BS: Euro 2004

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: Pat Cooksey
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 08:07 PM

Congatulations George, just returned from a fabulous night at our
local Greek restaurant in Nuremberg, 5 Televisions, Greek T. V. a fabulous band from Salonika, danced the Zitaki, probably spelt it wrong, the street outside of our house is closed for the celebrations to continue into the morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: C-flat
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 03:01 AM

You must be pinching yourself El Greko!
Prior to this tournament, Greece had never won a single match in any major competition. Now they can't stop winning!
As the underdogs, Greece are going to have a great following in the final and, given who they've played and beaten to get there, only a fool would think that it's already Portugals trophy.
Looking forward to a good game.
C-flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 05:23 AM

In Salonika people were still in the streets at 5 in the morning - my sister phoned me to describe the celebrations. In an instant, from deathly quiet (everyone was indoors watching and biting nails), the whole city erupted - people in pyjamas and slippers who never watch footie were screaming, grannies dancing in the street, an almighty traffic jam to the White Tower (did I mention that we do the BEST traffic jams ever?), horns blaring, pickpockets having a field day - aahh, and how I wish I was there!

Now, anything can happen in the final. We did beat Portugal in the opening game of the championships of course, but I think we caught them napping - they will be fully alert now, and playing in front of a home crowd. The sensible money goes for Portugal to win.

But hey, we are Greeks - we take pride in not being sensible. So we dream on and hope.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 05:29 AM

Good luck in the final George.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: GUEST,Ellenpoly
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 05:48 AM

GO GREEKS!

I'm thinking of calling my wasband just to see if he's been glued to the telly, but I already know he has.

Lots of things about Greeks (BIG generalization here, so forgive me in advance) are not necessarily to my fancy, but I would just love to see them win the Cup. I have a sneaking feeling that the Olympics are going to be fraught with troubles, and I'd like to see them get some sense of pride now before the games begin.

I love the way you keep saying "We", El Greko! Have you ever played professional soccer??? (Just kidding ;-D )


..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 06:36 AM

Even my 86 year old mother says "we" over this, ellenpoly... what was a fluke, then a nice change and then a dream, is a matter of national pride now.

I have it on good authority that the Orthodox Church is organising prayers for the final, by the way.

Crazy? Who? Us? Never!

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 05:24 PM

the czechs should have won, they had more shots on goal
and the Greek goal was a fluke. But congrats to Greece.
Im rooting for Portugal now.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: Wolfgang
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 06:28 PM

Now, who was the one betting a single pound against all odds? Congratulations for winning a small fortune for betting on Greece before the Euro 2004 started.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: JennyO
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 07:13 PM

Big congrats to Greece. It's nice to see the underdog win.

I live in Sydney's inner west, which has a large Greek community. For the last few days, cars have been going up and down the streets with flags flapping and horns tooting. You should hear them now!

The local RSL club in my street, only about 200 metres away in the next block, will be one of the main gathering places for celebration tonight. Just as well I have off-street parking, I think. It'll be a hot time in the old town tonight!

Jenny, (who is not at all interested in sport, but can't help feeling caught up in the excitement.)

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: Rasener
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 07:24 PM

El Greko
Ik denk dat je bent heel trots met de voetball resultaat.
Gezontheid :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 08:23 PM

Villan:
Dank U well youngen!

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 07:12 PM

Thanks Villan. The boys "done good"...
Still, the two memories I retain are:
a) Ronaldo's face breaking into tears - so much heartbreak! I fgelt really sorry for the guy
b) The Portuguese President crying. OK, he's a politician, perhaps they were corcodile tears, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. The Portuguese should be proud of a President who truly shares their disappointment.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 01:14 PM

I'd have been over a hundred quid better off if Portugal had won, having bet them before the tournement started, but you have to be happy for the Greeks at home and abroad when you see the level of happiness victory has brought them.

wr.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 01:56 PM

I hope you put a few quid on Greece back at the start, El Greko, as a gesture of loyalty, even if you thought it hadn't a chance.

I read in a paper somewhere that there were a lot of people in Turkey rooting for Greece, which sounds the kind of development to be welcomed.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: ard mhacha
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 02:35 PM

Well done Greece, and good riddance to Dick Advocatt the Dutch will hopefully select a Manager who will resort to what the Holland team knows best, attacking football.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 04:14 PM

No, I don't bet, so I had no money on Greece...Never mind.

Indeed, Kevin, the Turkish reaction is most heartwarming, and appreciated by the folks back home too. In fairness,things have been much better the last 10 years or so - since a couple of earthquakes in the two countries where we helped each other; and the two Foreign Ministers are young and enlightened with none of the old baggage, and that helps too.

I'd have liked an "old" Holland v "new" Greece match too...As it turned out, my Dutch friends were all supporting Greece and they were the first to phone me to congratulate me.

Subject: RE: BS: Euro 2004
From: Den
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 01:21 PM

Well done Greece. How's that for beating the odds. Well I didn't have any money on them at all either. I was at ALA in Orlando Florida so I missed both semi's and the final. It wasn't televised on cable in the states. Anyway here's to Ireland in the next World Cup. Greece beating France has given me heart that there is hope for the underdog, since we've ended up in a group with France for the qualifiers. Watch this space.