GSL Preview: Asteras looks to reach for the stars

The Greek Super League (GSL) is only a day away; and here at the Greece 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.

After winning a series of three promotions in three consecutive years, Arcadian club Asteras Tripolis found themselves in the Greek Super League last year. Not only did they impress in their first season in the top flight, the team from the Peloponnese narrowly missed out on the Greek Super League, and ultimately a spot in the UEFA Cup. Now the club is back, and with a year of experience under their belt the club is expected to improve on their opening season.

The face of the club is certainly a new one, despite the fact plenty of the core of players have returned for another spell. One change that is obvious is the man on the touchlines. Paulo Campos began last season as Asteras boss, but he was replaced by Panagiotis Tzanavaras after the locker room became divided over Campos’ tactics. Interim-manager Tzanavaras has since been replaced by new manager Carlos Carvalhal, but Tzanavaras has stayed with the club as an assistant.

The transfer market has been a busy one for Asteras, as many players have joined the club; several have also gone in the other direction. Adding to their already South American core of players, Asteras Tripolis secured several talents from Argentina. One of the club’s summer signings is Adrian Bastia, who joins the club from Argentina’s Racing Club. Boca Juniors agreed to loan out Bruno Urribarri to Tripolis for one season, while Marcelao joins on a full ownership deal. Other signings include: Martin Kamburov, Jorginho, Fabeta, Fabio Felicio, Ricardo Esteves, and Sebastian Erreros.

Long-time members Carlos Alberto Masara, Fernando Machado, Patrick Zoundi, and Ilias Ioannou have left the club after a long but successful stint in Tripoli. Rogerio has departed also left Tripolis, as the player who scored against Panathinaikos joins Ergotelis. Winter signing, Matias Pavoni, is also out after the Argentine had a hard time finding comfort in Greece.

As for the players who remain in the blue-and-yellow, Horacio Cardozo’s on then off again move to Greek Champions Olympiacos seems to be discontinued, as he sets his sights on another year in Tripoli. Lucio Filomeno and Danijel Cesarec provided a versatile pairing in attack last year, but the duo will be even more dangerous as a healthy Mauro Milano is ready for a full season with Asteras. Winter signing Jaouad Zauri also showed his flare in his limited appearances last year; but like Milano, more is expected from Zauri in his first full season with the club. Defensively, Asteras was a rock last year with Nikos Lazaridis at the center of the club’s backline. In goal, Georgios Abaris was truly a revelation in Greece last year. The Greek back stopper propelled his club to several clean sheet wins.

Asteras Tripolis faces a tough test in their season opener, with Olympiacos providing opposition at the fortress known as the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. The encounter with the Greek Champions could quite well be a good omen for Asteras, who remain undefeated against the Piraeus club — one win and a draw.