Ziaka

The results of the two Euro 2005 qualifying games are: 24-APR-04: Austria - GREECE 1-2 9Chatzioanidou, Michailidou) 29-APR-04: Slovakia - GREECE 2-2 (Chatzioanidou, Kalyva) The Greek NT has a good chance to qualify for a play-off game, which will lead to the Euro 2005 finals.

In a friendly match played today at Aghios Kosmas facilities, the U-19 NT lost to Holland 0-1. 27-APR-2004: Aghios Kosmas GREECE - Holland 0-1 Details from EPO.GR

Also on Monday, the pitch at Toumba will be removed, and new one will be placed down by a Cypriot company. At the same time the consruction of the new building and the new roof will continue as planned.

It's confirmed. Toumba will close after the game with Panathinaikos in order for the construction being done at the stadium can be completed.

According to yesterday's Supersport.gr report, the game against Panathinaikos will be the last at Toumba for this season:

Players called up for the two Euro 2005 qualification games are:

The next U-21 NT game is as follows: GREECE - Japan 24-APR-2004: Ethniko Stadio Pyrgou, Pyrgos - 15:15 GR Stelios Manolas has called up the following players for the game:

Here is a pick of the work in progress thanks to Mozart at www.stadia.gr Toumba work 1 Toumba work 2 Toumba work 3 Toumba work 4

Athina Papagianni (FS Asteras Preveza) broke the Greek record in the 20,000 meter Walk race during the Balkan Championships, which took place in Resita, Slovenia. Her time was 1:28:58.0. Papagianni won the race and became the Balkan champion in the event. With this time, Papagianni also achieved the qualifying standard (1:33:30.0), which guarantees her a place in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

The roof covering the gates 1,2, & 3 of Toumba stadium does not exist anymore. It was taken down as part of the Athens 2004 work. This is the infamous roof, which was supported by posts that obstructed the television viewers the clear view of the field. The old roof was supposed to be transfered to gates 4 & 5, but the Olympic Organizing committee did not approve funding for this, and it will not happen. Gates 1,2, & 3 will be covered by a new roof. Work is supposed to be completed by July 2004.

Some news about a proposed "New Toumba" from Sunday's Eleftherotypia:

Greece U-21 team will play Cyprus again in a friendly game on May 18 or 19 at Ierapetra.

Cyprus - GREECE 1-5 Fytanidis, Mantzios, Fliagkos, Kapetanos, and Oksizoglou scoring for Greece. The Cypriot goal scored from a penalty spot by Alekos.

Nice aerial photo of Thessaloniki, which shows the Toumba Stadium (right). The stadium on the left side of the picture is Kaftanzoglio:

The results of the U-19 NT friendly games in Portugal are as follows: 23-MAR-04: Portugal - GREECE 2-1 (Kiliaras) 25-MAR-04: Portugal - GREECE 0-0

The next U-21 (Elpidon) game is against Cyprus. 31-March-2004: Larnaka - 15:30 GR: Cyprus - GREECE The players called by Stelios Manolas for the game are:

Some news about the Toumba construction. Now that the PAOK - AEK game is history, the roof over gates 1,2, & 3 is being disassembled. This means that the affected gates will be closed for PAOK's next game, which is against Ionikos. PAE PAOK hopes that all construction goes as planned, and that gates 1,2, & 3 will be temporarily re-opened for the game against Panathinaikos, this time without the roof.

Upcoming games for the Greek NT/Olympic team are: 24-APR-04: Austria - GREECE - Euro 2005 qualifying 29-APR-04: Slovakia - GREECE - Euro 2005 qualifying

In the last game of the competition for the Algarve Cup in Portugal, the Greek national team defeated Wales 2-0.

The u-19 NT coach Kostikos has called up the players for the two friendly games against Portugal:

The Greek womens NT is taking part in the Algarve Cup, which is taking place in Portugal. Greece finished its group stage games by finishing 3rd in Group C, with the same points as the 1st and 2nd place teams. They will now play their last game in the competition against Wales to decide the 11th place position in the competition. The group stage games for the NT were as follows: 14-03-04: GREECE - Wales 1-0 16-03-04: GREECE - Northern Ireland 2-0 18-03-04: GREECE - Portugal 0-3 Group C standings: 1. Portugal 7-3 6 2. Wales 6-4 6 3. Greece 3-3 6 4. No. Ireland 1-7 0

The U-19 nt has scheduled two more friendlies: 27-Apr-2004: Greece - Holland at Kilkis 03-Sep-2004: Holland - greece in Holland

The Greek team won its last qualifying game against Wales 2-1, but failed to qualify to the finals because Portugal had a better goal difference. More info here: Details from EPO.gr

Well we still have a chance to get 1st place, since today Portugal lost to Wales 1-0, while we have defeated Israel 2-1. Tommorrow we play Wales, and with a win we can hope for first place. Details from EPO.gr:

This pretty much knocks the Greek U-17 team out of the finals, unless the hosts Portugal stumble against Israel or Wales.