Local Football

Thiagoras 2 v Romanos 1

This local derby between Thiagoras (Anopoli), and Romanos (Elia), was a midfield battle for the first twenty minutes. Then, in the 25^th minute, Protoyerakis scored for Romanos. At that point, the game started to get very physical with some hard tackling from both sides and a mistake by the Thiagoras defence almost let in Romanos for its second goal.

In the second half, Thiagoras had to block a good shot from off the line. Again the game was being played in midfield with Romanos controlling.

In the 65^th minute the Thiagoras goalkeeper, Agrimanis, made a good save to keep them in the game. Romanos then started to dominate but were held off by two more good saves from Agrimanis.

In the 75^th minute Pramatevtakis scored for Thiagoras. A tackle by Thiagoras’ G.A. Thelistathis earned him a red card, and then a mistake by Romanos’ defence let in Karagounis in the 85^th minute to score Thiagoras’ second goal.

Unfortunately, fighting broke out in the stands between backroom staff from both teams, which resulted in both supporters and players getting involved. Two Thiagoras players were sent off.  

For the last five minutes eight-man Thiagoras held off the Romanos attacks.

The Khronicles Man of the Match was Yiannis Metohianakis (Thiagoras) for his outstanding defensive play.

AEK Karteros 5 v Asteras Myrtias 1

After only two minutes, AEK’s Arian Tzertzi scored, and in the 6^th minute there was a good save from Mihalis Bourbouthakis resulting in a corner which was sent wide by Stilianos Hronakis. A mistake by AEK defence let in Asteras, and Thanasios Kristolaris missed an open goal. After 15 minutes Tzertzi hit the post and then it was end to end with both teams going close. In the 47^th minute in the second half Tzertzi was sent off and then, in the 49^th minute, Xouba Aldin from Asteras was also sent off.

AEK started to press forward now with Stilianos Paterakis and Mihalis Sitheridis both getting close to goal. In the 60^th minute a dubious penalty was awarded to Asteras and was scored by Nikolaos Kostakis.  This was followed by another dubious penalty, this time to AEK, and was scored by Stilianos Sitheris. A great pass from Nikolaos Troulakis ended with Iraklis Somarakis scoring for AEK and then it was all AEK. In the 85^th minute the Asteras goalkeeper brought down Somarakis and Evangelos Vernathakis scored from the spot. In the dying minutes the best move of the match from AEK resulted in Mihalis Maniathakis scoring.

The Khronicles Man of the Match was Nikolaos Troulakis for his tireless running in midfield.

Greek Super League:
Midway through the season, AEK Athens is on top with 36 points, Olympiakos with 35 and Panathinaikos, 34 points. Ergotelis, Crete, in last place, and OFI, Crete, in eleventh place, are still in the relegation battle involving seven teams.

Tennis:
Martina Hingis, former world number one, has been found guilty of taking cocaine while competing at Wimbledon last year. The five times Grand Slam winner, who said she was “100% innocent,” has since retired from the sport.

Athens is to host a new tennis tournament called The Status Athens Open 2008 which will be included as part of the ATP Challenge Series. It is scheduled for April 12 to 20 at the Athens Tennis Club.

Bowling:
The 2008 Mediterranean Challenge Cup will be held at the Bowling Mega Place in Hania from April 15- April 20.  It will be the 15^th Annual Tournament from countries located in or around the Mediterranean Sea.

Basketball:
After only 10 rounds of league play in the Greek top tier basketball, six coaches have already lost their jobs. Most teams are confronted with enormous financial problems which have put added pressure on the coaches, since it’s easier to blame and sack the coach than change the entire team.

Sailing:
The World Championship from Athens: The 420 Class Sailing Championships are scheduled to take place in the Saronic Gulf from July 22 To July 31. It is expected to attract approximately 180 contestants from 30 countries.

Sport to watch in February:              

Local football

February 2: AEK Karteros v Thorieas 15.00

February 3: Thiagoras v Aris Gournon 13.00

                    Romanos v Anayennisi 15.00

February 10: PAO Gouves v Thethalos 15.00

February 17: Aris Gournon v Romanos 11.00

                     AEK Karteros v Thilina 15.00

February 23: PAO Gouves v Lindo 15.00

February 27: Thiagoras v Iraklis IR. 15.30

                      Romanos v Hanthakas 15.30

OFI Games

February 3: Asteras Tripoli v OFI 13.00

February 10: OFI v Veria. 13.00

February 17: OFI v Atrominos. 14.45

February 24: Levathiakos v OFI. 13.00

Champion’s League:

February 19: Olympiakos v Chelsea

UEFA Cup 2008:

February 13: Rangers v Panathinaikos

February 13: AEK Athens v Getafe

February 23: Panathinaikos v Rangers

February 21: Getafe v AEK Athens