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Greece national rugby league team

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Greece
Badge of Greece team
Team information
NicknameTitans
Governing bodyGreek Rugby League Association
RegionEurope
Head coachSteve Georgallis
CaptainJordan Meads
Most capsTerry Constantinou (15)
Top try-scorerJordan Meads (16)
Top point-scorerJordan Meads (132)
IRL ranking14th
Uniforms
Primary colours
Team results
First international
 New Caledonia 10–26 Greece 
(September 2003)
Biggest win
 Hungary 0–90 Greece 
(27 October 2013)
Biggest defeat
 Greece 4–94 England 
(29 October 2022)

The Greece national rugby league team (Greek: Ελλάδα εθνική ομάδα ράγκμπι λίγκ) represents Greece in rugby league. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003.

Administered by the Greek Rugby League Association since 2017, the team is coached by Greek Australian Steve Georgallis.

History

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Early years (2003–12)

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Greek Rugby League was first formed in Australia by Australians with Greek heritage. The founder of the Greek Rugby League was Kostadino Mylonas.

The team first played international fixtures in 2003. Greece played a warm-up match against New Caledonia in late August winning the encounter 10–26.[1] In September of that year, the Greece national team played their debut RLIF sanctioned game against Italy in September. The game was played in Australia at Jubilee Oval for the inaugural Ionio Cup. Greece were narrowly defeated 26–24.[2]

In October 2005, Greece played an international match in Australia against Malta which they lost 24 points to 22 in front of an estimated crowd of 6,500. Greece then played a warm up match against Fiji A at OKI Jubilee Stadium in front of 1103 spectators. Fiji, who had just qualified for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, won the match 34–12.

On 28 October 2006, Greece played Serbia in the debut international match on Greek soil. Greece, supported by Greek-heritage players from Australia, won 44–26 in front of 150 home fans of the Glyka Nera Football Club, Athens. Greece were coached by former Western Suburbs Magpies player Steve Georgallis.

Greece won their first ever Rugby League Championship in 2009 when they won the Australian Mediterranean Shield, defeating Italy in the Final 34–14. This was the first competition that the Greek side had competed in. The Greeks were captained by Wests Tigers player John Skandalis. Greece did not qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Domestic federation founded (2013–16)

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2013 saw the creation of a domestic Rugby League competition in Greece. This competition was originally governed by the Hellenic Federation of Rugby League (HFRL).

On 27 October 2013 Greece defeated Hungary 90–0 in an international match played in Budapest in front of 500 spectators.[3] The Greek side featured a mixture of players from the Greek domestic competition (8) and Australian-based (9) players including Braith Anasta and Michael Korkidas.[4] Anasta kicked 15 goals from 15 attempts and scored 46 points in the win.[3]

In October 2014, Greece were crowned European Championship C champions after beating Czech Republic in the final. This was their second international tournament victory[5]

Later in the same month, Greece competed in the inaugural Balkans Cup tournament held in Serbia. They beat the hosts in the final to win their third international tournament to add to their trophy cabinet, second in over a week.[6]

Matthew Ashill was the coach of the team for the 2015 European C/2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying tournament and on 13 September 2015 he named a 22-man train-on squad with only domestic club players which caused controversy as it was a key event coming up for the national rugby league team. He explained his decision saying "We have a totally new plan using just domestic players who will contribute to the growth and development of the sport here".[7]

In April 2016, the HFRL was suspended from the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) following a year-long investigation for "wilfully acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the RLEF and international rugby league."[8] The HRFL was expelled from the RLEF in August 2016 for failing to meet membership requirements.[9]

New administration, 2021 World Cup qualification (2017– )

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In March 2017, the Greek Rugby League Association (GRLA) was recognised by the RLEF as the official governing body for rugby league in Greece, gaining observer status. In March 2018 the GRLA were rewarded for what the RLEF described as "significant progress rebuilding the national governing body and revamping its competition structure, with the support of the Greek Australian community" by being granted affiliate status.[10]

In September 2018, Greece began their qualification path for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup by winning the European Championship C South conference. They defeated Ukraine 28–26 at Dynamo Stadium (Kharkiv)[11] and Malta Rugby League 60–4 at Glyka Nera Stadium, Athens.[12]

In May 2019, Greece faced European Championship C North conference winners Norway at New River Stadium, London, in the European Championship C decider.[13] The match served as a curtain raiser to the League 1 round 9 fixture between London Skolars and Doncaster, Greece defeated Norway 56–26 to progress to the final stages of World Cup qualifiers.[14]

In November 2019, Greece qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup after participating in the final round of European World Cup Qualifiers in Pool B with matches against Scotland and Serbia. Greece were unable to host their designated match against Scotland, as the Greek state did not recognise the Greek Rugby League Association.[15][16] Instead, the match was played in London at New River Stadium on 1 November. Greece were defeated 42–24.[17]

The remaining match in Pool B saw Greece play Serbia, with the winners advancing to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. Greece defeated Serbia 82–6 at Makiš Stadium, Belgrade.[18][19]

On 16 January 2020, Greece were drawn into Group A of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup with England, Samoa and France.[20]

They then entered the 2020 European Championship B where they were due to play against Russia and Serbia.[21]

As of July 2022, the Greek state announced its recognition[22][23][24][25][26] of the Greek Rugby League Association and that games are free to take place on home soil without intervention.[27][28][29]

Greece started their 2021 Rugby League World Cup campaign with a 34-12 loss against France in Doncaster. This was followed by a 72-4 loss against Samoa. In their final group stage match, Greece suffered their worst ever defeat losing to England 94-4 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield.[30]

IRL Men's World Rankings
Official rankings as of 30 June 2024
Rank Change Team Pts %
1 Steady  Australia 100
2 Steady  New Zealand 82
3 Steady  England 80
4 Steady  Samoa 67
5 Steady  Tonga 49
6 Increase 1  Fiji 47
7 Decrease 1  Papua New Guinea 46
8 Steady  France 28
9 Steady  Lebanon 22
10 Steady  Cook Islands 20
11 Steady  Serbia 19
12 Steady  Netherlands 17
13 Steady  Italy 15
14 Increase 1  Greece 15
15 Decrease 1  Malta 14
16 Steady  Ireland 14
17 Steady  Wales 13
18 Steady  Jamaica 10
19 Steady  Scotland 9
20 Steady  Ukraine 7
21 Steady  Czech Republic 7
22 Steady  Germany 6
23 Increase 3  Chile 6
24 Steady  Poland 6
25 Increase 3  Norway 6
26 Increase 1  Kenya 5
27 Decrease 4  Philippines 5
28 Decrease 3  South Africa 4
29 Steady  Nigeria 4
30 Steady  Ghana 4
31 Increase 2  United States 4
32 Increase 4  Montenegro 4
33 Decrease 2  Brazil 3
34 Decrease 2  Turkey 3
35 Increase 7  North Macedonia 3
36 Decrease 2  Bulgaria 3
37 Decrease 2  Cameroon 2
38 Decrease 1  Spain 2
39 Decrease 1  Japan 1
40 Decrease 1  Albania 1
41 Increase 5  Canada 1
42 Decrease 2  Colombia 1
43 Decrease 2  El Salvador 1
44 Decrease 1  Morocco 1
45 New entry  Russia 0
46 Decrease 2  Sweden 0
47 Decrease 2  Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
48 Increase 2  Hungary 0
49 Increase 3  Argentina 0
50 New entry  Hong Kong 0
51 Decrease 3  Solomon Islands 0
52 Decrease 5  Niue 0
53 Increase 1  Latvia 0
54 Decrease 1  Denmark 0
55 Decrease 6  Belgium 0
56 Decrease 1  Estonia 0
57 Decrease 6  Vanuatu 0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

Current squad

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Squad selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup:

Player Caps Points Club
Stefanos Bastas 19 6 Greece Rhodes Knights
Nikolaos Bosmos 14 52 Greece Rhodes Knights
Terry Constantinou 15 48 Australia Sunbury Tigers
Aris Dardamanis 11 26 Greece Aris Eagles
Nick Flocas 6 0 Australia Ipswich Jets
Myles Gal 5 0 Australia Central Queensland Capras (2021)
Lachlan Ilias 3 8 Australia South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jake Kambos 5 8 Australia Western Suburbs Magpies
Konstantinos Katsidonis 12 12 Greece Rhodes Knights
Grigoris Koutsimpogiorgos 4 0 Greece Aris Eagles
Billy Magoulias 4 4 Australia Newtown Jets
Peter Mamouzelos 10 40 Australia South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jordan Meads (c) 13 144 Australia Sunshine Coast
John Mitsias 5 8 Australia Western Suburbs Magpies
Nick Mougios 9 12 Australia South Sydney Rabbitohs
Thodoris Nianiakas 6 8 Greece Aris Eagles / England Woolston Rovers
Ioannis Nake 14 24 Greece Attica Rhinos
Chaise Robinson 4 12 Australia South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ioannis Rousoglou 13 4 Greece Aris Eagles
Sebastian Sell 9 16 Australia Mittagong Lions
Liam Sue-Tin 9 44 Australia
Siteni Taukomo 3 8 Australia Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Billy Tsikrikas 8 16 Australia Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Rob Tuliatu 12 16 England London Broncos
Adam Vrahnos 7 12 England London Broncos
Mitchell Zampetides 8 20 Australia Western Suburbs Magpies

Records

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Most Capped Players

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Left to Right: Bastas, Tuliatu, Rousoglou, Kartsonakis. After Emerging Nations 3rd Place Victory at St Mary's Stadium, Sydney.
#[31] Name Caps
1 Stefanos Bastas 20
2 Terry Constantinou 15
Ioannis Nake
4 Nikolaos Bosmos 14
5 Ioannis Rousoglou 13
Jordan Meads
Robert Tuliatu
8 Konstantinos Katsidonis 12
Aris Dardamanis
10 Peter Mamouzelos 10
Dimosthenis Kartsonakis

Top Try Scorers

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# Name Tries
1 Jordan Meads 19
2 Terry Constantinou 14
3 Peter Mamouzelos 10
4 Nikos Bosmos 7
5 Jake Vrahnos 6
Ioannis Nake
Robert Tuliatu
8 George Tsikrikas 5
Mitchell Zampetides
10 Braith Anasta 4
Adam Bouris
Aris Dardamanis
Dimosthenis Kartsonakis
Sebastian Sell
Billy Tsikrias

Top Point Scorers

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# Name Points Tries Goals Field Goals
1 Jordan Meads 144 19 34 0
2 Liam Sue-Tin 66 1 31 0
3 Terry Constantinou 56 14 0 0
Nikolaos Bosmos 56 7 14 0
5 Sam Stratis 54 3 21 0
6 Braith Anasta 46 4 15 0
7 Peter Mamouzelos 40 10 0 0
8 Ioannis Nake 28 6 2 0
9 Aris Dardamanis 26 4 5 0
10 Robert Tuliatu 24 6 0 0
Jake Vrahnos 24 6 0 0

Source:[32]

Competitive record

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Main article: List of Greece national rugby league team results

All-time record for Greece's national side as of 29 October 2022.[33]

Team First Played Played Win Draw Loss Win % Points For Points Against Point Difference Last Played
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2014 1 1 0 0 100.00 58 4 +54 2014
 Bulgaria 2017 1 1 0 0 100.00 68 8 +60 2017
 Czech Republic 2014 1 1 0 0 100.00 68 16 +52 2014
 England 2022 1 0 0 1 0.00 4 94 -90 2022
 France 2022 1 0 0 1 0.00 12 34 -22 2022
 Hungary 2013 3 2 0 1 66.67 134 38 +96 2018
 Italy 2003 3 1 0 2 33.33 72 98 -26 2009
 Japan 2016 1 1 0 0 100.00 72 0 +72 2016
 Malta 2005 4 2 0 2 50.00 114 76 +38 2018
 New Caledonia 2003 2 2 0 0 100.00 82 18 +64 2004
 Niue 2018 1 0 0 1 0.00 8 16 -8 2018
 Norway 2019 1 1 0 0 100.00 56 26 +30 2019
 Portugal 2009 1 1 0 0 100.00 42 16 +26 2009
 Samoa 2022 1 0 0 1 0.00 4 72 -68 2022
 Scotland 2019 1 0 0 1 0.00 24 42 -18 2019
 Serbia 2006 4 3 0 1 75.00 184 104 +80 2019
 Spain 2014 1 0 0 1 0.00 4 76 -72 2014
 Turkey 2019 1 1 0 0 100.00 38 24 +14 2019
 Ukraine 2018 1 1 0 0 100.00 28 26 +2 2018
 Vanuatu 2012 2 2 0 0 100.00 64 14 +50 2018
Total 32 20 0 12 62.5% 1136 802 +334 2022

A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Greece

World Cup

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World Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L PF PA
France 1954 Not involved in qualifying
Australia 1957
United Kingdom 1960
Australia New Zealand 1968
United Kingdom 1970
France 1972
1975
Australia New Zealand 1977
1985–88
1989–92
United Kingdom 1995
France United Kingdom 2000
Australia 2008
EnglandWales 2013
AustraliaNew Zealand 2017 Failed to Qualify
England 2021 Group stage TBD/4 2 0 0 2 TBD TBD
Total 0 Titles 0/13 0 0 0 0

Balkans Cup

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Balkans Cup
Year Round Position GP W L D
Serbia 2014 Champions 1/4 2 2 0 0
Serbia 2017 Second place 2/3 2 1 1 0
Total 1 Title 1/2 4 3 1 0

Australian Mediterranean Shield

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  • The Australian Mediterranean Shield tournament is a tournament involving affiliate and observer European nations competing against each other for more international rugby league experience. Greece beat Portugal by 42-16 and therefore advanced to the final to take on Italy. They won the final by a score of 34–14 to be crowned the champions, the country's first International rugby league title.
Australian Mediterranean Shield
Year Round Position GP W L D
Australia 2009 Champions 1/4 2 2 0 0
Total 1 Title 1/? 2 2 0 0

Emerging Nations World Championship

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World Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
Australia 2018 3rd Place 3/13 4 2 2 0
Total 0 Titles 3/13 4 2 2 0

European Championship B

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European Championship B
Year Round Position GP W L D
Russia Greece Serbia 2020 Qualified
Total 0 Titles 0/3 0 0 0 0

European Championship C

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European Championship C
Year Round Position GP W L D
Estonia Latvia 2008 Not Invited
Latvia Estonia 2009 Not Invited
Malta 2010 Not invited
Hungary 2011 Not invited
Czech Republic 2012 Not invited
Ukraine Norway Czech Republic 2013 Not invited
Malta Czech Republic Greece2014 Champions 1/3 2 2 0 0
Spain Malta Greece 2015 3rd place 3/3 2 0 2 0
Ukraine Czech Republic 2016 Not invited
Ukraine Czech Republic Greece Malta Norway Germany 2018 Champions 1/6 4 4 0 0
Total 2 Titles 1/7 4 2 2 0

IRL Rankings

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IRL Men's World Rankings
Official rankings as of 30 June 2024
Rank Change Team Pts %
1 Steady  Australia 100
2 Steady  New Zealand 82
3 Steady  England 80
4 Steady  Samoa 67
5 Steady  Tonga 49
6 Increase 1  Fiji 47
7 Decrease 1  Papua New Guinea 46
8 Steady  France 28
9 Steady  Lebanon 22
10 Steady  Cook Islands 20
11 Steady  Serbia 19
12 Steady  Netherlands 17
13 Steady  Italy 15
14 Increase 1  Greece 15
15 Decrease 1  Malta 14
16 Steady  Ireland 14
17 Steady  Wales 13
18 Steady  Jamaica 10
19 Steady  Scotland 9
20 Steady  Ukraine 7
21 Steady  Czech Republic 7
22 Steady  Germany 6
23 Increase 3  Chile 6
24 Steady  Poland 6
25 Increase 3  Norway 6
26 Increase 1  Kenya 5
27 Decrease 4  Philippines 5
28 Decrease 3  South Africa 4
29 Steady  Nigeria 4
30 Steady  Ghana 4
31 Increase 2  United States 4
32 Increase 4  Montenegro 4
33 Decrease 2  Brazil 3
34 Decrease 2  Turkey 3
35 Increase 7  North Macedonia 3
36 Decrease 2  Bulgaria 3
37 Decrease 2  Cameroon 2
38 Decrease 1  Spain 2
39 Decrease 1  Japan 1
40 Decrease 1  Albania 1
41 Increase 5  Canada 1
42 Decrease 2  Colombia 1
43 Decrease 2  El Salvador 1
44 Decrease 1  Morocco 1
45 New entry  Russia 0
46 Decrease 2  Sweden 0
47 Decrease 2  Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
48 Increase 2  Hungary 0
49 Increase 3  Argentina 0
50 New entry  Hong Kong 0
51 Decrease 3  Solomon Islands 0
52 Decrease 5  Niue 0
53 Increase 1  Latvia 0
54 Decrease 1  Denmark 0
55 Decrease 6  Belgium 0
56 Decrease 1  Estonia 0
57 Decrease 6  Vanuatu 0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Rugby League Planet – Greece snapshot and rugby league results | Rugby League Planet".
  2. ^ "Italy wins Ionio Cup » League Unlimited". League Unlimited. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b "RLEF". Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  4. ^ Εθνικη Ομαδα / National Team - Ελλασ Ραγκμπυ Λιγκ - Hellas Rugby League
  5. ^ "Greece crowned 2014 European Champions - NRL.com". Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  6. ^ "RLEF". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Greece coach names initial squad for european championship c". rlef.com. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Greece suspended from RLEF". SBS News. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  9. ^ "RLEF." 10 August 2017. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Greek Rugby League Association gains Affiliate status with RLEF". www.rlif.com. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Rugby League World Cup 2021". www.rlwc2021.com. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Greece defeat Malta in Euro C (South)". www.rlif.com. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Rugby League World Cup 2021". www.rlwc2021.com. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  14. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (19 May 2019). "Greece defeat Norway in World Cup qualifier". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  15. ^ "How Greece Beat Their Own Government To Qualify For The Rugby League World Cup". The Sportsman. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  16. ^ "Greece qualify for Rugby League World Cup for the first time". 9 November 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  17. ^ "2021 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP QUALIFIER POOL B – GREECE 24 SCOTLAND 42 - Report". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  18. ^ "2021 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP QUALIFIER POOL B – SERBIA 6 GREECE 82 - Report". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  19. ^ "Modern Greek history: Greece make first World Cup after thumping Serbia". National Rugby League. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Rugby League World Cup 2021". www.rlwc2021.com. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Draw for the Euros to be Live Streamed". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  22. ^ Whitelock, Adam (4 August 2022). "Greek Rugby League Federation gains official recognition". Everything Rugby League. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  23. ^ Herald, The Greek (3 August 2022). "Rugby League receives government recognition in Greece". Greek Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  24. ^ Economou, Alex (4 August 2022). "Ministry of Culture and Sports recognises Greek Rugby League". NEOS KOSMOS. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  25. ^ Bureau, Athens (2 August 2022). "Greek Rugby League Federation Finally Receives Official Recognition From Greek Government". Retrieved 3 October 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. ^ "GREEK RUGBY LEAGUE FEDERATION GAINS OFFICIAL RECOGNITION". South African Rugby League. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Ban on rugby league in Greece lifted ahead of World Cup". Rugby League International Federation. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Greece to host Women's Euro B clash in first fixture since ban lifted". Rugby League International Federation. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  29. ^ "The 10-year battle to play league in Greece". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  30. ^ "Rugby League World Cup: England crush Greece as Dom Young scores four tries". BBC Sport.
  31. ^ "Greece - Players - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  32. ^ "Greece - Players - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  33. ^ "Head to Head". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
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