USA weighs up visa program for Greeks September 11, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Politics.comments closed
The Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed yesterday the US government has started procedures to include Greece in its visa-waiver program.
Spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos told reporters that US Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson met Greek Ambassador to the USA Alexandros Mallias on Friday to discuss how ready Greece is to be included in the program.
“This positive development comes as a result of intense efforts by the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” said Koumoutsakos. “Before the end of the year, US government officials will visit our country to move ahead with the next step in the necessary procedure,” he added.
It was not clear when exactly the visa requirement for Greek travelers will be lifted. Greece last year introduced new passports, which contain microchips and stricter photo requirements, in a bid to improve passport security. The passports are considered to be of the most secure in the world.
Greece’s win over Malta > waterpolo September 11, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Aquatics.comments closed
Waterpolo > Under 18 European Championship
Greeks win Group B after easy win over Malta > Greece 23 – Malta 4 (6-3, 5-1, 8-0, 4-0)
Greece needed 19 goals to win Group B of the European Championships which are being held in Malta, and managed to win by a margin of 19 goals.
GREECE: K. Galanidis; K. Fotiou, P. Doudesis (2), N. Koulierakis (3), C. Koutsialis (3), N. Batakis, I. Kourliafitis (7), A. Charitakis (3), M. Petrocheilos, A. Gounas (4), M. Gkialis (1), I. Spyrou, F. Stathopoulos.
Greece’s win over Portugal September 11, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Basketball.comments closed
Greece made sure of a place in the quarter-finals with a comfortable 85-67 win over Portugal at the European basketball championship on Tuesday.
Power forward Dimosthenis Ntikoudis was top scorer for the Greeks with 17 points and nine rebounds but they were never really troubled by the tournament upstarts who achieved their best-ever European championship finish.
“I want to congratulate Portugal, they are the surprise of European basketball,” Greece coach Panagiotis Yannakis said. “My team expected a tough game, showed good concentration and good percentage on shots. We are getting better day by day.”
Greece needed to win their final game in Group E to progress after an inconsistent start.
Portugal go home regardless of the outcome of the late game, Spain against Israel. On their only previous appearance in 1951 they went out in the first stage.
Earlier, Russia, who had already qualified, bounced back from a defeat by Spain with an 83-70 win over Croatia. After an evenly contested first two periods Russia pulled away, led by forward Andrei Kirilenko who finished with a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Guard Davor Kus stood out for Croatia with 17 points.
“I want to congratulate my players. They could have been unmotivated and taken it easy because it was of little significance as there are no easy games in the quarters,” Russia coach David Blatt said. “But we came to play to win. Once they had awoken from their siesta in the first half we played one of our best second halves. The players had the right attitude.” Croatia played without starting guard Marko Popovic, who was rested due to a hamstring injury.
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