The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-10

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Panathinaikos Wins the Big Match Championship Looks Green

By Stathis Petropoulos

Panathinaikos was the winner of the most important match in this seasons Greek championship, stealing three very valuable points from Olympiacos with a score of 1-0. The home team, which was evidently playing better throughout the match, was in the beginning faced with a very determined goalkeeper: Nikopolidis. However, just two minutes before the end of the first half, Konstantinou managed to defeat his former teammate with a header that eventually sealed the match. Olympiacos tried hard and could even curse its bad luck, especially in the 66, when Rivaldos header hit the post. Surely, though, the man of the match was Nikopolidis, mainly because of his great blocks in the first half, as well as for keeping his cool despite the remarks by fans. Other than that, the game proved to be a pleasant surprise for football due its fast pace. The only downside was that Panathinaikos fans kept throwing objects in the pitch, prompting the referee to issue many warnings.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] Protests in China Anti-Japan Rallies Continue

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC

Over 20,000 Chinese gathered outside Japanese-owned businesses in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, southern China, just one day after the violent anti-Japan rallies in Beijing yesterday. The Chinese started their protests when the Japanese authorities decided to remove from the new Japanese history textbooks any mention to the wartime atrocities against Chinese prior to WWII. Yesterday, thousands of Chinese protestors broke the police cordon around the Japanese ambassadors residence in Beijing and started throwing bottles and rocks at the building. Japans Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, called the Chinese ambassador to Japan, Wang Yi, to demand a formal apology.

Tokyo described the incidents as extremely sad and urged Beijings authorities to secure the safety of Japanese diplomats, the Japanese Embassy and Japanese citizens living in China.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Attica Bishop Won't Resign Unrestrained Christodoulos

By Athina Saloustrou

In his Sunday sermon at the Church of the Assumption, Archbishop Christodoulos asked for the protection of the Church against the Media and all those who drag Hierarchs in the mud with their lies, aiming at the separation of State-Church. The Archbishop addressed an appeal to the faithful not to lose faith and not to be tempted, while he criticized those who try to drug Hierarchs in the mud with lies and slanders. Christodoulos also referred to those who asked for the separation of the State and the Church, stressing that in this way they prove their hatred and fury against the Church, which they wish to cast aside. What is more, the Metropolitan Bishop Panteleimon of Attica broke his silence. In an interview publicized in Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, he voiced his surprise and disappointment over the Archbishop's stance towards him and clarified that he does not plan to resign, supporting he will even refer his issue to the Ecumenical Patriarchate if necessary.

"Today that we are talking about the separation of the Church and the State, many if not of all of those who appear on TV shows to state their opinions, have no idea about what they are talking about. Their tongues are steered by hatred, fury against the Church, which they wish to cast aside. Most of what is being said is nothing but lies and slander, as I can see from what it has been said about me personally. Because nobody knows me better than I know myself. But many times I wonder and I say to myself: Dont these people believe in God? Dont they fear God if not anyone else? How can they smear reputations and personalities which such ease?" wondered the Archbishop.

Christodoulos also commented on the view regarding Hierarchs' celibacy, stressing that they cannot change the decisions of Ecumenical Synods.

"I Won't Resign"

In an interview published today in Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, Bishop Panteleimon expressed his intention to fight until the very end to remain in his seat as Metropolitan Bishop of Attica, stating his innocence for what they accuse him of regarding sexual scandals, while he was also surprised by Archbishop Christodoulos' stance towards him. "I am surprised by his stance. I never asked him to cover me, nor cover things up. I simply asked him to be fair."

"I wont resign from my seat and I will fight until the very end," stated Panteleimon. In fact, he supported he was unfairly removed from his seat and that Hierarchs acted under the pressure of the media. He underlined he will ever refer his case to the Ecumenical Patriarchate if necessary.

Panteleimon also underlined that he was surprised by the Archbishop's stance, especially after how much he had supported him throughout his term in office, even at times when he disagreed with his decisions.

As for charged pending against him, the Bishop of Attica pleaded innocent both for the sexual scandals and the huge fortune (1.5 billion euros) he allegedly has. From the total amount of money, only one quarter is his, while the rest belongs to friends and family. On the same matter, he underlined that the money were destined for the erection of an ecclesiastical institution. "It's not one and a half billion, its not even one. And my money is a lot less than that. Barely one fourth." It should be noted that when the scandal first broke out he had stated that "the money is destined for my old age."

Lastly, he refused owning an off-shore company, while regarding his relations to Archimandrite Giosakis, he said he ignored any connections with judges.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Last Respects to the "Sir" of Greek Music They Are All There

By Athina Saloustrou

Thousands of citizens, fans and friends, have flooded St Eleftherios' chapel of the Athens Metropolitan Church since yesterday, where the mortal remains of Grigoris Bithikotsis, who breathed his last on Thursday night at the age of 83, are exposed for public veneration. Everyone wants to pay their last respects to the popular Greek singer, who raised one generation after the other with his songs. His funeral will be held tomorrow, Monday, at the 1st cemetery at the expense of the Culture Ministry, while the service will be held at 15.00 in the Metropolitan Church of Athens.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Toll Prices Increase

By Anna Kourti

Prices of tollgates on national motorways increased from midnight on Sunday. Specifically, the price for private cars rose from 1.40 and 1.50 to 2 euros. At other tollgates, the price increased from 1.2 to 1.7, from 1.8 to 2.5, from 2 to 2.80 and from 2.1 to 3. Trucks will pay 3.3 euros instead of 2.3, 4.3 instead of 3, with 3.2 becoming 4.5 and 3.5 5. In the meantime, from Saturday 16 April, new prices will be applied to 8,500 medicines, after the 1% increase in taxation rates. In regions such as islands, where reduced VAT rates apply, medicines will be sold 2.75% cheaper.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] No Reports on Casualties or Damages 6.7 Richter Quake in Sumatra

A strong earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale was recorded today, off the coat of Indonesia. According to seismologists, the tremor took place at 17:29 (local time), while the epicenter was located approximately 100km southwest of the city Padang, Sumatra. There have been no reports on casualties or damages yet.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] The Stars Shone Bright

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Sources: ANA

Excellent game plays, spikes and three-pointers, as well as many great star players made up a supershow during the 13th All-Star Game in Patras. Slam Nation were also present, while Dominique Wilkins entered the court for the jump ball. Atlanta Hawks current president also had a brief talk with his former teammate in Panathinaikos, Nikos Economou, while he also thanked David Sergakos, the manager of the Foreigners team. The Greeks defeated the Foreigners by 77-76, while Nikos Barlos of Apollo Patras was voted MVP, after having scored 18 points. The top scorer for the Foreigners was De Juan Collins of Aris with 14 points. The score per period: 16-16, 31-32, 61-61, 77-76.

A Basketball Celebration

Apart from Dominique, the officials committee included Sarounas, Marculionis, Katsikaris and Prelevic, all of whom had to vote for the winner of the spikes competition. Wilkins proved to be a tough judge, while the final winner was Tobby Bailey of AEK.

Following the award ceremony for the three-pointer winner, Dimitris Tsarouchas, the president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation (PSAK), Frangiskos Alvertis, awarded Maroussis president, Aris Vovos, for the moral and financial support to Giorgos Karagoutis, who will miss the rest of the season due to injury. "Mr Vovos act means a lot," said the captain of Panathinaikos, while he added, "We can hope for even better days and feel secure in the teams we are playing for," thus hinting at the many financial problems encountered in Greek basketball. On the other hand, Aris Vovos said, "We did what we had to, which stems from a relationship of love, respect and solidarity."

Referees: Christodoulou, Koromilas, Bitis

GREEKS (Panagiotis Giannakis Fotis Katsikaris): Alvertis 3 (1), Vasiliadis 7, Vasilopoulos 12 (2), Diamantidis 5 (1), Zisis 2, Barlos 18 (2), Economou 5 (1), Spanoulis 6 (1), Schortsianitis 7, Tsartsaris 9, Charisis, Chatzis 2.

FOREIGNERS (Zeliko Obradovic Bane Prelevic): Collins 14 (1), Kutluai, Lakovic, Michael 11, Mulaomerovic 6 (1), Battiste 8, Bailey 8, Nisevic 3, Watson 13, Stack 3, Trent 4, Hudson 6.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Yellow Fever in OAKA

By Vasilis Kalpinos

It was a real tough match that included almost everything: a missed penalty by PAOK, many missed opportunities, two suspensions one for each team 50,000 spectators and a Brazilian who made the difference. Alessandro Soares scored two goals for AEK and gave his team the three points for the victory. On the other hand, following the penalty it lost, PAOK kept trying to counterattack, but to no avail.

A Bit of Everything

It was an impressive match right from the start. Just in the 4, PAOK nearly took the lead, when Chiotis knocked over Salpigidis inside the penalty area. However, although the latter managed to trick the goalkeeper, the ball hit the post.

This signaled the beginning of AEKs continuous counterattacks. Soares started to warm up, missing an opportunity to score in the 7, while in the 12 it was Cesar who was unsuccessful. AEK continued to apply pressure, demonstrating that a goal was about to be scored.

The game, though, fired up in the 28. Zografakis and Lymberopoulos got into a fight and as a result, the referee showed both of them red cards, leaving the teams with 10 players each.

Despite Lymberopoulos absence, though, AEK still had a few tricks up its sleeve. So in the 37, Soares beat Tohouroglou at the nets, scoring his teams first goal.

In the second half, AEK sealed the game from early on. Soares scored yet another goal, effectively marking the end of the game. From that point onwards, and despite PAOKs efforts, nothing much changed, signaling a significant victory for AEK.

Referee: Karatzas Yellow Cards: Chiotis, Assunsao, Petkov, Andralas Red Cards: Lymberopoulos, Zografakis (28)

AEK: Chiotis, Kostenoglou, Alves, Moras, Malbasa, Katsouranis, Assunsao, Petkov (71 Kyriakidis), Soares (89 Ivic), Cesar (76 Krassas), Lymberopoulos.

PAOK: Tohouroglou, Andralas, Udeze, Karypidis (63 Mieciel), Megahead (63 Egomitis), Foucini, Maladenis, Theodoridis, Karadimos (42 Koutsopoulos), Zografakis, Salpigidis.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Xanthi Demonstrates Superiority

By Stathis Petropoulos

Xanthi was once again impressive, scoring an easy 3-0 home win over Panionios, with Luciano stealing the limelight. The home team started off strongly and just in the 8, Sikov received the Brazilians corner and with a strong kick caught the Albanian goalkeeper off guard, making the score 1-0. Xanthi played much better and the only time Panionios showed any signs of a comeback was in the 20 and 25. However, Pizanovski blocked both opportunities. In the 34, Luciano scored Xanthis second goal, with a left kick.

By Luciano

The beginning of the second half was ideal for Xanthi, which managed to erase all hopes the visitors may have had for a positive result. After an error by Vazakas players, Papadimitriou centered the ball to Luciano, who scored the third goal for his team, essentially sealing the match. Nothing changed from that point onwards, and Xanthi took the three points for the victory.

Referee: Kalopoulos Yellow Cards: Tsiolis

XANTHI: Pizanovski, Zapropoulos, Sikov, Garpozis (63 Karabas), Vozabal, Papadimitriou (69 Kontodimos), Baykara, Maghradze (63 Torosidis), Lambriakos, Luciano, Prittas.

PANIONIOS: Strakosha, Galanopoulos, Makos, Vlcek, Smiljanic, Nalitzis (39 Exouzidis), Breska, Tsiolis, Goundoulakis, Salihi (55 Meszaros), Zimonjic (69 Maniatis).

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] Remaining in Hot Seat

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Chatzaras boys kept playing with fire, since they were unable to beat Apollo Kalamaria and take a much-needed breather as far as the rankings are concerned. On the other hand, Kalamaria took a golden point for the tie and remained in the same place as Aris; however, it will not have an advantage in case they finish the season on equal points. Anyhow, neither team is facing relegation, at least for now.

Equal in All Respects

Both teams seemed quite stressed, while neither of them had any great opportunities to score. Karatziovalis, who kept his nets goalless, successfully blocked Sanhurhos kicks in the 15 and the 22. In the 43, things started looking up for Aris, as Papadopoulos was shown a red card. However, in the end, they were unable to cash in on this opportunity, as the second half was lukewarm, with both teams remaining at nil until the end of the game.

ARIS: Pourlotiopoulos, Papadopoulos, Koltsidas (17 Kalimanis), Gogolos, Naidos, Nebegleras, Passalis, Sanhurho (61 Inogue), Murawski, Ekwueme (46 Kouemeha), Lazanas.

APOLLO KALAMARIA: Karatziovalis, Fytanidis, Haxhi, NH Papadopoulos, NA Papadopoulos, Cleyton (94 Pappas), Vella Junior, Iliadis, Parmaxidis, Petkakis, Muzawi (90 Kousas).

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] Europe Looks Promising

By Stathis Petropoulos

OFIs players are probably cursing their bad luck, as well as their offensive choices, since they could not score an equalizer for a whole 85 minutes, since Iliopoulos goal in the 5. Chalkidona needed this away victory, especially following Egaleos loss yesterday to Kallithea. So, it played calmly, against an opponent that did not need another loss, after the one against Ergotelis last week. The moment that sealed the match came very early on, just in the 5, when Iliopoulos caught Zacharopoulos header, sending the ball straight to Sifakis nets. From that point onwards OFI had at least two opportunities to score, but missed both. In the 29, Dejanovs kick went just over the crossbar, while in the 35, Anastasidis kick, off Dejanovs pass, went wide.

Edebe Took Over

Nothing really changed in the second half, since OFI kept trying to tie the score, while Chalkidona was quite effective in the counterattacks. In the 51, Edebe cleared Triantafyllous kick away to a corner, while in the 85, Chalkidonas goalkeeper saved an excellent header. On the other hand, Chalkidona missed a chance to double its goals in the 81, when Zacharopoulos header went wide.

Referee: Tapantzas (Thrace) Yellow Cards: -

OFI: Sifakis, Belevonis, Tomach, Kolitsidakis (45 Koutsoures), Anastasiadis, Arvanitis, Dentsas, Davidson, Dejanov, Machlas, Triantafyllou.

CHALKIDONA: Edebe, Korakakis, Pappas, Dimos, Dagas (28 Korbos), Mascado, Chalaris, Koutsokostas, Andriolas, Iliopoulos (90+ Tsitsiris), Koutsis, Zacharopoulos.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[12] Only One of Them Made It

By Vasilis Kalpinos

A goal during the added time of the first half was enough to secure a victory for Vangelis Vlachos team, providing at the same time hopes for staying in Division one of the Greek football championship. On the other hand, the loss has probably condemned the team from Crete, since it stayed in second-last place in the rankings and its hopes of escaping relegation have dwindled away. The winning goal was scored by Lettieri in the 46.

They Both Fought Well

Both teams started off strongly, while the first great opportunity was for the visitors in the 12. Beqaz saved a kick by Ogunsoto, and Ergotelis failed to take the lead. Ionikos responded in the 27, but Makors free kick was too fast for Tsimblidis. In the 40, the home team came close to scoring, but the penalty they were awarded hit the post. However, they came back a little later, during added time, and Lettieri scored the goal, with Ergotelis players protesting that the ball had hit the scorers hand.

In the second half, Ergotelis, having nothing to lose and plenty to gain, pressured Ionikos, but missed two excellent opportunities. In the 59, Ogunsotos header went wide, while in the 67, Syllas kick hit the post.

Referee: Styliaras Yellow Cards: Ofridopoulos Filekovic, Argyrakis, Charalambakis, Economakis Red Card: Argyrakis (85)

IONIKOS: Beqaz, Ucar, Issa, Ofridopoulos, Natsouras, Lettieri, Makor, Tsimblidis, Gutman, Gavrilopoulos (63 Roka), Coimbra (79 Sachinidis).

ERGOTELIS: Chaniotakis, Charalambakis (76 Parvu), Spyridakis, Filekovic (63 Voskaridis), Dimitris, Economakis, Argyrakis, Soutzis (82 Lambrakis), Sylla, Anto, Ogunsoto.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[13] Prosecutor and Police Forces Present Tight Security Before the Big Match

By Stathis Petropoulos

The police have cordoned off the area around the stadium on Alexandra Avenue, in view of the big match for the 25th round of the Greek football championship between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Dozens of MAT police units are patrolling the streets around the stadium and are monitoring the Panathinaikos fans, who have started arriving. The gates are scheduled to open at 19:00, while police will also be monitoring the entrance and seating of spectators in the stands. However, earlier, a few minor clashes erupted between police officers and fans who tried to break the cordon. Actually, a Panathinaikos fan was injured, but the circumstances are unknown, while it has not been confirmed whether the injury was due to clashes with police.

Security Inside the Stadium

As per the Athens News Agency, a public prosecutor will be present inside the stadium, in order to facilitate the police operations. Furthermore, the two rows of seats behind the match observers and the players benches will be empty, to avoid any incidents.

With regard to the squads, they are expected to set off from their respective training grounds in Peania and Renti soon, while tight security measures will be implemented upon their arrival to the football ground.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[14] No Threat to Inhabited Areas Fires in Kalamos

By Anna Kourti

Two fires that broke out in the areas Kalogrea and Archea in Kalamos, Attica, at noon are under control. The fires were burning in forest areas, while 6 fire engines, with 20 firemen each, and 2 fire fighting planes we dispatched to the area immediately. Up until now no inhabited areas have been threatened.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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