OFI kicks off its European campaign tonight in the Europa League group stage, hosting Hoffenheim at Pankritio Stadium (7:45 p.m.) in a match of special significance for the club.
Christos Kontis’s team heads into the opener in high spirits. OFI is coming off a remarkable 1-0 away win over Olympiacos at the “G. Karaiskakis” Stadium, having previously secured its place in the League Phase by emphatically advancing through the playoffs, where it eliminated CSKA Sofia with an aggregate score of 5-0.
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Tickets for both Real Madrid and OFI are sold out at Allwyn Arena
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At Pankritio Stadium, the “black-and-whites” aim to carry the confidence from their recent performances and put up a competitive showing against an opponent with different characteristics and extensive experience in European competitions.
On the field, Kontis will be without Nikolaou and Marinakis, while Sielis and Isaka return to the squad, with the Cypriot center back expected to start.
On the other hand, Hoffenheim travels to Crete having earned its first three points in this season’s Bundesliga. Christian Ilzer’s team defeated Stuttgart 2-1, with Adam Hlozek scoring both goals, thus gaining a psychological boost ahead of its European debut.
Their last European campaign was in the 2024–25 season, again in the Europa League, when they finished in 27th place in the League Phase with 9 points and a record of 2-3-3 (11-14).
Possible starting lineups:
OFI: Christogeorgos, Kostoulas, Sielis, Pougouras, Athanasiou, Bouhalakis, Androutsos, Dikman, Aitor, Fountas, Kontra.
Hoffenheim: Baumann, Roth, Haidari, Kabak, Tsoufal, Abdulahou, Burger, Konte, Leberle, Dagim, Hlozek.
Referee: Javier Alberola
*photo source: KYPE
