Fans screamed and sung in the airport, lighting flares to celebrate the grand occasion. Onlookers were baffled at the abnormal events unfolding at Melbourne Airport, but no amount of greasy looks or security talks would dampen the crowd’s spirit.
To Europeans, similar scenes, although rare, are understandable. But here in Australia one would not be expected to understand the passion of these people.
But why was this crowd cheering? For whom? For Olympiacos of course!
Greece’s biggest and best club (sorry PAO fans but the red side of Athens does have more fans and trophies) has landed in Melbourne for the first time in over 30 years. Suffice to say it has it has been a long time between drinks.
However, considering Melbourne’s large Greek population and the level of support for international teams like Olympiacos, why has this been the case? Why haven’t Olympiacos come down under for the last 30 years? To put it simply, it wasn’t worth their while.
Without delving into the complexities of Australia’s football history it is enough to say that, for a while, the game here was a shambles.
Many have questioned the manner in which the A-League was introduced and the intentions behind it however one thing is for sure, the A-League has seen the level of professionalism in domestic Australian football reach record heights and has provided (for the most part) a stable platform for football in Australia to grow and be exposed.
The arrival of clubs like Olympiacos should not be taken lightly. By playing games in Australia, major international teams show they have faith in the trip and that they are able to get something from it.
Make no mistake, for European clubs based on the other side of the world, travelling to Australia isn’t easy or cheap.
Despite this in recent years LA Galaxy, Boca Juniors, Celtic, AEK Athens, Rangers, Blackburn and Everton have played down under. Celtic in particular travelled across the country, playing in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne on a tour that doubled as a scouting trip.
The A-League has made the trip to Australia worth the while of overseas teams who now come down to find competitive opposition and a largely untapped talent pool.
The trip to Australia doesn’t only benefit travelling clubs, it also benefits the fans. Not only fans of the teams but fans of football are given the opportunity to see their heroes live and a class of football rarely seen in this country.
Interest from overseas clubs in Australia benefits all parties. Many people understand the benefits for the fans and even for the clubs but few realise what these visits imply.
The faith shown by clubs like Olympiacos in Australian football show how far the game has come in this country.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
This article back in 2009 says that Olympiakos was operating on annual deficit of 70 million euros - it's unlikely that that situation has improved in 2011-12. http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/olympiakos-deficit-kokkalis-shares
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Thanks, James. Having a Greek team visit, I couldn't resist having a dig at the Greek economy! But, next time I should "beware of Greeks bearing gifts". ;-)
james
Guest
Fussball ist unser leben, absolutely no connection between Olympiakos and the Greek economy, Olympiakos are a rich a club, they dont need the money. In fact they would be more wealthy compared to most clubs in Europe, they came with a full team because they want to promote their brand, next they will follow where the other big clubs go to North America....to put it in perspective their 3rd choice keeper would get paid more than probably an entire A league outfit, they are owned by the richest bloke in Greece, if they wanted they could actually pay the debt of all the other clubs in the Greek league.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
QSAF I know you're a long-term Chelsea fan, so this doesn't apply to you, but, on the topic of supporters jumping ship, I loved this tongue-in-cheek Twitter from SkySports yesterday ... @SkySporksNews: Despite strong links to Manchester City, Chelsea fans have signed a 1 year extension to remain at the club.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Yes, I was playing Olympiakos pedigree down deliberately to see who would stand up for the club---good to see you came out in their defence.. Now we know that this was a reasonably good performance by Ange's MV experimental team, who has just recently introduced his football philosophy for next season... There are some ex Roarers, turned ex GCUers, now new dawn Roarers, who still may jump ship next year, mid way thru the season, to join MV, who are currently saying differently.. :)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"a hit out against a team that is not a top line European competitor, but one that would match any J-League side" QSAF, I think you're underselling Olympiakos with that comment. Olympiaks brought their full-strength team to Melbourne - the same team that was just crowned Champions of Greece. In this year's UCL, Olympiakos was in the same Group as Arsenal, Dortmund & Marseilles. At home, Olympiakos beat Arsenal 3-1 and Dortumund 3-1; in the Away leg, Olympiakos beat Marseilles 0-1. So, I reckon, this Olympiakos team that played MVFC on the week-end would be considered amongst the Top 20-30 teams in the World.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Totally surprised by MV's fans attitude. This was exactly what MV needed to do and a very good opportunity to start rolling out Ange's plans for MV next season---a hit out against a team that is not a top line European competitor, but one that would match any J-League side.. A good experiment for Ange to work out his football philosophy if it needs to be tweaked. I saw some areas where you guys need strengthening in your squad by the link provided.. I am sure the Victory players had an insight to what is to come from Ange's philosophy as well---a good footballing exercise to begin with...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Do you think it’s easy or cheap for these teams to come down under." May not be "easy" but, yes, it's damned cheap! The visiting team would pay NOTHING. All their expenses are fully covered by the Event Promoter and the visiting team receives a significant "appearance fee". An MVFC Board member on Twitter also said these matches are a financial windfall for MVFC b/c they, too, pay nothing. MVFC gets an appearance fee from the promoter regardless of how many fans turn up. The more fans, the more profit for the promoter; the less fans the promoter may take a hit. Judging by the way the Greek economy is imploding, it's little wonder Olympiakos came running when the money was offered. In 35 years of observing o/s teams come to Australia, I cannot think of any other visiting team, who has brought their full 1st team squad to play such a meaningless practice match. Historically, the roles were reversed - the foreign team would play its fringe players & trial some youth team & the Aussie team would play its strongest squad. Times have changed!
nordster
Guest
I agree I like that they come... Peoples crowd expectations are too high, commercially it needs to work on a smaller scale is all... As a friendship type game between two clubs, way to blood new players and give some experience. it's an excellent thing to have clubs like Olympiakos coming out. As far as being a circus ... They are fun so why not eh? Just accept them for what they are is my view on these tours. In some respects it makes me pretty proud that people value League football so much these days that these tours are viewed as secondary.
Chris
Guest
I have to say I'm a bit surprised by the amount of negative comments here. I don't think that Olympiakos came here as a circus act, and nor did they appear to be on holiday. The played well enough and provided decent entertainment value and a good experience for some of the younger MV players. What’s wrong with that? Do you think it’s easy or cheap for these teams to come down under? If we disrespect these teams for taking the time and trouble to visit, then they won't. And when that happens all the same people who make negative comments about these games will complain that no international teams want to play here.
Lucan
It is the promoters who sure need a kick up the ar$e. You mentioned Galati, but it has gone well beyond he and his group. All these tours are promoter cash-grabs, nothing more, nothing less. I'm glad the Melbourne public voted with their feet. Not an MV fan, but respect to their supporters for turning up when points are up for grabs and not to these meaningless friendlies designed to line the pockets of vultures.
Nordstrom
Guest
Circuses are fun though but yeah not the real deal. Timing is the issue for being part of a real per season. Most of them seem to be here post season euro time, they do go elsewhere in Asia pre season.
Kasey
Guest
Last night ought to be a wake up call to greedy promoters who over-price tickets to these things. Football fans aren't mugs and with the advent of the A-League they can keep their powder dry and money in the wallet for when the real stuff kicks off, no need to pay silly money for a circus act anymore.
TheBeautifulGame
Roar Pro
Must admit the crowd was dissappointing last night however a few factors must be taken into account: -The game was at etihad, significantly reducing the level of atmosphere -The game clashed with "Dream time at the 'G" a major AFL event -The game could not be played at AAMI because of 'Dream Time" due to conjestion reasons. (possibly 120,000 people in that area of the city at night!) -The tickets were overpriced ($60 dollars for a level 3 adult) -The level of support from the Greek community was overestimated, as today many young Greeks are 3rd or even 4th generation migrants and have lost their roots to Olympiacos, unlike last time Olympiacos came, when 1st and 2nd generation migrants still had a strong connection to the club.
Kasey
Guest
Celtic should have played Central Coast last thing on their tour. That way the promoter could have billed it as the "Grand Final" (chance to see Celtic FC) and thus there is no way the Mariners could have won;)
TheBeautifulGame
Roar Pro
Celtic have travelled to Australia twice. I was referring to their most recent tour, when they played Central Coast at ANZ and lost!
Stevo
Guest
+1. No need for old fashioned 'soccer' circus' in Oz when the HAL season provides the real deal - far more engaging, entertaining and meaningful. Only one exception - traveling teams playing as part our proper pre-season warmups.
Kasey
Guest
I'm glad these circus acts never want to come to Adelaide. why should I as a fan pay $50+ to watch a team on holiday, play my team whose season(if you're MVC) ended months ago? We are fast moving beyond these types of circus acts as a football nation, if we aren't already past it?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I was under the impression Olympiakos has never visited Australia previously? It's great to have big football clubs come here, but - and you can call me a football snob - I'm not going to pay to watch teams on holiday. These exhibition matches are great if they get more people having contact with AUS football or the HAL, but they're not for me.
james
Guest
Well the crowd tonight was only 16,000....the last time Olympiakos came out here they attracted well over 20,000 at OP against South Melbourne...since the melbourne public ignored this game i doubt you will see a club like Olympiakos return anytime soon, they are off to take their brand to north america now...and im sure they will be far more appreciated in that part of the world, i went allong to the game tonight and had only heard of 2 olympiakos players ( Melberg and Caroll) upon leaving the ground i've learnt new names like Fetfatzidis, Mirallas, Djebbour etc...blokes the average football fan wouldnt know in this country, but absolute world class players, thankyou Olympiakos for a great spectacle and some breathtaking goals, booo to the melbourne public who didnt bother.