2012 Indoor Tournament


Manny Tzanakakis runs to celebrate a goal with Jose Soto and George Karadakis while a dejected
Rick Marins and Tony Georgiou look on.

Superdome at Ben Franklin Park, Ottawa – September 15, 2012 – The local Ottawa soccer scene was buzzing this weekend with news from the of the Ottawa Hellenic Athletic Association’s first annual indoor soccer tournament. 

The tournament was unique in its concept in that players from within the club were drafted to create six teams for the tournament.  The intention of the draft was to build parity into the teams by combining all levels of skill from the clubs different divisions onto one team.  OHAA has successfully run a hockey league based on this concept for over 30 years with tremendous success and decided to sample the model with their soccer club.  “We thought the concept would be a great way to get people together who have never had the opportunity to play with each other before", said George Georgopoulos the President of the association and also one of the captains responsible for drafting a team.  When asked how the draft process went, George was quick to comment, "(laughing) uh, let's say there was a little more discussion than expected."

The format was simple, one group of six teams with the top two teams facing off for the title.  All the teams were scheduled to kick off at 9:30 AM and what was expected to be a friendly kick around turned into high paced exciting matches.  The highlight from the first set of matches was the game between the Hellenic Azzuri and The Brazilian Zorba Show.  The game was a back and forth heated battle that had to be decided by penalty kicks, which favoured the Zorba Show.  The game featured a bit of everything including a goal scored from half by young star Chris Marins of the Zorba Show.  When asked about the goal, Tony Georgiou (local Hellenic soccer legend and Zorba Show captain) commented, "when you combine Brazilian skill and Greek heart, that's what you get". George Logaras was questioned after the game about the composition of his team and the high number of Italian imports "never, ever count out the Italians, notoriously slow starts but often bring home the hardware."

The highlight of the second set of matches was the game between the Kalamata Olives and Para Kseni Hellenics F.C. Both teams lost their first game and desperately needed the 3 points to stay in contention.  A battle that went back and forth featured a multi-goal performance from the Olives young Carmello Badia who also plays for the top Hellenic competitive team.  Kalamata Olives team captain Peter Karagiannis chuckled, "that's why he was my first rounder”.  The result was 7-5 in the action packed game in favour of the Kalamata Olives, after the game, Para Kseni’s captain Dean Hatzitheodosiou commented “we are disappointed that there’s no bar in this facility”.

In the third set of games no one showed signs of slowing down, with the Zorba Show exploding for 13 goals against Para Kseni F.C. who must have found a bar.  Meanwhile, the Kalamata Olives lost in an exciting shoot out to the Cretan Leventes who featured famed Winnipeg goalie Jim Sarlis. “I guess its like riding a bike”, Sarlis smirked after rejecting a blistering low shot from a Kalamata Olives shooter.  Kyri Sartzetakis who captained the Cretans commented, “In true Cretan fashion, we expect nothing else but victory”.  With their eye on the prize, the final set of games would decide their fate. 

The fourth set of games brought with it some fatigue and injuries.  The Para Kseni fielded 6 players and made a game of it early on, but in the end were no match for the powerful Presidents Club. The Hellenic Azzuri had to sit a few players due to cramping, but in true Italian fashion posted a 5-0 shut out against a fatigued Olives’ side. After jumping out to 3-0 lead, The Brazilian Zorba Show lost a step and the match to the powerful Cretans. 

In the end, it was the Hellenic Azzuri, with no losses in regulation, pitted against the President’s Club in the final.  Based on their previous encounter, this was expected to be a tightly contested match…or was it?  An emergency executive meeting was required due to injury, fatigue, as well as the desire to engage in food and drink. A vote to change the format to total points in round robin play was approved.  The Hellenic Azzuri accepted first OHAA Soccer tournament title with pride but due to fatigued, were unable do to a victory lap.  The golden boot went to Chris Marins who spent the day scoring one amazing goal after another.  With 10 goals in 4 games he ran away with the trophy. “I think he learned a thing or two from me”, laughed Tony Georgiou as he presented the trophy to his player.

All the players gathered to celebrate the day with an amazing feast provided by their sponsor Cosmos Souvlaki.  “At the end of the day, we had a great time, with many of our friends, family, and community members, that what’s it’s all about”, commented George Georgopoulos OHAA President.  With vision of next year and their own league OHAA has a lot to think about and also a lot to be proud about.