Flames coach celebrates Greek, Flames wins

A HISTORIC FOURTH FOR SKOUFIS
Flames coach celebrates Greek, Flames wins

New Rochelle, N.Y. —It’s a Fourth of July Gus Skoufis won’t soon forget.

Skoufis was ecstatic when he arrived to City Park Stadium Sunday, moments after his beloved Greece pulled off a historic upset by beating Portugal in the Euro 2004 finals.

And three hours later Skoufis was still smiling after the Flames coach saw his side snap a two-game losing streak by beating the rival Long Island Rough Riders, 2-1.

“We have a celebration today,” Skoufis said. “It’s a great feeling, even my kids are proud to be Greek today. It was a big accomplishment that no one expected.”

Skoufis watched the first half of the Euro 2004 final at home before leaving for New Rochelle. He listed to the game on a Greek radio station, learning his country had taken a 1-0 lead in the second half before holding off a late onslaught by the Portuguese.

When he arrived at City Park Stadium, Skoufis told his team there was no way they could lose today — that’s because they were wearing the same white and blue uniforms the Greeks wore in Lisbon.

Now that Skoufis achieved a double of sorts, what’s next for the head coach/accountant?

“I’m going to Astoria,” he quipped.

— Dylan Butler, bigapplesoccer.com, Assistant Editor

07/04/2004