Bananas

Greece needs an investment fund that allows for the diaspora to invest in Greece. The fund would work like any other normal investment tool. You put your money in, and as a shareholder, expect a fair and reasonable return. The fund would be used to help get Greece back off it's knees. Naturally, it couldn't be run by anyone in Greece. I think I forgot to take my pills. Ignore the above.

gyros, I must admit I'm not sure if Tsipras and Co. know what they are doing or not. It all depends on what he wants to achieve. If what he wants is better terms for Greece but to still stay in the EU, then I believe his tactics are correct. Now, he might be doing this because he genuinely cares for the country, or because he's made the promise to the people and can't back down now or he'd look like an idiot and get smashed in the next election. I can only speculate as to his motivation ... So, let's say his goal is to get better terms. There is no way in hell the EU wants to relax the terms. There are a number of reasons for this. - It sets a really bad precedent for other nations. If Greece can renegotiate, why can't they. - It will make them look foolish and weak to "serious" people. The EU has been telling the world that they know what they are doing, they are responsible, Greece is reckless, lazy etc. for 5 years now. To suddenly do a u-turn and admit they are wrong, well ... that ain't going to happen easily. - It will make them look foolish to their electorate. They've sold the aforementioned views to their public as well, and most of them leading busy lives only have a short time to analyze a situation in another country, have come to the conclusion that Greece is at fault etc. - It will hurt their pride. Admitting that the EU project has failed a country, is something some of the technocrats in the EU could ever admit. You are talking about people here who consider the EU in almost religious terms. So, what do we have ? We have determined the EU will not relax the terms willingly. If they do relax the terms, they would need to do so in a way that still makes them look good, but in order to get this, Tsipras has to force the situation. So a lot of people will be thinking, "but the EU could kick Greece out". That is a small possibility. But I just don't think it's going to happen. Although it will make the EU look good to their electorate, in economic terms (and economics always play a massive role), it's a huge f**king gamble. At a minimum, the creditors can kiss their billions good bye. Bye bye German and French pension funds. The ECB better start printing money to stabilise the banks etc. It could get crazy messy or it could go fairly smooth. The value of the Euro would in time go up, since their economy is "stronger" now that they got rid of a weak link, and they would have lost a small export market in Greece. If the EU could look into a crystal ball and confirm that it wouldn't be any worse than that, then they would probably kick Greece out. But here's the thing. You can't know that! What if after 5 or 7 or 10 years Greece lands on its feet ok ? What if at that stage, Portugal or Italy or France see this and think, maybe we should do the same ? Of course their governments won't want to, but their people will put the pressure on to leave the EU. Look how well Greece is doing now they would say! So, back to my point. As much as the EU postures about kicking Greece out or not giving them funds, I think it's an empty threat. I think Tsipras knows this and therefore in purely business/strategic terms, he's playing a tricky game, but one where he could get a good result. Gotta get me some popcorn and watch the show.

It's not that they don't want to fix it, it's that they don't even realise it's there. To a lot of Greeks, this is normal. How could it be otherwise ? Of course you help your own. This is fine on a small business level, but when it comes to big business, corporations or government level, it causes massive problems, as we have seen in Greece.

My father's village isn't far from there. He's from Askos near Sochos. You're correct though about Greeks being somewhat xenophobic. Having foreigners in a country, as long as it's done right, can be a really good thing.

The problem as always is finding out the truth. If the mine is causing actual serious pollution, then it should be shut down. Maybe the mine could be run but with different techniques that cause less pollution ? Either way, without actual facts it's difficult to tell.

Greece is the land of nepotism, as opposed to the land of meritocracy. It's almost built into the Greek psyche. Fix that, and many things will be fixed, but that is something that will take decades to fix, if ever.

Gotta admit, I'm surprised. None of the debt was his and morally he could never have paid it back and I wouldn't hold it against him. As others suggested, it does mean he's in for the long term, which is a great thing compared to the crooks we had before! Maybe it was a tactical move from him. The debt in theory was never ever going to go away, so paying the $11M compared to the original $30M (or whatever the amount was) was probably the best deal he was ever going to get. I suppose it means the issue is buried now and any future government doesn't have something with which to hold the club to ransom. Does this mean we are entire debt free ? Nothing else outstanding ? What is this never ending talk about needing a new training ground ? Is our current one so bad ?

This was a bad day for Greek Soccer. It should never have been allowed to happen. P.S. Party at my house next time a penalty is awarded against Olympiakos. :D :D

A couple more like him and all of a sudden you have a real midfield.

How about we wait and see. It's not as if ND will allow for growth and investment. They will just pillage.

Intelligent they may be, but the likes of Papandreou and Karamanlis are "entitled". Or at least they feel they are. In what other country do we have control being passed down from father to son ? Sure it happens sometimes, but in Greece nepotism is an art form. Tsipras, as much as I disagree with a quite a few of his political beliefs, is a breath of fresh air. At least for now ....

The problem with Golden Dawn is that got violent very quickly. If they had a simple policy of tightening up the borders then that's a great policy. Instead, they went around beating people. Not the best look. What next, Greeks that don't agree with them ?

@ Che, has Greece actually sold islands ? Surely this can't be serious.

I used to play, but the last version I've played was FM 2008. Man, what a good game. And frustrating!!! Loved it, lol. Nea Bafra, maybe open up a new thread and post screen shots of the players ? I'd love to see the stats on them.

I'd like to Tzavellas go, but we first need to strengthen the squad. Salpi, just because he's been such a good servant to the club, I'd give him another season, but only off the bench and only if we need goals or it's a derby.

I find it hard to be angry with Syriza. Some of their ideas annoy me, even astound me, because in this day and age it can't work like that anymore. For proof they only need look back to the failures of the last 3 decades. But all in all, I just find them naive. As for ND/PASOK, I have a white-hot burning anger towards them, because they knew better. They are not naive and know how things work. But they didn't do anything about it. Posters here will say it was because there was too much resistance from the left. Bollocks. They were comfortable and happy to sit on the throne. As long as they got to eat lobster every night, what did they care. Just see Kostas Karamanlis for an example of a rat. Legally they may have not broken any laws, but morally and in my eyes, they are criminals of the highest order. They were in charge of the nation, and instead chose to line their own pockets. Bravo, enjoy your lobsters.

The rollbacks that Syriza just implemented, are merely a rollback to the way things were under ND and PASOK for decades. I don't agree with them since Greece needs to get its head out of the sand and compete in the real world, but it is what it is. The people can always vote ND at the next election if they're not happy with Syriza.

And Panos from the old site is missing too.

Spot on summary Che, except for the junky metaphor. Germany was also a junky in that German exporters benefited. German banks made loans which were used to buy German goods, so for a while there, it was all dandy. The bankers made their short term bonuses and profits, the exporters made sales, and the Greeks got what they wanted. I don't really have an objection to Germany "punishing" Greece per se, but it has to be a constructive punishment with a positive end goal. So far we've had 5 or so years of austerity with no end in sight. Greece has followed their instructions, and nothing has improved. Nothing will improve. Their is only one reasonable solution and that is, invest in Greece so it can grow, and as it grows Greece will be able to make increasing payments. However, politically that just won't wash. So, expect lots of can kicking. I must say, it surprises me when posters make comments that have a real hatred towards Syriza. I couldn't give two shits about Syriza. If a monkey was in the election vs ND and PASOK, I would have voted for the monkey. Syriza has only been destroying Greece for 3 months! ND and PASOK destroyed it for 3 decades!!! Syriza still has a ways to go before they are on their level. Having said that, below is my perception of Greek political parties, in various categories, marked out of 10. Comp = Competence to govern. Are they experienced in governing / realpolitik. Hono = Honesty/honour. Are their intentions honourable. Are they actually trying to help the country. This is inversely related to naivety. Will = Willingness to F*** the greek people. Couldn't give two shits about the country, so long as they are sitting on the throne. Comp Hono Will ---- ---- ---- PASOK/ND 8 1 10 SYRIZA 2 8 3 KKE 2 1 3 GOLDEN SHOWER 2 3 7

That's what you get for being a naughty boy.

I'm expecting PAO p*****es, but we'll see.

I agree but if I started to break it down into .5 it would make things less clear, so I elected to keep it simple. So, based on a 25 man squad we only need to make 15 or so above average signings .... Being realistic, if we can get a "3" rating GK, a 4 rating CB, and a 4 rating DM that can impose himself on the game and we're looking really good. Add Lucas into the mix for good measure. I don't think it's quite title winning material, but it's getting close.

Rate our team! Below I've rated our squad as I see it. Others who are lucky enough to watch more games could have a different opinion. Ratings 5 - Superb player. Almost impossible to replace. Example: Natcho. 4 - Excellent player. Hard to replace. Example: Noboa. Stoch (when he felt like playing). 3 - Good squad player. Not easily replaced. Example: Klaus. 2 - Decent squad player. Can be replaced fairly easily. 1 - For the tip. Player Position Age Rating Comment --------------- -------- --- ------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Glykos GK 28 2 Has done ok since breaking into the 1st team. Itandje GK 32 2 Has done ok recently without being exeptional. Skondras RB 25 3* Improved a lot this season. Cemented the RB position. Konstantinidis RB 20 2 Has improved considerably this season. One to watch next season. Kitsiou RB 21 2 Has regressed since being the first choice RB last season. Rat LB 33 3* Surprised me. Has done very well overall. Tzavellas LB 27 2 Aliti. Costa CB 33 2 Has pedigree. Needs to show it. Vitor CB 25 3* Still a 1st team choice when fit. Needs a reliable CB partner. Maduro DM 30 2 Time to go. Has pedigree but never delivered. Kace DM 21 3* The kid is only 21 and is a 1st team regular. Tziolis DM 30 2 Enigma. I think he still has a role in the team. Noboa CM 30 4** Expecting him to become our midfield general. Golasa CM 23 2 Shown glimpses but needs to show more. Mak AM 24 3* Fizzled towards the end of the season, but overall a great signing. Pereyra AM 27 3* Fizzled towards the end of the season, but overall a great signing. Koulouris FW 19 - Too early to judge. Papadopoulos FW 33 2 Has done quite well. Worth keeping as backup/rotation. Salpi FW 33 2 On the wane. I'd still keep him in the squad for morale. Klaus FW 26 3* Has age on his side. Expecting big things. Lucas FW 26 4** Playing in La Liga for a season can't hurt. Martens AM 30 2 Time to go. Has pedigree but never delivered.

@ pash, the 15M was in some article in sport24.gr about a month ago. It just had a breakdown of the revenue per club over the last few years, and how it's been affected due to the economy. I can't remember the exact number, but it was somewhere around 15M give or take.

Spot on Yiankos. As unlikely as it is that Olympiakos won't be in the CL next season, we have to play to get the 3 points anyway, just in case.