Ah Levadeiakos... one of those teams, along with Panionios, Volou, and Xanthi, that I just love seeing AEK beat.

Couldnt watch the game because I had to work, but hey, we got the three points. Highlights from what Ive heard/seen: Sialmas' goalara, good keeping by Konstantopoulos, and a well reffed match (aside from the unnecessary to Sialmas).

First of all, happy new year everyone. I hope your holidays were great.

New Year started, Im hoping to get some more posts up on the blog from now on. First, Ill start with what Ive seen so far during the first half of our match with Doxa Dramas.

1. Sialmas needs to learn how to finish!

Finally time for a short post

We're doing okay in the Super League, which is more than I expected at the beginning of the season. Currently we hold the second spot, two points behind Oly. Nine wins, one tie and three losses. Even better, we are doing all this with a lot of young players. Tgether wit a coach who is 100% AEK, the future looks not so bad.

Gudjohnsen fractured his leg in two places in the game against Olympiakos, when he collided with Oly's goalkeeper Constanzo. Gudjohnsen will be out for at least four months, but I think we won't see him on the pitch for the rest of the season.

Well, more or less good news is that we didn't lose the game: 1-1.

When I went to sleep yesterday Manolo Jimenez was still in charge of AEK. When I woke up it was Nikos Kostenoglou. 'A decision both AEK and me agreed on', as Jimenez put it, 'AEK will always be in my heart, but it was time for a change.'

Jimenez has been our headcoach for about a year, and the first one since 2002 who was succesful when it comes to prizes: the Greek cup.

So, a lot has happened since my last post, and not much of it was good.

Before talking briefly about today's match, Ill mention the other two we played this week, even though Id much rather not.

So, PAOK-AEK in Toumba. Of all the derbies we play each season, the PAOK one rarely gives as much trouble as others.

Yep, 2 for 2 in the championship already. Who would have thought? Certainly not me (if I read correctly, we had 2 points by this time last season). And really, THESE are the games we must be winning. Take the 07-08 season for example, where easily avoidable home losses to teams like Iraklis and Panionios cost us the championship.

Aek got this seasons campaign underway,even if a week late,with all 3 points at a crowd less OAKA on Sunday night.A beautiful goal from Grigoris Makos on 31 min,after a great through ball by Belleck,was the only difference after 90 min.
Ergotelis started the stronger and really could have led by 3 goals after 20 min if it wasn't for an MVP performance by Arambatzis.

Yep. Not looking good for us.

I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much at all from this match. However, after seeing our players give it their all for much of the first half, I almost felt like we had a chance for the three points. But sadly fatigue, and terrible goaltending (if it can even be called that?

So we play in Brussels against Anderlecht on thursday, our first game in the group stage of the Europa League. A very important game ofcourse, and a chance for retribution after last years Euro League games against the Belgians. But things don't look very good for us. We didn't get to play one game in the Superleague, so we lack playing rythm.

AEK got the result that we needed last night in Georgia,albeit in extra time.Leonardo's 111th minute penalty,after Gudjonsen had been felled in the box,killed off the tie,and with an aggregate scoreline of 2-1 over the two legs,AEK has qualified for the Europa League group stage,which also brings in much needed funds!

A beautiful 87th minute header from Jose Carlos,our new no:10 and the man who's come in to replace Nacho Scocco proved to be the difference in the 1st leg at the OAKA last night.Nikos Georgeas had the ball on the right,cut back inside on his left foot and delivered the perfect cross for Jose Carlos who sneaked in at the back post,heading downwards giving their keeper no chance.

AEK will begin their European sojourns in the capital of Georgia this year against Dynamo Tbilisi,in the knockout stage of the Europa League.The first match will be played at the Boris Paichadze Stadium on the 18th of August with the return leg at the OAKA,1 week later on the 25th.
AEK will be expected to start favourites for the tie,however the Georgians have a rich history and should prove no 'push over'.

Firstly, I'd like to apologize for not having posted anything recently, my internet connection was limited the past two weeks while I was away and so I couldn't really get a post up.

Enough has happened since then though, and Im not sure where to begin. There has been talk on and off about the match fixing scandals, though (and Im not surprised at all) it seems Marinakis won't be touched any time soon.

We got ourselves a new striker. Eidur Gudjohnsen from Iceland will join us the next two seasons. Gudjohnsen is coming over from Stoke City. The captain from the Iceland national team played for a lot of clubs, including Barcelona, Chelsea, AS Monaco and PSV Eindhoven.
The transfer to Athens came throught this sunday afternoon after some trouble, because West Ham United was also interested in Gudjohnsen.