One dead, 5 injured at Greek Volleyball

[IdahoBoy]

www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/29/sports/EU-SPT-VOL-Greece-Violence.php

ATHENS, Greece: One man was killed and five people were hospitalized Thursday following clashes outside a women's volleyball match.

Several dozen fans on motorcycles clashed with rival supporters, hurling petrol bombs and rocks. At least two cars and three stores were damaged, police said.

Eighteen youths were detained by police.

Police said a 25-year-old man died of head injuries before reaching the hospital.

The clashes occurred before a women's volleyball Greek Cup match between rivals Panathinaikos and Olympiakos.

Both clubs have major teams in soccer, basketball and other sports, and rival supporters in the past have clashed at various sporting events.

[bigfan]

Maybe Murina or siSam could shed some light on the two teams....how big are they in Europe and what is the deal the fans fighting at a womens volleyball match. First time OI have ever heard of this. Too bad....it just goes to show that fan zealotry is slowly engulfing all sports.

[D. B. Cooper]

IMO, the violence has much more to do with folks being supports of the particular clubs, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, as organizations than anything to do with volleyball. Most know soccer is nuts all over Europe but the Greeks also bring that same passion to basketball. I figure it just "spilled" over to volleyball, in this case. Just my guess.

[sIsam]

That is a big rivalry and I bet it has everything to do with the two clubs and very little to do with volleyball... That's the way it works with most big clubs in Europe...

[foreignball]

Panathinaikos and Olympiakos are the 2 best + biggest sport clubs in Greece and exactly these 2 are “bloody” rivals. As far as where they rank: their men teams are the better ones and I would put then in the 2nd half of “Top 25” in EU - this season Panathinaikos advanced for the playoffs (12 teams) of IECL, Olympiakos finished 5th in their pool. They have quite a few international players – from ARG, BRA, BUL, CZE, etc: Currently Dante Amaral (BRA NT) is playing for Panathinaikos while W Priddy (US NT), Meana, Elgueta (ARG NT), Tzevetanov, Yordanov (BUL NT) are with Olympiakos.

In a recent interview B Yordanov (BUL) who is in his 1st season with Olympiakos said he had never seen such a rivalry with so many rabid fans, “ready to die” for their team. He also shared he was expecting fights during the “derby” between them. He was talking about the men teams, of course, but apparently it is the same “atmosphere” on the women’s side of the game.

As Sisam posted, we also have to pay attention to the fact that these clubs are not “pure” vball ones, they have teams in many sports including soccer. You all know about EUR soccer vandals, their behavior and attitude. An interesting fact about them is they tend to “migrate” to other sports, especially when there aren’t any big games coming soon and/or when they are disappointed for some reason. Having in mind the soccer teams of both clubs were eliminated from the EUR club competitions and on top of that the GRE NT lost an important home game (EC qualifier) just a few days ago, I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out the soccer fans are on the bottom of this tragedy.

[Deleted]

For those of us who don't really know, what exactly is a "club"?

[OverAndUnder]

ruffda said:

For those of us who don't really know, what exactly is a "club"?

[Wolfgang]

When I go to a ball game or vb match, and I want a rock to throw at somebody, I really can't find one easily. There aren't mounds and mounds of rocks lying around in American sporting venues. I guess it's different in Greece. The petrol bombs are also hard to find. They must've brought them to the matches, in anticipation of a riot (which they would, of course, initiate).

[PierreAmi]

You're kidding. Right?

Ever heard of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbon? Well, they are clubs.

The closest thing that you Merkins have would be the Dodgers, Braves, Raiders, Jets, etc.

ruffda said:

For those of us who don't really know, what exactly is a "club"?

[BearClause]

pierreami said:

You're kidding. Right?

Probably semi-kidding.

I guess we might have an inkling, but the sports system in Europe is far different than what we might find in the United States. For the most part, paid professional teams are a single entity, perhaps affiliated with "minor league" clubs that aren't under the same direct control. I understand that "clubs" in Europe typically cover different sports and may encompass several teams (at different levels) in each sport from completely amateur to high-paid.

The Major/Minor League Baseball system is about as close as we come. Each minor league team is under independent ownership. Most are affiliated with a major league team that stocks those teams contracted players, but may be subject to losing their best players as they progress through the ranks. An example would be the team I follow: the Oakland Athletics. Players under contract but not "called up" play at the "AAA" level in Sacramento, "AA" level in Midland, Texas, various affiliated "A" level teams, and some "rookie ball" teams. For the most part, the minor league teams benefit because they don't have to pay most of the salaries although some players not under contract to major league teams fill up rosters and are paid by the minor league teams. Again - the best players often don't remain long.

Hockey has a minor league system. Recently, the NBA set up the National Basketball Developmental League where players can be called up as free agents.

[Deleted]

Actually, totally serious. I get the single-sport clubs, but what holds these multi-sport clubs together? A single owner? A single sponsor?

And, then, is this true of all European clubs? Or is this more of a Greek thing? Or Italian or Turkish -- whomever.

Real Madrid, for example. Are you telling me they are something other than a soccer "club"?

There's nothing comparable here, other than owners of multiple teams.

[Deleted]

Wolfgang, they're called "ruins", especially in Athens. You can't walk ten yards there without stubbing your toe on a piece of the Parthenon or some such thing.

The petrol bombs are another story. That takes preparation. Unless you happen to riot in the Flea Market. I believe there are a couple of petrol bomb stands in there.

[BearClause]

ruffda said:

Actually, totally serious. I get the single-sport clubs, but what holds these multi-sport clubs together? A single owner? A single sponsor?

And, then, is this true of all European clubs? Or is this more of a Greek thing? Or Italian or Turkish -- whomever.

Real Madrid, for example. Are you telling me they are something other than a soccer "club"?

There's nothing comparable here, other than owners of multiple teams.

It didn't take that long to figure out that Real Madrid also includes a basketball team:

www.realmadrid.com/baloncesto/portada_esp.htm

I can think of amateur "clubs" like the Olympic Club in San Francisco that sponsor rugby, basketbal, water polo, etc teams. However - I don't think any of their athletes are paid for their services.

[Wolfgang]

ruffda said:

Wolfgang, they're called "ruins", especially in Athens. You can't walk ten yards there without stubbing your toe on a piece of the Parthenon or some such thing.

The petrol bombs are another story. That takes preparation. Unless you happen to riot in the Flea Market. I believe there are a couple of petrol bomb stands in there.

Is this God's answer or Ruffda's?

[OverAndUnder]

ruffda said:

Wolfgang, they're called "ruins", especially in Athens. You can't walk ten yards there without stubbing your toe on a piece of the Parthenon or some such thing.

The petrol bombs are another story. That takes preparation. Unless you happen to riot in the Flea Market. I believe there are a couple of petrol bomb stands in there.

The bombs at the Athena Flea Market are highly overrated. The best place to buy destructive chemicals (or clean your windows) is at Omonia Square. Personally, I make a side trip to Greece every time I'm in Europe, but I never go shopping at the markets there because I'm agoraphobic.