GSL Preview: Levadiakos banking on youth

The Greek Super League (GSL) is only a day away; and here at the Grecee Blog we’re counting down the days to kickoff of the 2008/2009 season with a preview for each of the sixteen clubs comprising Greece’s top level of football.

Levadiakos managed to avoid the drop to the second division but not until they club gave its fans a scare by leaving the avoidance of relegation to the later parts of the season. The club will look to do the same this year, as they head into their second consecutive season in the top flight.

Last year it was several international players who achieved safety for Levadiakos. Offseason purchasing has only added to that contingent of players. The likes of Leonardo, Eduardo Montoya, and Patrick Dimbala are expected to lead the handful of new players, and ultimately the club up the Super League ladder. The anchor of the progression will come in defense as former Greece-international, Michalis Kapsis, secured a move from Cypriot club APOEL to Levadiakos. The 34-year old knows his way around the league, and will have to recreate his performances from UEFA EURO 2004 if Levadiakos are to improve on their 2007/2008 finish.

Other acquisitions include Fernando Machado from Asteras Tripolis, and Alban Bushi returns to the team after a brief stint with Apollon Kalamarias. There are few departures from Levadia to speak of; but most notably, cursed defender Jacques-Olivier Paviot leaves the club for second division club Ilysiakos.

Levadiakos has plenty of up-and-coming talents throughout its roster, and if the club does impress it is a mere guarantee that bigger clubs will begin to nip at the team’s prospects. However, the club will first need to succeed if they are expecting a payout. Levadiakos opens up the season away to Aris Thessaloniki.

GSL Preview:  Levadiakos banking on youth