The Top Stories
Sport in Greece has been providing thousands of visitors with daily news updates and analysis for the last five years but unfortunately the time has come for us to take a leave of absence.
The current testing economic conditions mean that we are no longer able to keep operating the site. It will remain online for the next few months but will not be updated. We have arrived at this decision with great regret but the wider circumstances have forced our hands. If anyone wants to take on the SIG project, we would be happy to hear from them.
Since 2007, SIG has provided unrivalled coverage of Greek sports. We have brought news and views to readers from all over the world and have had some great fun doing it.
Sport in Greece was there for momentous occasions in Greek sports, such as the Greek national football team's qualification for Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. In fact, SIG's George Georgakopoulos was on the spot in South Africa for Greece's first goal and win at a World Cup while Graham Wood followed the team in Austria and Switzerland.
Other significant moments included Panathinaikos continuing their dominance of European basketball, gold medals for athletes and swimmers and Greece's formative steps on the international stage in sports such as rugby, cricket and ice hockey.
In fact, SIG has been there to record how Greek sport consistently exceeding expectations for a country of limited size and resources.
Of course, there have been deeply worrying moments: fan violence that led to the loss of human life, disorganization among organizers and disinterest from authorities. Most recently, the allegations of widespread match-fixing and corruption have left a very sour taste in the mouth for anyone who takes even a passing interest in the state of Greek sport.
However, the beauty of sport is that it's an escape from life but at the same time very much part of it. The story of Greek sport over the last five years has been one of extraordinary exceptions and familiar failings - it's what has made being part of SIG so interesting.
We hope that you have also enjoyed our coverage of developments. We thank you for your support. Special thanks also to George Georgakopoulos, the guru of Greek sport, for his tireless contribution and to Graham Wood, a Geordie gem, for taking on some special missions. It wouldn't have been possible, or as much fun, without them.
Barney Spender & Nick Malkoutzis
We leave you with some of the notable articles that have appeared on this site:
INTERVIEWS & PROFILES
Barney Spender talks to Emily Gelder, the first woman to finsh the 2010 Spartathlon
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4655
Nick Malkoutzis speaks to Scott Jurek, Ultramarathonman
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=2455
Chrissa Biskitzi talks to Barney Spender about her career and the decision to quit rowing (2008)
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=2625
Barney Spender talks to John Traicos, Greece's only living Test cricketer
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3493
Barney Spender meets Olympic champion Ioannis Melissanidis to talk gymnastics and theatre
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=5349
Barney Spender looks back at the life of Angelo Argea, caddy to the great Jack Nicklaus
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=2979
Barney Spender pays tribute to Achilleas Grammatikopoulos who has died aged 100
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=2758
Barney Spender talks to George Peponis, the Greek who captained the Australian rugby league team
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4777
Barney Spender looks at the career of Greece's world champion judoka Ilias Iliadis
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4610
Josh Childress talks exclusively to sportingreece.com ahead of the Final Four
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3171
MARATHON
Barney Spender looks forward to the 2006 Athens Classic Marathon
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=18
George Georgakopoulos on Maria Polyzou going where no woman has gone before
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4469
Paul Anastasi pours cold water on the long held myth of the Battle of Marathon
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4682
SPARTATHLON
I counted them all out: Barney Spender watches the start of the 2008 Spartathlon
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=2372
Barney Spender looks ahead to the 2010 Spartathlon
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4622
FOOTBALL
Barney Spender looks at how a murder may change Greek sport
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=78
Nick Malkoutzis on an unforgettable weekend for Greek sport
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3201
George Georgakopoulos on a crazy weekend in Greece's third division
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3006
Graham Wood aka The Locust does Euro 2008
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=1928
Barney Spender pays tribute to the shrink who helped Olympiakos grow
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=1049
Nick Malkoutzis on Otto Rehhagel's last stand
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4287
George Georgakopoulos tells the story of Sotiris Ninis fulfilling the last wishes of an 8-year-old
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4167
Barney Spender looks at the career of Dusan Bajevic
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4646
RUGBY
World Cup legend Stransky says Greece should focus on Sevens
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=777
Barney Spender looks at the movie Invictus and compares it with the reality of 1995
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3957
Barney Spender looks at some of the options facing Greek rugby
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4702
Athens-based crime writer Paul Johnston talks rugby with sportingreece.com
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=1503
Former Greece rugby coach Olivier Magne sees good future for Greek rugby
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4119
A list of all of Greece's international rugby matches since 2005
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3099
OLYMPICS
Ancient Games - ahead of the times
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=2176
TENNIS
Courting the public: Greece's number one men's tennis player Constantinos Economidis talks to sportingreece.com
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=1750
GENERAL
Greek sport losing a friend: Barney Spender looks at the contribution of Athens International Radio to Greek sport
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=5023
Barney Spender looks back at how late Greek actor George Costacos became linked with George Best
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3028
English cliff diver Gary Hunt talks to Barney Spender about the wonderful world of cliff diving
http://sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3621
Olympiakos joined Iraklis at the top of the Volley League table on Wednesday as Kifissia shaved a point off Iraklis while the Reds thrashed EA Patras at home.
Iraklis beat Kifissia 3-2 away, with Sotiris Drikos defeating the team he coached last season, while Olympiakos dismissed visiting EAP 3-0 in very convincing fashion. The turn of the year will find the two favourites for the title level on 24 points after nine games.
In the match between the two high-flying newly-promoted sides from southern Greece, Finikas beat Pamvochaikos on Syros with a 3-1 score to get to within one point from their beaten opponents, who are third.
PAOK improved their position considerably on Thursday as they defeated local rivals Aris 3-2 at home, while Ethnikos saw off Lamia 3-0 at Alexandroupoli.
Panathinaikos came to within one point from a 3-0 loss at Apollon Kalamarias, that would have seen the historic side slump to the last spot, but managed to come back from the dead and win 3-2. This was only their second win so far this season.
Olympiakos 3 EA Patras 0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-16)
Kifissia 2 Iraklis 3 (25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 17-25, 13-15)
Ethnikos Al. 3 Lamia 0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-16)
Finikas Syrou 3 Pamvochaikos 1 (25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20)
Apollon K. 2 Panathinaikos 3 (25-23, 25-23, 28-30, 20-25, 10-15)
PAOK 3 Aris 2 (25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-10)
Standings (after 9 games): Iraklis 24, Olympiakos 24, Pamvochaikos 19, Finikas 18, Ethnikos Al. 14, Kifissia 11, Lamia 11, EA Patras 11, PAOK 10, Aris 10, Panathinaikos 6, Apollon K. 4.
Football - Much-needed wins for Levadiakos, Aris - Kyriakidis saves OFI penalty on Crete
Basketball - PAO beat Rethymno to climb to top - PAOK beat Aris in Thessaloniki derby
Basketball - Euroleague draw appears tricky - Tough challenges ahead for Greens and Reds
Sports TV - Sport on TV - Tuesday-Thursday, December 27-29
Olympics - Crisis partly due to Athens 2004, says IOC head Rogge - Thanou betrayed Olympic values, he claims
Sports TV - Sport on TV - Sunday-Monday, December 25-26
Football - Draw pits PAOK against AEK in Cup - Thrasyvoulos lands Olympiakos tie
Basketball - Victory at Nancy takes Olympiakos up to second - Reds won without Spanoulis and Papadopoulos
Football - Thrasyvoulos, Panserraikos beat top-flight teams in Cup - Ergotelis and Levadiakos crash out
|  You may not know it but Athens International Radio has been a great friend to Greek sport. Barney Spender explains why. |  Fernando Santos is the new Greece coach. Nick Malkoutzis looks at why he may be just the man to follow Otto Rehhagel. |
Martinez on Liverpool shortlist Roberto Martinez is given permission to speak to Liverpool and is one of several candidates shortlisted to succeed Kenny Dalglish.
Stoner announces shock retirement
Make drug tests compulsory - Khan British fighter Amir Khan wants attempts to clean up boxing
Broad's six give England control
No decision on Van Persie future Striker Robin van Persie joins up with the Dutch squad having yet to make a final decision on his Arsenal future.
Couch & Barrow win historic gold Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow end GB's 74-year wait for a female European Diving Championships title by winning gold in Eindhoven.
Olympic flame handed over to UK The Olympic flame is officially handed over to organisers of the London 2012 Games at a ceremony in Athens.
Murray beaten by Gasquet in Rome Andy Murray loses in three sets to Richard Gasquet in Rome.
Snedeker wins with borrowed clubs
Rodriguez retains pink from Casar Joaquim Rodriguez retains the pink jersey in the Giro d'Italia despite Sandy Casar's best efforts in a 12th stage won by Dane Lars Bak.
Warne returns to big stage Champion leg spinner Shane Warne has signed on to play with Melbourne Stars in the inaugural Big Bash League Twenty20 tournament at the end of the year.
Williams apologises to Tiger for slur Tiger Woods says he was hurt by a racist slur from his former caddie Steve Williams, who referred to him as a "black arsehole".
Thorpe bombs out in Beijing In a sobering reality check, Ian Thorpe has failed to qualify for the 100 metres freestyle final at the FINA World Cup short course meet in Beijing.
Ponting takes aim at 'underdone' Proteas Ricky Ponting believes South Africa could suffer from a lack of first-class preparation in the opening Test in Cape Town on Wednesday.
T-Rex charged over high shot Tony Williams is likely to miss Australia's Four Nations clash with Wales this weekend after being charged with a high tackle on England back rower Ben Westwood.
Teen knocks off Parko in final Australian Joel Parkinson has lost the final of the Rip Curl Pro Search to rising Brazilian teenage sensation Gabriel Medina in San Francisco.
Rugby returns to Christchurch A 17,000-seat temporary stadium will host rugby union matches, including an All Blacks v Ireland Test, in earthquake-hit Christchurch next year, Prime Minister John Key said.
Bangkok floods force Socceroos switch Australia's World Cup qualifier against Thailand next week has been moved to another stadium in Bangkok because of flooding in the city, Football Federation Australia said.
Pakistan shines on pitch with series win Pakistan highlighted its talent on the pitch to draw the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Sharjah and win the series 1-0, just days after three former team-mates were jailed for spot-fixing.
Sammy and Bishoo spark India collapse Darren Sammy and Devendra Bishoo shared five wickets to trigger India's collapse on the second day of the opening Test against the West Indies in New Delhi.
Sports of The Times: Londoners Adopt New Loyalties With Chelsea in Champions League Final Chelsea can become the first London team to win the Champions League, leaving many fans of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal to root for Bayern Munich.
I.O.C. Rejects Israeli Request for Moment of Silence at London Games The Israeli government requested a moment of silence be observed 40 years after 11 Israeli athletes and coaches were killed at the Munich Games, but the International Olympic Committee refused.
Pacquiao Faces Criticism Over Stance The boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and his associates tried to quell an uproar incited by an article on a Web site that addressed his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Mets 9, Reds 4: In Reversal, Mets Come Back on Reds’ Bullpen David Wright’s double in the eighth inning drove in the go-ahead run and opened up the floodgates in the Mets’ eventual win over Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon.
Clemens Lawyer Spars With McNamee Rusty Hardin tried to chip away at the credibility of Brain McNamee, the only government witness to claim firsthand knowledge of Roger Clemens’s use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Bats: A Look at Alex Rodriguez's Steep Power Decline Alex Rodriguez has averaged one home run for every 27.2 at-bats in the Yankees' first 37 games this year, a rate that would give him 22 homers if he has 600 at-bats this season.
On Hockey: Terse and Testy, and That’s Just the Rangers Coach’s Postgame Interviews Rangers Coach John Tortorella’s postgame news conferences are antagonistic but short.
For Devils, Pressuring Lundqvist Pays Off In Game 2, the Devils finally found a way to score an even-strength goal against Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
Off the Dribble: Vogel is Pacers' High-Confidence, Low-Profile Coach Indiana Pacers Coach Frank Vogel is still a mostly unknown face in the N.B.A. But that could be changing soon if his team continues to play well against the Heat.
Leading Off: Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 Sequel: It Just Got Worse After a Game 1 debacle, the Lakers lost Game 2 when Kobe Bryant went flat and the Celtics and Devils made unintelligible statements in victory.
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