Football in Greece

Olympiakos confirmed yesterday the hiring of American coach David Blatt, following the departure of Yiannis Sfairopoulos.

The 59-year-old coach has signed a two-year contract with the Piraeus giant, and made his first statements at the club's website.

Greek Cup winner PAOK will face Swiss league runner-up Basel in the third qualifying round of the Champions League next month.

Shipping-focused law firm HFW, which is based in London, has boosted its leading Greek ship finance practice with the promotion of Piraeus consultant Kalliopi Karaiskaki to partner and the hiring of senior associate Dimitra Gelti.

Order has been restored as Panathinaikos regained the home advantage in the Basket League play-off finals on Thursday beating Olympiakos 71-66 in Piraeus, for its fourth consecutive victory at its rival's home court. The best-of-five final series is now tied at 1-1.

Within a few hours on Friday Manolo Jimenez, who led AEK to the league title this season, left the Yellows of Athens, and was replaced by former Panathinaikos manager Marinos Ouzounidis.

At least one fan was stabbed and eight police officers were reported injured in a series of fan clashes on Friday ahead of Saturday's Greek Cup final between AEK and PAOK in Athens. The clashes were also said to have involved Olympiakos fans too.

The Greek Football Federation has taken the unusual step of appointing a Spanish referee for Saturday's Greek Cup final between champions AEK Athens and PAOK, as it looks to rebuild the sport's shattered image in the country.

Olympiakos has won the Greek men's league unbeaten, placing volleyball next to water polo as the Piraeus club's most successful divisions for the season. The Reds swept PAOK in the play-off finals with three wins in as many games, after their 3-0 set victory at home on Wednesday.

Panathinaikos lost manager Marinos Ouzounidis as well as its last game of the season on Monday, although the Greek coach made sure he asterisked his resignation announcement.

Asteras Tripolis clinched the last remaining place for Greek teams in the Europa League qualifiers as it beat Panetolikos away on Sunday, while AEK combined its celebration of its first title in 24 years with a win at Apollon Smyrnis.