Greeks on the run

Inspired by their participation in the 7^th Homeless World Cup, all eight players of the Greek team declared their absolute determination to run the Athens Classic Marathon on Sunday, November 8, to raise funds for the Homeless World Cup Foundation.

Stathis Kallitsounakis, Kostas Paraskevopoulos, Yiannis Kotsos, Yiannis Asimakopoulos, Vangelis Kotsonis, Christos Raptis, Athanasios Tsavalis and Mihalis Vrohidis have all joined the Greek Extreme Team which is currently preparing to conquer the Athens Classic Marathon, collecting on the way (a long way, by the way…) donations for the Homeless World Cup Foundation.

The coaching team of Sergios Milis and Periklis Papapanagis are already part of the Greek Extreme Team, and -taking into account that team managers Chris Alefantis and Louisa Karageorgiou are also members- it turns out that the whole Milan Team will actually run through the streets of on Sunday November 8, raising money for the Homeless World Cup.

“We felt that running for the Foundation is the absolute minimum we could do for all these people who have been supporting us all the way, as well as for all of our new friends that we met in Milan”, says the captain of the football team Kostas Paraskevopoulos.

Indeed, the players of the Greek team made a lot of new friends, during their stay in . They developed a special relationship with the boys from and , and just seemed to enjoy interacting and get close to practically every single person in the Village and the Arena. So much so, that, in the case of , they let their new friends score freely against them, when the two sides met in the second stage of the event. The final score says it all: 1 – 8! J

“Taking part in the Homeless World Cup was an eye-opener for all of us. We learned so much about the rest of the world. We were inspired by the stories shared with boys and girls from places so distant and yet so close to . I sincerely feel that I returned home a much different and definitely a better person”, Kostas continues.

For the best part of the decade, Kostas was roaming around the streets of , sleeping rough, in city squares and derelict, deserted buildings.

Currently, he is in a drug rehabilitation program and very recently he found a job in a “periptero” (a tiny kind of a store/kiosk that sells virtually everything).

He has come a long way.

 “On behalf of the Greek Homeless Team, we extend to all of you organizers, volunteers, participants from all 48 countries, spectators, and everyone single one involved in any way in the 7^th Homeless World Cup a very warm thank you. Thank you for your care, your friendship, even for the goals that you scored against us! We do not hold it against you!”, he is sending his final message while a huge smile is taking shape on his face.

This will be the third year straight that the Greek extreme team will be venturing out on the street of for the Homeless World Cup. Back in 2007, Yiannis, Gabi, Nick and Chris took part in the Alonissos Marathon to raise funds for ten nations which simply did not have the resources to travel to for the 5th Homeless World Cup.

Back then, a target of raising 1,000 euros (approximately 700GBP) was set. Through the great support of our ever extending group of friends and supporters we well surpassed it, raising 977GBP. Similarly, last year’s marathon run raised some 1,316GBP, surpassing by over 60% the original fund-raising target of 800GBP.

This year, we have raised the bar, once again: Our fund raising target for 2009 is 1000GBP.

“I do not know how long I will manage to run in the marathon. I know it is an extremely demanding race. I do not know how much money I will personally raise, either. All I know is that I will give it my best shot to cross the finishing line and I know that collectively we will reach our fundraising target. I have absolutely no doubt”, says Christos Raptis, another team member. “I will be running for all my new friends”, he declares!

Yiannis Tsilis, Vaios Mesdanitis, Vasilis Papastergiou, Aristotelis Papageorgiou, Nikos Valatsos, Giorgos Frantzoglou are the names of the rest members of the Greek Extreme Team. They have all declared themselves fit and ready to take up the challenge.

Two days before marathon day (that is, on Friday, November 6), the team will organize its very own past party, too. It will be a great opportunity for the runners to get their final load of carbohydrates, and for their friends to show their support. There will be a 10 euro admission fee (which includes free pasta+soft drinks). All proceeds will go to the Homeless World Cup Foundation.

Everyone is welcome!

Our team’s webpage this year is: www.justgiving.com/extremeteamgreece

Contact details: Chris Alefantis, chrisa@galera.gr, +30 2103843983 (work), +30 6942 768470 (mobile)

For more information:

www.homelessworldcup.org

www.galera.gr

www.justgiving.com/extremeteamgreece www.facebook.com (Greek national homeless team fan club)

www.justgiving.com/chrisalefantis  (2007 page)

www.justgiving.com/teamgreece (2008 page)

A new blog

A group of Greek journalists have put together a new, excellent website dedicated to the Homeless World Cup and the issues of poverty and social exclusion. The website traces the history of the Greek Homeless Team and the Homeless World Cup and covers an extensive range of related issues.

During the 7^th Homeless World Cup, the website had regular updates on the progress of the Greek Team and the event, in general.

It is in Greek (plans are under way for an English version) but, still, it is worth a visit and your message of support: 

www.blogal.gr/homelessworldcup

THE EXTREME TEAM KICKS IT FOR THE HOMELESS WORLD CUP

There are one billion homeless people living in our world today.

The Homeless World Cup exists to end this, so we all have a home, a basic human need.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

The mighty generous (and fit) Extreme Team are gearing up to take part in some serious fundraising events over the coming months. 

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

(lots and lots) Keep looking for updates on what we are planning and get behind our efforts for this fantastic cause.

We are so extremely grateful to everyone who helped us last year and the years before - we could not have done it without your generosity so please keep it up!

OUR TEAM MEMBERS

Heres the names of all the people who have committed themselves for 2009. We would be very happy to hear from people from other countries who may wish to join us.

Gabi Naegele (the only woman of the Greek Extreme Team so far), Vasilis Papastergiou, Sergios Milis, Vaios Mesdanitis, Aristotelis Papageorgiou, Nikos Valatsos, Giorgos Frantzoglou, Giannis Tsilis, Periklis Papapanagis (our team's coach), Kostas Kourtelis, Giorgos Moshos, and Chris Alefantis.

WHY ARE WE DOING IT?

We're doing it for Niki and for all the other players out there that deserve the chance to be winners in life - take a look

Nikiforos, Greece, admits that even today he finds it hard to give an accurate account of his inner feelings and the way the unique experience of Greece's baptism of fire at the Copenhage 2007 Homeless World Cup affected his life.

Two thirds of players at the Homeless World Cup change their lives. With courage and determination they  come off drugs and alcohol, tackle poverty to get into homes, jobs, training, education, repair relationships with family and friends.

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of people who are homeless and excluded to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever. It has triggered and supports grass roots football projects in over 60 nations working with over 25,000 homeless and excluded people throughout the year.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Homeless World Cup Foundation gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor THE AMAZING EXTREME TEAM!