Greece national rugby league team

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Greece

Team information
Nickname	Titans
Governing body	Greek Rugby League Association
Region	Europe
Head coach	Steve Georgallis
Captain	Jordan Meads
Most caps	Terry Constantinou (15)
Top try-scorer	Jordan Meads (16)
Top point-scorer	Jordan Meads (132)
IRL ranking	14th
Uniforms
Primary colours
Team results
First international
New Caledonia 10–26 Greece  (September 2003)
Biggest win
Hungary 0–90 Greece  (27 October 2013)
Biggest defeat
Greece 4–94 England  (29 October 2022)

The Greece national rugby league team (Greek: Ελλάδα εθνική ομάδα ράγκμπι λίγκ) represents Greece in rugby league. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003.

Administered by the Greek Rugby League Association since 2017, the team is coached by Greek Australian Steve Georgallis.

Greek Rugby League was first formed in Australia by Australians with Greek heritage. The founder of the Greek Rugby League was Kostadino Mylonas.

The team first played international fixtures in 2003. Greece played a warm-up match against New Caledonia in late August winning the encounter 10–26.^[1] In September of that year, the Greece national team played their debut RLIF sanctioned game against Italy in September. The game was played in Australia at Jubilee Oval for the inaugural Ionio Cup. Greece were narrowly defeated 26–24.^[2]

In October 2005, Greece played an international match in Australia against Malta which they lost 24 points to 22 in front of an estimated crowd of 6,500. Greece then played a warm up match against Fiji A at OKI Jubilee Stadium in front of 1103 spectators. Fiji, who had just qualified for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, won the match 34–12.

On 28 October 2006, Greece played Serbia in the debut international match on Greek soil. Greece, supported by Greek-heritage players from Australia, won 44–26 in front of 150 home fans of the Glyka Nera Football Club, Athens. Greece were coached by former Western Suburbs Magpies player Steve Georgallis.

Greece won their first ever Rugby League Championship in 2009 when they won the Australian Mediterranean Shield, defeating Italy in the Final 34–14. This was the first competition that the Greek side had competed in. The Greeks were captained by Wests Tigers player John Skandalis. Greece did not qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

2013 saw the creation of a domestic Rugby League competition in Greece. This competition was originally governed by the Hellenic Federation of Rugby League (HFRL).

On 27 October 2013 Greece defeated Hungary 90–0 in an international match played in Budapest in front of 500 spectators.^[3] The Greek side featured a mixture of players from the Greek domestic competition (8) and Australian-based (9) players including Braith Anasta and Michael Korkidas.^[4] Anasta kicked 15 goals from 15 attempts and scored 46 points in the win.^[3]

In October 2014, Greece were crowned European Championship C champions after beating Czech Republic in the final. This was their second international tournament victory^[5]

Later in the same month, Greece competed in the inaugural Balkans Cup tournament held in Serbia. They beat the hosts in the final to win their third international tournament to add to their trophy cabinet, second in over a week.^[6]

Matthew Ashill was the coach of the team for the 2015 European C/2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying tournament and on 13 September 2015 he named a 22-man train-on squad with only domestic club players which caused controversy as it was a key event coming up for the national rugby league team. He explained his decision saying "We have a totally new plan using just domestic players who will contribute to the growth and development of the sport here".^[7]

In April 2016, the HFRL was suspended from the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) following a year-long investigation for "wilfully acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the RLEF and international rugby league."^[8] The HRFL was expelled from the RLEF in August 2016 for failing to meet membership requirements.^[9]

In March 2017, the Greek Rugby League Association (GRLA) was recognised by the RLEF as the official governing body for rugby league in Greece, gaining observer status. In March 2018 the GRLA were rewarded for what the RLEF described as "significant progress rebuilding the national governing body and revamping its competition structure, with the support of the Greek Australian community" by being granted affiliate status.^[10]

In September 2018, Greece began their qualification path for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup by winning the European Championship C South conference. They defeated Ukraine 28–26 at Dynamo Stadium (Kharkiv)^[11] and Malta Rugby League 60–4 at Glyka Nera Stadium, Athens.^[12]

In May 2019, Greece faced European Championship C North conference winners Norway at New River Stadium, London, in the European Championship C decider.^[13] The match served as a curtain raiser to the League 1 round 9 fixture between London Skolars and Doncaster, Greece defeated Norway 56–26 to progress to the final stages of World Cup qualifiers.^[14]

In November 2019, Greece qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup after participating in the final round of European World Cup Qualifiers in Pool B with matches against Scotland and Serbia. Greece were unable to host their designated match against Scotland, as the Greek state did not recognise the Greek Rugby League Association.^[15][16] Instead, the match was played in London at New River Stadium on 1 November. Greece were defeated 42–24.^[17]

The remaining match in Pool B saw Greece play Serbia, with the winners advancing to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. Greece defeated Serbia 82–6 at Makiš Stadium, Belgrade.^[18][19]

On 16 January 2020, Greece were drawn into Group A of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup with England, Samoa and France.^[20]

They then entered the 2020 European Championship B where they were due to play against Russia and Serbia.^[21]

As of July 2022, the Greek state announced its recognition^{[22][23][24][25][26]} of the Greek Rugby League Association and that games are free to take place on home soil without intervention.^[27][28][29]

Greece started their 2021 Rugby League World Cup campaign with a 34-12 loss against France in Doncaster. This was followed by a 72-4 loss against Samoa. In their final group stage match, Greece suffered their worst ever defeat losing to England 94-4 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield.^[30]

IRL Men's World Rankings v t e
Official rankings as of 30 June 2024
Rank	Change	Team	Pts %
1		Australia	100
2		New Zealand	82
3		England	80
4		Samoa	67
5		Tonga	49
6	1	Fiji	47
7	1	Papua New Guinea	46
8		France	28
9		Lebanon	22
10		Cook Islands	20
11		Serbia	19
12		Netherlands	17
13		Italy	15
14	1	Greece	15
15	1	Malta	14
16		Ireland	14
17		Wales	13
18		Jamaica	10
19		Scotland	9
20		Ukraine	7
21		Czech Republic	7
22		Germany	6
23	3	Chile	6
24		Poland	6
25	3	Norway	6
26	1	Kenya	5
27	4	Philippines	5
28	3	South Africa	4
29		Nigeria	4
30		Ghana	4
31	2	United States	4
32	4	Montenegro	4
33	2	Brazil	3
34	2	Turkey	3
35	7	North Macedonia	3
36	2	Bulgaria	3
37	2	Cameroon	2
38	1	Spain	2
39	1	Japan	1
40	1	Albania	1
41	5	Canada	1
42	2	Colombia	1
43	2	El Salvador	1
44	1	Morocco	1
45		Russia	0
46	2	Sweden	0
47	2	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0
48	2	Hungary	0
49	3	Argentina	0
50		Hong Kong	0
51	3	Solomon Islands	0
52	5	Niue	0
53	1	Latvia	0
54	1	Denmark	0
55	6	Belgium	0
56	1	Estonia	0
57	6	Vanuatu	0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

Squad selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup:

Player	Caps	Points	Club
Stefanos Bastas	19	6	Rhodes Knights
Nikolaos Bosmos	14	52	Rhodes Knights
Terry Constantinou	15	48	Sunbury Tigers
Aris Dardamanis	11	26	Aris Eagles
Nick Flocas	6	0	Ipswich Jets
Myles Gal	5	0	Central Queensland Capras (2021)
Lachlan Ilias	3	8	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jake Kambos	5	8	Western Suburbs Magpies
Konstantinos Katsidonis	12	12	Rhodes Knights
Grigoris Koutsimpogiorgos	4	0	Aris Eagles
Billy Magoulias	4	4	Newtown Jets
Peter Mamouzelos	10	40	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jordan Meads (c)	13	144	Sunshine Coast
John Mitsias	5	8	Western Suburbs Magpies
Nick Mougios	9	12	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Thodoris Nianiakas	6	8	Aris Eagles / Woolston Rovers
Ioannis Nake	14	24	Attica Rhinos
Chaise Robinson	4	12	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ioannis Rousoglou	13	4	Aris Eagles
Sebastian Sell	9	16	Mittagong Lions
Liam Sue-Tin	9	44
Siteni Taukomo	3	8	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Billy Tsikrikas	8	16	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Rob Tuliatu	12	16	London Broncos
Adam Vrahnos	7	12	London Broncos
Mitchell Zampetides	8	20	Western Suburbs Magpies

Source:^[32]

All-time record for Greece's national side as of 29 October 2022.^[33]

Team	First Played	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Win %	Points For	Points Against	Point Difference	Last Played
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2014	1	1	0	0	100.00	58	4	+54	2014
Bulgaria	2017	1	1	0	0	100.00	68	8	+60	2017
Czech Republic	2014	1	1	0	0	100.00	68	16	+52	2014
England	2022	1	0	0	1	0.00	4	94	-90	2022
France	2022	1	0	0	1	0.00	12	34	-22	2022
Hungary	2013	3	2	0	1	66.67	134	38	+96	2018
Italy	2003	3	1	0	2	33.33	72	98	-26	2009
Japan	2016	1	1	0	0	100.00	72	0	+72	2016
Malta	2005	4	2	0	2	50.00	114	76	+38	2018
New Caledonia	2003	2	2	0	0	100.00	82	18	+64	2004
Niue	2018	1	0	0	1	0.00	8	16	-8	2018
Norway	2019	1	1	0	0	100.00	56	26	+30	2019
Portugal	2009	1	1	0	0	100.00	42	16	+26	2009
Samoa	2022	1	0	0	1	0.00	4	72	-68	2022
Scotland	2019	1	0	0	1	0.00	24	42	-18	2019
Serbia	2006	4	3	0	1	75.00	184	104	+80	2019
Spain	2014	1	0	0	1	0.00	4	76	-72	2014
Turkey	2019	1	1	0	0	100.00	38	24	+14	2019
Ukraine	2018	1	1	0	0	100.00	28	26	+2	2018
Vanuatu	2012	2	2	0	0	100.00	64	14	+50	2018
Total		32	20	0	12	62.5%	1136	802	+334	2022

A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Greece

World Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA
1954	Not involved in qualifying
1957
1960
1968
1970
1972
1975
1977
1985–88
1989–92
1995
2000
2008
2013
2017	Failed to Qualify
2021	Group stage	TBD/4	2	0	0	2	TBD	TBD
Total	0 Titles	0/13	0	0	0	0

Balkans Cup
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	D
2014	Champions	1/4	2	2	0	0
2017	Second place	2/3	2	1	1	0
Total	1 Title	1/2	4	3	1	0

• The Australian Mediterranean Shield tournament is a tournament involving affiliate and observer European nations competing against each other for more international rugby league experience. Greece beat Portugal by 42-16 and therefore advanced to the final to take on Italy. They won the final by a score of 34–14 to be crowned the champions, the country's first International rugby league title.

Australian Mediterranean Shield
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	D
2009	Champions	1/4	2	2	0	0
Total	1 Title	1/?	2	2	0	0

World Cup record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	D
2018	3rd Place	3/13	4	2	2	0
Total	0 Titles	3/13	4	2	2	0

European Championship B
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	D
2020	Qualified
Total	0 Titles	0/3	0	0	0	0

European Championship C
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	D
2008	Not Invited
2009	Not Invited
2010	Not invited
2011	Not invited
2012	Not invited
2013	Not invited
2014	Champions	1/3	2	2	0	0
2015	3rd place	3/3	2	0	2	0
2016	Not invited
2018	Champions	1/6	4	4	0	0
Total	2 Titles	1/7	4	2	2	0

IRL Men's World Rankings v t e
Official rankings as of 30 June 2024
Rank	Change	Team	Pts %
1		Australia	100
2		New Zealand	82
3		England	80
4		Samoa	67
5		Tonga	49
6	1	Fiji	47
7	1	Papua New Guinea	46
8		France	28
9		Lebanon	22
10		Cook Islands	20
11		Serbia	19
12		Netherlands	17
13		Italy	15
14	1	Greece	15
15	1	Malta	14
16		Ireland	14
17		Wales	13
18		Jamaica	10
19		Scotland	9
20		Ukraine	7
21		Czech Republic	7
22		Germany	6
23	3	Chile	6
24		Poland	6
25	3	Norway	6
26	1	Kenya	5
27	4	Philippines	5
28	3	South Africa	4
29		Nigeria	4
30		Ghana	4
31	2	United States	4
32	4	Montenegro	4
33	2	Brazil	3
34	2	Turkey	3
35	7	North Macedonia	3
36	2	Bulgaria	3
37	2	Cameroon	2
38	1	Spain	2
39	1	Japan	1
40	1	Albania	1
41	5	Canada	1
42	2	Colombia	1
43	2	El Salvador	1
44	1	Morocco	1
45		Russia	0
46	2	Sweden	0
47	2	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0
48	2	Hungary	0
49	3	Argentina	0
50		Hong Kong	0
51	3	Solomon Islands	0
52	5	Niue	0
53	1	Latvia	0
54	1	Denmark	0
55	6	Belgium	0
56	1	Estonia	0
57	6	Vanuatu	0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

• Rugby league in Greece
• Greece national rugby league team (women)
• Greek Rugby League Association
• Hellas Rugby League Federation

• Official website