Finally, its official! Basinas has signed.

The signing of Aggelos Basinas, which has been spreading around in rumors all summer long has finally been officially released on AEK’s website. He recently declined Olympiakos’ offer of a two year contract and has instead signed with AEK for three years. His experience should add some stability to an AEK squad filled with young, taleneted, yet inexperienced players.

He is a defensive midfielder who is now the captain of the Greek National Team. His performance during EURO 2008 qualifiers was very promising. He was part of the Greek squad that won EURO 2004, and he played a key part in the team’s success at that tournament.

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/news/kind=1/newsid=736179.html

AEK 1-0 Bursaspor

AEK has finally come out with a win after two friendlies that ended in draws. The goal was a penalty taken by Rivaldo.

AEK’s performance was no more than average tonight. It was not disappointing performance, but it certaintly wasnt the most pleasing performance the team has put on. It showed lots of room for improvement, especially up front where the finishing was not good. There were quite a few chances to score but these chances were not taken advantage of. The offence seemed a little slow. AEK came close to scoring but Pavlis’ shot was low and not fast enough and the keeper reached it. Unfortunately, there was nobody up and ready to get the rebound.

The defence seemed a little weak as well but Saja’s goalkeeping was very promising. He had sharp reflexes and, what was most pleasing to see was that he was confident and knew what he was doing before he decided to do it. He did not hesitate which was often the problem with Morretto.

Midfield seemed allright, they managed to get the passes up the field quick enough.

Overall, either a few strong transfers should be made if possible or Donis will have to try and find the best lineup. He didnt seem to find the lineup he was looking for.

Oh well, it is only friendly, and there are still many more ahead and still some time remaining. But if we play like we did today, the chances of taking the championship will be very slim.

On the bright side, the team didnt play nearly as bad as Olympiakos has been playing lately.

AEK nearer to Basinas

AEK are now closer to attaining defensive-midfielder Aggelos Basinas after it turns out that he will not be accepting Olympiakos’s offer for a two year contract. Basinas wanted to sign with a team for a three year contract. Olympiakos fans also didnt want a former Panathinaikos player on their team and the team felt pressured to drop the talking with Basinas.

These are still rumours but if the come true, Basinas will join AEK for three years.

After aqquiring Basinas, AEK would like to continue with its attempts to land 29 year old defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos.

Here are few sorces:

http://www.sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=2145

http://www.greeksoccer.com/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1217350033&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&

http://www.sport-fm.gr also has an atricle but it is unfortunately written in Greek.

AEK-Greuther Furth 2-2

AEK ended their second friendly of the preseason against German Second Division team Greuther Furth in a 2-2 draw. AEK went down early on in the first minute and by the end of the scond half they were down 0-2. Two goals however, in the 83rd and 85th minutes of the game allowed AEK to catch up and come out with a score of 2-2. The first goal for AEK was, according to AEK’s website an own goal and the second goal was scored by Pliatsikas off of a cross from Georgeas. It was a hard and low shot out of the keepers reach.

Apparently the second half was a much better performance than the first.

The lineup was Fisekis, Ramos (64′ Koutromanos), Perez (who was on trial for Donis to see) (46′ Georgeas), Majstorovic (74′ Alexopoulos), Papastathopoulos (61′ Geraldo), Nsaliwa (46′ Rivaldo), Kafes (75′ Pliatsikas), Kone (46′ Hetemaj), Lagos (46′ Zorbas), Burns (46′ Pavlis), Blanco (Tachtsidis).

Liberopoulos Interview

www.greeksoccer.com has clips from an interview with former AEK striker which talks about AEK’s chances of winning the championship and his departure from AEK.

http://www.greeksoccer.com/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1216133373&archive=&start_from=&ucat=27&

AEK News

AEK striker Michalis Pavlis helped Greece’s Under-19 team to a 1-1 draw with Italy for the first games of the group stages. Pavlis put Greece up fairly early on and it looked like Greece were going to start the group stages with three points but the referee awarded Italy a penalty in the 89th minute which they scored to help them to salvage a point.

Certain websites are saying that the jersey shown below will be AEK’s home jersey for next season although there have not been any official from AEK’s website.

 

The schedule for next season has been revealed. It will be as follows:

First Matchday     AEK-Panathinaikos

Second Matchday     PAOK-AEK

Third Matchday     AEK-Iraklis

Fourth Matchday     Panionios-AEK

Fifth Matchday     Olympiakos-AEK

Sixth Mathday     AEK-Larissa

Seventh Matchday     Thrasivoulos-AEK

Eigth Matchday     AEK-Asteras Tripolis

Ninth Matchday     Skoda Xanthi-AEK

Tenth Matchday     AEK-Panseraikos

Eleventh Matchday     OFI-AEK

Twelfth Matchday     Levadeiakos-AEK

Thirteenth Matchday     AEK-Panthrakikos

Fourteenth Matchday     Aris-AEK

Fifteenth Matchday     AEK-Ergotelis

Liberopoulos signed by Eintracht Frakfurt

Nikos Liberopoulos, former AEK striker has signed for German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt for two years. He will join fellow Greek Ioannis Amanatidis.

http://www.greeksoccer.com/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1215964138&archive=&start_from=&ucat=27&

http://www.sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=2076

Liberopoulos to go to PAOK(?)

According to an article at www.greeksoccer.com Nikos Liberopoulos has requested that PAOK give him two more days to think about an offer he was given by PAOK. Of course, PAOK agreed, obviously hoping that the striker who scored 67 goals for AEK will be a part of their starting eleven next year.

Pantelis Kapetanos to go to Steaua Bucharest

Pantelis Kapetanos, former AEK striker who did not get to see much playing time this season, largely due to injury, will continue his career in Romania with Steaua Bucharest.

AEK Open Practise

Yesterday evening, AEK held a practise which was open to the fans to go and watch. The team practised for about two hours. They first did various exercises such as heading the ball and ball control exercises. They then did a passing exercise for about twenty minutes. At the end, for about half an hour the team played a small scrimmage. Everyone on the team seemed fit and happy to be training with Donis which was a huge relief to see. I wasnt sure how the team would react under new management but the transition seemed to be smooth. Everyone was working hard, including Alexopoulos who seemed to be fully recovered from his injury.

Many of the players that had been on teams during the EURO were not present including Lyberopoulos,Dellas,Majstorovic, and Macho.

Donis seemed to be happy and relaxed which shows that he has no fear or worries for the upcoming season. He joked around with fans and stayed behind long after the players left to talk with fans and take pictures.

During the scrimmage much of the focus seemed to be on scoring goals from headers off of corners from the side with Rivaldo and Edinho in charge of setting up the plays and Blanco and Lagos scoring the goals. Ball control was superb throughout much of the practise and the players seemed confident in themeselves and their coach.

Overall, the team seemed to be in good spirits and working well together, a good sign for the new season.