GSL Preview: Serres hopes for long return

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.

Panserraikos finally won promotion and a return to the top flight of football in Greece, after capturing first place in the Beta Ethniki last year. Nicknamed ‘the Lions’, Panserraikos was relegated to the second tier sixteen years ago, and were nearly demoted one level further two seasons ago. Despite the long wait for a return, the club returns to the top flight but not without noticing the changes. A revamped league has undergone several changes in recent years, including a name change since Panserraikos’ last go-around.

Despite their long absence from the top flight, Panserraikos has truly impressed in performances this offseason. The most memorable result came against Italian club Udinese. The Promoted club ran 4-1 winners over the Serie A Club. However, not all news is good news; crowd trouble marred the club’s friendly against fellow Super League club PAOK.

Off the field and away from any violence, the club has taken the time to add many experienced players to the roster. Patrick Zoundi has made the move from Tripolis as the Burkina Faso international has joined the Serres club. Other acquisitions include the addition of Deniz Baykara; the Turk is a veteran of the Greek game after spending nearly a decade with Skoda Xanthi.

Mumin Hussein heads the list of departures, as the first Muslim to represent Greece returns to PAOK after a short loan with Serres.

A title run isn’t expected from Panserraikos, but a very impressive preseason proves Panserraikos wont be any pushovers come kickoff. Added to the fact the club finish atop the Second Division last year, Greece’s finest better be aware of the club from Serres.