Olympiakos, fresh from retaining the Greek Super League title, will be paying a flying visit to Melbourne in May for a friendly against Melbourne Victory.
The team from Piraeus have confirmed that they will be bringing a full strength squad for the match, including five players almost certain to represent Greece at Euro 2012, with Marko Pantelic (broken ankle) and Ariel Ibagaza (out of contract) the only first team regulars to miss the trip.
Interest in the fixture will be raised with Greek-born Ange Postecoglou taking charge of Victory for the first time against Greece’s most successful club side. Postecoglou, having won consecutive Premierships with Brisbane Roar will be managing in his home town for the first time in over a decade and will be keen to get started on the right foot.
The mighty Olympiakos, having won 14 of the last 16 Greek Super League titles, will provide formidable opposition for Victory with the likes of former EPL and Serie A defender Olaf Mellberg, Cameroonian midfielder Jean Makoun, top scorer Kevin Mirallas (the Belgian scored a tremendous 20 goals in 25 super league games this season) and Algerian international Rafik Djebbour giving international class, whilst Greek national team regulars Vasilis Torosidis, Giannis Fetfatzidis and Melbourne born Avraam Papadopoulos provide an authentic Greek flavour.
Whilst this is Postecoglou’s first game in charge of Victory, it will also serve as Ernesto Valverde’s final game at Olympiakos. The Spaniard has won a title in each of his three seasons at the Karaiskakis Stadium, and will be looking to go out on a high.
The visitors arrive on 16 May for a short stay, and will train behind closed doors at Etihad Stadium.
However, true Olympiakos fans will be able to get up close to their heroes with a special “Ultimate Fans” package which allows entry to a closed training session, the chance to meet the players, get pictures taken and collect autographs, as well as excellent match tickets, all for $150.
Melbourne Victory vs Olympiakos is on Saturday 19 May, at Etihad Stadium with tickets available from as low as $25.
