Andrae to don the green shirt
Germany’s volleyball captain Bjorn Andrae is the latest addition to the roster at Panathinaikos, as the Greens seek to fill the gap created by Brazilian star Amaral Dante. The 27-year-old German outside hitter, who last season played in Poland with Mlekpol Olsztyn, is in Beijing preparing for Germany’s participation in the Olympic Games. «It is certain that there are not many ‘Dantes’ in the market,» said Andrae after agreeing to join the Greens. «We are different players and we cannot be compared in any way.» Panathinaikos is also looking for a central blocker. Coach Alekos Leonis is considering the possibility of US international Tom Hoff, with whom he worked at Iraklis, or Venezuelan Fredy Cedeno. The South American had an excellent World League with his national team so Leonis is in two minds about whom to choose. He is set to make his choice known to the club in the next few days. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos is trying to safeguard its interests as far as Dante is concerned. The Greek cup winners say they have the player’s contract and refuse to let him go, although he is determined to leave and join Dynamo Moscow. Leonis is not counting on him for the new season, yet a Brazilian newspaper wrote yesterday he will have to return to Panathinaikos as the Athens giants are not willing to terminate the contract. The likeliest scenario is that the Russian side will pay hefty compensation to Panathinaikos in return for the latter’s release of the Brazilian. Panathinaikos also sold 31-year-old libero Argyris Psaras to newly promoted Phinikas Syrou.
