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Sokratis Papastathopoulos: Where will ‘papa’ finish his football career?

The Greek Herald
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Sokratis Papastathopoulos: Where will ‘papa’ finish his football career?

Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos had his contract terminated by Premier League side Arsenal, with mutual agreement, yesterday.

His current deal was set to expire in the summer but the Greek defender agreed to abort the club earlier than planned.

“One of the most enjoyable times in my career ended today. It has been an honour to wear the Arsenal shirt and I want to thank all the coaches, team-mates, staff and fans around the world for the love and respect they have given me,” Sokratis said on Twitter.

Turning 33-years-old this year, the former Greek national team captain will be looking for a club to join. Potentially the final destination of his senior career.

The former Arsenal man was linked with multiple clubs before the termination of his contract, including Greek giant Olympiakos and Turkish side Fenerbahçe, the new home of former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Here, we’ll look at the likelihood of each potential destination.

Olympiakos

The powerhouse team of the Greek Super League. For Olympiakos manager Pedro Martins, the move is a great and obvious choice to bolster up the defensive line.

Football Insider revealed yesterday, before Sokratis’ departure announcement, that Olympiakos have presented a contract offer to Sokratis that he is currently weighing up.

If Sokratis is looking for a consistent 90-minute games, however, the defender should be steering far and clear from the Attica side.

Olympiakos’ Mathieu Valbuena (L) vies with Sokratis Papastathopoulos (R) on February 20, 2020. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The undefeated Greek side has only conceded 7 goals in the Super League season so far. Centre-backs Rúben Semedo, Ousseynou Ba and Pape Abou Cissé have all proven that they have earned their place in the squad this season, and it’s unlikely they’ll be happy with being replaced.

Semedo and Ba have both been linked to Premier League champions Liverpool FC, meaning a hole could be left to fill by Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Unless Sokratis is given a first-team guarantee, a move like this is dangerous for an ageing player.

AEK Athens

What I consider to be a beneficial long-term move for the former Arsenal defender, a move to AEK Athens is less-discussed, but highly valuable.

Currently second on the table, AEK Athens are in the market for a defensive leader that can provide security in the backline while team captain Petros Mantalos leads from the front.

Sokratis spent much of his youth career and early senior career at AEK Athens, building his reputation and earning a transfer to Serie A side Genoa. The Greek player has previously professed love for his debut senior club and despite never hinting at the opportunity, AEK Athens would be a perfect place to start his managerial staff career.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos at Borussia Dortmund. Photo: Bundesliga.com

The problems facing AEK come down to whether Sokratis will be happy returning to his boyhood club, previously saying that his time with the Greek club has finished.

“Many AEK fans will be sad, but I am not thinking about coming back to Greece,” Sokratis said to Sport24.

Although, with Dmytro Chygrynskiy hitting 35 this year, it may be the golden opportunity for Sokratis to swoop in and claim his spot in the spine.

Fenerbahçe

Despite Greek football fans being largely against a move to Turkey for the Greek defender, it seems like a great playing opportunity for the former Arsenal defender.

The home of former Arsenal legend Mesut Özil, a move to Fenerbahçe would see Sokratis reunite with his German teammate. According to Fanatik, Fenerbahce were already close to agreeing terms with Sokratis, but were waiting for his contract situation to be cleared up. Now that he’s a free agent, Turkey could become his new footballing home.

Fenerbahce are currently 2nd in the Super Lig table, trailing leaders Besiktas on goal difference.

Genoa

All roads lead back to Rome, or in this case, to Genoa, with the Greek defender being linked to another one of his early senior career clubs.

Prior to his move to Arsenal, Sokratis was heavily linked with a move back to Italy.

Sokratis played 51 games for Serie A side Genoa after leaving AEK Athens in 2008. The Greek player became a fan favourite for many of the Italian locals, comparing him to former Genoa legend Gianluca Signorini.

A move to Genoa would be smart for his play time and familiarity with the league. Current Genoa manager Davide Ballardini joined the club as head coach shortly after Sokratis left in 2010. Familiar with the Greeks play style, the Luigi Ferraris could certainly become Sokratis’ new home.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos at Genoa. Photo: Getty Images.

Greek Australian youngster Peter Hatzoglou making waves in the BBL

The Greek Herald
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Greek Australian youngster Peter Hatzoglou making waves in the BBL

Melbourne-born cricketer Peter Hatzoglou burst onto the scene in the 2020/21 Big Bash League (BBL) season. Yet to make his professional debut for any BBL club before December 2020, it was a surprise to many when the 22-year-old took two wickets against the Perth Scorchers on his debut game for the Melbourne Renegades, being named MEGT Rookie of the Week.

Peter started out playing for local cricket club Sunshine Heights; A club which his father had strong involvement with.

“A lot of the local Anglican guys in the community got a bunch of the newly arrived migrants (Peter’s father) into cricket. This is way back in the 60s and 70s,” Peter said to The Greek Herald.

“Then my dad got heavily involved in the club and as I got older, I started playing because of my dad.”

Moving on from Sunshine Heights, Peter played premier cricket for Melbourne University, recognised as the ‘tier below’ the BBL. Playing in the starting squad, he came up against Australian cricket legend and the Victoria state side’s youngest ever captain, Cameron White.

Peter Hatzoglou breaks through Marcus Stoinis’ defences during the Melbourne Derby at the MCG.

“After the game, he got on the phone to a few of the Victorian selectors. I don’t know what he said exactly, but a couple days later, I was training with the Melbourne stars,” Peter said.

“This all happened last season, so in 2019/20, and then not too long after that, I was offered a gig with the Renegades as a replacement player.”

Peter’s debut is what many aspiring cricketers would dream of. Taking two wickets and being named a star player across the BBL. Yet, even Peter recognises that one game doesn’t make a career, and the key to longevity is consistency.

“You’re anticipating it for a week or so, and you’re training throughout the week and even prior to that, you’ve always got the ambition of playing at the next level,” Peter said.

“So I think to have to have done it and to have to started off well it was a really… I suppose it evoked a sense of relief for me.”

Peter Hatzoglou currently holds a replacement contract with the Melbourne Renegades.

Peter currently holds a replacement contract with the Melbourne Renegades, and says he’ll be chasing a full-time contract once the season is completed. Asked if he would stay in his home-town of Melbourne, Peter said he wouldn’t be shy to branching out to other cities.

“Definitely no limitations on staying in Victoria,” Peter said.

“My ambition is to get on a full time contract with one of the clubs and put better performances together and consistent performances, and well that puts me in line for a contract next season.”

Australia has a history of quality leg-spinners, Shane Warne and Nathan Lyon of the modern era to name a few, yet Peter revealed that his leg-spinner role model comes from India. Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble shares a similar style to the young BBL cricketer, with Peter recognising him as the player he most “idolizes”.

“Shane Warne, for his on field work was also pretty great, obviously a pretty good bowler,” Peter said.

Peter Hatzoglou In Corfu. Photo: Supplied

“Also another guy named Fawad Ahmed, who only played three or four games for Australia in the limited overs. But he’s a Pakistani and he emigrated here from Pakistan, and it was a great story about him basically coming through the ranks in local cricket and eventually working his way up to Australia.”

“So I love that story and that’s something I’d love to do one day as well.”

Growing up in Melbourne, Peter developed strong ties with his Greek heritage. His father and mother coming from Greece and Northern Macedonia respectively, with his dad’s family originating from Kozani in Northern Greece.

The Greek Australian cricketer revealed that at the age of 12 he even went to Corfu to play cricket in a junior competition.

Peter Hatzoglou In Corfu. Photo: Supplied

“During the Second World War the English sort of set up base there and basically introduced cricket to the island. I guess I went along from Australia and played in the Australian team in Corfu.”

Peter hopes to put on a great display in his last few matches as a replacement player, building up his performances to hopefully one day end up on the Australian team roster.

“Every young cricketer aspires to play for Australia and that would be amazing,” Peter concluded.

“Obviously I’m still a few steps away, but I suppose if I keep performing and getting wickets on the board, then I hope that all comes one day.”

They could die waiting: Aged care queues have left elderly at risk

The Greek Herald
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They could die waiting: Aged care queues have left elderly at risk

Aged care queues have blown out to more than a year’s wait for nearly 100,000 elderly – and some risk dying before getting home help.

People too frail to feed or wash themselves are being forced to wait at least 12 months for care in their own home, despite getting the green light from government assessors for taxpayer-funded care.

New government data reveals that 95,831 Australians approved for a taxpayer-funded “home care package’’ (HCP) will need to wait at least 12 months for the service.

Wait times have blown out to more than a year for 97 per cent of elderly Australians in the aged care queue because demand is outstripping funding.

At the end of October, 99,268 Australians were in the queue for aged care after medical assessors deemed them to be in need of help to stay in their own homes.

They include 14,314 elderly people with “high care needs’’, who require constant nursing care and help to eat and shower.

NSW has the longest queue, with 32,660 people in line for home care – including 3403 with high care needs.

Victoria has the most vulnerable people waiting for care – with 27,094 people waiting for in-home care, including 4132 deemed “high need’’.

Queensland’s queue of 15,126 includes 1913 of the frailest people with high needs.

In South Australia, 10,578 people are waiting for home care, including 1374 with high care needs.

Tasmania has 2663 residents approved and waiting for in-home care, including 448 deemed “high need’’.

The Northern Territory has 421 people waiting for approved care, including 102 with high needs, and the ACT has 1047 people queued for care, including 244 requiring the highest level of care.

Western Australia has 9593 elderly residents waiting for pre-approved care, with 2682 in the high-care category.

Year-long queues have become the norm, despite the Morrison government pouring $2.4 billion into 33,000 extra home care packages over the next four years.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) chief executive Ian Yates yesterday warned that some Australians could die on the waiting list.

Newly appointed Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt will lead the government’s response to the Royal Commission, after the portfolio was elevated to cabinet during a reshuffle in December.

THI Australia winter appeal grants total $50,000 for vulnerable people on Greece’s streets

The Greek Herald
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THI Australia winter appeal grants total $50,000 for vulnerable people on Greece’s streets

The Hellenic Initiative Australia announced two new grants, totalling AU$50,000, have been awarded to Doctors of the World Greece and Emfasis Foundation to provide additional support to people facing severe financial and social challenges during the COVID-19 winter in Greece.

“We are most grateful to the generous donors of the Winter Appeal for Greece who have made this urgent funding to our partner charities in Greece possible,” said THI Australia President, Nicholas Pappas AM.

A grant of $20,000 to Doctors of the World Greece and a grant of $30,000 to Emfasis Foundation will enable these trusted charities to purchase and provide essential items such as face masks and sanitisers, hot meals, grocery packages, food vouchers, temporary accommodation and assistance with utility bills.

In response to news of the grant, MdM Greece, President, Ms Charikleia Tsiouvara, said, “during a time where COVID-19 has created immense disruption and challenges for so many nations, we remain extremely indebted to THI Australia and its supporters for assisting so many destitute and vulnerable people in Greece. All gifts, whether small or large, increase the impact of our work.”

“THI Australia will be announcing an additional $50,000 in grants to selected charities in Greece next month, completing a very successful Winter Appeal for Greece,” said Mr Pappas.

Greece to officially extend mandatory military service from 9 months to 12 months

The Greek Herald
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Greece to officially extend mandatory military service from 9 months to 12 months

Greece will officially extend its mandatory military service from 9 months to 12 months in May 2021, announced by National Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

Speaking in Greek parliament, Panagiotopoulos said the decision was made with the Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

READ MORE: Greek students outraged as mandatory military service looks to be extended

“During today’s meeting of the Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) the proposal of the Ministry of National Defense regarding military service was discussed, among other things,” Panagiotopoulos said.

The law will not affect those who are currently serving their military service and conscripts serving along the Turkey border or on the Aegean islands.

For probationary reserve officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the term of office shall be set at seventeen and fourteen months, respectively.

Photos: Alexandros Avramidis

According to Greek news outlet EURACTIV Greece, the decision was made in order to strengthen the military presence at the borders between Greece and Turkey.

In Greece, the unemployment rate of young people up to 24 years old jumped to an alarming 33% last September, according to Greek statistics office data. In the announcement, the minister said the number of students admitted to military schools would also be raised.

Military service in Greece is mandatory for men from the age of 19.

Cyprus: Plans to reopen tourism for 56 countries from March 1

The Greek Herald
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Cyprus: Plans to reopen tourism for 56 countries from March 1

Cyprus plans to reopen its airports to visitors from all countries on March 1, Deputy Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios told CyBC state television on Wednesday.

“This means that passengers will be able to visit Cyprus without quarantine restrictions, unless they test positive for COVID-19 on arrival,” Perdios said.

Cyprus announced earlier in January that they will lift their travel ban on 56 countries, including:

  • EU member states
  • European Economic Area States (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichtenstein)
  • Third countries featured on the EU Council Recommendation document (EU 2020/912 of 30 June 2020, on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction)
  • The United Kingdom, Russia, Israel, Ukraine, Belarus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Perdios said that each of these countries will be designated colours according to their coronavirus pandemic situation.

Passengers arriving from green category countries will not have to take a Covid-19 test, while those flying in from orange category countries will be obliged to present a negative test certificate before boarding a plane. Passengers arriving from red category countries will have to be tested both before boarding and after arrival.

Perdios preffered not to cite an estimate for tourist arrivals this year, saying only that currently all countries are facing a second or third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It would be difficult for people to travel either now or even in February and March,” he said.

Cyprus’ air connections are currently restricted to only a few countries, mainly Greece, Britain, Russia, Lebanon, Egypt and Gulf states.

Maria Sakkari on hard quarantine in Australia: ‘I’m super grateful’

The Greek Herald
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Maria Sakkari on hard quarantine in Australia: ‘I’m super grateful’

Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari has “nothing to complain about” while undergoing hard quarantine in Melbourne, applauding the attitude of Australians during the pandemic.

Speaking to 3AW, Sakkari said that she, along with every other tennis player who arrived in Melbourne, understood the risks that were associated with arriving in the country safe.

“[There was] six months of strict lockdown here in Melbourne,” she said. 

“We knew the risks coming here, we knew the frustration, we knew its up to the government so I totally understand.”

“Seriously, there is nothing to complain about.”

Sakkari, ranked 22nd in the world, was on board a chartered flight that forced 47 Australian Open players, now 72 players, into quarantine, following a member of the flight testing positive to COVID-19. The players are currently spending a total of 14 days in quarantine, unable to leave their hotel rooms.

Unlike tennis players Novak Djokovic and Roberto Bautista Agut, Sakkari has been enjoying her time in isolation, even ordering Greek takeout to her hotel room to make it feel more at home.

“You have to keep a positive mentality, that’s the key,” she told Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings.

“I’m super fine, and my friends are also doing well, and they are also in strict lockdown here, so I have to say that most of the people here are not complaining about it.”

Maria Sakkari showing how she works out in hotel quarantine. Photo: Maria Sakkari Instagram

World No.1 Novak Djokovic received slack for presenting six ‘outrageous’ demands, one of which being a request for the players to be moved to private houses with a tennis court to facilitate training. Australian player Nick Kyrgios labelled the World No. 1 as a “tool”.

Sakkari concluded her interview with 3AW by saying Australians are the “nicest people we have ever met” and is grateful to be participating in the tournament.

“I’m so grateful that you guys allowed us to come into your country while you were not allowing anyone else to come in and you guys are the nicest people that we have met,” said the Greek sportswoman.

“We are here to achieve victory,” says Greek tennis player Michalis Pervolarakis

The Greek Herald
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“We are here to achieve victory,” says Greek tennis player Michalis Pervolarakis

By Bill Roumeliotis

The ATP cup is around the corner and despite the challenges players have been faced with, the members of the Greek team remain optimistic and have shown how resilient and resourceful they can be even in adverse circumstances.

“We are in Melbourne to achieve nothing less than distinctions and victory,” Greek tennis player, Michalis Pervolarakis told The Greek Herald explaining how the team is preparing for the upcoming matches.

“We can’t do our training session all together as a team but we do train in couples. I train with Petros [Tsitsipas] and we did so for five hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, so our preparation continues,” says Pervolarakis.

Speaking about the 14-day hotel quarantine on his arrival into Melbourne, the tennis player says that he and the Greek team do not expect special treatment, understanding that the nation strives to keep the pandemic under control.

“We knew what to expect before we arrived. The five-hour training session is a good break from the quarantine.

“We don’t complain. We will be patient and push through for the remaining of the quarantine period and then everything will go back to normal,” says Pervolarakis. 

We can’t wait to see Stefanos, Michalis, Markos, Petros on the court! 

READ MORE: Australian Open Greek players are dancing their way through quarantine

Australia’s Ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, has praised Biden’s stance on China

The Greek Herald
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Australia’s Ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, has praised Biden’s stance on China

The Australian government has welcomed the Biden administration’s initial stance on China, with US Ambassador Arthur Sinodinos saying it was on track to be “consistent with where we’ve been”.

Mr Sinodinos, who was one of a select crowd of dignitaries invited to Joe Biden’s scaled-back inauguration ceremony at the Capitol, also praised the “pitch perfect” swearing-in.

Mr Biden has pledged to spend his first days unwinding some of Donald Trump’s key policies.

Concerns this may have included the US stepping back its pressure on China were allayed when Mr Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State, Tony Blinken, said on Tuesday he supported Mr Trump’s muscular posture.

“As we look at China, there is no doubt that it poses the most significant challenge of any nation state to the United States,” Mr Blinken said in his Senate confirmation hearing.

“We have to start by approaching China from a position of strength, not weakness.”

Mr Sinodinos welcomed this statement and said it accorded with Australia’s leading role in taking on China over the past year.

Mr Sinodinos said he expected the Biden administration to be “quite strategic” and to continue to support Australia.

*Sourced by The Daily Telegraph, Photos: Twitter/Arthur Synodinos AO

The Archdiocese’s NSW Youth Branch invite young adults to a spiritual retreat

The Greek Herald
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The Archdiocese’s NSW Youth Branch invite young adults to a spiritual retreat 
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's New South Wales Youth Branch (GO Youth NSW) is organising a three-day retreat for young people aged 18 to 30 from February 5th - 7th, 2021.

Read full announcement below:

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Youth of the Archdiocese invite all youth and young adults aged 18-30 to The Young Adult Retreat 2021. 

Under the guidance of His Grace, Bishop Emilianos of Meloa, whether you’re searching to find, affirm or renew your faith, this spiritual retreat is designed to connect you to the truth of Orthodoxy by exploring freedom and love, celebrating the connections and friendships that are made in Christ.

We’re offering worship services and all talks entirely in English and we invite all youth and young adults across NSW to enjoy and benefit from this experience. Registrations are necessary.

To register visit: goyouthnsw.com/youth-retreat-2021 

*Photos: goyouthnsw.com

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