Local Football

Thiagoras (Anopoli) 2 –
Gortys (Aghioi Deka) 1

In front of approximately 250 supporters, it did not take long (about one minute) for Kallipolitis to score for the home team. Gortys started putting on pressure, resulting in a corner from which Ivanof hit the side netting. In the 18^th minute, good football by Gortys' Kiriakakis, who passed to Kirlakis, who, with an open goal, headed wide. Thiagoras' Moraitakis made a great run, but the shot was saved by Rokos. Slowly, Thiagoras were getting on top of the game with some neat moves but then, against the run of play, a cross by Kiriakakis eluded everyone across the Thiagoras goalmouth, but did not go into the net. In the closing minutes of the first half, Moraitakis had a good run but his cross was too high and then Gortys' Dagkinis, with a free header, was wide. In the 55^th minute Kallipolitis headed onto Moraitakis  who scored to make it 2-0. A great shot by Patounas from the halfway line almost went in the goal, but was pushed round the post by Rokos. Almost immediately Gortys replied with a neat move ending with Ivanof heading into the net to make the score 2-1. Gortys started pushing for an equalizer with Halioulias shooting just wide and then from a corner Kaoukakis hit a wonderful shot but a brilliant save by Skoulas kept Thiagoras on top.

The Khronicles 'Man of the Match' was Pavlos Moraitakis.

Romanos (Elia) 5 –
PAO (Gouves) 0

Even with the rain, this local derby kicked off with about 250 spectators with Romanos soon on the attack, and in the 5^th minute Mesothiakakis put them one goal ahead. Romanos followed with another shot at goal by Stotis, but it was well saved by Mahairas the PAO goalkeeper. Romanos were playing great football with long range shots from both Kteniathakis and Papathakis which, both going just over the bar. Romanos had a succession of corners in the 38^th minute which led to Kteniathakis scoring the second goal. The second half started in heavy rain, but Romanos continued where they left off with a shot by Yeorgalis which was brilliantly saved by Mahairas. Now, with substitute Markou, the Romanos team raised their game and a run by Markou was passed to Alatik who scored the third goal. Another Romanos attack had Stotis crossing to Markou, who seemed to be everywhere, and he headed the fourth goal. PAO were trying to get back into the game, but Romanos were too strong and when Anthreathakis passed to Markou, he just ran at the PAO defence and scored his second goal to make it 5-0.

The Khronicles 'Man of the Match' was Athanasios Markou.

 Mohos 1 –
Asi Gonia (Rethymnon) 1

A lost opportunity! A very difficult tomorrow awaits the Mohos team as they only drew against a relatively easy opponent, which is next to the last on points. Now, Mohos will find it difficult to up its category at the regional championships. The two teams entered hard, especially Mohos, and the first appreciable chance goes to the local team in the 17^th from a direct foul by Tsiamis, with the ball ending on the horizontal post. On the 20th, a shot by Merkoulidis from Mohos was saved by goalkeeper. On the 28^th the first essential counter-attack from Asi Gonia from a centre-cross by Delimpasis and the ball was laid in to Ivanof, who, with a straight shot, scored for his team. The first half time ended with another chance for Mohos on the 33^rd, but was well handled by the Asi Gonia goalkeeper.

In the second half the Mohos players went in, having decided to score. On the 63^rd they did just that with a head shot by Delithomaidis from a centre-shot by Nikokirakis. From that point on Mohos tried hard to break the rival team's defense but they lacked concentration and the Asi Gonia team presented good offense.

Tsiamis, Kritikakis and Delithomaidis played well for Mohos while Ivanof and Sfakianakis played well for Asi Gonia.

PANOM 2000 (Malia) 2 –
Anthestion (Thrapsanos) 5

In a game rich in phases and goals, the Malia youth team didn't take the victory because Anthestion was superior throughout the game.  The Panom 2000 players played hard but due to inexperience mainly, and maybe tiredness (especially during the second half), they couldn't bear the pressure. But they managed to score two beautiful goals and to show some nice qualities mainly fighting discipline and team spirit.

Malia's only chance in the first half was on the 20^th with a shot from Kritikos which was dealt with successfully by Anthestion's goalkeeper.

On the 21^st the Anthestion team scored with Pehynakis, who took advantage of a Malia defense error and sent the ball to the net. On the 33rd Papadakis made the score 2-0 for the Anthestion team.

Malia scored on the third minute of the second half with an exceptional pass by Kritikos making the score 2-1. On the 60^th Anthestion made the score 3-1 with a centre-cross by Pehynakis. On the 72^nd Bakalis raised it to 4-1 and on the 87^th it was Bakalis again for a 5-1 score.

Towards the end, the Malia team managed to change the score to 5-2.

Kritikos, Zolotas and Kanetos played well for Malia while Pehynakis and Bakalis played well for Anthestion. 
 

 
WILL NEXT CHAMP
BE A GREEK?

By Tony Bowes

 Greek Australian boxer Michael Katsidis remains the number one challenger for the Mexican Juan Marquez’s WBO lightweight crown. The fight, highly anticipated by Greek boxing fans that have waited long for a champ, is supposed to take place on May 1, but doubts remain as the 36 year old Mexican is trying to clinch a non-title payday fight against Ricky Hatton of England.

If Katsidis does win the title he won’t be the first Greek to do so. Antonis Christoforidis from Smirni went to the USA in 1940 and won the NBA World Light Heavyweight Championship. Then there was Mike "Mighty Mike" Arnaoutis from Athens who won the USBA light welterweight title in March 2008, then losing it to Tim Coleman on a split decision.

Also, in women’s boxing there was Vaia Zaganas, the Greek Canadian, who turned professional at the start of the last decade and won the IFBA straw-weight world championship in 2002 and the NABF light-flyweight world championship in 2004.