In Brief
Volleyball leaders face no problems Iraklis, Panathinaikos and Patras stayed at the top of the volleyball league after their wins over lesser opposition during the weekend. Iraklis thrashed Ethnikos 0-3 at Alexandroupolis; Panathinaikos dismissed Aris 0-3 at Thessaloniki and EA Patras saw off Kifissia 3-1 at home. Olympiakos dropped a set but eventually defeated new boys Phinikas Syrou 3-1, as Lamia scored its first win this season, needing a tie-break to beat host Apollon Kalamarias (2-3). Tonight (7 p.m.) Milon greets PAOK at home in Nea Smyrni. Panellinios player caught with drugs A young volleyball player at A2 division club Panellinios was arrested on Saturday for possession of drugs. The Albanian player, who was not named, was caught red-handed at his house in Kypseli, central Athens, with the authorities confiscating 49 grams of cocaine as well as 7,160 euros in cash and precision scales. The cash is believed to have come from the sale of drugs. The police is currently also seeking the player’s father, who is thought to be in Albania. Drymonakos to return Disgraced after being caught for doping eariler this year, swimmer Yiannis Drymonakos reversed his decision to quit the sport and decided to return to training in order to be ready when the two-year suspension imposed this year expires. The former Peristeri swimmer has come to an agreement with the Arcadia Swimming Club for four years. «I will try to return to action so that I can earn medals and help Greek sports,» he stated. Handball wins The national handball team scored two friendly home wins over Turkey, the first 23-19 in Thessaloniki and the second 28-20 at Veria. Its performances bode well for the future, as Greece is preparing for the qualifying phase of the European Championship. On Wednesday, it starts by facing Hungary at home. Table tennis The men’s national table tennis team has risen by one place to the highest ever ranking it has had in the world. It stands at position No 8 for the month of October, one spot higher than the previous month. It is also ranked third in Europe. The women’s team rose from 27th to 26th in the world.
