Greece’s World Cup warm up match against the Bradford Bulls at Odsal Stadium ended in an entertaining 34 all draw with both teams finding the tryline six times and kicking five goals.
Bradford shot out to an early 22 -0 lead mainly due to Greece errors as the Greeks looked to find their rhythm early. Bulls centre Kieran Gill appeared unstoppable as he celebrated three tries in quick time before Greece hit back in the 20th minute after they spread the ball to the left and Nick Mougios managed to score in the corner.
Greece doubled down six minutes later when Nikos Bosmos put in a perfectly weighted grubber kick and Thodoris Nianiakis pounced on it over the line to send the teams in at half time with Bradford in front 22-12.
After the break Greece coach Steve Georgallis threw Lachlan Ilias, Peter Mamouzelos, Billy Magoulias and Jordan Meads into the fray.
It wasn’t long before Magoulias found the try line before the Bulls hit back with two tries from kicks and a little bit of luck taking the score out to 34-18 in favour of Bradford.
Greece didn’t throw in the towel in the last 20 minutes, taking the score to 34 all with tries to Mamouzelos and Vrahnos while Magoulias celebrated a double four minutes before full time.
Ilias had the opportunity to win the match for Greece in the dying seconds with a penalty but his kick hit the posts to leave the teams equal after 80 minutes.
Georgallis said he was happy with the opportunity to gauge the match fitness and form of his eight domestic players, four debutants and more experienced squad members.
“We wanted to blow the cobwebs out and at the same time start getting a picture of who our gameday squad might be against France on 17 October. I think we achieved both those things. Another bonus was no serious injuries.” Georgallis said.
Bradford 34 (Gill 2’, 12’, 18’, Hoyle 15’, Scully 56’, Gibbons 60’ tries. Flanagan 5 goals)
Greece 34 ( Mougios 21’, Nianiakas 29’, Magoulias 41’,78’ . Mamouzelos 58’, Vrahnos 74’ tries. Sue Tin 2, Ilias 3 goals)
Penalties 13-6 to Greece.
Bradford Bulls: George Flanagan, David Foggin Johnston, Kieran Gill, Joe Burton, Jayden Myers, Myles Lawford, David Gibbons, Jordan Baldwinson, Lewis Camden, Dalton Desmond-Walker, Bradley England, Aidan Scully, Michael Hoyle, Jaden Barraclough, Jack Toulson, Bailey Arnold, Harry Gray, Joseph Kellett, Todd Horner.
Greece: Siteni Taukomo, Nick Mougios, Konstantinos Katsiodonis,Grigorios Koutsibogiorgias, Jonny MItsias. Nikos Bosmos,Liam Sue Tin, Yiannis Rousoglou, Yianis Nake, Stefanos Bastas, Theodoris Nianiakas, Adam Vrahnos, Aris Dardamanis, Chaise Robinson, Myles Gal, Mitchell Zampetides, Nic Flocas, Robert Tuliatu, Peter Mamouzelos, Billy Magoulias, Lachlan Ilias, Sebastian Sell,Jordan Meads.
