The biggest club in Crete is enjoying a great season, not only is OFI sitting pretty in 4th place, but the black and white islanders are playing wonderful football and their matches are a pleasure to watch, giving locals a great reason to pack the boutique Theodoris Vardinogiannis stadium.

Young Greek Coach, 41 year old, Giorgos Simos has done a great job with the team, OFI has scored 25 goals, the 3rd most in the league, only highflyers, Olympiakos and PAOK have scored more.

Although preseason didn’t bring great results, it proved a valuable time to see what worked and what didn’t work and as such OFI hit the ground running, a 3-1 win in Athens against Panathinaikos had everyone stand up and notice, not only because of the score line but the way OFI played, with excellent passing between the lines and smart runs into space which the team have carried on with.

OFI has been unlucky in most matches lost, especially against Olympiakos and Atromitos, but wins over AEK and Aris show the team is united and has the character needed to stay up in the top 6 group.

On the field there have been plenty of stand outs.

Goalkeeper, Dimitrios Sotiriou, is having a break out season with outstanding saves and proving a touch keeper to score past.

Like Sotirou, OFI’s defence is been led by another 32 year old Greek in, Kostas Giannoulis who has stood solid against all opposition.

OFI’s great attack has come from some fantastic form and connections between some key players.
Leading the assists is Argentine, Juan Neira with 4, the midfielder has spent much time in Mexico and has been a regular for OFI the last two seasons.

Kosmas Tsilianidis is having his best season today, the 25 year old Greek attacking midfielder has 5 goals which is more goals than his previous four seasons combined and further proof of the good work Simos is doing.

Two other stand outs and possibly the key to OFI’s success, has been the form of Portuguese attacker, Lisandro Semedo and Englishman, Abil Nabi, between them they have 9 goals and 4 assists however they have had a hand in many good and important plays for OFI.

With a great mix of youth and experience the results are coming in, if OFI can continue this form, a European birth at seasons end is certainly an achievable finale.

OFI have been drawn with PAOK in the Greek Cup and that will be a great fixture to see how they can compete with one of Greece’s best teams.

Overall rating – So far so good and credit to the club for what is doing on and off the fields.

credits: Hellas Football - By Greg Gavalas