Well done Greece

[Perth Red]

They may have copped a pasting from England and bowed out of the RLWC but just making the tournament was a true rugby league underdog story. Illegal in Greece until just recently thanks to the corruption of rugby union, being able to play in the world stage brings a legitimacy to the game in their country no one can deny. This is why RLWC’s matter! Onwards and upwards for the game in Greece!

How Greece dodged the police to make World Cup history

They may have lost to France in their opening game, but it was still a proud day for the Greek national team after their struggles just to reach the tournament.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Perth Red]

And when players from other countries are pocketing $20k-$50k for playing these Greek players are giving it all back to the game.

“Meanwhile, the players won’t pocket a cent for their efforts at the World Cup. A team-wide call was made to donate their weekly stipend for the tournament to the GRLF.

World Cup qualifying rules say a maximum of four players can be selected on heritage rather than nationality, so in any given qualifier the Greek side sported 13 domestic players.

Georgallis’ squad at the tournament proper features eight Greece-based players, with the team’s financial sacrifice made to develop the local scene further.”

 

[Irish-bulldog]

Inspiring story isn’t it, I really hope they build on this, and the nrl can help invest in the game in Greece.

 

[wittyfan]

Ilias was outstanding too in all 3 games imo.

 

[This Year?]

Inspiring story isn’t it, I really hope they build on this, and the nrl can help invest in the game in Greece.

There are heaps of Greek Aussies who love rugby league too so there is no reason why this can't happen.

 

[Irish-bulldog]

There are heaps of Greek Aussies who love rugby league too so there is no reason why this can't happen.

Might actually kickstart the Melbourne league scene more too actually, the city has a huge Greek population, but hopefully they pass it back to families still in Greece.

 

[RL The greatest game]

Of all the developing countries i expect Greece to make the most progress come the next world cup, and don't forget they have a 10 team comp in Greece. Other developing countries please take note

 

[Coastbloke]

Are Greece playing in the 2023 Euros the RLEF announced last week?

 

[PARRA_FAN]

I feel them and Jamaica can only get better with their International performances and lets hope we see them in the next world up. The fact that Greece RL had to work so hard to avoid jail time to try and get to this world cup is an incredible story and the sport is finally recognised in the country. To see those scenes in Athens when they scored their first try the other day is truly amazing. I know Soccer is big over there but I think they have only played in 3 World cups in their long history and obviously theyve never made in Union, so it wouldve been great to see them in a World Cup.

Should they qualify for France in 2025 I hope they get so many of their supporters to travel.

Keep it up Greece.

 

[Perth Red]

You'd think with all the influential and rich Greeks in the NRL there'd be a way of the NRL and its clubs having links and supporting GRL?

 

[RedVee_8]

You'd think with all the influential and rich Greeks in the NRL there'd be a way of the NRL and its clubs having links and supporting GRL?

Didn’t Uncle Nick sponsor the team? Hence the “sponsor names” on the front and back of the jerseys

 

[Perth Red]

Didn’t Uncle Nick sponsor the team? Hence the “sponsor names” on the front and back of the jerseys

Yes he put in $100k to sponsor them.

 

[Victoire]

5 Live Rugby League World Cup Podcast - All About Greece – the land where league was banned - BBC Sounds

Dave Woods finds out about Greece's incredible journey to the World Cup.

www.bbc.co.uk

Fabulous 30 minute podcast by the BBC here dedicated to Greece's World Cup journey. Features a wonderful interview with Greg Koutsimporgiorgos, a Greek man who fell in love with the game by chance in Athens and was so dedicated to it he travelled as far as Rotterdam to play it competitively when it was outlawed at home, and made the Greek squad

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Their story is legendary

 

[titoelcolombiano]

There are heaps of Greek Aussies who love rugby league too so there is no reason why this can't happen.

V'landys and Uncle Nick Politis come to mind

 

[Perth Red]

They should make Politis chair or president or something of GRL. He can open many doors for them I'm sure.