Superleague new season begins

Olympiakos set to defend its champions title, and are up against newly promoted Kalloni in round one

Olympiacos players celebrate after winning a Greek Superleague soccer match against AEK Athens, in Athens, Greece, on 20 March 2011. Olympiacos, after winning this match 6-0, has practically won the Greek soccer championship. AAP via EPA/LATO KLODIAN

16 August 2013 1:11pm

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It’s Superleague time again, with 18 teams readying themselves for a new 2013/14 season. Starting Sunday, PAOK host Xanthi for the first round with a strong home crowd expected. Newly promoted Ergotellis will also get to play their first game of the season, against Andromitos in Athens. But starting festivities, is Platanias, who host Veria in the first game of the season. Monday sees Asteras Tripolis up against Pas Giannina, newly promoted Apollon Smirnis take on Thessaloniki’s Aris, while Panathinaikos take on newly promoted Panaitolikos.

Olympiakos will begin its title defence on Tuesday away against AEL Kallonis, who have also been promoted to the top league. Olympiakos and PAOK are expected to be the main contenters for the championship, while it will be the first time in years that AEK Athens won’t be contesting, having been relegated last season.

Europa League

Atromitos will go on to face AZ Alkmaar in the playoff stages of the Europa League after their first home league match. PAOK’s game against Maccabi Tel Aviv has been cancilled as the team was selected to play in the Champions League to fill in for Metalist Kharkiv. Cypriot team, Apollon Limassol take on Nice in their group stage. First-leg matches are to be played on August 22 and return matches on August 29. The winners advance to the group stage which will be drawn in Monaco on August 30.