Category: SPORTS

Sport news about Greece, Egypt and Cyprus

Greece to be represented by 54 athletes in Rio Paralympics

The Greek Paralympics Committee announced the names of the 54 athletes – 41 men and 13 women – who will represent Greece in the 2016 Paralympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, which are scheduled for 7-18 September.

According to the president of the committee Giorgos Fountoulakis, the finest paralympic athletes will represent Greece in Brazil and expressed his gratitude for the support.

Greece will be represented in 11 sports – the most since the Athens Paralympics: Wheelchair tennis, powerlifting, sailing, swimming, boccia, wheelchair fencing, cycling, shooting, athletics, judo and archery.

(www.tovima.gr)

August 1, 2016
Egyptian volleyball team promises better results at Rio 2016

After a disappointing performance at the FIVB World League competition, the Egyptian men’s volleyball team has promised better results at the Rio 2016 Olympics next month.

The team won four matches and lost five in the competition. However, Sherif El-Shemerly and team captain Hossam Abdallah promised to do better moving forward, saying the team was not in its best shape at the World League.

According to Kingfut, the coach stated that three factors contributed to the team’s poor performance.

“First, Ahmed Afifi, who is a very important player, got injured. Second, our best player did not show his best in Korea. Third, four important players did not participate in this game,” said El-Shemerly. “We have only four weeks to prepare for the Rio Olympic Games. Although this is not enough time to solve the problems, we will decrease errors.”

Egypt qualified to the World League among the top 24 teams in the 2015 World League, in which Egypt placed 21st. The team started off with a promising win against the Czech Republic, followed by a loss versus Canada, a win against China, then a defeat from Finland.

Egypt also defeated Japan and Turkey, but lost its last three games to the Netherlands, South Korea and Czech Republic. This set Egypt in seventh place out of the 12 teams in Group 2, which was not enough for a spot in the finals that will include the top three teams in the group along with the host country.

Still, the Egyptian players left the competition on a good note, with three of them among the top 20 scorers out of 137 players in Group 2. Ahmed El-Kotb is currently not only the highest scoring player in Group 2 but in the entire league, with 188 points. Additionally, Captain Hossam Abdallah is the second best server in Group 2, fourth in the competition. He is also the fifth best setter in his group, while Ahmed Abdelaal is the third best digger.

As number 17 in the world and winner of seven African Championships, Egypt is the second highest-ranking African country after Tunisia, which is only one place ahead. Tunisia represented Africa in the World League alongside Egypt, while Qatar was one of seven Asian countries participating.

Qatar and Tunisia both competed in Group 3, where they ranked sixth and eighth, respectively. When the teams met, Qatar won 3-1.

Egypt booked its ticket to the Rio 2016 Olympic volleyball event after beating Tunisia in the final of the men’s African Qualification Tournament that took place in Congo. Tunisia gave another shot at an Olympic berth in the second World Qualifier in Mexico, but failed to seize it after finishing in third place. Nevertheless, the Tunisians are eight-time African champions and have participated in six volleyball Olympic events.

The Egyptians are hoping to improve their performance in Rio 2016.

“Congratulations to the Czech Republic. I think we played a full five-set match with Korea yesterday and the players felt tired. That is why we could not play well today,” said Abdullah, following the defeat against Czech Republic. “We are going to recover and show a good performance at the Rio Olympic Games.”

Egypt will play against Poland on Aug. 7, Cuba on Aug. 10, Russia on the Aug. 11, Iran on Aug. 13 and Argentina on Aug. 15. It will proceed to the quarter finals if it ranks in the top four out of the six teams in its pool. This will be Egypt’s fifth Olympic volleyball participation, with a best finish of tenth place in Los Angeles 1984, when Tunisia ranked ninth.

On the other hand, Qatar will make its Olympic volleyball debut this year at the beach volleyball event, to which Tunisia and Egypt are heading as well.

(stepfeed.com)

July 11, 2016
Greece is European Champion in Deaf Women’s Basketball

Greece is the European Champion in Deaf Women’s Basketball after beating Lithuania 52-41 in the final that took place at Nick Galis Hall in Athens.

The team of coach Athina Zerva made it to the final easily and won the trophy with relatively equal ease. The score in the 10-minute periods went as follows: 14-13, 26-22, 37-30, 52-41.

Meanwhile the Greek Deaf Men’s Basketball team finished fifth after beating Poland 69-54 in the classification game.

(greece.greekreporter.com)

July 11, 2016
Olympics 2016: Sofia Bekatorou First Woman Selected as Standard-Bearer

The Greek Olympic Team has made history by unanimously selecting athlete Sofia Bekatorou as the first-ever female Standard-Bearer to represent Greece in opening ceremonies at Rio 2016.

The 39-year-old Greek sailing champion has taken part in three previous Olympics starting with the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and she was a bronze medalist in 2008 in Beijing while in Athens 2004 she took gold.

In Rio Bekatorou will compete in Class Nacra 17 together with Michael Pateniotis.

According to CNN Greece Bekatorou said: “It is a great honor for me…due to the fact that I’m the first woman as a bearer. I have taken part in three Olympics in three different classes and I feel that my efforts over the years have been rewarded…I want not only to thank the Greek Olympic Committee for the honor bestowed on me, but for the fact that from the inspiration of the President of Spirou Kapralou, the program: Adopt an athlete on the road to Rio, took shape and assisted many athletes to be able to win the ticket to qualify for the Olympics.”

(greece.greekreporter.com)

July 11, 2016
Socceroos beat Greece 1-0

YOU just know this Australian team will never give up, even if in the end they needed a Leckie break to claim a European scalp.

A 1-0 win for the Socceroos over Greece at ANZ Stadium last night came courtesy of the last kick of the game, Mathew Leckie’s turn and shot from the edge of the box earning Ange Postecoglou’s side the most last-gasp of victories.

If either side deserved to shade a fixture that was occasionally physical and rarely spectacular, it was Australia – though on a quagmire of a pitch, they scarcely came close to the heights of recent performances.

Until Leckie broke the deadlock Australia had threatened the Greek goal only sporadically, before a late burst of pressure saw Tim Cahill have a goal disallowed and Trent Sainsbury hit the post. With eight of the Australian starting XI at the end of their seasons, perhaps they could be forgiven for a contest that too often seemed to go through the motions.

With eight of the starting XI at the end of their seasons, perhaps they could be forgiven for a contest that too often seemed to go through the motions.

The game barely rose to a simmer, let alone a boil, until a late Tim Cahill header was disallowed and the frantic final moments saw plenty of chances for both teams.

(www.heraldsun.com.au)

June 6, 2016
Greek Gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias Wins Gold and Makes History at the European Gymnastics Championships

25-year-old Greek Champion Gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias, won gold at the European Gymnastics Championships in Bern, Switzerland. On rings, he gathered 15,866 points, becoming the first athlete to win the gold medal back-to-back since Yuri Chechi in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Rings, are considered one of the most difficult disciplines in artistic gymnastics due to the upper-body strength requirements.

“Let’s go for the European finals,” wrote Petrounias on social media before taking the podium.

(greece.greekreporter.com)

May 30, 2016
2016 a bright year for Egypt’s gymnasts

Egyptian female gymnasts have recently been making leaps and bounds in the competitive arena.

This year, Sherine El-Zeiny won gold at the African Gymnastics Championships in the women’s individual all-around competitions. She is part of the national team.

At the same tournament, the national girls’ gymnastics team won in the junior teams’ division. In the juniors’ individual all-around competitions, Farah Ahmed and Farah Said won gold and bronze, respectively.

The 3rd International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament in Kalamata, Greece was another chance for Egyptian gymnasts to prove themselves this year.

Under the leadership of coaches Sarah Ismail, Mayar Ragab, and Russian coach Aala, as well as ballet coach Hany Hassan, the Egyptian girls’ team won two silver medals in both junior divisions: individual all-around and teams.

Farida Nadir, Tia Dia, Nermine Khaled, Malak El-Sherif, Salma Khaled and Yara Ihab make up the national girls’ team.

Another Egyptian gymnast, Mariam Selim, placed fifth in the individual all-around division at the tournament.

President of the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation Alaa Hamed and the head of its Technical Committee Noha Abdel Wehab showed their complete support and appreciation to the Egyptian gymnasts.

(www.dailynewsegypt.com)

May 18, 2016
Egypt’s route to the African Cup can take them to the World Cup

As sporting images go, the sight of 40,000 fans packed into the 16,000 capacity Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna to watch Egypt take on Nigeria was spectacular. Terrifying, yet spectacular. It demonstrated just how much significance is attached to Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

Somehow a major disaster was avoided, as fans climbed on to floodlight towers and nearby pylons to catch a view of the match. Such security failings made headlines around the world, but the result was also an important one for the Egyptian national team. The 1-1 draw kept them in control at the top of Group G.

Egypt followed that up by claiming a 1-0 win over Nigeria in the second part of their qualification double header, putting Hector Cuper’s side on seven points from three fixtures. The Pharaohs have yet to suffer defeat, winning two and drawing one in their efforts to make it to Gabon next year. So far so good.

But for Egypt right now the future must be viewed through the prism of the bigger picture. Qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations would provide them with something of a springboard, but further success must follow if they are to make the most of the talent they have at hand.

The Pharaohs have long been giants of the African game, excelling at the Africa Cup of Nations over the past decade. Egypt won three successive AFCONs between 2006 and 2010 but have since missed three successive tournaments as they endured something of a transitional spell. Now they’re finally emerging on the other side.

Of course, Egypt’s struggle in recent years has been partly attributable to the turbulent political situation in the country, with former Bob Bradley in particular facing difficult circumstances as the Arab Spring prompted governmental and cultural change. Football mattered little at such a time as domestic leagues were suspended.

Talent pool

But their recent progress is about more than just a newfound societal stability. Egypt’s talent pool is as dynamic and exciting as it has been for a generation. Mohamed Elneny and Mohamed Salah in particular are seen as the vanguard of the country’s next great team, with both players thriving in Europe.

“They have been awesome in the recent weeks, and hopefully they will continue their in-form performances,” Cuper said of his European-based players, including Salah and Elneny. “I believe in my work; I believe in my players. I’m positive we are going to do a good job. That’s the spirit we need.”

Indeed, with those two players leading the attacking line Egypt have the quality to break down any side in Africa, but now they must prove as much in a global sense. The Pharaohs have yet to kick off their World Cup qualification campaign, but Cuper must set his sights on making Russia in two years time, even at this early stage.

Egypt’s failures at the World Cup have long proved a paradox for the continent’s most dominant national team. They haven’t made the step up to international football’s biggest stage since 1990, with World Cup qualification the perennial hurdle to have tripped many before Cuper. Their AFCON success is yet to translate into anything at international football’s most prestigious tournament.

And so two talents like Elneny and Salah at their current disposal Egypt need to take the chance they have been afforded. Ahmed Hegazy, Ramy Rabia, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ahmed Hassan Mahgoub and Ramadan Sobhi make up the remainder of the country’s next generation, giving them a well founded grounding for the future.

That future must include an appearance at the World Cup. The course has been set for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, but Cuper should start plotting the way to Russia. For Egypt, AFCON qualification is about more than just the AFCON.

(english.alarabiya.net)

April 6, 2016
Egypt shows interest in hosting 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup

FIFA have announced the nations that have shown interest in hosting the 9th edition of FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2020, with Egypt named as a contender, showing their desire to host the event.

Egypt is among a list of a record 13 countries from five Confederations that bid to host the tournament, due to take place in four years. The full list of countries include Egypt, Croatia, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Iran, Japan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Netherlands and New Zealand. The only continent not to have a nation in the bidding processes is South America as Colombia will be hosting the 8th edition next September.

After showing their desire in bring the tournament into their homes, the Member Associations will now receive bid packs which include more information about the bidding processes and the requirements needed to be fulfilled in order to host the tournament. The next step will be the Member associations ensuring their commitment. The formal declarations of interest should be done by 6th of May. The host is expected to officially announced in December.

The 2020 tournament is going to be the 9th edition of FIFA Futsal World Cup, with the first having taken place in 1990 in the Netherlands. The 8th edition will kick off this September in Colombia, with Egypt still in the running for a qualifying spot.

The Pharaohs will play off in Group B in 2016 African Futsal Cup of Nations alongside Libya, Angola and Morocco. The African Cup of Nations act as qualifications to the World Cup as the top three nations will qualify to the tournament. Should Egypt make the tournament, it will be the 6th time in a row that the Pharaohs have participated.

(kingfut.com)

April 6, 2016
Marathon journey of Rio 2016 flame includes Rio Bridge in Greece

Organisers have revealed that the Olympic flame will visit Zakynthos, Corfu and the historic town of Marathon as part of a Greek odyssey before it is entrusted to the Rio 2016 Organising committee. As tradition dictates, the flame will be kindled from the rays of the sun in the ruins of Ancient Olympia on April 21 by Greek actress Katarina Lehou, in her role as High Priestess of the Goddess Hera. She also lit the flame for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing and Lillehammer. She will be supported in the ceremony by a retinue of priestesses, who will wear costumes inspired by the Chiton, a dress worn in Ancient Greece.

This year, these have been designed by London born Greek-Cypriot designer Eleni Kyriacou, who trained under Alexander McQueen. They are accompanied by specially designed sandals and will be used at the flame lighting ceremony in Olympia and at the send off festivities in Athens. The relay to Rio also marks 80 years since runners carried a flame by hand from Olympia to Berlin for the 1936 Games and officials are encouraging as many Greeks as possible to turn out to support the flame and mark the anniversary. “The flame was first lit on Ancient Olympia’s sacred soil to illuminate the Modern Olympic Games,” said Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) President Spyros Capralos. “Beyond the historical significance for our country, the ceremony connects the ancient with the modern. “Ideals that were born in Ancient Greece travel around the world giving substance to the concept of culture and peace.”

The 2016 lighting ceremony will be witnessed by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman. When the runners leave the ancient stadium, they pause to pay homage at a monument to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the French nobleman who was instrumental in reviving the Olympic Games in 1896. Runners will then take the flame to the neighbouring town of Pyrgos and it is set to arrive in Zakynthos in the early evening.

In this of all years, it is appropriate that it will cross the Rio Bridge which crosses the Gulf of Corinth. The flame first made the crossing in 2004, carried by Otto Rehhagel, coach to the Greek European Championship winning football team. It will then head north through mainland Greece before crossing the water to Corfu, the home island of Spiros Samaras, the musician who composed the Olympic anthem. Day three ends in Thessaloniki and it will then head on to Alexandropouli before returning south once again. The flame will also be carried by a Syrian refugee at the Eleonas Reception Centre in Athens, although the identity of the runner remains a secret. This is very symbolic and reaffirms the support of the Olympic movement for fellow citizens who have fled their homes under tragic circumstances and seek a better future for themselves and their families, according to Capralos. On the final day (April 27), the flame makes a short journey from the Acropolis to the Panathinaiko Stadium. There will then be a formal ceremony to entrust the flame to representatives of Rio 2016.

Sakis Rouvas, a Greek singer and one time athlete who was a star performer at the Athens 2004 Olympic Closing ceremony, will lead the entertainment in support of the Greek Olympic team as part of the “Hellas you can do it” campaign. Rouvas, who sang for his country at the Eurovision Song Contest, also presents the Greek version of singing contest The X-Factor. “I feel honour and gratitude to participate as a volunteer and and invite you, together with one voice, to send a strong global message from Athens to the world,” he said. “A message of peace, fair play, noble competition, passion, optimism and pride.”

(insidethegames.biz)

April 6, 2016