Greece men's national ice hockey team explained

Greece
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Organization:Hellenic Winter Sports Federation
Badge Size:230px
Nickname:Hellas (Ελλάς)
Association:Hellenic Ice Sports Federation
Coach:Grigoris Apostolidis
Captain:Dimitrios Kalyvas
Most Games:Orestis Tilios (41)
Top Scorer:Dimitrios Kalyvas (26)
Most Points:Dimitrios Kalyvas (55)
Iihf Code:GRE
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Iihf Max:44
Iihf Max Date:2011–14
Iihf Min:49
Iihf Min Date:2015–16
First Game: 15–3
Largest Win: 13–0
Largest Loss: 26–2
World Champ Apps:12
World Champ First:1992
World Champ Best:29th (1992)
Record:19–36–1

The Greece national ice hockey team (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Εθνική Ελλάδος χόκεϊ επί πάγου) is the national ice hockey team of Greece and as an associate member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that competed in Division III of the IIHF World Championships.

The Greece National Ice hockey team has competed in 10 IIHF World Championship Division III (1992, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013) 4 World Championship Qualifications (1993, 1996, 2008 and 2012) and 1 Olympic Qualification (1996)

The Greece National ice hockey Team's greatest result is the Silver Medal at the 2010 IIHF World Championship Division III that was held in Luxembourg, followed by the bronze medal at the 1992 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships Pool C held in South Africa.

At present time, Greece is unable to compete in IIHF tournaments because it cannot fulfill the minimum standard of having one operational "Olympic size" indoor rink in the country. The National Team last competed in the 2013 IIHF World Championship Division III that were held in South Africa and will only compete again officially when a regular ice rink opens and the Greek Ice Hockey Championship starts up again.

History

Ice hockey started in Greece in 1984 by players that returned to Greece from abroad. The first official Greek Championship was held in 1989 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium with five teams taking place. It was the first time that ice hockey games were held in an official-size rink in the country. In 1990, the first junior national team was formed and took part in the World Junior Championship Pool C, held in Yugoslavia. In 1991, the junior national team took part in the World Junior Championship, held in Italy. In 1992, the first ever men's national team was formed and took place in the World Championships Pool C2 held in South Africa. With only two weeks of serious training abroad and the support of the Greeks of South Africa, the men's national team finished ahead of three other new hockey nations, winning the bronze medal, placing them 29th overall.

Despite the great achievement, the start of the decline of the sport came in 1993. Economic help was discontinued by the Greek Undersecretary of State for Sports and all expenses to keep ice hockey alive were passed over to the players. Practices stopped and many players quit.

Since May 2003, the last ice rink in Greece closed and the national team was left without an ice rink. In the next 4 years, players of the national team traveled at their own expense in the Czech Republic in order to train themselves.

Ice hockey was slowly dying until Dimitris Kalyvas (last captain of the Greece National Team) decided to start efforts to bring the National Team back to international competition. He focused his efforts with the Greek Government and specifically the Ministry of Sports in Greece, but also with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). After many months of effort he convinced the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that the National Team is still active and that development of the sport is continuing in the country despite not having an ice rink. He later received the support of the Hellenic Ice Sports Federation. After many emails, the IIHF decided to send 2 delegates to Athens to investigate. After a review by the IIHF in 2007 Greece retained its status within the IIHF and took part in a qualification tournament against Armenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo prior to the 2008 Division III championship in Luxembourg. They defeated both teams, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 10 – 1 in their first international game after almost 10 years and Armenia 8 – 5 (although Armenia was forced to forfeit each game 5 – 0 for using non-eligible players). After the qualification that gave new life to Ice Hockey in Greece, they went on to take part in 6 consecutive World Championships Div. III. From 2008 until 2013, highlighted by a second-place finish (Silver Medal) in their group (third overall) in 2010.

Many articles were written at the time of Dimitris' efforts to bring the National team back to international competition. The 2007 article written by Bill Meltzer and posted on the IIHF.com website titled: Greek hockey - against all odds: Efforts by leaders like Kalyvas bring the Greece national team back to IIHF competitions is a perfect example.

Dimitris went on to be the longest running Captain of the National team and one of the longest running Captains in international ice hockey history wearing the "C" on his jersey for 15 years. He is also the top scorer of Greek Ice Hockey history having scored 26 goals and 55 points helping the National team on and off the ice.

Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the National team and Dimitris continuous efforts off the ice, the IIHF determined in 2013 that the team will not be able to participate in any World Championship programs until an Olympic sized ice rink is constructed in the country.[1]

In December 2023, it was announced that Greece would ice a team at the 2024 IIHF Development Cup, a tournament for nations that can't participate in the IIHF World Championship, due to the lack of an Olympic sized ice rink. Greece will play against Liechtenstein, Ireland, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil & Portugal.

National Team Participations

Future Greece National Team

In order for Greece to create a national team again that will participate in IIHF World Championships, the following need to occur:

1) an Olympic-size rink needs to open in the country

2) a Greek League of at least 4 Teams needs to get organized.

If players with Greek heritage who are living abroad want to play for the Greece National Team, then they need to follow the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules [2] below.

According to the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), which is the governing body of Ice Hockey Worldwide:

When a player has multiple citizenship (for example Greek-Canadian or Greek-American, etc.) and he/she has never represented any country in any IIHF championship or an Olympic competition or in qualifications to these competitions, then in order to play for the country of his/her choice he/she must:

a) Hold a passport of the country they chose to represent. In this case a Greek Passport.

b) prove that he has participated at least two consecutive hockey seasons and 16 consecutive months (480 days) in the national competitions of his new country after his 10th birthday (In our case the Greek Ice Hockey League where games are played in Greece). Female players need to have participated on a consistent basis for at least one hockey season and have been member of the new national association for at least 8 consecutive months (240 days) during that period.

c) Is a resident in the country that he/she wishes to represent (lives in Greece) during which period he/she has neither transferred to another country nor played ice hockey within any other country.

After following the above a player would be eligible to play for the national team of Greece.

All-times top Scorers of the National Team

Men's Hellenic National Team (including 2013 World Championship Div. III)

NameGoalsAssistsPoints
Dimitris Kalyvas (C)262955
George Adamidis161733
Ioannis Koufis21829
Dimitrios Malamas141529
Nikos Papadopoulos52328
Georgios Kalyvas (A)131225
Orestis Tilios (A)121224

2013 World Championship Division III

Forwards
width=5%width=15%Playerwidth=8%Positionwidth=8%Shootswidth=13%Date of birthwidth=37%Club
2Pavlos KasampoulisFLJul. 21, 1988Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
3Polykarpos AmanatidisFLAug. 23, 1979Aris Thessaloniki
6Georgios KoulelesFROct. 2, 1983Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
7Eleftherios FournogerakisFROct. 19, 1979Mad Cows Athens
8Iason PachosFRAug. 3, 1985Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
10Alexandros Valsamas-RallisFROct. 1, 1984Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
12Dimitrios MalamasFRMay 12, 1973Aris Thessaloniki
13Ioannis KoufisFRJun. 28, 1965Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
17Panagiotis KoulourisLWLSep. 2, 1983Aris Thessaloniki
19Georgios KalyvasFLDec. 6, 1978Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
21Dimitris KalyvasFLDec. 11, 1973Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
22Kyriakos AdamidisFLDec. 03, 1990PAOK Thessaloníki HC
Defencemen
width=5%width=15%Playerwidth=8%Positionwidth=8%Shootswidth=13%Date of birthwidth=37%Club
5Nikolaos ChatzigiannisDLJan. 30, 1978Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
9Ioannis ZiakasDLJul. 31, 1972Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
11Orestis TiliosDLNov. 7, 1974Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
14Diogenis SourasDRSep. 8, 1986Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
15Antonis KanellisDLMay 29, 1991Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
24Nikolaos PapadopoulosDRDec. 22, 1987PAOK Thessaloníki HC
16Marios LibertosDRJun. 14, 1970Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
Goaltenders
width=5%width=15%Playerwidth=8%Positionwidth=8%Catcheswidth=13%Date of birthwidth=37%Club
1Georgios FiotakisGLJan. 25, 1971Albatros Athens
25Dalibor PloutsisGLNov. 15, 1976Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai
Staff
width=15%Titlewidth=85%Staff Member
Head coachIgor Apostolidis
Assistant coachPanagiotis Efkarpidis
Team LeaderNikos Bliagos
StaffGeorgia Proimou

Player statistics

NameGPGoalsAssistsPointsSOGPIM
17Panagiotis Koulouris54261614
21Dimitris Kalyvas (C)5066162
24Nikolaos Papadopoulos40331214
19Georgios Kalyvas (A)5202130
7Eleftherios Fournogerakis511232
10Alexandros Valsamas-Rallis5112110
13Ioannis Koufis5101154
11Orestis Tilios (A)5101112
22Kyriakos Adamidis5101112
8Iason Pachos5011810
4Polykarpos Amanatidis500086
5Nikolaos Chatzigiannis500018
6Georgios Kouleles500020
14Diogenis Souras500010
2Pavlos Kasampoulis500010
16Marios Lybertos500012
15Antonis Kanellis500010
12Dimitris Malamas1000027
1Giorgos Fiotakis50004
25Spyros-Dalibor Ploutsis50004

2010 World Championship

The Greece national ice hockey team competed in the 2010 IIHF World Championship Division III which was held in Luxembourg from April 14-17. The team was successful in winning the silver medal; gold went to Ireland and the host country Luxembourg won bronze

Player statistics

NamePGPGoalsAssistsPTSPIMSOG
21Dimitris Kalyvas (C)F3156810
19George KalyvasD3415413
24Nikolaos PapadopoulosD3044206
13Ioannis KoufisF3303810
8Iasonas PachosF312305
18Themistoklis LambridisF310188
3Lazaros EfkarpidisF301101
11Orestis Tilios (A)D301123
22Kostas LembessisD301125
23Panagiotis IatridisD300101
5Nikos ChatzigiannisD300001
6George KoulelesF300000
12Kyriakos AdamidisF300022
9Ioannis Ziakas (A)D300020
10Alexandros Rallis-ValsamasF3000253
14Diogenis SourasD300000
P: POSITIONS, GP: GAMED PLAYED, PTS: POINTS, PIM: PENALTY IN MINUTES, SOG: SHOTS ON GOAL

Goalie statistics

NameGPMIPGASVSSOGSVS%WL
1George Fiotakis00000000
25Dalibor Ploutsis3179:035859094.4421

GP:Games played, MIP:Minutes played, GA:Goals against, SVS:Saves, SVS%:Saves percentage, W:Wins, L:Loss

2009 World Championships

DateGameResult
10.04.2009Ireland -Greece3:7
11.04.2009Greece - Mongolia5 : 0*
13.04.2009New Zealand -Greece4 : 3 OT
15.04.2009Greece - Luxembourg2:7
16.04.2009Turkey - Greece7:1

Player statistics

NamePGPGoalsAssistsPTSPIMSOG
21Dimitris Kalyvas (C)F43362012
15Grigoris ApostolidisF42351229
24Nikolaos PapadopoulosD42352817
19George KalyvasF4314211
13Ioannis KoufisF412326
12Kyriakos AdamidisF411222
17George AdamidisF402221
3Lazaros EfkarpidisF410122
23Panagiotis IatridisD401123
22Kostas LembessisD401101
11Orestis Tilios (A)D4011107
18Themistoklis LambridisF4011102
5Nikos ChatzigiannisD400022
6George KoulelesF400000
8Iasonas PachosF400063
9Ioannis Ziakas (A)D400021
10Alexandros Rallis-ValsamasF400004
16Viktor MateevitsiF400001

2008 World Championships

DateGameResult
31.03.2008Greece - South Africa1:5
01.04.2008Greece - Mongolia10:4
03.04.2009DPR Korea - Greece7:3
05.04.2009Greece - Turkey1:9
06.04.2009Luxembourg - Greece3-2 OT

Player statistics

NamePGPGoalsAssistsPTSPIMSOG
21Dimitris Kalyvas (C)F510212234
13Ioannis KoufisF5549223
24Nikolaos PapadopoulosD50883020
19George KalyvasF50441415
11Orestis Tilios (A)D50331223
23Panagiotis IatridisD502267
8Iasonas PachosF510128
12Thanasis KesidisF5101419
18Themistoklis LambridisF501185
22Kostas LembessisD501164
6Ioannis Ziakas (A)D5011144
10Alexandros Rallis-ValsamasF501125
3Lazaros EfkarpidisF500022
5Nikos ChatzigiannisD500020
7Ioannis GiatagantzidisF500020
14Diogenis SourasD500000
4Fivos KaminisD500000
2Grigoris ApostolidisF100002

Tournament record

World Championships

Year Location Result
Johannesburg, South Africa Bronze in Pool C2 (29th)
Ankara, Turkey 2nd in Pool C qualifying Group 4 (NR)
Johannesburg, South Africa 9th place in Pool C2 (38th)
Metula, Israel 3rd in Pool D qualifying Group 2 (NR)
Krugersdorp / Pretoria, South Africa 8th place in Pool D (40th)
Krugersdorp, South Africa 8th place in Pool D (39th)
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 5th place in Div III (45th)
Dunedin, New Zealand 4th place in Div III (44th)
Kockelscheuer, Luxembourg bgcolor=silver align=center Silver in Group B of Division III (43rd)
Cape Town, South Africa 5th place in Division III (45th)
Erzurum, Turkey 5th place in Division III (45th)
Cape Town, South Africa 5th place in Division III (45th)

Development Cup

All-time Record against other nations

As of 21 April 2013[3]

Team GP W T L GF GA
1 1 0 0 5 0
1 0 0 1 2 10
2 0 1 1 7 19
1 1 0 0 10 1
1 1 0 0 13 0
1 1 0 0 8 6
4 1 0 3 14 17
5 1 0 4 13 59
1 0 0 1 1 20
7 2 0 5 17 45
5 5 0 0 29 7
4 1 0 3 16 22
3 0 0 3 5 18
5 0 0 5 8 50
3 0 0 3 2 37
9 3 0 6 36 55
3 2 0 1 11 6
Total 56 19 1 36 197 372
Note: Greece was awarded a 5–0 victory over Armenia in the 2008 IIHF World Championship Division III Qualification after Armenia forfeited the game due to player eligibility issues. The score of the game was originally an 8–5 for Greece.

All-time Record against other clubs

As of December 15, 2007[4]

Team GP W T L GF GA
1 0 0 1 2 12
1 0 0 1 1 15
HC Veteraní 1 0 0 1 5 15
1 0 1 0 7 7
1 0 0 1 1 9
Total 5 0 1 4 16 58

1992 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships Group C2

Here are the Results of Team Greece's first medal winning championship in 1992.

Qualification-

Articles about the National Team

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.icehockey.gr/en/index.php/category/2013-world-championship/ Game over for National Team
  2. https://www.iihf.com/en/static/5453/eligibility/ IIHF ELIGIBILITY
  3. Web site: Greece-Men-All-Time-Results-1.pdf. 15 January 2018. National Teams of Ice Hockey. 15 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180116135123/https://www.nationalteamsoficehockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Greece-Men-All-Time-Results-1.pdf. 16 January 2018. dead.
  4. Web site: Greece-Men-All-Time-Results-1.pdf. 15 January 2018. National Teams of Ice Hockey. 15 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180116135123/https://www.nationalteamsoficehockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Greece-Men-All-Time-Results-1.pdf. 16 January 2018. dead.