Huge and inspiring win today by Greece, 1-0 on the road in Ukraine, to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Panathinaikos' Dimitri Salpigidis scored in the 31st minute to give Greece enough offense to advance.
I was pretty pessimistic going into this game. In Greece's last three big games - on the road versus Switzerland and Moldova, and Saturday at home versus Ukraine - the Hellenic squad either was overwhelmed or came out flat, especially on Saturday. How you can come out flat in a once-in-every-four-years play off game is beyond me.
But it appears the Greeks were being well, Greek - clever, tricky, etc. A few commentators, both on ESPN and on Greek TV, have hypothesized that Ellas' strategy was to frustrate Ukraine with a defensive game in Athens and then come out swinging and counter attack on the road.
And that's what happened in Ukraine this afternoon. Greece played a fairly aggressive game, at least in the first half, and kept Ukraine on the defensive. That must of surprised the home team today, as they probably expected Greece to hold back and play for a tie.
It was good to see Greece play some aggressive football today, and GREAT to see them join the U.S. (who lost another friendly today, to Denmark 1-3, using mostly second-string players) in the 2010 World Cup. Excellent day for Greece.
Wizards
Behind Tar Heel alum Antawn Jamison's 31 points the Washington Wizards soundly defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. It was Jamison's first game of the season after having to sit out the first nine games with a shoulder injury. Twan did not look the least bit rusty; he hit threes, patented finger roles and scoop shots, and mid-range jumpers.
More importantly, he led, and flatly stated he would not let the Wizards keep making mistakes, and would ensure that Washington played better basketball. He did, and they did, and the Wizards won. That's a Tar Heel.
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