Local football:

Thiagoras 2 v Dafnes 1

After only five minutes, Thiagoras had a great chance but the shot from Pavlos Moraitakis went over the bar. An excellent tackle followed by Yiannis Metohianakis which saved Thiagoras from going down 1-0. Another good move from Thiagoras, but again Moraitakis shot just wide. Both teams were now trying to bear down the other’s defence. Dafnes had a good opening but Konstantinos Metaksakis missed a free header. Moraitakis again, with only the keeper to beat after a brilliant run, shot wide.  In the 30^th minute, Somarakis ran past the keeper to score. Another good run from Moraitakis brought an equally good save from the Dafnes keeper, Petros Pierrakeas, resulting in a corner, from which Nikos Yiakoumakis tried an overhead kick which just sailed over the bar. The second half started well with Tsagournis shooting across the goalmouth. Dafnes replied on the counter attack forcing a corner which resulted in a great through ball by Tsagournis which also ended with a corner. It was now end to end with Dafnes going close with a long range shot from Yiannis Tsorakoleftherakis which was just wide. A good through ball let in Moraitakis who lobbed the goal keeper to make the score 2-0. A run by Thionysis Mavroyiannakis ended with him being tripped resulting in a penalty which was then scored by Yiorgos Marnelakis. Another shot from Moraitakis was saved by the goalkeeper’s legs for a corner from which Dimitris Somarakis chipped the keeper, but was just wide. The Khronicles “Man of the Match” was Pavlos Moraitakis for his electrifying speed which caused many problems for the Dafnes defence.

Hersonissos Junior Football Club:

 

The team of 10- and 11-year olds from Hersonissos is one of seven teams which play in their league at the Ergotos Stadium, situated behind the prison in Alikarnassos. They train every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in Pano Hersonissos. All the matches are played on a Sunday from 10.00. The coach of the team, Mihalis Kardoulakis, was very disappointed on Sunday November 16 as the match which was to be featured in the newspaper was not played as the opposing team, Therias from Kastelli, did not appear, and no reason was given.

OFI Football:

After the sacking of Coach Frantisek Straka, OFI has agreed a deal with former Xanthi coach, Yiannis Matzourakis. The 59-year-old coach has also worked at Egaleo, Pierikos, Larissa, Olympiakos and Vieria in Greece, as well as Apoel and Omonia Nicasia in Cyprus.

26^th Athens Classic Marathon:

Three Kenyans finished within seven seconds of each other to claim the top three positions. Over 10,000 athletes participated and fans turned out in huge numbers to applaud them. In a thrilling sprint finish, Paul Nicholas Lekuraa won with a new race record of 2:12.42, second came Seurei Julius Kiprotich who clocked the same time and third was Paul Kogo, with a time of 2:12.49.

Athletics:

Fani Halkia and two of her colleagues, Tasos Gousis and Dimitris Regas, are facing charges for their involvement in the doping scandal which shook Greek athletics last summer. Coach Yiorgos Panagiotopoulos is accused of supplying banned substances and of being an accessory to the use of banned substances. Halkia has not had the usual two-year ban as yet, but is expected to receive it very soon. The two others, Gousis and Regas, however, have already received their ban.

Table Tennis:

The Greek Men’s National Table Tennis Team has moved up one place in the world ranking to number eight, the highest position it has ever had. It is ranked number three in Europe.  The Greek Women’s Team also moved up one place, from 27 to 26, in the world ranking.

Acropolis Rally:

As of next year, the Acropolis Rally will be based at Loutraki, which is close to Corinth and 85 kms. west of Athens. It will have new stages added to its course and is considered one of the toughest races in the World rally championships.

Kayak Star to Switch Countries:

French Kayak athlete, Benoit Paschar, Olympic gold medalist in Athens 2004, is planning to compete for Greece, his partner’s country, next year. He told French television that his goal was to go to the European and World championships and win in order to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics.

London Olympics 2012:

The International Olympic Committee is to put pressure on the British Government to make doping a criminal offense to try and crack down on the drug cheats at the London games in 2012. The I.O.C. is getting increasingly frustrated at Britain’s refusal to outlaw the possession, supply and distribution of performance enhancing drugs. Other European countries such as Sweden, France, Italy, Germany and Greece have anti-doping laws which mean that athletes and their suppliers go to jail. Britain must come into line with the other European countries if we are to defeat the cheats.

Sport to watch in December:

Boxing:

December 6: Oscar de la Hoya (USA) v Manny Pacquiao (Philippines), MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

OFI and Ergotelis matches

December 7: OFI v Aris 14.45; Panserraikos v Ergotelis 14.45;
December 14: Ergotelis v OFI 17.00;
December 21: AEK v Ergotelis 14.45; OFI v Panathinaikos 17.00.

SPORTS & GYMNASTICS FOR
ALL AGES IN GOUVES

Mr. Manolis Metoharakis, president of the Municipal Youth Organization & Athletics in Gouves, announced the beginning of many programmes of sport activities and gymnastics offered by the municipality to residents of all ages. There are three trainers for such programmes as basket ball, volley ball and various programmes of exercises.

Information and enrolment is at the enclosed gym on the base daily from 16:00 to 20:00.