By Takis Triadafillou and Andriana Simos.
The Greek squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 in October was announced at a dinner held at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney on Wednesday night.
This will be the first ever World Cup for Greece after they qualified in November 2019 when they beat Serbia 82-6 in the European World Cup qualifiers.
The 24-player squad is made up of five Australian NRL players, as well as some players from the Australian junior league and eight domestic players from Greece.
They are: Jordan Meads (Captain), Lachlan Ilias, Stefanos Bastas, Nikolaos Bosmos, Terry Constantinou, Jake Kambos, John Mitsias, Nick Mougios, Robert Tuliatu, Sebastian Sell, Chaise Robinson, Kosta Katsidonis, Mitchell Zampetides, Greg Koutsimporgiorgos, Theodoros Nianiakas, Billy Tsikrikas, Adam Vrahnos, Aris Dardamanis, Peter Mamouzelos, Liam Sui Tin, Nick Flocas, Ioannis Rousoglu, Ioannis Nake, Billy Magoulias, and Myles Gal.
The squad will be coached by Steve Georgallis, with the help of assistant coaches, Jim Pizanias and Michalis Chatziinoannou.
They’re all set to play their first match against France on October 17 this year at Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, UK, followed by matches against Samoa and England on October 23 and October 29 respectively.
These announcements were made at a dinner event on Wednesday night in the presence of a number of official guests and prominent rugby league identities such as former Greek Australian NRL players, Braith Anasta and John Skandalis, among many others.
Sydney Rooster Chairman and major sponsor of the Greece squad, Nick Politis, was also present at the event and told The Greek Herald he was looking forward to the upcoming World Cup matches.
Mr Politis played a role in influencing the design of Greece’s new World Cup jerseys, as they feature the word ‘Kythera’ in a tribute to the Greek island where Mr Politis was born.
On the night, emcee Doug Keen also brought a number of people to the stage to give a few speeches including Mr Georgallis; Mr Anasta; former rugby player, Nick Kouparitsas; and the Captain of the Greek Women’s Rugby League team, Sam Economos.
Acropolis Now actor, George Kapiniaris, even took to the stage for a small comedy skit before the night closed out with some raffles.
READ MORE: Rugby League receives government recognition in Greece.
