Gekas Is King At Frankfurt.

Before the season started, I did an article predicting how the current Bundesliga season might unfold. I predicted Thomas Mueller to have a stellar year in front of goal, I envisioned Bayern Munich running away with the league, and I thought Frankfurt and Theofanis Gekas, of all players, would have very little impact at all on the league. Well, if we didn’t already know how surprising the Bundesliga can be, we know now. It’s certainly shown itself to be completely unpredictable thus far, and there’s no better example of that than the incredible form and goalscoring prowess of Theofanis Gekas.

When the young Leonidas ascended up that colossal mountain in Sparta, searching for the recognition of his peers and the glory of his first kill, he knew little of the challenge that awaited him. A monstrous wolf, hungry and enraged, with eyes like gleaming drops of blood howled at the young Spartan, anticipating it’s next meal. It’s black coat contrasted the white snow on that mountain peak, and it’s sheer size was enough to rival the whole of Sparta itself. Leonidas steadied himself though, he remained composed, and he defeated the beast with a single blow to win his manhood. When Leonidas returned home, he was crowned king of Sparta, and swore himself to a glorious death on the battlefield in defense of his country and his kinsmen.

Generations later, Alexander the Great would conquer the known world, Spartacus would show the endless Roman empire that one man can make a difference, and now, finally, another Greek hero has emerged from the shadow of a legendary civilization. They call him Gekas!

The hard-nosed, bull-headed Theofanis Gekas may not have the looks or the personality of Achilles or Odysseus, but he certainly does possess that natural determination and never-say-die attitude that makes him as feared and as respected as any hero of ancient times. That’s not all it takes to be crowned on Olympus, though. Even a mere human could fight in the face of adversity and stand up against a tyrant. Gekas has one trait that takes him above the rest, that elevates him to the lofty level of the greats of old: his clinical touch in front of goal.

The Greek has been on patchy form in recent years, with dodgy spells at Portsmouth and Hertha Berlin. It looked like his eye for goal had gone; like he had left it at Bochum and had never looked back. By myth or magic, though, that killer instinct has returned. Gekas has bagged eleven goals in eleven Bundesliga fixtures already this season, and has carried his side up the Bundesliga table to fourth place. He’s scored goals with his head and with both feet, and he’s an inspirational presence to his side when he’s on the pitch. His work-rate and his determination, his aerial ability and his bravery, his eye for goal and his influence make him as feared by defenders as he is respected by his peers. Like Leonidas, Gekas has slain that mythical black wolf and has been crowned hero of the people.

If the big Greek can keep it up, it won’t be long until he is given that chance to make that big move to one of the bigger clubs in Europe. Will he take the chance, or will he remain at Frankfurt and go down in history as one of the club’s most dedicated goalscorers? Time will tell in this Greek tale. Let’s just hope the Fates keep Gekas on top of his form and out of the Underworld!