Lions FC and Olympic FC will meet in a Championship decider for the third time in four seasons in Saturday’s NPL Men’s Grand Final at Perry Park.
Olympic coach Ben Cahn said the growing rivalry between the two sides has been built on close encounters and mutual respect.
“Olympic-Lions has become a huge fixture in the Football Queensland calendar — we’ve had some massive games in the league, in finals and in the FFA Cup,” he said.
“I think there’s a huge amount of respect between the players and staff. We know the games we play against Lions are usually tight; there’s usually just one goal in it.”
Both Lions and Olympic have done it the hard way this season, riding out rough patches of form to peak at just the right time.
Lions spent much of the year outside the top four before winning nine of their past 10 games and sensationally knocking off Premiers Peninsula Power in the Semi Final.
Meanwhile, Olympic rode into the finals with four crucial victories in the last four games.
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“Five weeks ago everyone had written us off, and we knew going into the last four games of the season that every game was a must-win,” said Cahn.
“That obviously continued into the Semi Final against Brisbane Roar, so it feels like we’ve played five Grand Finals to finish the season.
“We’ve managed to keep a clean sheet for all of those games, which I’m really proud of. It’s been a tough year for Olympic – on the pitch and off it – and that’s certainly taken its toll.
“But this particular group has a different mentality to previous years: they seem to be at their best when the pressure is at its highest.”
While Olympic have won four of their past six matches against Lions, nobody has forgotten the Grand Final loss 12 months ago.
It was the third consecutive Grand Final loss for Olympic, a bittersweet record that Cahn sees as a testament to the club’s consistency since 2018.
“The plan when I started here was to be as close to the top and ultimately to reach the finals every season,” he said.
“We’ve managed to tick that box, but it goes without saying that everyone involved in the club is desperate to win a Grand Final.
“It’s very important for the club and for the playing group – especially the ones who have been here for those four years.”
Get down at to Perry Park at 2:30pm to catch the U18 Grand Final between Brisbane Roar and Lions FC, and the U23 Grand Final between Brisbane Roar and Moreton Bay United.
Olympic FC v Lions FC
Saturday 6 November, 7:30pm
Perry Park
WATCH LIVE
