The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] From the Sahara Desert Cloud of Sand Covers Greece

By Vivian Papastefanou

Since this noon, a thick cloud of dust has covered Attica, the Peloponnese, Crete and the Aegean Islands, creating a stuffy atmosphere while visibility is low. According to the National Hellenic Meteorological Service (EMY) this is not an unusual phenomenon during this season, since strong southern winds have brought the cloud of sand from northern Africa. The cloud of sand has caused serious problems in air transport, since the airports of Chania, Herakleion and Rhodes were forced to close down due to the low visibility and strong southern winds. Also, many flights have been cancelled in Eleftherios Venizelos Airport destined to the Aegean Islands. Due to the strong winds ships are docked at the port of Piraeus, while only routes to Andros are allowed from the port of Rafina.

EMY: "Usual Phenomenon"

As EMY scientists state, the phenomenon is caused by centers of low pressure in the area of northern Africa that create the Saharan recessions, which create a cloud of dust and with the help of strong southern winds transport the red sand in northern areas and cover parts of south and central Greece.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] With a Great Difference from Other Candidates Talat is President of Turkish-Cypriots

By Vivian Papastefanou

Since today, Mehmet Ali Talat is the new leader of the Turkish-Cypriots. Based on the unofficial final results Mr Talat won todays Presidential election with 55.6%. Dervis Eroglu came second and received 22.7% and Mustafa Arapagioglou third with 13.4%. The rest nine candidates received a percentage that does not exceed 1.5%. The percentage of abstinence is also of importance as it reached 30%, a fact that is related to the Turkish-Cypriots indifference and Mr Talats sure win. The winner of the elections is expected to give a speech in an hour at a followers rally in occupied Nicosia. Mr Talat will take on his duties in a week, while the General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party, Vehbi Zeki Serter was appointed Prime Minister.

Denktash's Attacks against the Cypriot Presidents

On the other hand, outgoing Rauf Denktash launched a verbal attack against the former government of the Cypriot Republic and Mr Papadopoulos personally, saying that his policies aimed at alienating and eradicating the Turkish-Cypriots. Meanwhile, he claimed, "All these years the Greek-Cypriots are following the same policies, aiming at making the Turkish-Cypriots a minority." He also mentioned that in the context of these policies, Tassos Papadopoulos, as well as the 76% of the Greek-Cypriots were correct in voting against the Annan Plan. Rauf Denktash considered the Annan Plan destructive for the Turkish-Cypriots, while he believed that it would downgrade them from a state to a community.

Referring to todays election, Rauf Denktash said that the person who will eventually be elected has to defend the rights of the Turkish-Cypriots.

In the meantime, Turkeys Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul praised and thanked Rauf Denktash for his "contributions in the issue with Cyprus." Finally, the news agency Anatolia, quoting diplomatic sources, wrote that Mr Gul announced that the Turkish government would continue to consult Rauf Denktash in the future.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] In Valais, Close to the Italian Borders Bus Tragedy in Switzerland

By Annita Paschalinou

Twelve people lost their lives when a bus carrying 27 passengers plunged into a ravine in the Valais canton, Switzerland, close to the borders with Italy. The accident took place at around 8:00am GMT, just after the village of Orsieres. The bus driver lost control of the vehicle, as the road was slippery due to the light snowfall. The bus eventually fell into a 150m ravine. Some of the passengers were thrown out the vehicle, while others were trapped inside, as the bus stopped in a river crossing the ravine. Approximately 200 rescue workers, including doctors, police officers, fire fighters and border guards, rushed to the scene, however they were hampered by the diverse weather conditions. The injured, whose number remains undisclosed, were transferred to nearby hospitals. The bus had set off from a Bern suburb and was bound for Genoa, where the passengers (24 Swiss and their tour guide) were supposed to join a cruise. There was no alternate driver in the bus.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] PAOK of Many Gears

By Vasilis Kalpinos

It seems that the goal put by OFI in the 5, opening the score with Deyanov for the Cretans, in Toumba Stadium enraged PAOK. The "black and whites" took control and reached an easy win against OFI by 4-1 and ascended to the fourth place of the standings after Xanthis defeat by AEK. The goals were scored by Mietchell (25), Salpigidis (35, 60) and Theodoridis (48).

Initial Shock Became Triumph

Nikos Karageorgious team entered the pitch numbed and it paid for that. In the 5 Machlas passed nicely to Deyanov and he nicely passed Tochouroglou and scored 0-1.

After the initial shock, PAOK started to put the pressure on and lost a very good opportunity in the 14 when Fucini passed the ball but his kick was interrupted in the end, in the 25 it reached a tie with Mietchell. The Polish defender passed nicely to Sifakis scoring 1-1.

PAOK continuing was better and put more pressure and in the 35 made 2-1 with Salpigidis receiving a pass from Fucini. This was the score of the first half.

As the first half ended, it began in the same way for the Thessalonica team. In the 48 Theodoridis with a great foul kick beat OFIs goalkeeper and scored 3-1. The icing on the cake was put by Salpigidis once again, who with a strong kick did not leave Sifakis any time to react and scored 4-1, which was the final result.

Referee: Kakos

Yellow card: Deyanov, Kolitsidakis, Theodoridis, Maladenis

PAOK: Tochouroglou, Udeze (57 Chasiotis), Karipidis, Megahead (75 Lucas), Koutsopoulos, Maladenis, Theodoridis, Fucini, Egomitis, Salpigidis (63 Andralas), Mietchell.

OFI: Sifakis, Adamos, Kolitsidakis (58 Anastasiadis), Pitsos, Davidson, Koutsoures (58 Tzanis), Dentsas, Deyanov, Hadjandrian, Machlas, Nwafor (79 Kazantzis).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] The Brazilians Cleared Up

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympiacos remained at the first three places of the Championship, after their dominance over Apollon Kalamaria 0-2. The "reds" Brazilian star players were having a good day and were the ones that gave the team the win. Castillo in the 64 and Rivaldo in the 89 were the players who scored the victory goals. In the 73 Apollon was left with ten players, due to Petkakis expulsion.

Series of Lost Opportunities

Besides the fact that Olympiacos from the beginning wanted to show how it will put a goal, Kalamaria lost the great opportunity. In the 5 Petkakis and Mouzaoui attempted to score a goal and to change the flow of the game, but Nikopolidis nicely blocked. Since then, the "reds" took hold of the game and from the 17 to the 30 Rivaldo and Giovanni missed great opportunities to score. Apollon lost a classic opportunity for 1-0, when Pappas kicked the ball but Pantos blocked it before it passed the goal line. The "reds" once again reacted but Rivaldos opportunities in the 35 and Giovanni in the 37 did not find the target. Thus the two teams entered the locker rooms 0-0.

Castillo Overturns

After the Uruguayans entrance in the second half, the "reds" became more offensive and in the 65 justified their supremacy. Castillo took advantage of the Apollon defenders confusion and shoved the ball in Karatziovalis nets, scoring 1-0 for the "reds." The home team tried to react but Petkakis expulsion diminished their hope and made Olympiacos work easier. Thus, in the 99 Rivaldo cleared the win and scored his teams second goal 2-0.

Referee: Kasnaferis (Athens) Red card: 73 Petkakis Yellow card: Parmaksidis, Pantos, Stoltidis

Apollon Kalamaria: Karatziovalis, Nikolopoulos, Fitanidis (69 Genitsaridis), N Papadopoulos, Cleyton, Parmaksidis, Petkakis, Xanji, Vella Junior, Pappas, Mouzouai (48 Iliadis).

Olympiacos: Nikopolidis, Mavrogenidis, Pantos, Kostoulas, Anatolakis, Stoltidis, Maric (55 Castillo), Djordjevic, Georgatos (91 Filippakos), Rivaldo, Giovanni (84 Taralidis).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] AEK's Samba in OAKA

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

In one of this years best A Division games, AEK managed to acquire a valuable win 2-1 against Xanthi that totally justified with its appearance, especially in the second half, the position in which its in. In order for the team to reach this result the "golden" foot of its top scorer Soares was needed, and also the dance abilities of Cesar, who scored an amazing goal by passing by all of his opponents. After 2-1, Xanthi took the lead and lost many important opportunities to score 2-2, but in the end did not manage to do so. The scorer of Xanthis goal was Luciano. It was their day.

Thrilling Game

With Ivic and Krassas in the positions of punished Asunsao and Lymberopoulos, AEK enter the pitch strong and ready to clear the game early.

Taking control of the game from the first minute, it reached its first good opportunity in the 16 when after a nice kick by Ivic to Malbasa who kicked a centre shot and Krassas with a trapping of the inside of the foot sent the ball above the goalpost. Three minutes later AEK managed to lead the score. Moras made a nice centre kick and Soares received the ball and with a header sent in Pizanofskis nets.

AEK in a good spirit kept control of the game and lost many opportunities to score 2-0, in the 25 with Alves, in the 32 with Cesar and in the 34 with Soares.

And while everyone was expecting AEK to score, since up to that moment Xanthi did not lose a single opportunity, the tie came in an unexpected way.

In the 39, Zapropoulos on his own tried to turn the ball but found Alves hand. Tsikinis whistled the penalty and Luciano scored 1-1.

The games referee, a little while later, gave a penalty to AEK but Katsouranis kick was not successful and Pizanofski caught the ball.

The lost penalty made AEK fiercer and in the second half entered the pitch once again ready to clear the game.

Only a minute was needed for Cesar to remember the steps to samba. The Brazilian player after receiving the ball from centre field danced with all of Xanthis offenders and with a strong kick sent the ball in Pizanofskis nets. A truly Brazilian goal.

In the 48 AEK reached a third goal, but Petkovs kick stopped at the goalpost, while in the 58 Pizanofski impressively blocked Alves header into a corner.

Following, the pace of the game slowed down and AEK tried with a centre field game and counterattacks to keep the score and to chase a third one.

Seeing AEK retreating, Giannis Matzourakis put Kontodimos, Baikara, and Clebber in the game, chasing for a tie.

The three players gave a fresh breath to the team and started to take the lead and making AEKs defenders and fans life difficult.

Xanthi awakened and started to threaten. In the 74 Labriakos reached a goal but his header was out.

AEK answered back with a strong kick by Katsouranis that was also out. Xanthi continues to threaten and AEK is counterattacking and the fans are viewing an open and quick game.

In the 83 Luciano makes a great centre kick, Papadimitriou cathes the header but the ball hits Chiotis goalpost. In the 86 Alves receives a yellow card meaning he will not play in the next two games against Olympiacos for the Cup and OFI for the Championship. In the 87 a new opportunity arises for Xanthi, with Luciano making a centre kick and Baikara catching the header but the ball was out.

In the 90 Kiriakidis with a kick puts Soares in the counterattack, the Brazilian avoids Pizanofski, but the nice pass passes above the goalpost. In the 94 Tsikinis indicates that the match is over. Everyone claps the teams for a good football match.

Referee: Tsikinis (Messinia) Yellow card: Moras, Ivic, Katsouranis, Alves, Torosidis, Labriakos

AEK: Chiotis, Kostenoglou, Moras, Alves, Malbasa, Katsouranis, Petkov, Ivic (78 Kiriakidis), Krassas (70 Kapadais), Cesar (89 Konstantinidis), Soares.

Xanthi: Pizanofski, Papadimitriou, Zapropoulos, Sikov, Torosidis (80 Clebber), Prittas, Machratze, Vozabal (71 Baikara), Luciano, Garpozis (64 Kontodimos), Labriakos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Aigaleo Closer to UEFA

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Giorgos Chatzaras return to the crime scene was not successful. Aigaleo, who he had dutifully served for the past years as its coach, with two goals by Barkoglou and Manousakis defeated Aris 2-1. The Thessalonica team had tied with Abelas, a goal that was not enough to receive a point. Now for the next round of matches it will have to chase after the wins it needs in order to not fall to B Division, starting from the next match against Kerkira. Now, Aigaleo is closer to the UEFA Cup event.

Crowd Claps for Chatzaras

The game had the distinctiveness of Giorgos Chatzaras return to Aigaleo, for the first time as an opponent and its fans showed that they did not forget his contribution to their team. They clapped him on and before the game started they honored him with a plaque.

In the 8 minute, Aris was the one who attempted a goal opportunity first, but Beniskos header ended on Sedibes goalpost. This opportunity awakened Aigaleo, and slowly it took the lead and started creating goal opportunities. It came near in the 24, when a corner kick by Edusei and a kick by Psomas were blocked by Aris defenders a little before it crossed the goal line, and in the 30 a great kick by Fotakis, which was also spectacularly blocked by Pourliotopoulos. Finally in the 38, a new corner kick by Edusei, followed by the "usual suspect" Barkoglous header sent the ball in Pourliotopoulos corner and scored 1-0. During this time Aris role was passive showing that it wanted to keep the "zero" score rather than chasing a goal.

On the other hand, in the second half, the team of Thessalonica was forced to come upfront and to chase the overturn of the result. This is exactly what the pressure that it put on Aigaleo did and brought results. In the 67 Abelas was left on his own in Sedibes area, kicked and scored 1-1.

The retreat of the home team brought on the reaction of Ilie Dumitrescu from the bench. In the 72 the Romanian coach substituted Manousakis, in the 79 put Makris in the game and in the 82 the full offensive formation brought on the victory goal. Agritis passed on to Manousakis and with a kick scored 2-1.

Referee: Tsaleichidis (Piraeus) Yellow card: Aggos, Nikolopoulos, Naindos

Aigaleo: Sidibe, Papoutsis, Alexopoulos, Psomas, Edusei, Aggos (72 Manousakis), Tsatsos (79 Makris), Fotakis, Barkoglou, Agritis, Nikolopoulos.

Aris: Pourliotopoulos, Kallimanis, Naindos, Papadopoulos, Gogolos, Murawski, Nebegleras, Ekwueme (63 Abelas), Lazanas, Sanhurho, Beniskos (46 Passalis).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Ionikos Stays in A Division

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

A win was a one-way street for both of Nikaias teams. Ionikos wanted it in order to ensure its stay in A Division and Chalkidona for entering the UEFA Cup event. The winners were Vangelis Vlachos players, thanks to a goal by Coimbra in the 3 of the match. The "blues" have 30 points and only if they decide to "commit suicide" will they fall to B Division, and as they have showed, they do not have such tendencies.

One Goal Equals Three Points

The game was judged by the goal that Coimbra scored in the 3 as he ideally took advantage of Gavrilopoulos centre shot and with a header sent the ball in Ebedes nets. Vangelis Vlachos was well read, since he lined up the team in such a way as to keep the "zero" in score, while Chalkidonas absences played an important part. The "blue and whites" played the counterattacks admirably and in the 18 and the 32 could have scored another goal, but not even Coimbra or Lettieri could score.

In the second half, the visitors kept up the established state of the game without any difficulty. It is noteworthy to say that during the 47 minutes of play, no opportunities took place, the ones that usually characterize a game, except for a kick by Makor in the 56, which did not especially worry Ebede.

Finally, Ionikos received the win of prestige that was also very important for the standings and will possibly leave Chalkidona out of the UEFA Cup event.

Referee: Vasileiou (Ilia) Yellow card: Korbos, Gutman, Koutsis

Chalkidona: Ebede, Sotirchos, Geladaris, Dimos, Koutsis, Koutsokostas (45 Katemis), Al Jaher, Iliopoulos, Zacharopoulos, Korbos, Chalaris.

Ionikos: Beqaz, Issa, Ofridopoulos, Voureksakis, Makor, Lettieri, Tsimblidis, Coimbra, Gutman, Gavrilopoulos, Ucar.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Just 18 Days Before Britain's Elections All Roads Lead to Tony

By Annita Paschalinou

With the sole exception being the Sunday Times opinion poll, which gives them just a 1% lead as opposed to the Conservatives, Tony Blair and the Labour Party seem to be close to a third electoral victory. Just eighteen days prior to Britains elections, most Sunday papers are showing that the governing party is in the lead with 6-10 percentile units.

Only the Sunday Times Show Marginal Lead

Specifically, the opinion poll conducted by News of the World for the most important elections in Britain, shows that 42% of those asked intend to vote for the Labour Party, as opposed to 36% for the Conservatives and 18% for the Liberals.

The newspaper Independent on Sunday demonstrates a 6% difference between Labour and the Conservatives. Specifically, it gives 40% to Labour, 34% to the Conservatives and 20% to the Liberal Party.

Sunday Telegraphs poll launches the gap to 10 percentile units, giving a 40%-lead to Labour, 30% to the Conservatives and 22% to the Liberals.

The only exception to the rule was the Sunday Times poll, which shows a marginal difference between Labour and Conservatives. It gives a 36% intention to vote for Labour, a 35% for the Conservative Party and a 23% for the Liberal Party.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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