The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-01-30

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Elections With Bloodshed Ballots Closed in Iraq

By Despina Hristopoulou

Iraqi participation in todays elections surpassed all predictions, as 72 percent of civilians defied the continuous launch of insurgent attacks and cast their votes. In fact, electoral observers said there were only a few irregularities in the first multi-party elections in Iraq after 50 years. In the meantime, Abu Musab al Zarqawi left his ruthless mark on todays electoral process, as he kept his promise of bloodshed. At least 33 people have died in various parts of Iraq and mainly in Baghdad, while Bin Ladens Jordanian associate said he has sent 13 "martyrs" to spread death. In the meantime, US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice welcomed the electoral process, which she referred to as "the voice of Iraqis for freedom," while she also conveyed US President George Bushs contentment.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Historic Day for Iraq

[02] For the Circumstances Awaiting the Findings

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

The findings of the two Traffic Police experts of the Nea Ionia Station, who are investigating the case, are expected to shed light on the causes of last nights tragic accident involving an Ioannina KTEL bus, while a preliminary inquiry has already commenced. Four people were killed, while another eight were injured, four of whom seriously, however, they have all escaped danger. The four more seriously injured are being hospitalized in KAT and Red Cross, while the rest were allowed to return to their homes. According to Panagiotis Madias, a Traffic Police expert, the bus followed a bizarre, but not frenzied course, for over 300 metres. As he noted, all the damages to the bus on the drivers seat indicate that death could have been caused. In answering as to the cause of death of the driver and whether his death preceded the accident, he said that they are awaiting the findings of Coroner Mr Koutsaftis. The autopsy will atke place tomorrow. The bus will be transferred to the Traffic Police School in Amygdaleza for further examination, while the tachograph is also being analysed.

The Accident

According to eyewitnesses, the bus collided with six or seven parked cars while traveling on Karamanlis Avenue at 19:10 last night, before running a red light on the intersection to Thrakomakedones, where it crashed into another four vehicles, and then smashed through a storefront.

The driver of the bus was recovered dead from the vehicle. Another three people were recovered dead from a Fiat Punto, four seriously injured from an Opel Corsa, while three passengers in a Citroen Saxo and one in a Nissan Almera were slightly injured.

Driver Was Not Experiencing Health Problems

The colleagues of 45-year old bus driver Giannis Karamanis from the Ioannina KTEL depot are devastated and cannot believe what happened. They speak of an experienced driver, since he had been working for KTEL for the last 17 years and was actually a co-owner of the fated bus. Prior to becoming a bus driver, he used to drive trailer trucks. They also noted that he wasnt experiencing any health problems. Giannis Karamnis had set off from Giannena at 9am and arrived in Athens at 4pm. On Saturday evening he was heading towards a relatives house with the bus.

The bus was approximately three years old, while it had gone through a KTEO mechanical check last September. Actually, the bus driver had also undergone a medical check-up last November and the results were very good.

The drivers colleagues also claimed that the only logical explanation is that he probably suffered a serious stroke or a heart attack. As they explained, new buses have electric accelerators and a slight push of the pedal can speed up the vehicle. Upon losing consciousness, the drivers foot may have remained stuck on the pedal and as a result the bus kept gaining speed, which can only stop automatically if the speedometer goes over 100kph.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Serious Car Accident in Athens

[03] As of Sunday Night New Wave of Bad Weather

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Snowfalls, heavy rain and very low temperatures are the main weather characteristics throughout Greece over the past few days, while the HNMS forecast a new wave of bad weather as of Sunday night, which will start from the west and gradually extend all over the country. Many northern areas face serious problems, while 11 villages in the Ioannina prefecture remain snowbound for the fourth day in a row and 30 villages have no electricity. Dozens of snowploughs are working continuously, while snow chains are imperative in several parts of the Ioannina-Trikala and the Ioannina-Grevena national highway, in the area of Milia. In the meantime, a man was found dead on Sunday noon inside his home, at the village of Kryovrisi, Ioannina, which remains snowbound. So far, the causes of 59-year-old Giorgos Stamoulidis death have not been publicized.

DEI and OTE Network Damages

In Ioannina, problems have been limited despite the intermittent snowfall, as snow is removed from the prefecture's road network at a very quick pace. The height of snow in mountainous areas exceeds 3.5 meters and apart from the 11 snowbound villages, access to the rest can only be achieved with SUVs.

During the meeting held on Saturday night in Ioannina with the participation of Civil Protection competent agencies and their head Panagiotis Fourlas, it was decided to focus on the repair of damages caused to the electricity (DEI) and telephone (OTE) networks. It should be noted that DEI crews have been reinforced with technicians from Epirus and the Peloponnese for the repair of serious damages.

In the meantime, the Police and EMAK continue delivering food supplies and medicines to snowbound areas with the help of tanks, while they also carry patients and the elderly to safer areas.

Problems in Macedonia

Because of low temperatures and frost in many areas of northern Greece, vehicles are traveling with great difficulty.

Snow chains are necessary for vehicles traveling on the mountainous national and regional road network, mainly in western Macedonia (Florina-Kastoria national highway via Vitsi and Vigla, Kozani-Ioannina national highway, as well as all roads leading to the ski resorts of Seli and 3-5 Pigadia).

Biting cold in Thessaloniki as well, where despite the sunshine, temperature dropped to 2oC. Minus degrees was the case for almost all Macedonian cities since early morning.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Weather Worsens

Related Links:

Hellenic National Meteorological Service

Civil Protection Authority

[04] According to New Poll New Lead for Karamanlis

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

The VPRC opinion poll, published in the Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia newspaper, gives PM Kostas Karamanlis a clear lead in people's preference. 35 percent of citizens estimate that the feature of "keader" better suits the current prime minister, than Giorgos Papandreou, who only received 11 percent. What is more, 32 percent consider that the prime minister is closer to the people, while 21 percent were in favour of PASOK president. Furthermore, 32 percent believe the PM is telling the truth, while only 17 percent believe so for Mr Papandreou. In fact, 28 percent of people asked answered that the prime minister offers solutions, while only 10 percent have faith in Mr Papandreou, when it comes to providing solutions to everyday problems.

Requesting Higher Pensions

In the meantime, the majority of people (48%) believe that the Economy is moving towards the wrong direction, while 20 percent feel otherwise.

Additionally, 52 percent of citizens request for a significant raise in salaries and pensions, even if such a raise would be translated in fiscal deficit increase, while 27 percent are content with the present level.

It is surprising however, that 71 percent estimate that if permanence of civil servants would be abolished, then the situation would definitely improve.

Moving on, 65 percent consider the PASOK Convention was indifferent, while 30 percent feel the opposite.

Citizens were also asked to answer how independent reporters are from the political power. For 60 percent of them the answer was "not so much not at all", while 35 percent said "a lot enough."

The VPRC opinion poll was conducted on a national level last Wednesday and Thursday among 609 people.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] To Decide on Future Actions Farmers in Session

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8 - ANA

Larissa cotton growers held a meeting at the Tempi tollbooths. According to the head of the farmers committee in Tempi, Athanasios Kokkinoulis, the farmers will remain on stand-by, without blocking the road though, until 5pm tomorrow, at which time they will reconvene to decide on future actions. The Larissa coordinating committee called on all farmers, irrespective of their political beliefs, to join in tomorrows protests. In the meantime, the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway remains open. Cotton growers from Pella are meeting at the moment, while their tractors remain lined up along the Thessaloniki-Edessa national highway, at the Paralimni intersection. The roads are also open in Serres, while farmers are on stand-by at the Promachonas intersection. Meanwhile, the traffic flow has been reinstated in Domokos, since the farmers withdrew their tractors from the Lamia-Domokos highway towards Karditsa and Trikala, as well as from the 41st km, in Drougos. The main reason were the harsh weather conditions in the area, since it is snowing and there was imminent danger of serious accidents, as trucks were traveling through alternate regional roads. However, these farmers are also on stand-by. Finally, the Agricultural Workers Movement, a faction of KKE, is holding a Press conference today in the village Nikaia, where they will present their stance with regard to their protests, which will commence tomorrow.

Continuing Disputes

Two rallies have been scheduled for tomorrow in Thessaly, one in Karditsa and one in Trikala, while three regional rallies will take place in Tyrnavos, Agia and Elassona, in the Prefect of Larissa. Furthermore, farmers will proceed with blockades in Chalkiades, Farsala and in Damasi. In addition, the road in Chalkiades was closed off for an hour today, around the time the local coordinating committee was meeting.

In his statements on the issue with the framers, ND Central Committees Secretary Vangelis Meimarakis stressed, "The farmers are aware that ND has a friendly policy for them and approaches the problems they are facing with the EU with sensitivity and though dialogue."

Mr Meimarakis also criticized harshly PASOK President George Papandreous visit to Larissa yesterday. "Certainly, Mr Papandreous visit to Larissa is newsworthy, since this is the first time ever he visited the farmers. What is of greater importance though is that he now understands that the citizens, and especially the farmers, have problems. Didnt he realize that the policies followed in the last ten years created major problems and that the farmers were being put to the test? Didnt he realize that, especially for the cotton, the problems stemmed from the Regulation that was voted for by PASOK in 2001?"

Speaking from Larissa yesterday, PASOKs President George Papandreou also launched a severe attack against the Government, stressing that PASOK "will not kid with the farmers grief," while he noted that, "The problems were mainly created by the Government, through its pre-election lies, deceiving the farmers." Mr Papandreou also spoke of the Governments inability and launched a personal attack against the PM, saying, "As far as Mr Karamanlis is concerned, it is always someone else who is at fault."

The President of PASOK invited all farmers to channel their outrage into strength and to say no to the Governments policy.

In the meantime, the Rural Development Minister, Evangelos Basiakos, while speaking on radio station NET 105.8 yesterday, said that the Ministry is continuing discussing every proposal compatible to the EU Regulations, in an effort to improve the cotton growers income.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Tempi Reopens

[06] Civil Conflict in Gaza

By Despina Hristopoulou

At least 22 people were injured yesterday, during violent clashes that erupted in a refugee camp south of the Gaza Strip between activists of the Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas. The conflict took place in the camp Al Mugazi, when Fatah members, who had gathered to celebrate their partys victory in the area in the recent municipal elections, met with a group of Hamas members, who were also celebrating their groups victory in the Gaza Strip. According to hospital sources, five of the 22 injured people had gunshot wounds.

Meeting Between Sharon and Abbas

In the meantime, Israeli PM Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to meet sometime in the next two weeks, for the first time since Abbas came to office.

As per Sharons spokesperson, David Baker, the meeting will take place during the second week of February and the talks would aim to "make progress between both sides, contingent on continued efforts by the Palestinians to prevent terrorism to Israel."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Hamas Dominates in Municipal Elections

[07] Three Dead, Three Injured Tension in Kuwait

By Despina Hristopoulou

As per the countrys Interior Ministry sources, three people were killed on Sunday in a firefight between Kuwaiti security forces and suspected Islamic militants. The three men killed were a police commando, a militant and a citizen from Bahrain. Furthermore, another two police officers and one militant were injured. The battle commenced early on Sunday morning in the district Salmiya, while it is the third clash that takes place between security forces and insurgents in the last month.

As per the local residents, the police are continuing to block the area, in search of more armed men, believed to have escaped, while helicopters patrolled the area for several hours after the raid. In the meantime, many foreign citizens live in the area, while the Interior Ministry issues a warning to all foreigners to be cautious. Furthermore, the US Embassy warned American citizens to be on alert, since it believes that they may become targets of terrorist attacks.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Economy Minister's Wide-Ranging Interview "Consent over Social Security Issue"

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

During an interview printed on the newspaper Typos tis Kirakis, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, asked for the consent of all parties and social bodies on the issue with social security. Mr Alogoskoufis noted that the Government is considering opening up the issue with social security through dialogue with the various social bodies, in order to achieve structural changes. In his wide-ranging interview, Mr Alogoskoufis also revealed his intentions for the employment market, the raises in wages and pensions and the taxation of properties, while he declared that no emergency economic measures would be implemented, in spite of the bad economic situation. Actually, he added that the increase in wages and pensions would exceed the inflation rate.

"We Will not Blindly Follow the EU"

Mr Alogoskoufis noted that the aim for 2005 is to implement the Budget, as this was ratified in Parliament and with all the measures that have already been announced, while he also clarified that he will not agree to any expenditure outside the Budget. With regard to the issues with social security and the employment market, the Economy Minister pointed out that they are "two major issues that concern the present and the future and that is why they require careful actions," while he added that the major problem regarding the funding of the social security system for the next few years has not been solved yet.

"This problem is not something urgent, it should not be solved tomorrow, but it clearly affects the countrys fiscal prospects and it will be discussed at some point. But it will commence with the social bodies and not the governments initiative," noted Mr Alogoskoufis.

Actually, he also added that the Government would not side with any social body during the employment market dialogue, while he also said that it will not blindly follow the EU on the issues with social security and the employment market, but will take the Greek reality under consideration.

Raises Over Inflation

Referring to the taxation of properties, Mr Alogoskoufis noted that some of the matters have not been finalized yet, while he stressed that the construction market and the Greeks tendency to buy houses have to be supported.

"The pay raises will exceed the inflation rate, while the pension raises will exceed the pay raises. OGA (Agricultural Insurance Organisation) and EKAS (Pensioners Social Solidarity Supplement) will follow the increases in pensions," answered Mr Alogoskoufis to a relevant question regarding income policy.

Finally, referring to privatizations, Mr Alogoskoufis expressed the belief that the Government will be ready to float the Greek Postal Savings Bank in the Stock Exchange sometime in 2005, while the floating of the Athens Airport is also being discussed. However, he clarified that the Public Sector would keep the majority of the stock; while he concluded by saying that the Government will proceed with the privatizations of Public properties, ie the Tourism Development Company and Olympic Properties Company.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Back to Good Old Victories

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Egaleo, better throughout most part of the match, prevailed over the Cretans with 2-0 and thus won three precious points and their self-respect back. On the other hand, the guests had a few good moments, but were lousy during the largest part of the match. Alexopoulos and Manousakis scored the goals of victory.

Better in the End

Good moments and the circulation of the ball were equally shared and that was all for the first half. At the 13' Barkoglou kicked the ball, which hit on Stavrakakis, while at the 26' the guests were a heartbeat away from surprising Egaleo, as Machlas strongly kicked the ball but Sidibe did not give them the chance to open the score.

In the rerun, OFI lost another opportunity to open the score with Machlas, as his kick hit on Sidibe's post. From then onwards, Egaleo applied too much pressure and their efforts finally paid off at the 78', when Alexopoulos took advantage of the confusion and opened the score for the home team. OFI tried to counteract but left their rear uncovered and as it happens in similar cases, they paid for their negligence. So, at the 86' and after Nikopoulos' effort, Manousakis received the ball and doubled the goals, thus formulating the final score of 2-0.

Referee: Kouklakis (Chania)

Yellow cards: Thomas, Edousei

EGALEO: Sidibe, Alexopoulos, Psomas, Edousei, Barkoglou (37' Nikolopoulos), Fotakis, Manousakis, Agritis (82' Christou), Tsatsos, Aggos (60' Chloros), Liapakis.

OFI: Sifakis, Adamos (83' Dejanov), Arvanitis, Kounenakis, Davidson, Thomas, Stavrakakis (75' Triantafyllou), Dentsas, Koutsoures, Nwafor, Machlas.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Ruling the Top

By Stathis Petropoulos

The rainbow always comes after the storm and Olympiacos are finally enjoying the colours of the iris from the top of the football championship points table, a spot in which they returned after the appeal was accepted on Friday regarding the episodes in Nea Smirni. Olympiacos are once again ruling the top, having a three-point difference from AEK and a four-point difference from Panathinaikos, as Bajevic's players easily prevailed over Aris with 2-1.

Early Start

Even though Olympiacos were playing behind closed doors, the players entered the turf with spirits high and the match began with passion. Only three minutes had passed from the whistle blow and Okkas opened the score with a header, after Georgiadis' pass. However, before the red players were given the chance to celebrate their goal, Ambelas caught them napping and with a smart and amazing kick outside the area, he tied the score at the 4'! Chatzaras was relieved to see the quick draw and sufficed with his original plans, which included careful defense and counterattacks. His plans partly worked, as Olympiacos were having a rather hard time outside Lymperopoulos' area, but still Aris failed to reach Nikopolidis' goalpost. The best opportunity for the home team in the first half was Rivaldo's kick at the 39', which however went wide.

They Made It

During the second half, Olympiacos gained control of the match, but still there were offensive difficulties. Bajevic substituted Rivaldo for Kaffes in an effort to strengthen the centre, but the problem remain in the offense. Finally, at the 60' Giovanni and Okkas in combination passed the ball to Georgiadis who did not miss opposite Lymperopoulos and gave his team the lead, formulating the final score of 2-1.

Referee: Zografos (Athens)

Yellow cards: Georgatos, Naintos, A. Papadopoulos, Gogolos

OLYMPIACOS: Nikopolidis, Schurrer, Pantos, Anatolakis, Georgatos, Stoltidis, Georgiadis, Djordjevic (72' Kostoulas), Okkas (82' Castillo), Rivaldo (46' Kaffes), Giovanni.

ARIS: Lymperopoulos, Kallimanis, A. Papadopoulos, Gogolos, Naintos, Lazanas, Nebegleras, Passalis, Sangurgo, Ambelas (18' Inongue), Beniskos (55' Kwemaha).

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] Tripped over Kerkyra

By Vasilis Kalpinos

AEK took the lead twice and it was twice tied by Kerkyra. In a match that was held on the island of Corfu for the 17 round of the football championship, the guests failed to claim the three points of victory against spirited Kerkyra, with which they had to share the points of draw.

Goal From the Very Beginning

AEK started the match with decisiveness and took the lead from the very beginning. Almost after the whistle-blow, Kontis passed the ball to Syros, who in his turn nailed it on the home team's nets at the 3', thus opening the score (0-1).

From then onwards, Kerkyra pulled it together and took the initiative of moves. However, AEK still managed to come close to scoring again, when at the 16' Soares' kick when slightly wide.

First Counterattack

Kerkyra, in their effort to counterattack, kept the ball and at the 27' they came really close to scoring. Niniadis received the ball outside the area, but his strong kick passed only a few inches outside Chiotis' post. However, three minutes later, Foiros' team managed to reach the draw. Fofonka found himself all alone in the area and with a fine kick he tied the score for the home team. The first half ended at 1-1.

Final Draw

Vladan Ivic in the rerun proved to be a very good choice for Fernando Santos, as after four minutes the Serb gave AEK the lead once again. Ivic was all alone in the area after Bourbos' pass and he easily achieved 1-2. However, the islanders had not spoken their last word, and at the 63' they scored their second goal, thus reaching the draw.

Inside the area, Niniadis kicked the ball and after leaving many players behind it ended in Chiotis' area. In fact, at the 79' the home team missed out on another chance, when Syros' header went slightly wide. The score was not altered until the end of the match, and both teams had to suffice with the single point of draw.

Referee: Spyropoulos

Yellow cards: Toskas, NDiaye, Soares

Red cards: Koltzos (two yellow cards)

ÊÅRÊÕRÁ: Vezuridis, Sfakianakis, Syros, Garozis (66' Ribeiro), Boughanem, Gitas, Niniadis, Koltzos, Braga, Enderson Fofonka (83' Ioannou), N' Diaye (72' Deba Dirent).

ÁÅÊ: Chiotis, Bruno Alves, Moras, Kontis, Toskas, Kyriakidis, Bourbos, Krassas (52' Ivic), Soares (90' Konstantinidis), Christoforidis (37' Malbasa), Lymperopoulos.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] Humiliating Defeat in Xanthi

By Stathis Petropoulos

Xanthi continued their amazing course and Panathinaikos continued their recent lousy performances, thus resulting in their humiliating defeat by 3-1 goals. The Greens failed to match the passion of the home team and despite reducing the score to 2-1 and making us believe the match could turn around, Xanthi did not leave them much room to continue and it finally ended with 3-1.

Determined

Only 5 minutes had past and Zapropoulos opened the score for Skoda Xanthi, taking advantage of Panathinaikos' numbness. And although everyone expected that the guests would quickly get it together, they were proved wrong as Scazny's footballers failed to even exchange a single pass in the centre, let alone make an offensive attempt worth referring to. No offender jumped at Luciano's corner, thus allowing Zapropoulos to easily penetrate Galinovic' area with a header. From then onwards, the match belonged to Xanthi, even though the home team lost two good chances of scoring at the 29' and 31' with Karambas.

Luciano's Magic

Panathinaikos remained a helpless observer, despite the fact that Xanthi had given them more space to move and had scaled back in their attempts. However, at the 37' the home team were awarded a free kick only a few inches away from the area. Naturally, Luciano was the one to execute it and of course the ball landed on Galinovic' nets. Even now, Panathinaikos did nothing to prevent the goal, as both players and goalkeeper remained still in their places. The first and last counteract of the guests came at the 42', when Gonzalez reduced the score by a single goal after Charalambidis passed him the ball.

Amazing Xanthi

In the rerun, Panathinaikos had nothing to show for themselves and Xanthi took advantage of their inactive state. At the 66' the home team had a new chance to increase the score, but Zapropoulos' header missed the nets. However, one minute later, Baykara finalized the score at 3-1 after tricking Vintra and defeating Galinovic.

Referee: Vasileiou

Yellow cards: Wooter, Goumas, Prittas, Papadopoulos, Sikov, Zapropoulos

XANTHI: Pizanovski, Zapropoulos, Papadimitriou, Sikov, Antzas (75' Torosidis), Luciano (83' Cleber), Karambas (86' Kazakis), Baykara, Maghradze, Prittas, Lambriakos.

PANATHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Morris, Goumas, Gonzalez, Andric, Basinas, Konstantinidis, Roubakis (46' Vintra), Charalambidis (46' Papadopoulos), Konstantinou, Wooter (70' Olisadebe).

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[13] Draw in Neapoli

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Today's match at the Chalkidona stadium was played mainly at the centre with a few good attempts and many fouls. Opportunities were slim and no goal was scored, thus leaving Chalkidona and Iraklis with the single point of draw. The only thing worth mentioning about this match was the six yellow cards given by referee Briakos.

Few Worries

Both teams entered the pitch with the prospect of receiving zero goals and therefore played mainly at the centre with many fouls. The first good opportunity was created at the 27' by Chalkidona, when Mascado received Katemis' kick and sent the ball slightly wide, only to land on the feet of Mikes, who failed too to send the ball into the post. Iraklis made their first good attempt at the 33', when Kapetanos almost succeded in penetrating Ebede's area.

The second half was almost the same. The first noteworthy attempt for Iraklis happened at the 83', when Kapetanos' kick went slightly wide, while Chalkidona missed out on a great opportunity to score at the 87', when Mascado's header came very close to penetrating the goalpost area, before Iraklis' defenders sent it away.

Referee: Thanasis Briakos (Epirus)

Yellow cards: Koutsis, Pappas, Mikes, Katemis, Mojo, Al Jaher

CHALKIDONA: Ebede, Simos, Geladaris, Mikes, Pappas (46' Dagas), Korakakis, Katemis (67' Korbos), Al Jaher, Mojo, Koutsis, Iliopoulos (16' Mascado). IRAKLIS: Ambaris, Sznaucner, Seghiri, Papazacharias, Ioannou, Poursanidis (89' Keita), Bakircioglu (73' Diamantidis), Epale, Drougas, Perperidis (46' K. Kapetanos), P. Kapetanos.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[14] Redemption During Extra Time

By Stathis Petropoulos

For over an hour, Ergotelis held precious victory against Kallithea on home grounds in their hands. However, Thanasis Tsigas came along to ruin their plans at the second minute of extra time, thus formulating the final score of 1-1, a draw which gave his team one precious point. Generally speaking, it was a beautiful and highly interesting match, a fact which was even more accentuated by the dramatic finale. Before getting there though, both teams had quite a few good moments to show for themselves. In fact, Kallithea was the one to create the first opportunity of the match, when at the 16 Kontospyros forced Chaniotakis to intervene. From then onwards, Ogusnoto took charge of the situation and opened the score at the 29, after Labrakis fine pass. However, right after the centre kick, good news turned into bad ones, as out of the blue and for no particular reason, Dimitris hit Kyriakos and was sent off. The first half ended with one opportunity for each team, when Tsigas and Ogunsoto failed to penetrate opposite posts.

Kerkyra Attack

In the rerun, guests appeared to enter the turf in a more aggressive mood and at the 52' Chaniotakis was once again forced to intervene and prevent Spyropoulos' kick from penetrating his post. Finally, and after a lot of pressure, Kallithea was fortunate enough at the second minute of extra time to score and win the golden point of draw. Tsigas claimed the ball and with a strong kick formulated the final score of 1-1, amidst protests for an offensive foul at the beginning of the attempt.

Referee: Dimitris Kalopoulos (Thessaloniki)

Yellow cards: Chaniotakis

Red cards: Dimitris, Chaniotakis

ERGOTELIS: Chaniotakis, Charalambakis, Dimitris, Argyrakis, Ikonomakis, Soutzis, Schlichting, Anto, Ogunsoto, Parvu, Lambrakis (58' Spyridakis).

KALLITHEA: Bartzokas, Aggelopoulos (40' Telkinski), Georgiev, Koulakiotis, Dabrowski (67' Uwanga), Savvidis, Dragicevic, Koutsospyros, Tsigas, Kyriakos, Karatzas.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[15] Banks Closed on Monday

Sources: NET

The banks will remain closed tomorrow due to a 24-hour strike called by the Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE). Actually, the Union had announced that they would be proceeding with strikes on every Monday for the month of February. The bank employees are demanding the creation of a unified auxiliary social security fund and are also reacting to the plans of some banks to divide the problem, by creating separate funds, which, as per OTOE, have no viability or prospects.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article