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 ranking15th
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 and captained by Jordan Meads.

History

Early years (2003–12)

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, nicknamed 'The Titans' 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)

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– )

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]

Official rankings as of 21 December 2023
RankChangeTeamPts %
1 Steady Australia100.00
2 Steady New Zealand91.00
3 Increase 1 England74.00
4 Decrease 1 Samoa70.00
5 Steady Tonga54.00
6 Steady Papua New Guinea50.00
7 Steady Fiji49.00
8 Increase 1 France24.00
9 Decrease 1 Lebanon24.00
10 Increase 3 Cook Islands22.00
11 Decrease 1 Serbia19.00
12 Increase 6 Netherlands17.00
13 Increase 1 Italy15.00
14 Increase 5 Malta15.00
15 Increase 1 Greece14.00
16 Decrease 4 Ireland14.00
17 Decrease 6 Wales13.00
18 Decrease 3 Jamaica10.00
19 Decrease 2 Scotland9.00
20 Increase 8 Ukraine7.00
21 Increase 6 Czech Republic7.00
22 Decrease 1 Germany6.00
23 Increase 10 Philippines6.00
24 Increase 5 Poland6.00
25 Increase 1 South Africa5.00
26 Decrease 4 Chile5.00
27 Increase 4 Kenya0.00
28 Increase 6 Norway4.00
29 Decrease 6 Nigeria4.00
30 Decrease 6 Ghana4.00
31 Decrease 6 Brazil4.00
32 Decrease 12 Turkey3.00
33 Increase 4 United States3.00
34 Increase 1 Bulgaria3.00
35 Decrease 5 Cameroon2.00
36 Increase 2 Montenegro2.00
37 Decrease 5 Spain2.00
38 Increase 6 Japan1.00
39 New entry Albania1.00
40 Decrease 4 Colombia1.00
41 Increase 6 El Salvador1.00
42 New entry North Macedonia1.00
43 Decrease 1 Morocco1.00
44 Decrease 3 Sweden0.00
45 Steady Bosnia and Herzegovina0.00
46 Decrease 3 Canada0.00
47 New entry Niue0.00
48 Decrease 9 Solomon Islands0.00
49 Decrease 1 Belgium0.00
50 Decrease 10 Hungary0.00
51 Decrease 5 Vanuatu0.00
52 Decrease 3 Argentina0.00
53 Decrease 3 Denmark0.00
54 Decrease 3 Latvia0.00
55 New entry Estonia0.00
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

Current squad

Squad selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup:

Player Caps Points Club
Stefanos Bastas196Greece Rhodes Knights
Nikolaos Bosmos1452Greece Rhodes Knights
Terry Constantinou1548Australia Sunbury Tigers
Aris Dardamanis1126Greece Aris Eagles
Nick Flocas60Australia Ipswich Jets
Myles Gal50Australia Central Queensland Capras (2021)
Lachlan Ilias38Australia South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jake Kambos58Australia Western Suburbs Magpies
Konstantinos Katsidonis1212Greece Rhodes Knights
Grigoris Koutsimpogiorgos40Greece Aris Eagles
Billy Magoulias44Australia Newtown Jets
Peter Mamouzelos1040Australia South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jordan Meads (c)13144Australia Sunshine Coast
John Mitsias58Australia Western Suburbs Magpies
Nick Mougios912Australia South Sydney Rabbitohs
Thodoris Nianiakas68Greece Aris Eagles / England Woolston Rovers
Ioannis Nake1424Greece Attica Rhinos
Chaise Robinson412Australia South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ioannis Rousoglou134Greece Aris Eagles
Sebastian Sell916Australia Mittagong Lions
Liam Sue-Tin944Australia
Siteni Taukomo 3 8 Australia Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Billy Tsikrikas816Australia Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Rob Tuliatu1216England London Broncos
Adam Vrahnos712England London Broncos
Mitchell Zampetides820Australia Western Suburbs Magpies

Notable players

Rugby league has been known to the nation of Greece since the 2000s. Many players of Greek birth or heritage have gone on to attain notability in representing either Greece, other nations, or appearing in major domestic leagues around the world, some notable Greek Rugby League Players include:

PlayerPositionAssociation to GreeceDistinctions
Braith AnastaFive-eighthGreek Father
and Grandparents
Played in the NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters and the Wests Tigers. He has represented notable Australian teams such as the Australian national team and the New South Wales rugby league team.
Anasta made one appearance for Greece in their 2013 test-match against Hungary where he contributed 46 points.
Jason DemetriouSecond RowGreek HeritageMainly known for his career in the Super League.
Represented Greece in 2007.
George GatisHookerGreek HeritagePlayed in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys and New Zealand Warriors as well as with the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League.
Played for Greece in 2005.
Michael KorkidasPropGreek HeritageMade his debut in 2005, taking the role of captain. He has mainly played his career in the Super League with teams such as the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Salford City Reds, Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants.
Nick KouparitsasSecond RowGreek HeritagePlayed in the NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters as well as playing for the London Broncos in the Super League.
Appeared for Greece in 2005 and 2006.
Blake LazarusHalfbackGreek HeritagePlayed in the NRL with the Wests Tigers.
Appeared for Greece in 2012 and 2014.
Jordan MeadsHalfbackGreek HeritagePlayed in the Toyota Cup with the New Zealand Warriors and in the Championship 1 tier of English competition for the Gloucestershire All Golds and Newcastle Thunder.
Captained Greece in 2014 Balkans Cup and 2014 European Championship C.
John SkandalispropGreek HeritageNotable Wests Tigers player as well as playing for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League. Represented the City Origin Team between 2002 and 2006.
Captained Greece in the 2009 Australian Mediterranean Shield.
Michael TrypasLockGreek HeritageNotable Canterbury Bulldogs player. Represented Country New South Wales in 1971, and New South Wales rugby league team in 1971.
.

Results

All-time record for Greece's national side as of 29 October 2022.[31]

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

World Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L PF PA
France 1954Not 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

Balkans Cup
Year Round Position GP W L D
Serbia 2014Champions1/42200
Serbia 2017Second place2/32110
Total1 Title1/24310

Australian Mediterranean Shield

  • 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 2009Champions1/42200
Total1 Title1/?2200

Emerging Nations World Championship

World Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
Australia 20183rd Place 3/13 4 2 2 0
Total0 Titles3/134220

European Championship B

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

European Championship C

European Championship C
Year Round Position GP W L D
Estonia Latvia 2008Not Invited
Latvia Estonia 2009Not Invited
Malta 2010Not invited
Hungary 2011Not invited
Czech Republic 2012Not invited
Ukraine Norway Czech Republic 2013Not invited
Malta Czech Republic Greece2014Champions1/32200
Spain Malta Greece 20153rd place3/32020
Ukraine Czech Republic 2016Not invited
Ukraine Czech Republic Greece Malta Norway Germany 2018Champions 1/6 4 4 0 0
Total2 Titles1/74220

Records

Most Capped Players

Left to Right: Bastas, Tuliatu, Rousoglou, Kartsonakis. After Emerging Nations 3rd Place Victory at St Mary's Stadium, Sydney.
#[32] Name Caps
1 Stefanos Bastas 19
2 Terry Constantinou 15
3 Ioannis Nake 14
Nikolaos Bosmos
5 Ioannis Rousoglou 13
Jordan Meads
7 Konstantinos Katsidonis 12
Robert Tuliatu
9 Aris Dardamanis 11
10 Peter Mamouzelos 10
Dimosthenis Kartsonakis

Top Try Scorers

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

Top Point Scorers

# 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 Aris Dardamanis 26 4 5 0
9 Jake Vrahnos 24 6 0 0
Ioannis Nake 24 5 2 0

Source:[33]

See also

References

  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. 1 2 "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.
  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. "Head to Head". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  32. "Greece - Players - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  33. "Greece - Players - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
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