History
In October 2005, Greece, The Titans, played an international match in Australia against Malta which they lost 24 points to 22 in front of an estimated crowd of 6,500. Before departing to Greece for their historic match, they played a warm up match against Fiji A at OKI Jubilee Stadium in front of 1103 spectators. Fiji, who had just qualified for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup won the match 34-12. Greece played their first ever Rugby League International Game in a 26-10 victory against New Caledonia in September 2003. On 28 October 2006, Greece played Serbia in the first international match on Greek soil. Greece, because of their Australian contingent, were favourites against a much improved Serbian outfit as both teams fought out the game in determined fashion. Greece eventually ran out winners, 44-26 in front of 150 home fans of the Glyka Nera Football Club, Athens. Greece were coached by former Western Suburbs Magpies player Steve Georgallis.Greece won their first ever Rugby League Championship in 2009 where they won the Australian Mediterranean Shield defeating Italy in the Final 34-14. The 2009 Australian Mediterranean Shield that they won was their first ever Rugby League Major Tournament. The Greeks were led to the Championship win by Wests Tigers player John Skandalis. The Greeks Triumph at the 2009 Australian Mediterranean Shield placed them into International Rugby League history. They were the first country to win a Championship at their first ever major tournament. The Greeks did not qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup which was held in Australia.
A number of plans for the Greek Rugby League have been put into place with a regular domestic competition to commence in 2007. The domestic competition was planned to be based in Athens consisted of four teams, as that is the minimum requirement in gaining associate membership into the Rugby League European Federation. Till 2012 they did not succeed to establish a championship. On July 11, 2011, the GB Student "Pioneers" played a game vs an unofficial "national" team (consisted of players from the two Rhodes teams) in Rhodes island. Greeks lost that game. Greece have had a fair bit of players in Australian Rugby League in the past 40 years. Players like George Peponis a former Australian International and Captain who played for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, George Katsogiannis, Jim Serdaris, Steve Georgallis the Coach who played for Western Suburbs, John Skandalis the Greek captain, Nick Kouparitsas, Michael Korkidas and Braith Anasta | who is half Greek half Australian is a Greek and Australian International who used to play for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and now is the captain of the Eastern Suburbs Roosters. He played for both Countries at International level.
Read more about this topic: Greece National Rugby League Team
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