Greece men ran in seven tries to defeat Norway in a senior international for world ranking points in Sandnes. With experienced Super League referee Michael Smaill in charge, a free flowing game produced an entertaining spectacle.

The Greeks took nine minutes to open the scoring when Adam Vrahnos dived over after the visitors went down the blindside. Soon after, half-back Jordan Meads delivered a cut-out pass for winger Alex Aliu to race away to score.

Centre Kosta Katsidonis crashed over but was held up by determined Norwegian defence, but Meads then took on the line himself and managed to get the ball down. Sam Stratis converted the try, the first of his four goals, and then scored one himself to give Greece a handy 20-0 advantage at half-time.

Three minutes into the second half, Myles Gal barged over from close range to extend the lead to 26-0 and Greece then threw the ball wide resulting in centre Panos Varypatis crossing. 

Norway never gave up with Nils Kristian Holte held up over the line and, on the back of a goal-one drop-out, prop Dan Horne spotted a gap from close range to score, resulting in huge applause from the spectators, Jymaal Mellor-King adding the extras.

In the 65th minute, veteran Greece stand off Nikolaos Bosmos raced clear and beat a number of defenders before doing well to get the ball down in a fine solo effort. 

Greece men’s head coach Steve Georgallis was pleased with the way his side played: “The players have really grown as a team in the past two weeks and they showed that the future of rugby league in Greece very promising,” he said. “A huge thank you to Norway for their hospitality, I strongly encourage other nations to tour there.”

Before the game,  Sandnes Raiders held a tournament for kids and youth with over 130 players involved. 

Photo: Nanco F.S. Hoogstad