Must say, watched this game live and after an unbelievable start to the game in terms of the atmosphere witnessed inside the Giorgios Karaiskakis Stadium, even i was appauled at the post match happenings in terms of the players from Pana who found themselves in what can only be described as a scary situation. Of course the truth be known that none of those players were hurt and that if the Oly supporters wanted them hurt, it would of been very easily achieved. Having said that, the sort of behaviour witnessed cannot be condoned in any way shape or form and i myself a fanatical Olympiakos supporter hope the club is disciplined for the actions of a few idiotic supporters, totaly disgusting and unwarranted, though its fair to be said that the Pana supporters on here cannot defend some of their clowns back home who have been involved in these sorts of things also in the past. Its a derby and the emotions run very high but no excuses for that sort of behaviour, full stop. The players and officials should never have to worry about their safety irrelevant of how the supporters view one anothers clubs, players, fans etc etc
The game itself was played in tremendous spirit, and apart from a moment of uncharacteristic madness from Oly captain Torosidis in injury time where he attempted to headbutt Leto and was subsequently sent off, there were no bad challenges to speak of other than the usual shirt tugging and petty fouls associated with any game of football.
The referee and his assistants were also having a very good game until the 82nd minute when one of the worst descisions ive ever witnessed took place. A corner was taken by Pana which the Oly keeper punched awkwardly away from goal back towards the edge of the 6 yard box which was then volleyed back towards goal by a Pana player, deflected off an Oly player, landed at the feet of Katsouranis who slotted it in for what would of been 2-1 Pana. After looking at the replay only once, it was quite evident that Greek football had brought a new meaning to the word "cheating" and it is evident for all to see. a shocking decision that can only be described as "cheating" of the most blatant kind. I was lost for words myself and still cant comprehend it and ive seen the highlights package more than 6 times and it the "cheating" element gets harder to swallow after every replay, no shit, fu
cking shocking. I a hate cheating of any form let alone so blatantly and it was this type of blatant "cheating" refereeing that awarded me so many red cards in my career and a chance of possibly some sort of progression in the game i love above any other sport and many things. An absolute disgrace which put a sour taste in my mouth and took away from what was a great game as a spectacle, as one of the great rivalries in the world that creates an atmosephere 2nd to none in my opinion.
As for the other "bad officiating" pointed out by Molon, 1 can easily be explained as to not associate it with cheating but just bad postioning by the referee and the other as complete nonsense. 1stly, on the hand ball by Torosidis in the penalty box on exactly 44 mins and 58secs as can be seen in the video link provided below, no denying it was a hand ball BUT, have a look at where the referee is when the ball is hit at precisely 43m52s on the clock, he had no time with that long ball to have put himself in a position to judge whether an handball took place because the fact is, Torosidis actually headed the ball onto his hand and the heading motion is clearly evident. The linesman is also on the opposite side of where you would like him to be in this instance and so you cannot blame him for not seeing it also. These sorts of things happen and so i wouldnt call this cheating, but more a case of a referee who didnt get himself in a good enough position to be able to see a clear handball. Lets not also forget that all in one motion (look at it in real time and not with the benefit of slow motion
) that Torosidis heads the ball onto his arm and falls all in the one action and therefor almost impossible from where the ref was situated to have seen it but in no way am i denying the hand ball, it was there, also, was it deliberate??? I think not, so i got no problems with that as far as cheating is concerned.
On the 2nd decision bothering Molon, well thats just absolute garbage in my opinion because his photo is so distorted it aint funny. The 2nd Olympiakos goal is NOT offside and id say ludicrous to even suggest so. Firstly Molon, your photo cant even be taken seriously when you consider that the photo shows where the ball ended up and not where it was passed from you beauty
Thats a cheap shot and you know yourself your not being fair on this. Go to 7m41s on the bottom of the toolbar of the link ive provided to see exactly where that pass started from as to make a fair and proper assessment of whether that is off/onside
Also Molon, even if your photo were the right one, look at where you drew the line to prove your offside???
Doesnt the rest of your defenders body in front of the line towards your keeper count???
Its clearly ONSIDE when you look at the moment the ball is passed to the player who scores and every other Oly player around him is also ONSIDE so thats a piss poor effort Molon to try and buy some sympathy votes
but funny nevertheless
On the whole, the Katsouranis disallowed goal should of stood and a 2-2 draw a fair result. Both teams had their chances but for some poor finishing in some cases and great saves in others. Atmosphere was electric, game played in very good spirits apart from that one incident in injury time, and but for one absolute CHEATING decision and a few stupid Oly supporters at the end of the game that sadly tainted what was otherwise another great derby between the 2 giants of Greek Football.
Thats my honest spin on the whole thing. Also, PAO13 could you kindly ask itnaras for me whether he would like to personally deliver my $200 or whether he would like me to pick it up??? Championship is signed, sealed and delivered me thinks
Link on highlights package:
http://goal4replay.net/VideoWatchF.asp?ID=50957&Ln=En
