Greece national rugby league team

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The Greece national rugby league team (Greek: Ελλάδα εθνική ομάδα ράγκμπι λίγκ) represents Greece in rugby league. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003. Administered by the Greek Rugby League Association since 2017, the team is coached by Greek Australian Steve Georgallis and captained by Jordan Meads.

Greek Rugby League was first formed in Australia by Australians with Greek heritage. The founder of the Greek Rugby League was Kostadino Mylonas. The team, nicknamed 'The Titans' first played international fixtures in 2003. Greece played a warm up match against New Caledonia in late August winning the encounter 10–26. In September of that year, the Greece national team played their debut RLIF sanctioned game against Italy in September. The game was played in Australia at Jubilee Oval for the inaugural Ionio Cup. Greece were narrowly defeated 26–24. In October 2005, Greece played an international match in Australia against Malta which they lost 24 points to 22 in front of an estimated crowd of 6,500. Greece then played a warm up match against Fiji A at OKI Jubilee Stadium in front of 1103 spectators. Fiji, who had just qualified for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, won the match 34–12. On 28 October 2006, Greece played Serbia in the debut international match on Greek soil. Greece, supported by Greek heritage players from Australia, won 44–26 in front of 150 home fans of the Glyka Nera Football Club, Athens. Greece were coached by former Western Suburbs Magpies player Steve Georgallis. Greece won their first ever Rugby League Championship in 2009 when they won the Australian Mediterranean Shield, defeating Italy in the Final 34–14. This was the first competition that the Greek side had competed in. The Greeks were captained by Wests Tigers player John Skandalis. Greece did not qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

2013 saw the creation of a domestic Rugby League competition in Greece. This competition was originally governed by the Hellenic Federation of Rugby League (HFRL). On 27 October 2013 Greece defeated Hungary 90–0 in an international match played in Budapest in front of 500 spectators. The Greek side featured a mixture of players from the Greek domestic competition (8) and Australian based (9) players including Braith Anasta and Michael Korkidas. Anasta kicked 15 goals from 15 attempts and scored 46 points in the win. Later in the same month, Greece competed in the inaugural Balkans Cup tournament held in Serbia. They beat the hosts in the final to win their third international tournament to add to their trophy cabinet, second in over a week. Matthew Ashill was the coach of the team for the 2015 European C/2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying tournament and on 13 September 2015 he named a 22 man train on squad with only domestic club players which caused controversy as it was a key event coming up for the national rugby league team. He explained his decision saying "We have a totally new plan using just domestic players who will contribute to the growth and development of the sport here". In April 2016, the HFRL was suspended from the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) following a year long investigation for "wilfully acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the RLEF and international rugby league." The HRFL was expelled from the RLEF in August 2016 for failing to meet membership requirements.

In March 2017, the Greek Rugby League Association (GRLA) was recognised by the RLEF as the official governing body for rugby league in Greece, gaining observer status. In March 2018 the GRLA were rewarded for what the RLEF described as "significant progress rebuilding the national governing body and revamping its competition structure, with the support of the Greek Australian community" by being granted affiliate status. In September 2018, Greece began their qualification path for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup by winning the European Championship C South conference. They defeated Ukraine 28–26 at Dynamo Stadium (Kharkiv) and Malta Rugby League 60–4 at Glyka Nera Stadium, Athens. In May 2019, Greece faced European Championship C North conference winners Norway at New River Stadium, London, in the European Championship C decider. The match served as a curtain raiser to the League 1 round 9 fixture between London Skolars and Doncaster, Greece defeated Norway 56–26 to progress to the final stages of World Cup qualifiers. In November 2019, Greece qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup after participating in the final round of European World Cup Qualifiers in Pool B with matches against Scotland and Serbia. Greece were unable to host their designated match against Scotland, as the Greek state did not recognise the Greek Rugby League Association. Instead, the match was played in London at New River Stadium on 1 November. Greece were defeated 42–24. The remaining match in Pool B saw Greece play Serbia, with the winners advancing to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. Greece defeated Serbia 82–6 at Makiš Stadium, Belgrade. On 16 January 2020, Greece were drawn into Group A of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup with England, Samoa and France. They then entered the 2020 European Championship B where they were due to play against Russia and Serbia. As of July 2022, the Greek state announced its recognition of the Greek Rugby League Association and that games are free to take place on home soil without intervention. Greece started their 2021 Rugby League World Cup campaign with a 34 12 loss against France in Doncaster. This was followed by a 72 4 loss against Samoa. In their final group stage match, Greece suffered their worst ever defeat losing to England 94 4 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield.

Rugby league has been known to the nation of Greece since the 2000s. Many players of Greek birth or heritage have gone on to attain notability in representing either Greece, other nations, or appearing in major domestic leagues around the world, some notable Greek Rugby League Players include:

Player Position Association to Greece Distinctions Braith Anasta Five eighth Greek Fatherand Grandparents Played in the NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters and the Wests Tigers. He has represented notable Australian teams such as the Australian national team and the New South Wales rugby league team. Anasta made one appearance for Greece in their 2013 test match against Hungary where he contributed 46 points. Jason Demetriou Second Row Greek Heritage Mainly known for his career in the Super League. Represented Greece in 2007. George Gatis Hooker Greek Heritage Played in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys and New Zealand Warriors as well as with the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League. Played for Greece in 2005. Michael Korkidas Prop Greek Heritage Made his debut in 2005, taking the role of captain. He has mainly played his career in the Super League with teams such as the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Salford City Reds, Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants. Nick Kouparitsas Second Row Greek Heritage Played in the NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters as well as playing for the London Broncos in the Super League. Appeared for Greece in 2005 and 2006. Blake Lazarus Halfback Greek Heritage Played in the NRL with the Wests Tigers. Appeared for Greece in 2012 and 2014. Jordan Meads Halfback Greek Heritage Played in the Toyota Cup with the New Zealand Warriors and in the Championship 1 tier of English competition for the Gloucestershire All Golds and Newcastle Thunder. Captained Greece in 2014 Balkans Cup and 2014 European Championship C. John Skandalis prop Greek Heritage Notable Wests Tigers player as well as playing for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League. Represented the City Origin Team between 2002 and 2006. Captained Greece in the 2009 Australian Mediterranean Shield. Michael Trypas Lock Greek Heritage Notable Canterbury Bulldogs player. Represented Country New South Wales in 1971, and New South Wales rugby league team in 1971