Team Greece, in their debut at the NSWRL Harmony Nines, won the Open Men’s Emerging division final this past Saturday.
Greece had to overcome being a man down after Tyrone Tsagalias was sin-binned for three minutes in the second half.
Leon Bakis scored the match-winning try as Greece secured a 16-8 victory at Croom Regional Sporting Complex in Shellharbour.
As the Greeks won, players chanted ‘Hellas! Hellas!’, and coach Jim Pizanias told NSWRL media that he was “very proud”.
“Some of them are only 17. Our eldest is just 25 years-old. So the bulk are 18 or 19, which is good for Greece as we want to be up there in the future and these are the kids who can do it,” he said.
“It’s our first time at Harmony Nines and we’ve won it. How good?
“These boys know the Greek culture, it’s a part of them already. You see them – and hear them – proudly carrying the flag and supporting each other.”
Eddie Markopoulos was named player of the match and was handed his medal by NSW Women’s Origin fullback Emma Tonegato.
Captain Anthony Halikas explained how his side pulled off their first title win.
“We’re still finding our feet, still getting the best out of each other, but all the boys stuck to the process and got the job done in the end,” he said.
“It means everything to the boys to be the first team here for Greece.
“We will be back to defend this.”
