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 GRE/GREECE
In 1952, after Greece’s first
international match against France, in which they
were defeated 3-1, a French newspaper article
praised the Greek team’s spirit and capability.
These particular elements in conjunction with later
developments in the sport in Greece, have provided a
basis, on which the Greek team can depend on in
order to outdo themselves in their first Olympic
Games participation.
Seventeen years after the achievement of Gent (European
Championship bronze medal), 10 years after their
sixth place in the World Championship held in Athens,
and only two years after their seventh place at the
same event in Argentina, Greece’s team appear ready
to face the challenge of the Olympic Games. Having
achieved some admirable results leading up to the
Olympic Games and displaying plenty of skill and
exuberance along the way, Greece will be giving
their all at the 2004 Summer Games in order to prove
they are capable of claiming a medal on their home
courts.
It was a physical education instructor from Athens,
Anastasios Lefkadites, who was the first to teach
Volleyball in Greece in 1922. Greece was quick to
affiliate itself with the FIVB, just two years after
its founding in 1947 and in 1949 the country joined
the sport’s governing body.
Greece joined the elite teams in the World League in
1993 and have since participated in nine editions of
the competition.
Today Greece continues to exhibit top qualities.
Despite the early start, a systematic development of
the sport in the country had to wait until the
foundation of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation in
1970.
Team coach Stelios Prosalikas will be counting on
inspirational captain Marios Giourdas, on heavy
hitters Andrej Kravarik and
Theodoros Baev, Vassilis Kournetas, Konstantinos
Christofidelis, Antonis Tsakiropoulos and Sotiris
Pantaleon of Greek champions Panathinaikos. |
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