed their position in the round of 32 of the Europa League. Even when the clock was ticking against them and the grains of sand from the hourglass were beginning to run out for them, they never lost faith, and a simple spot kick from Youssef El Arabi was all that they needed to make it through the night.
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ANGE POSTECOGLOU
He was already a hair’s breath away from the J-League title. A draw or even a loss in their final game against FC Tokyo would’ve been enough for the Yokohama Marinos to win the trophy. Yet he didn’t settle. The former South Melbourne manager ordered his players to go out there and play as if their lives depended on it. And so they did. The final 3-0 result is a testament to Postecoglou’s will to win every single game that he plays, something that he has drilled into his players in order to lead the to become champions of Japan.
SINNERS
MELBOURNE VICTORY
For a club that is considered to be among the greatest in Australia it is unthinkable to be just one place from the bottom. Victory’s season has been nothing short of horrendous so far and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Just as they seemed to pick themselves up after their win against last season’s Premiers Perth Glory (who aren’t doing any better themselves), along came newcomers Western United to give them another slap in the face (the second in the season) and throw them back into their misery. The club’s poor position of course is a result of the management team’s late planning, which lead to players coming in late and not having a chance to customise themselves to their new environment. It remains uncertain how much can be done to change the course of Victory’s season, yet things would certainly be different if the club was dealing with the looming threat of relegation.
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SOKRATIS PAPASTATHOPOULOS-KOSTAS MAVROPANOS
Unai Emery has departed Arsenal and the club is now on the hunt for a new manager. Interim coach Freddie Ljungberg decided to give an opportunity to Greek duo Papastathopoulos and Mavropanos during the club’s recent game at Belgium against Standard Liege. Yet unfortunately they weren’t able to make the most of it, allowing the Belgian side to score twice and put the club’s first place in the group in jeopardy. Sadly, they both seemed to be falling behind when it came down to it (especially Mavropanos made a series of costly errors) and their future in London could be in doubt under future management.
JOSH REYNOLDS
The West Tigers athlete was involved in a domestic abuse scandal after a woman appeared at the St George Police Department to file a report. According to the claims, the 30-year-old bruised her right arm in the incident, with Reynolds surrendering himself to the authorities on day after the report. The NRL claimed they are conducting an investigation of their own into the matter and will take their own actions should the player be found guilty as charged. This incident will definitely leave its mark on both the club and the industry as a whole.