July 16, 2002

Greece and Greek-Americans prepare for Nordic Cup U-21 and 2004 Olympics

by Colin A. Aldis

Following the firing of the head coach last month, the Greek Football Federation  has placed Xanthi Konstantinidou in temporary charge of the national teams until the end of July. At the end of this period, they will decide who will be the

Head Coach for the Olympic team. Ms. Konstantinidou, who has been the technical manager of the team for the last year, should be the favourite for the position.

In preparation for the next two years, from 20th - 24th June 2002, there have been trials for players with Greek origins, from all over the world.

Twenty players were selected and next week during the preparation for the Nordic Cup U-21 in Finland, the coach will see a few more players from America and Canada.

Already 5 players have been selected and they will travel directly from America to Finland.

Mougios Vivian        New York Magic

Cobbet Ali            Yale University

Baruth Katie          Denver Diamonds

Klisa Natali          Towson University

Papathanasiou Irini   RVV Herculus

Another 13 players will be chosen during the next week at a training camp at Agios Nicolaos Naoussa. The players

invited for the preparation camp next week are as follows.

   1.  Giatraki Maria          Goalkeeper         UConn

   2.  Grylloy Sofia           Goalkeeper         Ergotelis

   3.  Michailidou Efi         Defender           Kavala '86

   4.  Pouridou Athanasia      Defender           Kavala '86

   5.  Papadopoulou Anastasia  Midfield           Kavala '86

   6.  Xatzigiannidou Natalia  Defender           Filiriakos

   7.  Fostiropoulou Sofia     Defender           Filiriakos

   8.  Samara Fragki           Defender           Sirina

   9.  Strataki Beba           Defender           Nth Connecticut

   10. Katsaiti Dina           Midfield           AU Egina

   11. Adamaki Maria           Midfield           Ergotelis

   12. Smith Sofia             Midfield           Houston Hackers

   13. Gianakopoulou Maria     Midfield           Ifaistos

   14. Tefani Aggeliki         Forward            Ifaistos

   15. Soupiadou Viki          Forward            AU Egina

   16. Lazarou Maria           Midfield           PAOK

   17. Lagoumtzi Aggela        Forward            Kavala 86

   18. Panteliadou Dimitra     Forward            PAOK

   19. Loseno Amalia           Forward            Gonzaga Univ.

   20. Megaloudis Nicol        Forward            Potomac Falls

Ms. Konstantinidou comments

"I know that we vary from the teams that we will face in Finland, but for us, this will be a big experience. The Olympic team will be very different from the National team that took part in qualification round of the UEFA season just passed. From Finland, we will begin the course of the Olympic team for 2004, with more players who play outside Greece, especially in the USA. I believe that this will help us to improve our standard. We have great support from the Federation and the Greek government who have increased the budget of the Olympic team, and will give us everything  we need to work out problems. The 2004 Olympics is a great opportunity for women’s soccer in Greece to move up to another level and we are not going to waste it."

Comments of the Greek-American players after the trials at Naoussa, June 20-25, 2002

Vivian Mouyios-New York Magic.

"It was exciting and inspiring to see women's soccer in Greece be taken seriously and with such enthusiasm. I am appreciative of the coaches and Federation for giving us the opportunity to help our native country. We are proud to be Greek and looking forward to great success in 2004."

Ali Cobbett -Yale University.

"I cannot imagine a week more enjoyable than the week I have just spent in Naussa. The beautiful setting, the very welcoming and hospitable Greeks, the comfortable accomodations, the delicious food, the perfect weather, and the flawless playing field have all exceeded my expectations. Moreover, I am so impressed by the skill and determination of the Greek players and I have realized what I have for so long taken for granted in the United States-endless opportunities to play soccer. I greatly admire their courage to play and I thank them for allowing me to be a part of their dream to make soccer accessible to all women in Greece."

Maria Yatrakis -University of Connecticut.

"Thanks you for inviting me over to be apart of this experience. I look forward to helping and contributing to the team in any way possible. It is really an honour to play for the country where my family came from. I have really enjoyed the learning experience. It is a unique thing to be able to combine Greek Americans and native Greeks on one team to represent our country."