Local Football:

After the dramas and excitement of the World Cup, we now look forward to the start of the local football season. Newly promoted Romanos from Elia have not lost any players but have gained six new ones, according to their President, Mr. Tzortzis. Meanwhile, PAO Gouves’ President Dimitris Kastellianakis reported that his team has gained three new players, but they have also lost three. Yiorgos Samarakis, President of Thiagoras from Anopoli, could not report at this time as they had yet to have their general meeting.

Football:

A record transfer deal for the Greek Super League has been agreed by Olympiakos for a four year deal for Liverpool’s Spanish winger, Albert Riera. Greek media have reported that the 28 year old will be paid 2.5 million euros a year and Liverpool will get five million for the transfer.

Also on the transfer scene, A.C. Milan have confirmed the arrival of Greek central defender, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, in one of the biggest transfers for a Greek player. A.C. Milan bought him from Genoa for a fee of 4.5 million euros. The 22 year old who started playing at A.E.K. has a contract for five years earning him 1.3 million euros per season.

Water polo:

The Greek women’s national water polo team beat Russia to finish third in the 2010 World League. The game went to a penalty shoot out after finishing at 5-5 in normal time, and then the Greek goal keeper, Maria Tsouri, became the heroine for the national side by saving two penalties. This is the third time that Greece have stepped onto the podium of the World League. In 2007 they finished third and in 2005 they won the trophy.

Euroleague Basketball:

Olympiakos and Panathinaikos both have an easy draw for the first group stage of the Euroleague, European basketball’s top club championship. They are favourites for a finish in the top two in their respective pools and the games will start on October 18.

Also in basket ball, former NBA star, Vassilis Spanoulis has decided to join Olympiakos after four seasons with Panathinaikos. Spanoulis will receive 2.4 million euros per season on his three year contract. This is the biggest transfer fee ever for Olympiakos.

NOTES:

The national basketball team has started their preparation for the World Championship which starts this month in Turkey… The third Mediterranean Boys and Girls Chess Championship is being sponsored by the Giannoulis Hotels and Resorts near Hania to be held from August 31 to September 8.