Football League

[Amorgos]

The national delayed league will be delayed for yet ANOTHER week due to more issues over the TV deal!!

No joke folks, Greece’s second division has not kicked off yet and at this stage next weekend.

Its no wonder clubs go broke in Greece, paying the bills would be a nightmare without a season to show for!

[Reaper]

There has always been a disgusting yet protected culture in Greece (of course rarely criticised by the idiotic Greek media) of starting the Greek second division very late - thus damaging the league and the football system as a whole in Greece.

[Kallithea]

After MD8, so only 1/4 way through.
Volos on top (new team but got funding), Apollon Larisas second, Kerkyra, Platanias and Ergotelis are 3rd, 4th and 5th which shouldn't surprise anyone. Winner goes up, second place has a play off with the super leagues third from bottom team.

In relegation zone is Kissamikos, Trikala, Aiginiakos and Aittitos. 5 points separates 16th place with 8th though so it's still all to play for.
(Kissamikos are due to appoint Alekos Vosniadis today as their new coach)

[Kallithea]

[Reaper]

This new Volos team is interesting. Anyone know anything about the backers?

[Soprano76]

I believe NPS Volos was founded by Achilleas Mpeos, the man who was in charge of Oly Volou when they had their match fixing scandal and financial difficulties. Regardless, the team isn't even based in Volos but rather a small xorio on the outskirts of the city. They don't even have their home matches at the Panthessaliko and likely have no fanbase. A bozo team, which is sad given that Volos is a large market by Greek standards and could use a team with a large fanbase like Oly Volou to prop up Greek football.

[Kallithea]

True, Olympiakos Volou were averaging between 6k-8k when they were last up (14k was their highest attendance). Niki Volou were just over 1100 but it'll still exceed anything set up by NPS. Wasn't Beos banned from football for Koriopolis?

[Kallithea]

Since Superleague referees have decided to have the weekend off, it looks like the only action is in Beta and Gamma Ethniki. This is the list for Beta :-

[Kallithea]

The Platanias-Irodotos game should be fun to watch as East vs West Crete games are always a bit testy. Volos vs Kerkyra may be a reasonable watch as well. Lastly is the Salonika derby between Iraklis and Apollon Kalamarias (sorry, I'm not calling them Pontos).

ERT3 for Platanias-Irodotos on Saturday and also Volos-Kerkyra on Sunday. I'm not sure what is happening with the Superleague ERT slots this weekend?

[Amorgos]

Iraklis really not impressing when all
thought they would

[Soprano76]

Iraklis and Panachaiki were my initial picks to be up for promotion this year; both have been a massive disappointment.

Regarding Panachaiki, seems like Katsouranis resigned not too long ago. Seems like he was working toward something sustainable with having multiple local businessmen in Patra having a financial stake in the team and also focusing on developing predominantly Greek talent.

[Soprano76]

We are now halfway through the Football League season and the top 5 are as follows:

1. NPS Volos (38 pts) => promotion
-------------------------------
2. Kerkyra FC (29 pts) => promotion playoffs
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3. Apollon Larissa FC (27 pts)
4. Panachaiki (24 pts)
5. Platanias (24 pts)

Panax have really made a push the past month or so are are close to a promotion spot. There's been some rumbling on the internet that if NPS Volos gets promoted they will merge with Olympiakos Volos; would be great news if so because the Superleague doesn't need any bourdelo clubs.

[Reaper]

It seems NPS are Olympiakos Volou anyway in all but name. Hugely fast and attacking side. Seems the merger makes sense.

[Soprano76]

For sure. Let's just hope Achilleas Beos isn't up to any shenanigans.

[Amorgos]

For yet another season, Super League 2, and another new identity mind you... will have issues with start date as ERT says they don’t have the money to fund the league...