Greek team kicks off All Nations Cup season

Following weeks of preparation the Greek team taking part in the annual football competition, the All Nations Cup, has been selected and met its first challenge against Afghanistan ending in a 0-0 draw.

The All Nations Cup has run since 1982 pitching representative teams that comprise of players representing the country of birth of their parents origin.

The Greek Community of Melbourne decided to enter a Greek team in the competition as part of a broader outreach into the football community with a view to bring together and represent the many players of Greek origin currently playing football in Victoria.

The GCM Vice President Michael Karamitos who has led the project was left impressed with what he has seen so far, saying “I have to say that what started as simply a nostalgic suggestion by some older players has developed into a very exciting project. To see these young men who play throughout the Victorian NPL leagues come together under the expert tutelage of coaches Katsakis and Tangalakis has been a thrill. The GCM is excited about this team, whatever the results it delivers and look forward to more outreach to members of our community for whom football is an important part of their lives and cultural practice.”

Mr Karamitos also noted the support shown by members of the community who have enthusiastically embraced the project, “It is particularly exciting to see the enthusiastic support for this team by so many. I want to in particular thank Heidelberg Utd for the use of their excellent facility, Steve and Harry Tsalikidis of Windsor Management Insurance Brokers, Chris Pavlidis and Kon Kyranakis for his tireless efforts in coordinating the team.”

The GCM appointed experienced NPL coaches George Katsakis (Heidelberg Utd FC) and Con Tangalakis (Kingston City FC) to select and oversee the squad which has been practicing at Heidelberg Utd’s home ground for some weeks.

Sixteen teams take part in the competition and the Greek team has been drawn against the representative teams of Afghanistan, Iraq and France in the opening rounds.

The coaching staff have put the squad through its paces and have selected an initial 17 players out of the 25 players allowed to be nominated through the tournament.

The team

Jonathan Bounas | Northcote City FC

Zois Galanopoulos | Banyule City SC

Ioannis Georgopoulos | Heidelberg Utd FC

Georgios Gerondaras | Kingston City FC

Anthony Giannopoulos | Altona East FC

George Mells | Port Melbourne FC

Dennis Menelaou | Northcote City FC

Panos Menidis | Kingston City FC

Andrew Mesarouni | South Melbourne FC

Nicholas Minas | Kingston City FC

Deion Nikolaidis | Heidelberg FC

Matthew Papadimitriou | Malvern City FC

Thomas Podaridis | Springvale White Eagles FC

Petros Skapetis | Altona Magic FC

Triantafilos Skapetis | Dandenong City FC

Konstantinos Stratomitros | Eastern Lions FC

Anthony Theo | Heidelberg Utd FC

Upcoming matches

Sunday 16 October at 1pm Iraq v Greece

Sunday 23 October at 1pm Greece v France

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