Greece and Italy share much and have impacted world civilisation. There has also been rivalry at times.
Greece is the birthplace of democracy and the Olympics, and famous for philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
Inspired by Greece, Rome created an empire and produced the Senate, as well as, thinkers such as Cicero and emperor-philosopher Marcus Aurelius, not to mention the Alexander the Great-like, Julius Caesar.
Above all were the gods, with the Greeks worshipping Zeus, Aphrodite, Ares, Hades, Hermes and Poseidon. The Romans adopted and renamed Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Pluto, Mercury and Neptune.
The Graeco-Roman then merged into the fourth Roman Holy Catholic Empire, or what we commonly call the Byzantine Empire.
In the last two centuries, the two nations fought alongside in World War I and against each other in World War II.
Greeks and Italians migrated in their hundreds and thousands to Australia post-war. Their impact on modern Australian history and culture has been profound. Not least their effect on the sport, particularly as Greeks and Italians entered the V/AFL.
Over the years many Greeks and Italians have played in the league, with the Greeks having names like Koutoufides (who is actually half Greek and half Italian), Christou, Lekkas, Malakellis, Marcou, Rombotis and Zaharakis.
The Italians have DiPierdomenico, Silvagni, Alessio, Camporeale, Fevola, Liberatore, Mercuri, Misiti, Riccardi and Rocca.
Both have had such an impact on the game that an official Greek Team of the Century and Italian Team of the Century were named.
But which community boasts the best footballers? Australian Football International (AFI) wants to find out.
In September 2024, AFI will be looking to host the Wings of Glory Cup in Melbourne, that will see footballers represent both Greece and Italy, and go head to head in a stand-alone match.
AFI CEO Brian Clarke spoke to Neos Kosmos about the planned event.
“Look at the contribution of Greeks and Italians to the V/AFL, there’s been some amazing players and it’s been great, but they’ve never really played each other,” he said.
“We want to bring it together in one event where we have a double header of women playing each other and then men playing.
“Open to any Greek, male or female in Australia that puts their hand up to play, coach or be involved.”
The Wings of Glory Cup will be a celebration of not just Greek and Italian football, but both cultures.
“We’ll have Greek and Italian food with various food trucks at the event. We want to have Greek and Italian music performers. And we want to have some celebrities down there as well to give it a bit of pizazz,” Clarke said.
They are hoping to get current and former players of Greek and Italian descent to come along for the festivities.
Clarke says Victoria Park, former home to the Collingwood Magpies and where the AFLW and VFL team also play, is looking like the ideal venue.
AFI also hosts several other events through the calendar year, including the Darwin 9s.
On August 13, the Division 1 grand final saw Team Greece come up against Larrakia, in what was a rematch of last year’s grand final.
They once again came up just a bit short, but were valiant in defeat, against a side that features former AFL players and current NTFL stars.
The two have formed a strong rivalry, and team Greece in fact defeated Larrakia in the prelim round.
Clarke talked up the rivalry to match that of AFL rivalries like Carlton vs Collingwood (which has its Italian vs Greek subplot in itself) and Geelong vs Hawthorn.
Team Greece were determined to revenge last year’s grand final loss but Clarke praises their effort, not just the on-field team but off-field too.
“The Greek community in Darwin, it’s a big community, and we focus on how big the Greek community is in Melbourne, but there’s also a big community in Darwin,” he said.
“The team managers and the officials and their coaches did an amazing job. They were a super organised team, and they were super committed. They just came a bit short in the grand final, but I think Greece will be back bigger and better next year.
“It’s been pleasing to see because normally these guys individually play for clubs but they come together as a community, whether it’s Larrakia or Greece, and it’s a special thing for them.
“That’s going to fall into the Wings of Glory Cup. A chance to pull on the Greek or Italian jumper and to have bragging rights over the other mob.”
