Sport

Newcastle aiming to spoil Olympiakos

Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo - file photos

athens, greece (ap)

NEWCASTLE COACH GRAEME Souness hopes to spoil the 80th birthday party of Olympiakos when the two teams meet in the UEFA Cup today.

The Greek league leaders, who were formed on March 10, 1925, regularly win the domestic title, but European success has always eluded them.

"What's important is that we come here and do some sort of job that enables us in the second game to go through to the next round of this competition," Souness said. "I'm aware it's their birthday but that's not important for us."

Newcastle are 11th in the English Premier League but have won their last five games, including a 1-0 victory over visiting Liverpool on Sunday.

"We feel at this time our football is good and we hope to show that to the Greek public tomorrow," Souness said.

The former Liverpool star and Scotland international attributed the good run to key players being available again, including former England captain Alan Shearer, midfielder Nicky Butt and defender Stephen Carr.

"The important thing is not to concede any goals. That's what we try to do in every match," Olympiakos coach Dusan Bajevic said.

Souness said he had not yet decided on his final line-up against Olympiakos, a match would could showcase Brazilian striker Rivaldo and Dutchman Patrick Kluivert on opposite sides.

Newcastle players appeared relaxed as they jogged around the field at Karaiskaki stadium, which was largely rebuilt for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Nineteen-year-old defender Steven Taylor stood out as the only one wearing a Brazil top ­ a long-running club joke for the player underperforming in training.

UEFA Cup games in Greece are nothing new for the visitors as the Magpies beat Panionios Athens 1-0 in October. Souness tried to downplay that experience.

"We have learned nothing about Olympiakos by playing Panionios," he said.

Olympiakos, which will be playing in front of a sellout of 33,000, have had to play six league matches behind closed doors as punishment for fan violence. The Greek travel to Newcastle's St. James' Park on March 16 for the second leg.