OFI: Grew up against the "big ones" - Kontis's last outstanding issue

The Cretans have beaten AEK, PAOK, and Olympiacos, ceasing to treat these games as opportunities for a big surprise. There is, however, one last outstanding issue: Panathinaikos.

No longer plays as an underdog

OFI's competitive progress is reflected not only in the results but mainly in the way it now approaches big games. Christos Kontis's team enters the field without fear, with self-confidence, and with the conviction that it can look every opponent in the eye.

The latest victory was another confirmation of this change in mentality. OFI no longer waits for the right circumstances to create a surprise. It tries to impose its game and claims the result as a team that truly believes in its capabilities.

This is perhaps Kontis's greatest success. He managed to create a team that is not limited to a passive role against the strong teams but appears ready to challenge them and, in many cases, beat them.

The victories that showed the change in level

OFI's results against the traditionally big teams are no longer isolated incidents. They have gained consistency and have created a pattern that proves that the Cretans have taken the next step.

Against AEK, they have two significant victories. The first came last season in the Cup, when OFI eliminated them, followed by the victory in the Super Cup final.

Equally successful is the record against PAOK. Kontis's team beat them in the league and in last year's Cup final, while a draw in Toumba for the same competition had preceded.

This season, another great result was added. OFI won at "G. Karaiskakis", beating Olympiacos 1-0 and confirming that they can achieve big victories even in the most difficult venues.

Panathinaikos is the only outstanding issue

Only Panathinaikos is missing from the list of big opponents. The Cretans were defeated in both last year's matches against the "Greens", who are the only team among the traditionally strong ones against whom Kontis's OFI has not yet managed to celebrate.

This particular challenge is even more interesting, as this year's Panathinaikos is noticeably different from last year's. It has more quality, greater depth, and different dynamics, elements that further increase the degree of difficulty.

OFI, however, has proven that it does not consider any game lost before the kick-off. It has already beaten AEK, PAOK, and Olympiacos, creating its own distinct tradition against the "big ones".

Now, only Panathinaikos remains.

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