Greece's Super League must build on 'dream season', says league chief

ATHENS : Greece's Super League must build on a successful season that included a 15-year attendance record, its head said on Tuesday as the country prepares to watch a Greek club play in a European final for the first time in more than half a century.

Olympiakos take on Fiorentina in the Europa Conference league final in Athens on Wednesday, in what will be Greece's second hosting of a European final this season following the Super Cup last August between Manchester City and Sevilla.

"We have to say that it was a dream season for the league on an operational and sporting level," Super League President Minas Lysandrou told Reuters in an interview.

"It was a season that started with a European final, the Super Cup at Olympiakos’ Karaiskakis stadium, a very successful event, and it ends with the Europa Conference league final at AEK Athens’ stadium."

The last time a Greek club reached a European final was in 1971 when Panathinaikos lost to Ajax Amsterdam in the European Cup final.

"This season, from an operational and sporting standpoint, must form the basis to build on for the future, with small and solid steps."

Lysandrou said the Super League was also successful in the youth league which it runs, with Olympiakos crowned European champions after beating AC Milan to win the UEFA Youth League.

    It has, however, not all been smooth sailing this season, with the government banning fans from football matches for two months after the death of a police officer following clashes with fans at a volleyball match in December.

Fan trouble has been a continuing problem for the sport in Greece and new measures including high-tech cameras at all stadiums and a fully electronic ticketing system will be in place for next season in an effort