Which is your opinion about the summer moves of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos? Tell us something towards the transfers of PAOK and AEK...
This kind of questions strikes like a... thunder at our mails and social media acccounts, so we finally have the chance, with 150 words for every club, to express some first thoughts about the "Big-4" of Greek football and Panathinaikos BC, Olympiacos BC.
Football
AEK: Investment in their new stadium, training ground facilities, remain strong out of the field, but in it the tempo is actually extremely slow. With the new manager, it is more than expected that they have to search a different kind of targets, other style of players. Vranjes will be missed (regardless the signing of Oikonomou), Livaja will practicaly replace Araujo and they are still searching for the player who will... replace Livaja. They also "lost" Lazaros Christodoulopoulos. AEK were waiting for 24 years to win the championship and have strong chances for the Champions League group stage, in order to reach the next level in financial terms, but they are still making things difficult for themselves...
PAOK: They already had the strongest squad in the middle of May and needed only 2-3 signings in order to become extremely powerful. My prediction is that will happen, but in order to win the championship, their greatest goal. Manager Lucescu's plan for a pre-season with the squad ready failed and PAOK will play against Basel with the team of 2017-18 season. The financial security powered by Ivan Savvidis makes a realistic possibility the capture of a quality player who will make the difference right now and not in the future, like Leo Jaba.
Olympiacos: The opinion I am expressing for many years, that without the standard profit from Champions League the club will not be able to make lucrative transfers and be stronger than its opponents from day one was confirmed immediately. Knowing that they can not be expecting 30+ million euros, they were forced to lower their demands, make some realistic and smart moves. At the same time, instead of whining all the time like they were doing during 2017-18 season, they managed to find a way to gain some "victories" (foreign referees at derby clashes, Tritsonis and Koukoulakis out of the CRC, new president at the Super League). They are surely making steps towards the football "reality", but after the extremely disappointing performance of the previous season in and out of the field, they will need some time for the total recall.
Panathinaikos: In sports terms, will be a transitional season without stress and serious demands. The administration of Giannis Alafouzos made clear that nobody can expect miracles. Panathinaikos will have a starting lineup better than many of the other teams, worse than others. Ergys Kace could be a key signing, the selection of striker will be important for the atmosphere at Leoforos Stadium and generally the performance of the team and its locker rooms, until the time of major changes at the Board of Directors. Manager Giorgos Donis and technical director Nikos Dabizas are more than capable, Panathinaikos remain weak at the decision centers of football but managed to win the critical battle for participating at Super League (even without licensing), thanks to votes from AEK, Olympiacos and the help of PAOK.
Basketball
Panathinaikos BC: The Nick Calathes chapter was concluded with success and they had some... time to rest. The extension of his contract was the hottest and most expensive transfer case in Europe until today. Missing James and Singleton, who were decisive at winning the last two Basket League titles, is surely an important issue. They are stronger at the center position with Lasme instead of Zach Auguste and we have to wait for their moves at 2-3-4. They are closing than ever, since 2009, to have top-level Greek players, if Papapetrou and Pappas sign contracts with them. Right now, the main disadvantage is decent shooting ability of +40% at "4" and guard position, because despite Marcus Denmon, all the others have good and bad shooting nights.
Olympiacos BC: Angelopoulos brothers made the smartest summer move so far. By choosing David Blatt, with twice the money Giannis Sfairopoulos was earning, they managed to lower the total budget of the club without any problems. For the first time at Angelopoulos era, Olympiacos BC are signing foreign players with 250-400.000 dolars, counting at the personality of David Blatt. He is finding Americans with high motive, with only one season in Europe, and he does not care if they have not experience in winning championships or their previous teams were something live Lavrio BC in Greece (Zach LeDay from Hapoel Gilboa Galil, Nigel Williams-Goss from KK Partizan with 1-9 victories at EuroCup). A more athletic playing style, with foreigners who want the ball in their hands. A very fresh and interesting project which will need some time at Euroleague level. The Greek barracks of the club have been dismantled, because Spanoulis - Printezis are now older and by missing Ioannis Papapetrou, it lost the most quality project of the future.
