Shamrock Rovers and an Unforgettable Away Day in Athens | OneFootball

It’s not often Irish teams get successful nights in Europe. Shamrock Rovers have enjoyed a few over the past few years but none in a cauldron of noise quite like the OPAP Arena.

It was clear from Shamrock Rovers’ last league game of the season against Sligo Rovers that the Hoops had something else on their minds. Manager Stephen Bradley fielded an understrength side with one eye on the week ahead.

The first of two massive games for Shamrock Rovers takes them to Athens to face 13-time Greek champions AEK.

Hoops Away

After two losses from two in the Conference League, the pressure was on to come away with at least a point to stay in contention for a play-off round spot.

Shamrock Rovers fans began arriving in the city early in the week. Once they got through the endless corridors of Athens airport, the heat hanging in the air was a welcome change to the cold and rain that normally greets visitors to Tallaght Stadium in November.

Those with a few days or hours to spare took the chance to explore one of the world’s oldest cities, where the Olympics were born. By Thursday lunchtime, though, all thoughts were on the sporting duel to come.

Away supporters gathered in the James Joyce pub, overlooked by the Acropolis from its hill above the city.

There was a party atmosphere amid some confused locals trying to pass down the narrow street on foot or moped. Some supporters had been on the go since very early that morning but that didn’t dampen spirits as familiar chants filled the air on an otherwise normal weekday.

A handful of PSV supporters were left over from their team’s clash with Olympiakos on Tuesday and wanted to soak up another matchday atmosphere with their fellow visitors and mingled happily outside.

One brave AEK fan marched towards the crowd brandishing a yellow scarf with his club’s name on it. The young man was told, in no uncertain terms, to keep his distance but quickly explained he just wanted a photo with the Irish fans.  It was a bold move that could’ve gone down badly but was eventually accommodated, despite some dirty looks.

Shamrock Rovers Fans lEARNING the Mediterranean timing

There had been issues and negotiations all week between Shamrock Rovers and the Greek police over matchday organisation, and it continued until the last minute.

Away fans were told to meet at the historic Panathenaic stadium where they would be brought to the ground in a convoy of buses. The problem was, they were supposed to leave at 3 o’clock, almost five hours before kick-off.

The club said they had requested a later meeting time, but Greek authorities insisted they leave early to avoid traffic. However, in true mediterranean fashion, that plan was altered not once, but twice on the day.

A new departure time of five o’clock was reluctantly agreed upon, and supporters eventually made their way towards the collection point, their green and white hoops drawing perplexed looks from Athenians.

A good number got lost in the Athens national garden by Syntagma square. They took to singing to find each other while navigating the maze of paths before them.

After emerging from the labyrinth, they were met with the beautiful marble stadium and accompanying square. Having enjoyed a well-earned rest, disgruntled fans bemoaned a €1.50 charge for the bathroom, having already forked out €20 for the bus.

The silver lining to all this disorganisation was the opportunity to bask in the evening sunshine at the site of the first modern Olympics.

Soon, though, it was time to begin the trek to Nea Filadelfia and the OPAP Arena for the main event. After being searched by police and army personnel, the 500-strong crowd climbed aboard. Contrary to warnings of thorough checks, no tickets or passports were looked at on board.

This increased frustration among Shamrock Rovers supporters, but it’s fair to say they got their money’s worth for a traffic-induced two-hour journey from Kalimamaro to Nea Filadelfia.

The convoy of 10 buses was given a police escort but even that wasn’t enough to beat the rush hour of the capital. As the sun set, it seemed the traffic had been turned to stone by Medusa.

Arrival at AEK

Just before seven o’clock, the convoy finally rolled into the car park below the stadium. Dead legs and sore backs were soon forgotten as the travelling contingent was reunited and excitement built for another big night in Europe for the hoops.

An impressive laser show, foreshadowing another one in-game, accompanied the home side’s lineup as it was belted out by the near-capacity crowd.

Once the impressive surroundings of the tightly packed stadium were taken in, and trips to the bar completed, discussions moved onto predictions. It’s fair to say the general feeling wasn’t a positive one.

Some said 3-0, others 5-0, and the odd optimist who predicted a draw was quickly laughed into silence. That’s not to say there wasn’t hope, but most indicators did point towards a home win. Stephen Bradley had decided to rest some key players with an eye on Sunday’s FAI cup final.

Josh Honohan and striker Rory Gaffney were left out of the squad while Micheal Noonan was busy in Qatar scoring for Ireland’s U17s.

On top of this, Shamrock Rovers had struggled at home to Slovenian outfit Celje and had put in a flat performance in their last league game against Sligo. That was all irrelevant on the pitch, it seemed.

Kick-off

Shamrock Rovers, in their purple away strip, sat deep and soaked up early chances, knowing it was the only way they might be able to steal a result. AEK ultras created a typically loud atmosphere that got the whole stadium involved as they urged their team to make the breakthrough.

17 minutes in, though, the visitors snatched the opener with their first real attack. John McGovern was released down the right flank and swerved into the opposition’s box. There wasn’t a clear pass on, so once he felt contact, down he went. Referee José Luis Munuera pointed to the spot, but it wasn’t until after a VAR check that the away section could believe their luck.

Graham Burke stepped up, and with one kick, the game changed. He placed his shot just above the reaching hand of Thomas Stakosha in the AEK goal to send the caged Hoops fans into overdrive. Drinks and crisps flew; not many were expecting to see a goal at all, never mind one to take the lead.

Bradley’s plan to take the few chances that came Shamrock Rovers’ way had worked but now the real work started.

AEK were startled by conceding and tried to rescue the situation by putting even more pressure on the Hoops defence. At times their passing let them down and every stray pass was jeered in the away section.

Venting their frustration, the Greek supporters shone lasers at the referee and their guests, leading to a warning over the Tannoy. Despite a dangerous cross or two, the visitors made it to half-time with their lead intact.

AEK upped the ante again in the second period, but this time their composure in front of the goal was missing. A plethora of shots flew over Ed McGinty’s crossbar. The keeper was only called into action on a handful of occasions and dealt with them well.

Roared on by a crowd in full voice, everything was going suspiciously well for Shamrock Rovers; that was until the 84th minute. A low AEK corner was played in. It looked harmless enough until Danny Grant jostled to clear. The ball came off his hand in the process, and the hosts were handed a lifeline. If the Shamrock Rovers penalty was soft, this was even worse.

After a long VAR check, Munuera awarded the second spot kick of the night. Ex-Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic duly converted to save his team’s blushes. While Stephen Bradley criticised the decision post-match, it didn’t disappoint the travelling supporters, who were happy to witness another historic night for the Tallaght club.

They serenaded their team at full-time with all their favourites before being whisked away on the buses in a jovial mood. They had gotten much more than they hoped for and wouldn’t be forgetting this result anytime soon.

The journey back into the city was swift and the convoy came to a halt across the road from McDonald’s at Syntagma square, the drivers obviously sensing the hunger onboard. From here supporters dispersed into the Athenian night.