Greek Michail Kakiouzis holds the trophy at the end of the final game Greece/Germany of the European basketball Championships at Belgrade Arena. Greece won 78-62 and become the European Champion.

A concert of car horns and firecrackers greeted Greece's 78-62 victory over Germany in the European basketball finals, as fans spilled onto the streets to celebrate.

Fourteen months after becoming Europe's most unlikely football champions by winning Euro 2004 in Portugal, Greece have now clinched the continent's basketball crown as well.

Fans were rushing as fast as their cars, motorbikes and legs could take them to Omonia Square in Athens and Salonika's White Tower, the customary mustering-points in every sports victory.

Deathly quiet two hours previously, the main streets of the capital and major Greek cities filled in the early hours of Monday morning with supporters waving flags, punching car horns and brandishing flares and firecrackers.

Inevitably, thoughts turned to Greece's previous capture of the European basketball in 1987, with an 103-101 overtime victory in Athens over the Soviet Union.

"The second trophy is always sweeter," enthused Costas, a 48-year-old physician. "We had barely realised how we got the first one."

Other fans noted the apparent ease with which Greece cruised to victory over Germany.

"It was our easiest match in the entire tournament," said 20-year-old student Stergios Frangeskakis.

"I got bored watching," added a female fan. "I was actually hoping that Germany would score, so the game would get interesting."

"Fetch beer, ouzo and German girls," chanted a throng of supporters.

Another slogan revived memories of July 2004, when Greece were crowned European champions in football: "Lift the damn cup, (we) cannot wait".

Having already won the 1987 European championship as a player, Greece skipper Panagiotis Yiannakis notched a first by also winning it as head coach.

Greece had not brought home a European basketball medal since 1989, when they finished second behind winners Yugoslavia. Subsequent attempts never reached beyond fourth place.

Top of Page

Post an instant comment or a suggestion to the above article or news

Note: You can use the above link to form a new discussion forum, place your opinion and discuss events, politics, articles, environment, fashion, health, internet, search engines, marketing, movies, music, religion and any other topic.