Greek-Australian goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, who belongs to English soccer giant Liverpool, has committed his international future to Greece. The 17-year-old has represented both Australia and Greece at junior level but has reportedly written to the Greek federation informing them he wants to play for this country. He will join the Under-19 squad that will be taking part in the UEFA championship finals in the Czech Republic next month. He has already played with the team against Slovakia in February. Under-19 coach Alexis Alexiou expressed his satisfaction with the news.

Greek veteran weightlifter Kakhi Kakhiashvili became the world record-holder in the 94-kilogram category yesterday, after the International Weightlifting Federation decided to remove the international standard it had introduced in 1998. The best performances in each category are now considered as the world record even if they have not reached that standard. The Georgian-born athlete lifted 412 kilos in Athens in 1999.

Greece midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos is close to moving from Bolton Wanderers to Hull City, as the Premiership newcomers have tabled an offer of just over 1 million euros for the next two years. The 33-year-old former Olympiakos player will give his answer by the end of the week, reports in England suggested yesterday.

Bulgarian international Plamen Konstantinov renewed his contract with volleyball champion Iraklis yesterday, turning down a proposal by EA Patras. He will stay for another year at the club with which he has won two league titles.

Kickboxer Mike Zapidis proved he remains “the king of the ring,” after beating Croatia’s Muslic Sanel with a technical knockout in the third round in front of 1,500 fans at the Hellenikon Olympic sport center, southern Athens, late on Monday night during the “Iron Challenge I” event.