WINNERS

PANATHINAIKOS FOOTBALL TEAM
Something good has been brewing in Peania and the first signs had been shown last season, when the team made things difficult for clubs who were in a much better financial position. And now, it seems the fruits of their labour have started to bare fruit, as was made apparent in the club’s recent performances against Dutch club Feyenoord and European giants Ajax. It wasn’t just the wins, but the dominant display that Giorgos Donis’ men put on during the games that allows their fans to remain hopeful for the future. One could argue that these were mere friendly matches, yet the names of their opponents gives much hope for the future of this team that has already been through so much.

KATERINA STEFANIDI
Another day, another medal. That’s probably a good way to describe high-jumper Katerina Stefanidi’s performance at the Diamond League, where she jumped at 4.75 metres, landing in second place and taking home the silver medal. The jump was also an improvement on her own record for this year, showing that she is in peak physical condition for the upcoming World Championships that are to be held in London at the end of September.

 

SINNERS

GREEK MEN’S WATER POLO TEAM
They climbed so high, yet it just wasn’t high enough. Even though they performed admirably, reaching the final rounds of the Water Polo World Championships that are being held in Guangzhou, they just couldn’t make it count when it mattered most and suffered a narrow 6-7 loss at the hands of Italy. Greece allowed their opponents to score three goals in the third part of the game, which turned out to be the deciding factor, as they couldn’t come back from it. Now they will need to face Australia for a place in the final five of the competition.

OLYMPIACOS FOOTBALL TEAM
An away draw is by no means a terrible way to start your season. Yet the promise of attacking, possessive football that was made by Pedro Martins and his players was surely not paid off in their game against Victoria Plzen. Giving away the ball without thinking, chasing the ball and not the player, failing to close down on the empty space were just some of the ‘symptoms’ that were noticed during the game, minor issues that were easily exploited by other teams last season and cost the team both the championship and their presence in Europe. The home game against the team from the Czech Republic but also the next game against Basaksehir (should Olympiacos advance) will provide many answers to some lingering questions created in this game.