Work still lies ahead for a place at Euro 2008 October 12, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Football.Tags: Football, Greece, Greek National Soccer Team, Soccer
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Work still lies ahead for a place at Euro 2008, warns coach Otto Rehhagel > Greece hosts Bosnia tomorrow with a two-point lead as campaign enters final stretch
Greece may hold an advantage over its rivals in Euro 2008 qualifying competition as the group front-runner but coach Otto Rehhagel remained cautious at a news conference yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“After drawing in Oslo, the situation is favorable for us and we can qualify, but we mustn’t underestimate Bosnia,” Rehhagel told reporters. “They have beaten Norway and Turkey and can still qualify. Players from the former Yugoslavia are all technically gifted so we must be very careful and perform at a high level. I hope our fans will be there to support us this weekend.”
Greece leads Group C with 19 points from eight games, two points ahead of Turkey and Norway, which has played an additional game. Bosnia is four points behind the two, after nine games. The top two teams qualify for next summer’s finals in Austria and Switzerland. Tomorrow’s game is Greece’s first at the Olympic Stadium since Otto Rehhagel took over as coach in the summer of 2001.
Recent crowd problems at Karaiskaki Stadium that led to a two-match fan ban for the Nnational team, subdued performances in Greece’s unsuccessful bid to reach the 2006 World Cup finals, and a 4-1 thrashing at the Piraeus stadium against Turkey, all combined to prompt the venue change.
“The fact we’re playing at the Olympic Stadium is not that important,” the 69-year-old Rehhagel said. “Every pitch has the same dimensions. The Bosnians will only have an advantage if we let them play, not because of the ground,” he added. The Olympic Stadium’s 65,000 capacity is double that of Karaiskaki Stadium, a venue whose pitch is not surrounded by a running track. Rehhagel said he would be content with a turnout of about 50,000 fans tomorrow night.
After Bosnia, Greece is hosted by Turkey next Wednesday. Though Greek fans may be more preoccupied by the match against the neighboring rivals, Rehhagel refused to look ahead.
“What concerns me right now is the Bosnia match,” Rehhagel said. “I will deal with the encounter with Turkey after that. We just want to defeat Bosnia and get three points on a day when Norway don’t play,” he continued, referring to Noway’s bye tomorrow.
Comparing his team’s Euro 2008 campaign to the failed World Cup bid, Rehhagel said his players had minimized personal errors. “We were all disappointed by our failure to qualify for the World Cup finals. We made lots of personal errors in that campaign but we’ve reduced them to a minimum now,” said Rehhagel.
Strikers Fanis Gekas and Angelos Charisteas, both injured, are considered doubtful for tomorrow’s game. Meanwhile, in Greek Cup fourth-round matches yesterday, it was: Ilioupolis-Larissa, 0-4; Agrotikos Asteras-Ergotelis, 1-0; Messiniakos-Asteras Tripolis, 0-2; Aghios Dimitrios-Aris, 0-1.
University staff fear for safety October 12, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Education, Police & Crime.Tags: Crete, Education, Greece, Police & Crime
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Staff at the University of Crete have called for improved safety measures after an increase in criminal activity on the campus, which is off-limits to police.
The latest incident was early yesterday when thieves broke into the office containing keys to all of the university’s premises. The assailants then entered about 20 offices belonging to professors and stole five laptop computers and two overhead projectors.
In February, the heads of the University of Crete took the unprecedented step of allowing the police unfettered access to the campus in Iraklion throughout August to help reduce drug-related crimes on the grounds. It was the first time that a rectors’ council had made the decision to lift the so-called “university asylum” for such a length of time.
Current legislation prevents the police from entering university grounds unless they have express permission. Rectors have called for an increase in funding to allow for more private security guards on campus.
Prostate warning October 12, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Health & Fitness.Tags: Athens, Greece, Health
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All men aged over 50 should undergo tests for prostate cancer, experts said yesterday ahead of today’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Day.
Specialists from the Hellenic Urological Association are to distribute leaflets in Athens and other major cities to inform the public about the illness.
Cyprus Presidential elections next February October 12, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Cyprus News.Tags: Cyprus, News
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Presidential polls set for February 17
Cypriots will vote for their next president on February 17 next year, it was announced yesterday.
Interior Minister Christos Patsalidis said there would be a runoff on February 24 if there was no outright winner of the first round. The victor must gain 50 percent plus one vote to be elected President of the Republic of Cyprus.
Some 500,000 Cypriots, including several hundred Turkish Cypriots, are eligible to cast their ballot. President Tassos Papadopoulos is seeking a second five-year term but is facing a challenge from three other candidates including AKEL-backed Dimitris Christofias and former Foreign Minister Yiannis Kassoulidis.
FYROM envoy October 12, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Politics.Tags: Athens, Greece, Greek Heritage, Greek History, Greek Macedonia, News, Politics
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Greece’s Foreign Ministry strikes positive note on UN talks but cautious on Nimetz
The Foreign Ministry yesterday expressed its readiness to continue with UN-backed talks aimed at solving a dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) but stopped short of giving a UN mediator its clear support.
«Matthew Nimetz is continuing to operate according to his mandate and of course Greece is participating in this effort in a constructive and active way,» Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos said.
Koumoutsakos was responding to a journalist’s question about whether the Greek government still trusts Nimetz in his role following some ambiguous comments and criticism of the historic significance of Alexander the Great.
Korres Greek care products debut in Shanghai this month October 12, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Business & Economy, Fashion & Style, Hellenic Light Asia, Lifestyle, Shopping.Tags: Business, Economy, Fashion, Greece, Lifestyle, Shopping, Style
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The land of Greece is so steeped in legend that even the plants and herbs have magical properties. Just ask George Korres, a pharmaceutical graduate from the University of Athens.
In 1996, he became the owner of Tzivanidis, the oldest homeopathy medical store in the country and began promoting the magic of herbs with his natural therapies. Since then, Korres has expanded the business to include a range of more than 300 products encompassing face, body, hair and sun care, Korres color, Korres Greek flora and a special line for men. The brand claims that its products “broadly avoid synthetic components that can comprise up to 30-60 per cent of cosmetic formulae, replacing them with greatly beneficial, naturally derived ingredients”.
These include native Greek flowers and herbs such as thyme, basil and crocus, as well as yogurt and honey. Korres has also begun cooperating with Chios Mastiha Growers Association to develop a special line featuring their unique resin. Having spread from Greece to New York, Taiwan and London, Korres will make its debut in Shanghai this month.
Check out the skin care brand that stars like Victoria Beckham, Kylie Minogue and Naomi Campbell rave about. Despite its celebrity cachet, all products are reasonably priced.
Location: JB City Plaza, 1618 Nanjing Xi Lu
Related Links > www.korres.com
At the Greek Festival > Eat a lot, dance it off October 12, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Greek Diaspora Festivals.Tags: Culture, Food, Greece, Greek Diaspora, Greek Festivals
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Greater Phoenix Greek Festival
Where: The James A. Speros Community Center, 1973 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix.
When: 5-11 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday.
Admission: $2; free for age 12 and younger.
Details: (602) 264-2791, www.holytrinityphx.org
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