In a blockbuster weekend packed with major international rugby fixtures, one match almost certainly slipped under the global radar: Greece vs. Albania.
It marked Greece’s first test match in 12 years, following a long sanction period brought on by governance and management issues. Albania, meanwhile, have been quietly building depth and structure—reminiscent of where Greece were before their exit from European rugby.
The contest itself, for lack of a better word, was a whitewash. Greece showed moments of ambition and clear pride in returning to the international stage, but the gap in match experience and cohesion was evident. Competing at this level after more than a decade away is no small task, and their performance reflected that.
Still, the occasion was historic. Eleni Afroditi Voultepsis became the first female head coach of a men’s national team in European rugby history, stepping into the role on short notice and steering a side still finding its identity. Her leadership under such conditions was notable, and her appointment adds an important chapter to the story of rugby’s growth in the region.
Greece’s return may not have produced a competitive result, but it marked a long-awaited re-entry into international rugby and the beginning of a new rebuild—one that will be worth watching as the team finds its footing again