'Little Greece' Celebrates Soccer Win as Czech Loyalists Nurse Wounds

The New York Sun July 2, 2004 Friday SECTION: NEW YORK; Pg. 2
	Celebrating the Greek national soccer team's victory over the Czech Republic. Photo Credit: Scott Eells.

Queen's "Little Greece" erupted in euphoria yesterday when the Greek national team scored in the last 15 seconds of extra time against the favored Czech Republic, winning a place in the finals of the European Championships.

Hundreds of fans flooded the streets of Astoria chanting "Hellas, Hellas." Mister Softee trucks transformed into makeshift floats with men parading on top while down below revelers draped in blue and white danced around Greek flags, some crying and shaking.

"Even the people who aren't Greek are Greek today," said Angelo Patrakas, 21, who moved to Queens six years ago from the Greek city of Kallamata.

Well, not everyone. In the neighborhood's Czech bars, disappointed fans stoically sipped pilsner as the impact of the 11th-hour goal, headed in by Traiano Dellas, sunk in.

"They're going to be here crying and drinking," said Milan Hronec, a Slovak bar tender at the Bohemian Hall. Founded in 1910, the hall has the city's one remaining beer garden, and is a center for Czech culture. "They are very upset you know," he said.

The loss is all the more painful because the favored Czechs could hear the blaring horns, firecrackers, and shouts of victory from the neighborhood's more populous Greek community, even behind closed doors.

Greece, expected to be one of the first teams to be eliminated, has had an amazing run, outplaying Portugal and France to become the first team to beat both the host and the defending champion in a major tournament. Winless in other major soccer contests, Greece will face Portugal again in Sunday's final.

Throughout Astoria the excitement could be felt even before the game started at 2:45, when Greek fans began to fill bars, cafes, and even strip clubs to capacity to watch the showdown. Those who could not get off work listened in Greek radio from bakeries, souvlaki stands, and delis.

"Greeks are fanatics when it comes to soccer, it's like it's above religion," said Renee Spilios,a 27-year-old teacher who sat sipping a frappe at the Avenue Cafe.

Ms. Spilios was joined at that cafe by more than a hundred fans. They spilled onto the street, some with faces painted in blue and white, with all eyes glued to the three screens for more than two hours.

For some of the neighborhood's residents, the commotion during the game was a bit of a mystery ."I thought someone died," said Luis Palaguachi, 12, who was startled by the screaming when he walked past Avenue Cafe with his sister as they headed home from the library.

The instant the winning shot was made cell phones were whipped out to share the victory with family from Athens to Philadelphia. Greek fans raced down 31st street from the Avenue Cafe to the intersection of 30th avenue, where Greek fans in front of the Olympiakos Fan Club obstructed the intersection into the night.

"We're going to get the cup and we're going to raise it in the Acropolis," shouted Michael Gatzonis, 25, of Astoria, over the clamor of chanting and horns. "This never happened in Greek history, never. This is euphoria. I haven't had a sip and I'm drunk."