This latest trip away from Greece is not the club’s first go in Serbia this season.
As we can all remember, Olympiacos were paired with Čukarički during the UEFA Europa League Playoff Round which ultimately led the Greek side to the group stage of this year’s competition.
However, in this latest Serbian adventure, the Greek contingent will travel approximately 156 kilometers north, across the Danube River, round past Novi Sad (Serbia’s second largest city), and into Bačka Topola to challenge TSC Bačka Topola on Matchday 2.
This clash will be the first ever between the two clubs.
The Current on TSC Bačka Topola
The early beginnings of the Serbian SuperLiga currently see TSC wedged into second position between more notable clubs such as Partizan Belgrade (who are atop of the league after eight matches played) and Red Star Belgrade (who currently sit in third position).
An interesting side note is the fact that post-West Ham (September 21), TSC’s next two matches against Red Star Belgrade and Napredak were postponed. Their schedule resumed on September 30 with a 1:1 draw against Mladost Lučani (highlights).
The Unknown Should Not Shake Us
While it is interesting to note that TSC will be playing just their second ever European group stage match against Olympiacos, personally I find this match to be extremely winnable based on the history and pedigree of Thrylos over their Serbian hosts.
To date, Olympiacos are 2-0-0 against Serbian opponents during this year’s edition of the UEFA Europa League and I expect (and perhaps demand) a 4-0-0 record once the group stage has been completed.
As we trek into unknown territory we do so with confidence. Results in the Super Leagu
e have been decisive as the club have outscored the opposition by a 22-2 count. Averaging 3.14 goals-per-match is a nice way to sure up domestic success and we’ve now placed the ball in the court of the opposition to keep pace.
In my opinion, we’re ahead of schedule on the domestic recovery front. Through the careful considerations and planning of Cordon and Martinez, the club have risen from the ashes of yesteryear and my memories of a disastrous 2022-2023 are dropping further and further back into my memory banks. I hope the very same for you.
Enjoy the football.
Trivia
The town of Bačka Topola has given football the likes of Nikola Žigić and Dušan Tadić.
UEFA Europa League – Group A Overview
1. West Ham (ENG) – 1-0-0 – 3 points
2. Freiburg (GER) – 1-0-0 – 3 points
3. Olympiacos (GRE) – 0-0-1 – 0 points
4. TSC Bačka Topola (SRB) – 0-0-1 – 0 points
Matchday 1 Results
West Ham 3:1 TSC
Freiburg 3:2 Olympiacos
Elsewhere on Matchday 2
Freiburg vs West Ham (Europa-Park Stadion)
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