The first week of the Greek Community Cup has been a resounding success with some thrilling results so far and no doubt more to look forward to over the coming weekend.
The Cup came about as an initiative of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), hosted at the home ground of Mill Park FC, at Partridge Street Reserve in Lalor; it brings together 12 Greek football teams in a community tournament for all to enjoy.
At the same time, the GCM hopes that it’ll serve as a platform to introduce the clubs to the Community’s “rich language and cultural programs.”
Split into four groups of three, the teams are currently battling it out for the top two spots in each; the successful sides will then progress to the knockout final stages.
Conditions were perfect, just slightly overcast for the first match on Sunday, when the tournament began with a faceoff between Group Two competitors Heidelberg United FC and West Preston SC.
George Katsakis, well known in the soccer fraternity as the Heidelberg FC coach over many years, who recently coached the successful All Nations Greek Team says he encourages the broader Greek community to come down and support the tourney.
President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis says that “while football is a truly global sport in Melbourne in particular, football as a sporting code has deep Hellenic roots”
“With the Greek Community Cup, our aim is to bring together players, coaches, officials and all Greek clubs in general so as they can all form new relationships amongst one another,” he adds.
Mr. Papastergiadis told Neos Kosmos that by all accounts the games have so far been fast paced and entertaining events.
“Mill Park was very happy with the attendance and we only expect it to grow as the Cup goes on. There were some upsets and that’s what we wanted to see, some surprise results as all these teams come together to compete.”
Michael Karamitos, Vice President of the Greek Community, had this to say regarding the Cup.
“Following the success of the All Nations Cup, whereby the Greek Team won the tournament, we at the Community are excited by the Greek Cup and what’s to come in the tournament.”
On Thursday evening Group Four rivals faced off as the Bentleigh Cobras went up against Box Hill in a tense match which resulted in a draw.
Tony Rousos who’s involved with the Cobras FC says the Cup has provided the team with “the opportunity to gain some valuable experience against some quality teams that we would not normally play against.”
He notes that through the GCM’s initiative players and their clubs have the chance to reunite with friends they’ve made over the years.
“I’m looking forward to what will eventuate over the duration of the tournament,” he says.
At the same time on Thursday, South Melbourne displayed terrific form against Altona East, scoring three goals while their opposition failed to secure any; bringing them to the top of Group One.
South Melbourne FC President Nicholas Maikousis says the tournament’s a great entry to the season proper, after all “it gives the players a chance to play.”
A revival of the Hellenic Cup albeit with a slightly different name, organisation and concept; the Greek Community Cup comes ahead of the state championships, giving participating teams the chance to claim one of two trophies, the GCM Cup and GCM Shield.
As it stands South Melbourne FC, Heidelberg United, the Doncaster Rovers and Box Hill have taken the lead in their respective groups.
15 games are left in the competition as it enters its second week, where it’s expected the competition will only improve as the players begin to feel the heat of the impending playoffs.
Matches resume on Saturday 21 January at Mill Park FC, Partridge Street Lalor. Find the schedule below:
South Melbourne Hellas v East Kew 1:00 PM
Malven City FC v West Preston 1:00 PM
Doncaster Rovers v Oakleigh Cannons FC 3:00 PM
Kingston City FC v Box Hill FC 3:00 PM
