2023 has been a year of victory and accomplishment for Greek and Greek Australian athletes. From Australian Open records to membership in Australia’s National Second Tier, this year, Greeks have made their mark in sport.
Now, as the 2023 chapter comes to an end, The Greek Herald has shared its seven best Greek sporting moments of the year.
#6 – Eleftherios Petrounias secures spot in 2024 Olympic Games after silver medal win
Talented Greek gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias won a silver medal at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp. Also known as ‘Lord of the Rings,’ Petrounias displayed great skill and strength during his performance.
His win means he has secured a spot at the Summer Olympics in Paris next year.
#5 – Stefanos Tsitsipas becomes first Greek to reach Australian Open final
Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first ever Greek to reach an Australian Open final after defeating Russian Karen Khachanov at Melbourne Park in January 2023. He was ultimately defeated by Novak Djokovic in the final.
#4 – Greek men’s water polo team claim spot in first-ever world championship grand final
Greece made it into its first-ever grand final at the World Aquatics Championship after defeating Serbia 13 – 7 in Japan.
The team’s result also secured their presence in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This will be the 17th overall time in Greece’s water polo history that it will play in an Olympic Games and the 12th in a row, since Moscow in 1980.
#3 – Sakkari beats Dolehide to win WTA Guadalajara title
Maria Sakkari ended American Caroline Dolehide’s incredible run in the Guadalajara Open final to win her maiden WTA 1000 championship and snap a four-year title drought.
Second-seed Sakkari defeated Dolehide, ranked 111th in the world, 7-5 6-3, to win her second career championship and go through the week without dropping a set.
#2 – Ange Postecoglou confirmed as manager of Premier League side Spurs
Ange Postecoglou made history as the first Australian of Greek heritage to manage a Premier League club after Tottenham Hotspur confirmed his appointment as head coach in June.
Postecoglou arrived at the English Premier League after a successful spell at Celtic FC, which saw him lead the club to the eighth treble in its history.
#1 – Two Greek football clubs to play in Australia’s inaugural National Second Tier competition
Two Greek football clubs were officially confirmed among the eight foundation clubs to take part in Australia’s National Second Tier (NST) competition, set to commence in March / April 2025.
The two Greek clubs are Sydney Olympic FC and South Melbourne FC. They will be joined by APIA Leichhardt FC, Avondale FC, Marconi Stallions FC, Preston Lions FC, Sydney United 58 FC, and Wollongong Wolves FC.
The clubs were announced at a Football Australia press conference after a rigorous and comprehensive application process.
