Venue announced for Canada-Greece away match

The venue, stadium and kickoff time for Canada’s upcoming Men’s International Friendly match against Greece has been announced. The two nations will meet this 9 February 2011 in Larissa, Greece at the A.E.L FC Arena. The match kicks off at 17.00.



This will mark Canada’s first-ever trip to Greece. The two sides last met on 28 May 1988 in the Sir Matthews Cup in Toronto, ON. In the tournament final, Canada won 4-2 on kicks from the penalty mark

following a 0:0 draw with Greece.



Just last year, Greece took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The European club won one of its three group matches, a 2:1 victory over Nigeria. For Greece, currently the 12th ranked country in the world, it was its second participation at a FIFA World Cup™ (1994 and 2010). Just six years ago, Greece won the European Championship at UEFA Euro 2004.



“Whenever you play a FIFA World Cup™ team, it is a special occasion,” said Canadian national head coach Stephen Hart. “It was also not that long ago that Greece was a European Champion, so the match will be challenging. Playing Greece in Greece will be good for us as we continue to develop as a team.”



Canada is currently building towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. The team’s next major competition is the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will serve as the qualification route for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.