Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Emmanuel Lomotey keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Albert Khachumyan arrives at Ethnikos Achnas with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Ki Nathaniel Lid arrives at Ethnikos Achnas with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Ethnikos Achnas is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Ethnikos Achnas they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Arian Mršulja and Ethnikos Achnas agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“I did not go to Umraniyespor to sit and watch. I want to come back to Ethnikos Achnas and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 13 matches say the rest.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Ethnikos Achnas is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Ethnikos Achnas they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“I did not go to Umraniyespor to sit and watch. I want to come back to Ethnikos Achnas and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 9 matches say the rest.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Ethnikos Achnas is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Ethnikos Achnas they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“I did not go to Umraniyespor to sit and watch. I want to come back to Ethnikos Achnas and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 5 matches say the rest.
He is 20, and nobody at Ethnikos Achnas signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
Modestos Sotiriou is 34 and has run out of things to prove. What he has left is where to stand, when to slow it down and what to say at half-time, and none of that is on a fitness chart.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Emmanuel Lomotey keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Ethnikos Achnas is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Emmanuel Lomotey keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Ethnikos Achnas they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Lucas Flores and Ethnikos Achnas agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
He is 19, and nobody at Ethnikos Achnas signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Daniil Borisov arrives at Ethnikos Achnas with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
In brief
The terracesThe press have found their man in Neneco
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Ethnikos Achnas can pretend not to have heard.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Arian Mršulja will call it something else in private.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Giorgos Theodosiou is back at Ethnikos Achnas, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Theyab Absa and Ethnikos Achnas agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Emmanuel Lomotey keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
At 26 he has made the position his own, and the man he took it from has to find something to say about it. Ethnikos Achnas have a decision that made itself.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Danil Stepanov and Ethnikos Achnas agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Nea Salamis defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
3 wins on the spin now, and the question has changed from whether the run ends to who ends it. Confidence like this cannot be bought; it has to be earned exactly this way.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Lucas Flores knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Patrick Bahanack keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Ethnikos Achnas have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Javohir Esonqulov keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
Ethnikos Achnas spent the window trying to move Oscar Meza on and nobody came. He trains with a squad that has already told him he is not part of it, and both sides now wait for the next one.
A season-long audition: Kano Pillars still own him, but the shirt and the minutes are Ethnikos Achnas's to give. A loan is a bet both clubs believe they are winning.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Fotis Makris is back at Ethnikos Achnas, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
The shirt still fits. Kyriakos Ioannou is back at Ethnikos Achnas, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Ethnikos Achnas have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Ethnikos Achnas has been clear about where Alyair Mora stands, which is more than many ever get.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Javohir Esonqulov keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Lucas Flores and Ethnikos Achnas agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
A new face in his position, and Juan Cejas suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Ethnikos Achnas have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
37 months left and silence from upstairs — no offer, no talks, nothing for his people to answer. Clubs that let a calendar do their negotiating usually end up negotiating with the calendar.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Javohir Esonqulov suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Ethnikos Achnas have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Ethnikos Achnas can pretend not to have heard.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Ethnikos Achnas can pretend not to have heard.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Ethnikos Achnas has been clear about where Andriy Kravchuk stands, which is more than many ever get.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A season-long audition: Dila still own him, but the shirt and the minutes are Ethnikos Achnas's to give. A loan is a bet both clubs believe they are winning.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Ethnikos Achnas has been clear about where Ilyas Baig stands, which is more than many ever get.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Emmanuel Lomotey suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Ethnikos Achnas have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Ethnikos Achnas has been clear about where Oscar Meza stands, which is more than many ever get.
What was a back-page story is now a matter for the terraces, and the terraces do not do nuance. Ethnikos Achnas would like it dealt with before it becomes the only question anybody asks.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Emmanuel Lomotey plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
What was said behind closed doors has now been said in front of a microphone. Everybody at Ethnikos Achnas can do the arithmetic, including the man it is aimed at.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Ethnikos Achnas have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Ethnikos Achnas can pretend not to have heard.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
At 29, Emmanuel Lomotey has come through every age group this club has, and now watches a borrowed player of much the same level start every week. An academy notices these things, and so do the parents in the stand.
APOEL go through and Ethnikos Achnas go home, 1-3 the scoreline that did it. The dressing room will call the league the priority now, because that is what dressing rooms say.
A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Ilyas Baig: 1 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Ethnikos Achnas, and 1 appearances in 25 say he has earned the hearing.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Ermis defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Nicolás Andereggen has let it be known that he does not like the way Ethnikos Achnas are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
In brief
MarketThe window shut and Christos Giousis is still in the building
A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.
22 years old, every age group at this club behind him, and a borrowed player of much the same standard in front of him every Saturday. The parents in the stand have noticed, and so has every kid below him.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at Ethnikos Achnas pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Ethnikos Achnas can pretend not to have heard.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Ethnikos Achnas, and 1 appearances in 21 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Ethnikos Achnas can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Mihail Angelos Marinescu has come up in conversations Ethnikos Achnas were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Nicolás Andereggen has let it be known that he does not like the way Ethnikos Achnas are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at Ethnikos Achnas pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
The name of Marios Dimitriou has come up in conversations Ethnikos Achnas were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The speculation has reached the stands, and the stands have answered. Ethnikos Achnas would like this settled before it becomes the only thing anybody asks about.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Martim Maia keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Ethnikos Achnas, and 1 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Agia Napa defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Lucas Flores: 2 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Mamadou Kané has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Ethnikos Achnas know, and have known for weeks.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Ethnikos Achnas, and 1 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
28 years old, every age group at this club behind him, and a borrowed player of much the same standard in front of him every Saturday. The parents in the stand have noticed, and so has every kid below him.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Mamadou Kané has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Ethnikos Achnas know, and have known for weeks.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Ethnikos Achnas have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Ethnikos Achnas know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
0-3 to Agia Napa, and it was every bit as bad as the number suggests. There are defeats you argue about and defeats you apologise for; this was the second kind.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Oscar Meza knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Ethnikos Achnas, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Ethnikos Achnas can pretend not to have heard.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
He is 15, and nobody at Ethnikos Achnas signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
He is 16, and nobody at Ethnikos Achnas signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
He is 16, and nobody at Ethnikos Achnas signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
The language is arriving, the jokes are landing, and there is somebody at the next peg to talk to. None of it appears in a scouting report and all of it shows up on the pitch.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Ethnikos Achnas can pretend not to have heard.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Ioakeim Toubas keeps the shirt for now, at Ethnikos Achnas's convenience rather than his own.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Ethnikos Achnas has been clear about where Jalil Saadi stands, which is more than many ever get.