WINNERS

OLYMPIACOS
So what if they had a 0-1 deficit from the first game against Arsenal in Piraeus? So what if they had just come from a gruelling encounter with PAOK in Thessaloniki (which they won, by the way), then needed to travel from there all the way to London? So what if they had to hold up for over 120 minutes against a side with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil? None of that was enough to stop Olympiacos from reaching one of the most important wins in their history, that sees them advance to the final 16 of the Europa League. The measure of the victory but also the manner by which it was achieved will surely not be forgotten any day soon, not by the over 6,000 Greek supporters that made the trip to London, nor by the many other fans of the club the world over. After this win, the team will surely gain an important moral boost as they continue their European journey!

LEFTERIS PETROUNIAS
He came, he saw, he conquered. Lefteris Petrounias had little problem in winning the gold in the rings at the 2020 Gymnastics World Cup that was held in Melbourne last week and is now only two wins away from sealing his place in the Olympics. The 29-year-old welled up at the announcement of the Hellenic national anthem as he dedicated his victory to his newborn young daughter. He also pledged all his earnings from the tournament towards the support of those affected by the deadly bushfires that plagued Australia earlier this year. A true champion, not just on the field, but also in spirit.

SINNERS

NICK KYRGIOS
Once again the face of controversy, the 24-year-old was booed off court as he withdrew from the Acapulco courts complaining about a wrist injury during his game for the Mexican Open. In a post-match press conference, he defended his decision while criticising the fans, as he stated hat he “…tried to give (them) a little bit of tennis”, while they responded with disrespect. Despite starting the year on the right foot, it seems the controversial player has returned to his usual antics, being in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Earlier in the week he heavily criticised the claycourts, pointing out that they’re harmful to the players.

PAOK
It seems that the reign of the current Greek champions is all but over. Failing to come out on top in any of the derbies that they have given in the Greek Super league so far in the season, Abel Ferreira’s team is highly unlikely to retain their title ahead of the playoffs with their current domestic form. Unable to cause any serious threat for Olympiacos in the first place decider between the two teams last weekend in Thessaloniki, their over-30,000 fans that filled out the Toumba stadium were left wanting as their club appeared lacking upfront. Last summer’s change on the bench, with Razvan Lucescu leaving for Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal to be replaced by Ferreira seemed to play a huge impact on the team’s performances, as they do not possess the same flair or quality of the last two seasons.