Open Play by Panos Bletsos

Europe is the home the home of soccer as well as Soccer365's Open Play freelance writer Panos Bletsos.  Keep up on the latest issues on Champions League, football team histories, and more.

  • FA to Name English Manager, If They Can Find One

    Wednesday, 22. February, 2012

    The Football Association’s search for next England manager is in full swing and with a desire to have an Englishman back at the helm the task is a challenging one. Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos looks at the lack of quality English coaches and who might be the next manager. Harry Redknapp anyone?

  • Deep Freeze: Europe’s Major Mid-Winter Upsets

    Monday, 13. February, 2012

    Winter cold continues to hang over Europe but the UEFA Champions League hibernation is over this week with the start of the elimination rounds. The elimination rounds bring its own kind of pressure and Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos points out that no team can take advancing for granted.

  • Game of Thrones: Bilbao Hope To Reclaim King’s Cup

    Monday, 6. February, 2012

    Athletic Bilbao is not the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Spanish club football powerhouses but Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos points out how Los Leones were once a dominant team in Spain and under Marcelo Biesla are working to a win some more silverware.

  • And the Winner Is, Dortmund...Again

    Thursday, 2. February, 2012

    The Bundesliga is one of the top soccer leagues in the world but is probably under appreciated in the U.S. due to the lack of games on TV. Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos looks at the title race and explains how year-in-and year-out it is the most competitive soccer league in the world.

  • Chelsea’s Top Flop?

    Tuesday, 24. January, 2012

    Chelsea faithful are starting to question (OK they have been questioning it for some time now) whether Fernando Torres is worth the $75 million transfer fee but is he the biggest Chelsea flop? Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos looks at some other infamous moves that have made fans feel blue in the 'flop ten.'

  • Re-Juve-Nated: The Old Lady is Back

    Thursday, 19. January, 2012

    Juventus is one of the top football clubs in the world and Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos takes a look at the ‘Old Lady’ and how the side has rebounded and are eyeing another scudetto title.

  • Goliath Sets the Record Straight in the FA Cup

    Monday, 16. January, 2012

    The FA Cup has been called one of the most exciting football tournaments in the world with its share of David and Goliath moments but increasingly Goliath is standing tall and not being knocked out according to Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos.

  • Luis Suárez: Blockbuster or Disaster?

    Wednesday, 11. January, 2012

    Luis Suarez has taken Europe by storm with goals at every stop but he has a bad habit of finding trouble on the soccer pitch at a similar pace. Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos looks at his career and asks will Liverpool step up and get control of their enfant terrible.

  • Should the Champions League Go Back to the Future?

    Tuesday, 3. January, 2012

    The Champions League has gone through change over the years but the biggest (and most profitable) came with the addition of the group stage but Soccer365’s Panos Bletsos wonders whether it is time to abandon group play.