Entering their first World Cup, things are looking rosy for Greek rugby league. First up, they recently were victorious in a decade-long fight to have the game legalised in Greece, where the domestic competition had been playing without access to funding and without government recognition.
On the back of that huge boost to the sport, they are also facing up to their first tournament, having qualified in late 2019 with a win over Serbia. They face a group with England, Samoa and France, so it’s going to be a tough ask – but they’ll certainly not lack for passion and commitment.
Their team will be much improved on the 17 that won them qualification, but there will be names that remain alongside the more recognised figures.
In fact, they’ll have a unique situation at the World Cup: they will feature players from the top three grades in England and Australia, as well as the French competition – not to mention their own comp.
The Titans have committed to at least 8 domestic players for the tournament and will feature several, not least Stefanos Bastas, a living legend of the game in Greece who was the first player to go from the domestic comp to the pro ranks.
Greece were the first team to announce their full squad, so we have replaced our predicted team with a confirmed one.
Greece have a few star names, a few fringe names and then a big drop off. Of the NRL talent, they get Lachlan Ilias and Peter Mamouzelos of Souths, Billy Tsikrikas of the Bulldogs and Billy Magoulias, now at Newtown Jets after stints with Cronulla and Warrington.
Robert Tuliatu is running around for London Broncos and has made eight appearances in the past, so will likely play again, as will his teammate Adam Vrahnos.
Johnny Mitsias plays NSW Cup with Wests Magpies, while Nick Mougios and Chaise Robinson play at Souths and Mitchell Zampetides and Jake Kambos are at the Magpies in third grade.
Alongside Bastos, Dimosthenis Kartsonakis has played pro in the UK and should be picked. Fellow domestic players include Ioannis Rousoglou, Ioannis Nake, Greg Koutsimporgiorgos, Aris Dardamanis, Nikolaos Bosmos and Kosta Katsidonis.
Perhaps even more unlikely than Greek domestic players featuring in the World Cup is that they might well have a Victorian: Terry Constantinou, born in Gordon, was selected in 2019.
From further north, Nic Flocas is in, is Jordan Meads, once of Gateshead in the UK but now playing rugby union on the Sunshine Coast is in, along with Myles Gal and Liam Sue-Tin. Sebastian Sell will be the only Mittagong Lion in the World Cup, and probably the only player out of Group 6 in Macarthur.
1 Chaise Robinson
2 Sebastian Sell
3 Nick Mougios
4 Kosta Katsidonis
5 Johnny Mitsias
6 Jordan Meads
7 Lachlan Ilias
8 Robert Tuilatu
9 Peter Mamouzelos
10 Stefanos Bastas
11 Terry Constantinou
12 Adam Vrhanos
13 Billy Magoulias
14 Nikoloas Bosmos
15 Jake Kambos
16 Nic Flocas
17 Greg Koutsimporgiorgos
18 Jake Vrhanos
19 Theodoros Nianiakas
20 Aris Dardamanis
21 Liam Sue-Tin
22 Ioannis Rousoglou
23 Ioannis Nake
24 Myles Gal
World Cup Chasers is our new Rugby League World Cup podcast and will be released weekly all the way through to the final at Old Trafford in November.
It features exclusive interviews, plus expert analysis from The Roar rugby league writers Mike Meehall Wood and Mary Konstantopolous, as well as Michael Carbone from Chasing Kangaroos, the original international rugby league podcast.
Budding Tipia
Guest
Its greatest for Greece to be won in this world cup :rugby:
Johnno
Guest
Don't forget Jim Sarantinos at Parramatta, Lee Hajipantelis at Wests Tigers and Peter Betros of the QRL
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Greece plays France first up at Keepmoat Stadium. Whoopie. Why doesn’t World Rugby League help these European minnows globalize/ popularize the sport by giving them home games ? Play the game in Athens, Thermopylae, Crete, Olympia.. Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster.. bewdy.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Being of Greek descent I will be cheering for the guys. I know many proud Greek Rugby League supporters who are thrilled that Greece qualified. Their ‘Stars’ may not shine as brightly as some stars in other teams, but I have no doubt they will be feisty and will entertain us. I look forward to ‘THE WORLD CUP CHASERS’ podcast. Bring it all on! ( I will be cheering for every team, until they play Australia lol)
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Zorba the Greek naturally
Homer Nixon
Guest
I look forward to the vague stares half the team will give each other when the national anthem is being played...
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Only with a bit of help from Mark Lewin.
Phil
Roar Rookie
The most gilded Greek of the lot, Sevilo Atamalak, is a must to make the squad. He does a bottle of Retsina justice.
matth
Roar Guru
Speaking of the Golden Greek, I’m not sure if North Brisbane legend Fonda Metassa is still kicking around somewhere
Phil
Roar Rookie
Spiros Arion..............there's a blast from the past. The Golden Greek nice bloke who could beat Killer Kowalski, Skull Murphy and Brute Bernard all on the one night.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Ha, yes. Sponsored by Uncle Nick's City Ford.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
You can add Spiros Zavos Spiros Arion Roar poster, Souvalis Another Roar poster, Con...something opoulos. Souths supporter and Greek. Con is an appropriate name. They would make the Sparta XIII side.
Danno
Roar Rookie
From Nicks car yard
Nat
Roar Guru
Oh dear, I just read Mitchell, Tede, Burton and Burgess just found a Greek grandma. Turns out she was driving a new Benz as well.
Danno
Roar Rookie
They punch way above their weight when it comes to rugby league club chairman’s , Nick Pappas south’s , Dr George Peponis bulldogs and Nick Politis roosters and the big daddy Peter V Landys
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Yeah, things could get ugly. You almost feel like trying to talk Braith Anasta into a cameo.
ALL ABOUT BALLS
Roar Rookie
oh wow really,he has league background and im making jokes , maybe he would be interested then, if he is not boxing.
ALL ABOUT BALLS
Roar Rookie
not sure if he will pay his staff though.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
19-24 fill up with Spartans.. and Lachlan becomes Leonidas Illias on Game Day.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Mike, I have to ask the question, any input from Mary K in teams selection .