The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-26

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[01] Second Gold Medal in Basketball At the Top Again

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

After 18 years, Greek basketball has found its place at the European top. Under the guidance of Panagiotis Yannakis, the only man in Europe to have won a gold medal both as a player and a coach, the Greek basketball teams climbed the steps of success one at a time, worthily winning the title. Shortly after Sunday midnight, September 25, the dragon (as Yannakis is called) and his boys climbed on the highest step on the podium. Without being able to withhold his joy when captain Michalis Kakiouzis lifted the trophy, he cheered and celebrated like a child. What if he had relived these moments in 1987, when he had lifted the trophy? Yannakis experienced this success in his own unique way. And Greece celebrated along with all his boys and went out in the streets twice in a year to cheer and applause for yet another European title. The Greek delegation will return to Athens tomorrow noon. The entire political leadership as well as many fans will be waiting at the El. Venizelos airport to warmly welcome the golden players.

The Golden Path

To make it to the top, Greece had to fight some true battles.

The only games, which they won with a relevant ease, were those with France in the opening game and with Bosnia in the third and last match of the groups.

On the second day of the groups, Greece lost to Slovenia, troubling fans and technical staff with their performance. Many rushed to criticise and accuse the team, but natural born winner Panagiotis Yannakis protected these young boys, asking for credit in order to show their true value.

And he was right. A few days later, Greece played versus Israel, and even though they had a hard time qualifying, they still made it with integrity.

In the next round, the Greek basketball team played against Kirilenko's Russia. Even though they were behind in score in the first half, they turned the match around and qualified to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, they had to face France again, which they defeated as time expired thanks to Dimitris Diamantidis' magical three-pointer, three seconds before the final buzzer.

Which brings us to Sunday's final, where the players were evidently in a great mental state with a lot of passion and strength, things which helped them claim their easiest victory in the tournament, prevailing 78-62 over Germany.

The trophy seems to have no weight in the hands of captain Michalis Kakiouzis, but only his heart knows its actual weight

Diamantidis Papadopoulos in the All-Tournament Team

Reporters covering the 2005 Eurobasket in Belgrade recognised the value of Panagiotis Yannakis' players.

Two of them, Dimitris Diamantidis and Lazaros Papadopoulos, were included in the All-Tournament team, alond with Nowitzki (Germany), Navarro (Spain) and Diaw (France).

Germany's Dirk Nowitzki claimed the Most Valuable Player award at the 2005 EuroBasket and topped the competition's All-Tournament team.

Greek Team Results - Final Standings

1st Preliminary Round

GROUP C (Belgrade) 16/9-1st day Greece-France 64-50 17/9-2nd day Greece-Slovenia 56-68 18/9-3rd day Greece-Bosnia 67-50

Scoreboard (in 3 matches)

Slovenia 6 GREECE 5 France 4 Bosnia 3

2nd Preliminary Round - 20/9 GREECE-Israel 67-61

Quarterfinals Final 8 - 22/9 Russia-GREECE 61-66

Semifinals Final 4 - 24/9 France-GREECE 67-66

Final - 25/9 GREECE-Germany 78-62

2005 Eurobasket Final Standings:

1. Greece 2. Germany 3. France 4. Spain 5. Lithuania 6. Slovenia 7. Croatia 8. Russia

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Yannakis: "Indescribable Feelings"

Celebrations for the Gold

Congratulations

Gold Triumph

[02] Yannakis: "Indescribable Feelings"

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Shortly after claiming the European Basketball Championship, Panagiotis Yannakis was in seventh heaven. The Head Coach dedicated the Cup to all the Greeks, but just a tiny more to those who love all national teams. He then stressed, "We expect all Greeks to be by our side, even if you are losing. These kids are not machines. This group showed it respects the game, the people, its home and its task. I thank them all, because what happened is beyond words. I cannot describe how I feel, I simply enjoy it. The only thing we need is cooperation. It will make us stronger. I believe this Greek team should be the Greeks' favourite, because I truly feel basketball is a sport for all our compatriots."

We Are the Champions My Friend

All the Greeks players stated they were more than happy and even ecstatic by this amazing success.

Nikos Zisis was the first to say a few words. "We are the Champions. We still cannot believe it. This is a huge success for our team. I am very moved with what we are experiencing. I was just four years old when I was watching Panagiotis Yannakis lifting the European trophy and I am so pleased we gave him and all those people standing by our side the opportunity to relive these moments. I feel it is my obligation to dedicate this trophy to my late brother. Two years ago, I had promised myself I would dedicate him the first trophy I would ever claimed. I made him very happy today. I know he is watching us from above and he is proud."

Kostas Tsartsaris spoke then. "We believed we could do it all along. We are very happy with this huge success. God was with us."

As for Vasilis Spanoulis, he underlined, "This is an amazing success. We want to thank all these beautiful people who stood by our side in Belgrade. My team is here to stay. This is just the beginning."

Nikos Chatzivrettas said, "This is a magical day for us. We will try and enjoy it as much as we can. We are a team in every sense of the word."

Then, it was time for the President of the European Basketball Federation, Giorgos Vasilakopoulos, to say a few words. "This is the biggest moment of my athletic career. As the Greek president of the European Federation, I was fortunate enough to award Greece the trophy. This is a good start for this team, but we won't stop here. These are moments that can be repeated. These kids can do even better."

Nikos Gallis proceeded with the following statements, regarding Greece's success in the 2005 Eurobasket, "Greek basketball and Greek sports are entitled to celebrate this huge success. The Greek basketball team has made us all proud. Congratulations. After changing the semifinal match around, I was certain there and then we would win the gold medal. We were better than the Germans, we had passion and we were in the proper mental state. We deserved it and we got it. Congratulations to all those people who worked hard for it and to the Greek fans, who travelled to Belgrade to support the Greek team."

Then, it was time for Lazaros Papadopoulos to describe how he felt. He said he is very happy, voicing his belief that Greece would win many more medals.

"This team is worth too much. We were focused and left no room for reaction to our opponents. Now, our aim is to win another medal. We are all very happy, we are still trying to realise what just happened. We will remember this night for as long as we live, but this should not be the last. May we all be well and celebrate a medal next year in the World Basketball Championship. This team has a future. We have created strong bonds, we are united. The defeat by Slovenia worked in a positive way, because we realised our mistakes and reacted in the right way. The gold medal became ours yesterday, when we turned the match with France around. This game was harder on us than today's final. If you ask me, MVP of the tournament is Dimitris Diamantidis."

Dick Bauermann: "Greece Was Better"

Shortly after the end of the game and Germany's defeat and second place in the European Basketball Championship, the German coach said Greece was better and deserved the trophy.

"Greece was better. I am proud of my team, of all of them, not just of Dirk Nowitzki. The game had ended, that is why I got Dirk out three minutes before the final buzzer. The fact that people gave him such a warm applause, although he was German, was a great thing. They know who he is. Without Nowitzki, we would have never made it to the final. One player cannot prevail over five, but five can win another five."

German basketball ace Dirk Nowitzki moved on the same wavelength, "Greece was better. We did all we could. We are proud. For me, this was a special moment in my career; the people who applauded when I sat on the bench. Chemistry is a major thing. Not just for the twelve of us who are here, but for all of those who got injured in the process. I don't know what else to say. It is amazing and I will always remember it, for as long as I live."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Celebrations for the Gold

At the Top Again

Congratulations

Gold Triumph

[03] Celebrations for the Gold

By Vagelis Theodorou

The party for winning the European Basketball Championship has been transferred from Belgrade throughout Greece. Four months after becoming Number One in the Eurovision Song Contest, one year after claiming the Euro 2004 and winning many medals in the Athens Olympics, as well as 18 years after the 1987 Eurobasket, Greece has returned on its European throne, this time in Basketball. With Greek flags in their hands and singing the National Anthem, hundreds of Greeks gathered in Omonia Square, Athens, outside the White Tower, Thessaloniki, in Kanari Square, Piraeus, in Public Market Square, Chania, in Eleftheria Square, Irakleio, in Patras, Larissa and other major Greek cities to celebrate this success until the early morning hours. People of all ages, intoxicated by the sweet scent of victory, are celebrating with mottos and wild enthusiasm, honking their horns, while fireworks have turned the night into day. In Athens, traffic has been interrupted in Panepistimiou street at the junction with Charilaou Trikoupi street, in Patision street at the junction with Chalkokondili, in Pireos and Agiou Konstantinou streets, as well on all roads surrounding Omonia square. What is more, Greeks on Cyprus and in Montreal, Canada, have flooded the streets to celebrate this much-anticipated victory.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Yannakis: "Indescribable Feelings"

At the Top Again

Congratulations

Gold Triumph

[04] By Politicians to the Greek Basketball Team Congratulations

By Vagelis Theodorou

The entire political leadership of Greece congratulated the Greek Mens Basketball Team, which claimed golden victory in the 2005 Eurobasket. "I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the Greek basketball team for winning the European Basketball Championship and filling Greece with pride and joy," underlined President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias. "One year after the Athens Olympic Games and the European Football Championship, the Greek Basketball team, the team that had made the Greeks proud 18 years ago, has climbed at the highest peak of Europe once again," stressed Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, congratulating the players, "I wish them to continue their effort with the same passion, seriousness and modesty." "The Greek heart has spoken once again. The dream has come true," underlined Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli Petralia, while Deputy Sports Minister Giorgos Orfanos congratulated the Greek basketball team saying, "these boys sent us in heaven. My warmest congratulations to Panagiotis Yannakis, the players, the Federation and to all those who tried hard to make this team reach the top."

"The top of Europe is ours. Once more, sports have led Greece to climb on the highest step on the podium," underlined Sports Secretary General Kostas Koukodimos.

Parliament Speaker Anna Psarouda Benaki warmly congratulated the Greek basketball team, stressing, "You have worthily conquered the European top and gave Greece another great international distinction in sports, thus making all Greeks proud. We are celebrating your great success along with you."

"Wherever Greece puts faith in its powers, believes in its dreams, is based on principles and values, in the collectiveness of individual talents, in unity and has the support of its people, it always succeeds," underlined PASOK president George Papandreou, who congratulated the Greek basketball team, concluding, "The Greek basketball team continues the legendary course of the 80s, it makes us proud and shows that Greece can and will move on."

Athens-Piraeus Prefect Fofi Gennimata also congratulated Panagiotis Yannakis' golden boys.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Yannakis: "Indescribable Feelings"

Celebrations for the Gold

At the Top Again

Gold Triumph

[05] Greece Claimed the 2005 Eurobasket Gold Triumph

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

In the packed "Beogradska Arena" where the colours blue and white were everywhere, the Greek Mens Basketball team managed to claim the gold medal after winning in the 2005 Eurobasket final. Panagiotis Yannakis players defeated Germany with a triumphant score of 78-62, playing with consistency and passion. In the most crucial game of the tournament, they balanced themselves between defence and offence and claimed victory with a scoring ease. Worthy leader of this team is a man who along with Galis, Fasoulas, Christodoulou and other amazing players paved the way to European successes back in 1987, and this man is no other than gold player and coach Panagiotis Yannakis. The ten-minute periods: 19-12, 39-32, 64-48, 78-62.

In Great Mental State

The most important thing in this kind of games is the players' mentality.

Today, the Greek Basketball Team were in great mental state during the 37 of the 40 minutes of the final. The Greek players seemed jumpy and stressed only in the first three minutes of the game.

After realising that Germany's entire defensive line was based on Nowitzki, Greece forced the NBA superstar to lay low, while the Greek players continued to score rather easily and were always ahead in score until the final whistle blow.

For the first time in the 2005 Eurobasket, Greece combined good defence and scoring ease. Today, all Greek baskets were in; two pointers, three pointers, even the shots.

With such an offensive success, how could Greece lose? There was no way.

Best scorer for the Greek Basketball Team was Thodoris Papaloukas with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.

This is the third Greek medal after the 1987 gold and the 1989 silver, while Greece has become the third European country after the Soviet Union and Italy to win first place in both football and basketball within a year. Let alone the Eurovision Song Contest!

The ten-minute periods: 19-12, 39-32, 64-48, 78-62

ROSTERS

GREECE (Panagiotis Yannakis): Papaloukas 2, Spanoulis 1, Zisis 13, Bouroutsis 4, Vasilopoulos, Fotsis, Chatzivrettas 8, Dikoudis 8, Tsartsaris 9, Diamantidis 2, Papadopoulos, Kakiouzis 11.

GERMANY (Dick Bauermann): Demirel 3, Garret 2, Greene 2, Pesic 2, Wucherer 6, Roller 4, Nikagbatse 2, Schultze 5, Arigbabu, Femerling 11, Nowitzki 23, Maras 2.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Yannakis: "Indescribable Feelings"

Celebrations for the Gold

At the Top Again

Congratulations

[06] The European Champions Return

By Ilias Papaioannou

The countdown to the reception of the new European Champions has begun. The airliner carrying the champions is to land at Eleftherios Venizelos at 13:40 and its gates are to wide open to welcome the Greek participation with the gold medals shinning on their chests. Representatives of the political and sport leadership will bid a warm welcome to Panagiotis Giannakis "twelve little dragons." Their families, friends and fans, who spent a sleepless night celebrating, will also be there.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] The Greek Triumph Became Top Story Worldwide "Europe Belongs to Greece"

By Annita Paschalinou

The triumph of the Greek national basketball team became top story worldwide through the international press. "Europe Belongs to Greece," read the front page of the Italian Gazzetta dello Sport, clearly implying the success of the Greek football team at the Euro 2004, as well. "Greece crashed Germany with 78-62 and conquered the European trophy for a second time in their history," noted the Italian newspaper and singled out Thodoris Papaloukas who was successful in not letting Germanys big ace Dirk Nowitzki to play his game. BBC also praised Papaloukas of Greece and referring to the sweeping victory of the Greeks, it noted, "Thodoris Papaloukas, who scored 22 points, was the big star." Spanish La Marca wrote, "The Greeks Were Better All Along," and went on to say that the Greek basketball team has conquered two gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the history of mens European Basketball Championships.

The Outsider Won the Title

The bronze medal the French basketball team won made the headline of the French top selling Equipe. However, the newspaper could not miss referring to the Greek champions citing that the team that won the European title had scored a hard-won victory over France.

"Greece Dazzled Nowitzki," was the title of the article underlining that it is the second gold medal the in 1987.

"The team that was regarded as a serious outsider," won an overwhelming 78-62 victory over Germany. The article also made an extensive reference to Greek head coach Panagiotis Giannakis. As a coach, he is gentle and stoic, but as a player, he was a totally different person. "This victory rewarded a team that have no big stars," added reported Xavier Colombani and claimed that every player was so efficient that managed to eliminate every opponent. He also noted that Sundays final game signalled Euroligues victory over NBA, since the European players were singled out in Serbias Eurobasket.

Equipe did not miss to praise the Greek fans, who, on their arrival in Belgrade, turned the basketball court into a "Greek monument."

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Joyous Celebrations in Montreal

By Annita Paschalinou

The triumph of the Greek national basketball team made all of Greece and the Expatriate Greeks enjoy a sheer bliss. Endless and joyous celebrations were held in Montreal, Canada where the Greeks crammed the streets to celebrate Greeces success. People of all ages relived the success of 1987 wearing flags and singing. "We are champions now," everyone keeps shouting, while emails are sent to friends with the articles of the international press about the Greek triumph.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Yannakis: "Indescribable Feelings"

Celebrations for the Gold

At the Top Again

Congratulations

[09] Fears That the Area Was not Fully Evacuated Helicopters and Vessels for Rita's Victims

By Athina Saloustrou

Military helicopters were flying above Louisianas remote regions where Rita made landfall searching for victims, while vessels are still scouring the areas marshlands, which are full of crocodiles. All residents from seven towns in the low-level areas of the Gulf of Mexico are believed to have fled the area on time. However, the authorities fear that there are victims in regions that have not yet been reported "completely destroyed." Cameron Parish sheriff voiced his belief that remote regions swept through by hurricane Rita are to reveal more victims. "It is a dreadful scenario. So far, no victims have been reported, but I fear that there will be." Probably "four or five people" must have remained defying orders for the opposite, said a resident. The rest stated that their houses were completely destroyed and thanked God they are alive. Flying over the region allowed the authorities to see that the water level has receded and that water in most of the flooded areas does not exceed more than one metre.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] 7 Dead and 27 Wounded Suicide Attack in Baghdad

By Jenny Charalampidou

An Iraqi suicide car bomber that detonated near the entrance of the Oil Ministry in Baghdad claimed the lives of seven people and wounded some 27. Four Ministry employees and two policemen outside the police academy, which lies close to the Ministry, are included among the dead. Most of the wounded are Oil Ministry employees. The attack occurred at 07:45 (local time).

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Following his Contacts in Washington Greek Economy Minister to New York

By Annita Paschalinou

Following his contacts in Washington on the sidelines of the annual Summits of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, Greek Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis arrived in New York on Monday. The Economy Minister will visit New York Stock Market and will hold meetings with constitutional investors. Speaking on NET television network after his speech at the World Bank Summit on Sunday, he described the course of the Greek economy as relatively good given the tough international conditions. However, he pointed out that a lot of effort needs to be put forth to eliminate the deficit and to boost the countrys course to growth. "We have to do much more to achieve better growth, more significant reduction in unemployment rates and more efficient management of social problems," Mr Alogoskoufis said and added that Greece can play an instrumental role in Southeastern Europe, which experiences a rapid development.

"Growth Will Remain Strong"

Speaking on the Summits agenda, Mr Alogoskoufis underlined that last year the economy growth posted in Greece was remarkably strong due to low interest rates and increased construction activity that was linked to the 2004 Olympic Games.

He further added that the unemployment rates dropped one unit during the first quarter of 2005. However, he noted that inflation remained above Eurozones average "gradually undermining competitiveness."

At the same time, he expressed his belief that growth rates will remain strong standing at 3.6% in 2005 and are to post a slight increase in 2006 despite the high oil prices and low economic activity in the Eurozone.

At the international level, the Economy Minister said that the talks held during the World Bank Summit will help Europe better coordinate its economy policies so that it can closely monitor the growth reported in both the USA and China, and can efficiently handle the problems caused by the soaring oil prices.

Late on Monday evening (Greek local time), Mr Alogoskoufis is expected to visit the New York Stock Market and he will later attend a working lunch to be given by NASDAQ President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Greifeld.

On Tuesday, Mr Alogoskoufis is to give an interview to Blooberg television network, while on the evening he it to deliver a speech at the Hellenic Studies Program of Yale University.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Targeted Measures

[12] Signed by Da Costa

By Vasilis Kalpinos

With Portuguese Da Costa scoring both goals, Ionikos bent Kallithea's resistance, finally prevailing with 2-1 in the fourth round of the Greek Football Championship. This was the first victory for Ionikos, while Kallithea has lost two matches in a row. Da Costa scored both goals in the 11' and 35', while Lazanas reduced to 2-1 in the 59' for Kallithea.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[13] He Stripped off Because his Rival Won The Parliamentarian's New Clothes

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Cool and stylish, New Zealands Green Party MP Keith Locke took a stroll through Aucklands streets. At first sight, everything seemed perfectly ok. But when onlookers took a better look at him, they saw that Mr Locke was not wearing a white shirt, black trousers, a green tie and a matching jacket. He was only dressed in shorts, while the rest parts of his body were covered with lots of paint. But, what on earth made Mr Locke to take such an unusual stroll escorted by other party members?

He Kept His Promise

Prior to New Zealands recent parliamentary elections, Mr Locke had pledged to strip off in case his rival Rodney Hide won the seat of his constituency.

To his misfortune, Mr Hide won irrespective of the analysts' reports that spoke of the opposite.

Mr Locke, though, kept his promise, since, as he said, "The Greens their promises."

Translated by Areti Christou

[14] She Married Ashton Kutcher on Saturday Third Wedding for Demi Moore

By Annita Paschalinou

Love is blind. And Demi Moore has verified the saying with her marriage to actor Ashton Kutcher, who happens to be 15 years younger than her. US Weekly and People magazine posted the good news on their online editions. In fact, as per US Weekly, some 100 guests attended the wedding, including Demi Moore's ex husband Bruce Willis and their three children. This is the first marriage for Kutcher and the third for Moore, whose previous unions - to rock musician Freddie Moore (1980-1984) and to actor Bruce Willis (1987-2000) - ended in divorce.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[15] Alavanos Congratulated the Greek Players

By Ilias Papaioannou

Following Greeces success at Serbias Eurobasket, SYN leader issued an announcement urging the government to make the best of the Greek triumph. "We congratulate the players and the coaches of the Greek national basketball team for their exceptional success. The government has to make the best of your success to boost a mass sport movement and to avoid commercialisation and hooliganism that kill sport."

Translated by Areti Christou

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