OAKA - A Visitor’s Joy

OAKA has proven to be a host’s nightmare and a visitor’s dream as Panathinaikos, AEK, and the Greek national team have all struggled for home wins this season.

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Athens’ Olympic Stadium (known as OAKA) is proving to be a hosts’ nightmare and a visitors’ dream come true as several sides who call the big stadium home have genuinely struggled this season. Panathinaikos, AEK, and the Greek national team all call OAKA home and results illustrate it has been a happy hunting ground for away teams looking to pick up points on the road.

The fact that it was not specifically built as a “purpose-built football stadium” may or may not coincidentally play a role as the large surroundings make it very difficult for the home fans to create decent atmospheres. The stadium was initially built in 1982 to coincide with the European Athletics Championship.

Panathinaikos are yet to win a home game so far this season (even the game against Xanthi that was moved to Rizoupoli). This is the Greens’ worst ever start to a season in terms of home form only.

AEK have not fared much better, as they have only won a single official game at OAKA by virtue of their victory over Lamia (the Enosis’ home win over Volos was played at Rizoupoli). AEK have conceded more goals than they have scored so far this season at OAKA (7:8).

The Greek national team finally broke their OAKA hoodoo with a late 2-1 win over Bosnia in Euro 2020 qualifying. It is the team’s only win at OAKA in 2019 as defeats against Italy and Armenia were played out, as well as a frustrating draw against Liechtenstein.

As a result, these home sides have only won a mere two out of the 12 games played at OAKA this season.

by Nick Tsambouniaris

Image Source: sdna.gr

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