The Greek community in Canada proudly watched the heroic game of the Greek national football team at the beginning of the Euro Championship. Hundreds of football fans packed bars and cafes Friday afternoon to watch the kick-off game for the 2012 Euro Cup–where Greece tied Poland 1-1.
“We have three generations down here,” said a proud Patty Agrapidis. “Most of us were born in Canada, but we are 100% Greek.”
Agrapadis’ god-daughter Jennie-Ariana Stamatopolous, 1, could possibly have been among the youngest showing her soccer pride, waving a miniature Greek flag.
“We’re starting her young,” said Agrapidis about Stamatopolous.
The Hellas soccer fanclub filled the Trappezi Cafe & Bar near Danforth and Logan Aves. to the point where staff had to begin turning away customers, according a torontosun.com article.
“We’ve been here since 7 a.m., chanting with our drums and getting ready,” said George Chrispopolous, the president of the fanclub.
An unexpected moment left Greek-Canadian fans up in shock when Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny tripped Greece’s Dimitris Salpingidis. While the Polish goalkeeper was given a red card and ejected from the game, fans were uncharacteristically silent for several minutes after the incident.
Despite the score, Greek fans remain optimistic that Tuesday’s upcoming game against the Czech Republic will be a win.
Celebrations continued long after the last whistle with crowds jamming the Danforth for a half an hour while fans sang and chanted to the sound of drums.
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