The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
12 October 2003
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‘Pray for Pope’ call not meant to alarm
Honour
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Compeer
reaches farther out
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Man of stature
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Fr John Andersen, parish priest on the banks of the Amazon - Baptism query, then
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Spiritan
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50
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Day
of the Emperors
Achieving
pregnancy
Sports
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Role
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It’s
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Holiday
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Day of the Emperors
Italian captain Paul Dezolt fires off a pass during Italy’s win over Greece at Oki Jubilee Stadium
By Damir Govorcin
It was promoted
as The Gods vs The Emperors, and the historic rugby league clash between Italy
and Greece failed to disappoint.
More than 4000 fans watched an epic struggle as teams representing the two Mediterranean nations battled it out in Kogarah’s Colosseum, the Oki Jubilee Stadium.
North Queensland hooker Paul Dezolt ended the struggle by scoring a converted try in the final minute to give the Italians a 26-24 win.
“All the Catholic boys got in a huddle before the game and said a prayer,” said victorious Italian coach David Riolo.
“We lost a few NRL players prior to the game, but the boys that stepped in gave a good account of themselves. In the end, it was a great game and more importantly it gave the fledgling nations a huge boost.”
The Greeks looked to have stolen victory when Nick Nikitaris crossed with three minutes remaining after a bomb was fumbled by the Italians.
But Dezolt, who took over the Italian captaincy after the late withdrawal of Wests Tigers’ Anthony Laffranchi, snared the late four-pointer that was converted right on the final siren by fullback Daniel Albertiri.
After the match, Albertiri said: “This is the best game I have been associated with. To represent your country is an incredible feeling.”
Dezolt, who received the Ionio Cup from ARL chairman Colin Love, was judged man of the match; Nikitaris won the Greek team’s award.
Colin Love gave “full credit to the Greek and Italian Rugby League” for an enjoyable and entertaining encounter.
The match, which was covered by Channel 31 and two Greek radio stations, was well supported in the Italian and Greek communities. A return match is expected next year.
The Italians will now concentrate on the World Sevens qualifiers in Sydney in January.
A four-team competition will be held in Italy next June-July.