A night with Greek football legends at Sydney’s Olympus taverna

·

Sydney’s newest Greek dining hotspot, Olympus, was abuzz on Thursday evening as guests gathered for an exclusive event featuring Greek football legends Giorgos Karagounis, Theodoros Zagorakis, and Angelos Charisteas.

The night, hosted by Liberty IT, celebrated not only the achievements of these iconic players but also the 20th anniversary of Greece’s historic UEFA Euro 2004 victory.

Liberty IT CEO John Dimitropoulos warmly welcomed an esteemed guest list, which included the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yiannis Mallikourtis, renowned supporter Paul Nicolaou, CEOs, industry leaders, members of the media, and representatives of the Football Brilliance Academy.

greek football legends at olympus
(L-R) Giorgos Karagounis, Theodoros Zagorakis, and Angelos Charisteas. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Takis Triadafillou.
greek football legends at olympus

In his opening remarks, Dimitropoulos thanked the Academy for its pivotal role in organising the evening and set the stage for what was to come.

With drinks and cocktails in hand, guests erupted into applause as the football legends were introduced. The evening’s co-emcee, Marina Paul, shared her personal connection to the UEFA Euro 2004, reminiscing about her time reporting on the monumental event in Athens. She facilitated a panel discussion with the players, blending football insights with personal anecdotes.

greek football legends at olympus

The discussion revolved around the importance of teamwork in sports and business. The players shared motivational stories, including one about a coach whose rallying speech inspired a team to go undefeated for 15 games, rising to the top 10 in world rankings. Insights into the Greek national team’s defensive strategies, pivotal in their Euro 2004 success, also captivated the audience.

Zagorakis reflected on his life post-football, including his time in the European Parliament, and shared advice about playing to one’s strengths and persevering in the face of challenges.

greek football legends at olympus

The engaged audience took full advantage of the Q&A session, posing questions about soccer strategies, including how the team exploited Portugal’s defensive weaknesses in the historic 2004 final. The players also highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent, suggesting the involvement of Greek legends in training Greek Australian players.

Dinner followed, featuring Olympus’ signature dishes, including tender octopus and succulent lamb. The culinary delights perfectly complemented the evening’s celebrations.

Guests at the event enjoyed the event. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Takis Triadafillou.

Later, an auction, led by Nicolaou, saw signed jerseys of the football stars go under the hammer, raising significant funds for the Football Brilliance Academy.

As the night concluded, guests had the opportunity to engage directly with the football icons, capturing selfies and exchanging stories.

greek football legends at olympus

The event seamlessly combined culinary excellence, football nostalgia, and community spirit, leaving attendees with unforgettable memories and inspiration.

For those who attended, it was a night to cherish, celebrating the legacy of Greek football while strengthening connections within the Greek Australian community.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Takis Triadafillou.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Step into the world of mental health with Georgia Cassimatis’ latest book

Greek Australian author and journalist, Georgia Cassimatis, has released a book all about exploring the world of mental health.

GOCNSW Welfare Service to put a spotlight on cyber security awareness

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW’s (GOCNSW) Welfare Service has organised three Cyber Security Awareness education and training workshops.

Marriage of a Greek woman abroad: What to watch out for

It is during this registration process that numerous problems arise, which are not dealt with immediately but later on.

Athena Competition Greek winners show olive oil diversity

By Lisa Radinovsky from Greek Liquid Gold. At the 10th anniversary edition of the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition in Chania, Crete, Greece in May, 175 Greek olive oils...

Greece’s island communities face population crisis

The demographic decline in Greece is hitting its islands hard, with Lemnos and Agios Efstratios showing alarming signs of aging populations.

You May Also Like

Focus on your mental health and wellbeing in an age of social isolation

Looking after your mental health and wellbeing is essential during a time of heightened uncertainty about what the future holds for us and the world.

Cafe renovations begin at the Hellenic Club of Canberra

The Hellenic Club of Canberra has announced that a brand new cafe experience is on its way, over the next 6 to 8 weeks.

Greece, Cyprus and Israel to invite India to Trilateral Summit 2024

Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about the potential to extend the trilateral Greece-Cyprus-Israel cooperation to India at the 9th Trilateral Summit.