MLS Chicago Fire FC

Greek Champion Olympiakos to Play Fire on June 4 at Cardinal Stadium

Published on May 1, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Thursday, May 1, 2003) - The Chicago Fire announced today that the team will host its first international friendly since July 2000 by facing Greek First Division team Olympiakos Piraeus FC on Wednesday, June 4 at 8:00 p.m. CT at Cardinal Stadium at North Central College in Naperville, IL. Tickets for the friendly will go on sale on Friday, May 2 beginning at 10:00 a.m. CT.

"Olympiakos is one of Europe's most famous and well decorated clubs. We are honored to host them and proud to offer this game for the legions of Olympiakos fans in Chicago," said Fire GM Peter Wilt.

Founded in 1925, Olympiakos is a perennial powerhouse in the Greek First Division. They have won the Greek Championship a record 31 times since garnering its first championship in 1931 and have won the Greek Cup 20 times. Led by scoring leader Alexios Alexandris (19 goals in 22 games), Olympiakos captured its last title during the 2001-02 season, finishing that season with an impressive 17-7-2 record and 69 goals scored.

Olympiakos has also had a strong presence in the prestigious UEFA Champions League, qualifying for the elite European club tournament each of the last three years. The team was knocked out of the 2002-03 competition during the first phase of group play in November, despite an initially strong 6-2 win over Bayern Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga. Olympiakos failed to advance in the premier European tournament after being unable to break into the top two positions in their difficult group, which also boasted perennial English Premier League power Manchester United.

"It's very exciting to have Olympiakos play against the Fire in Chicago," said former Chicago Fire and Chicago Sting forward Frank Klopas. "I played against them as a member of AEK Athens, and I still know a lot of the guys on that team. It's one of the most prestigious and successful teams in the history of Greek soccer. It's a team with a tremendous tradition and following. With so many Greeks and Greek Americans living in the City of Chicago, I know it will be very exciting for them as well. Chicago has a great tradition of soccer in general, but it's always nice when people have a chance to see their hometown team. I was born in Greece and God bless America. This game is going to be very special."

Currently second in the championship race with only three games left to go in the Greek First Division season, Olympiakos are only two points behind league leaders Panathinaikos with 36 points. They face the current leaders on Sunday, May 4 and will look to secure their seventh consecutive and 32nd overall Greek Championship.

The 2002-2003 edition of Olympiakos features an impressive list of homegrown and international talent. The most notable name to Greek fans is Alexandris. The 34-year-old striker has scored 10 goals in 40 appearances for the Greek National Team. Greek international Stylianos Giannakopoulous is the team's co-leader in goals scored (12) in the current Greek First Division season alongside Yugoslavian forward Pregrag Djordjevic. The midfield also features famed Frenchman Christian Karembou, who played on France's 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 Championship squads. Another pair of international forwards, Brazil's Giovanni and Ghana's Peter Oforiquaye, has combined to score 14 goals this season. The roster also includes Colombian defender Jorge Burmudez, who earned over 60 caps for his native country and won domestic and continental trophies while playing for legendary Argentine club Boca Juniors from 1997-2001.

The June 4 match will be the first international friendly for the Fire since they met Chivas of Mexico on July 13, 2000.

Ticket prices are as follows: VIP $30, Premier $25, Reserved $20, and Supporters sections are $15. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Chicago Fire offices, 980 N. Michigan, Suite 1998 in Chicago, Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT or at the Chicago Fire Box Office at Cardinal Stadium, located at 455 S. Brainard in Naperville, IL, Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. CT.

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