Following two weeks rest, two x-rays, and numerous visits to team and private physios, George Tsamouras has received the green light for restrictive training two weeks after receiving a knock in Round 1 of the season against Cooks Hill United.
A final x-ray this morning followed by a visit to the team physio has resulted in the 18 year old being able to begin restrictive training during this afternoon’s training. While there is no possibility of playing in Sunday’s match against Charlestown Azzurri, another assessment of his condition on Monday afternoon as well as Thursday afternoon will determine if he can return to normal training next week and a possibility of being available for the match against Valentine.
After a three-year absence from Newcastle Olympic the debut of George Tsamouras in the club’s senior team was spoiled by injury! Starting the first match of the 2024-25 NPL season of Northern NSW with the reserve team of Newcastle Olympic against Cooks Hill United, the 18 year old Novocastrian was forced to limp off in the 60th minute with ligament damage to his right ankle!
Having spent two season with the Newcastle Jets Academy and one with the Academy of Super League 2 Greek side ASA Karditsa, in Greece, the player was looking forward to the opening game of the season after working very hard during the pre-season.
In a tight and well contested game in which 5 yellow cards were issued by the referee there were many physical challenges by both teams. The first half belonged to Cooks Hill during which the visitors were able to race to a 2-0 lead and the second half belonged to Olympic who were very unfortunate not to have scored.
During one of the many midfield tussles between two ex-Jets and ex-Olympic players Stanley Manning-Lourey and George Tsamouras, the later received a yellow card for a foul on the former. At the 60th the exact opposite occurred! There was no malice in the incident, simply hard contested tackling by two players who were cancelling each other out throughout the match!
Following a visit to the hospital after the game which eliminated the possibility of a break or fracture, as well as a visit to the team physio, the diagnosis was ligament damage with a 3-4 week recovery period!
NPL ROUND 1 Results:
Belmont Swansea United FC – Adamstown Rosebud 5-2, Reserves 1-2.
After trial games against Sydney Olympic, Cooks Hill, Charlestown Azzurri, University of NSW, and Wollongong Olympic, Newcastle Olympic are ready for Round 1 of the NPL competition of Northern NSW. Bolstered by experienced campaigners such as Roy O’Donovan, Ben Hay and Nathan Tory as well as youth returning to the club like Adam Zervas, George Tsamouras and Oliver Steinerts, expectations are high.
Darling St Oval will be hosting Old Boy’s Day with many faces from the past adding to the excitement of the starting game of the season.
The Newcastle Olympic reserve team will begin proceedings at 4.30pm and First Grade will commence at 6.30pm.
In matches played so far Belmont Swansea Utd defeated Adamstown Rosebud 5-2 and Edgeworth Eagles edged out Broadmeadow Magic 1-0.
George Tsamouras Football Journey 