They gave us the Olympics, Geometry and Georgia Salpa’s tan.
Beautiful coastlines, wonderful mythology and Nikos Dabizas. Yes, it truly is a wonderful place.
That’s why, to celebrate Lidl’s new Eridanous range, we’ve put together a list of 5 reasons we’re grateful to Greece.
Greek football
When it comes to Greek footballers, it’s hard to pick even one as world class.
That’s exactly why we love them.
They won the European Championship in 2004 with a bunch of average, and some absolutely useless, footballers.
If they can do it, then so can anyone else, even Ireland. They gave the less-talented hope.
Great filming locations
Some fantastic films have used this wonderful country as their backdrop. This author’s favourite trilogy based its third film, Before Midnight, in Southern Peloponnese.
Other movies filmed in Greece include Mamma Mia, Zorba the Greek, the Bourne Identity and the Inbetweeners Movie.
Great food
Any nation that finds room for cheese in their salads is OK in our books.
And it doesn’t end there.
Just go into your local Lidl store to discover a wide range of authentic Greek grub on offer.
Nom nom nom.
The Olympics
Without the Greeks, we wouldn’t have the greatest showcase of sporting talent on the planet.
The first modern Olympic games took place in 1896 (that’s one for the pub quiz, lads), but the first Olympics can be traced back to 776 BC in Ancient Greece (that’s one for the really hard pub quiz, lads).
So it’s thanks to Greece that Katie Taylor, Sonia O’Sullivan and a whole bunch of other Irish athletes have an avenue to showcase their talent.
Democracy
As far as modern living goes, this is pretty important and we have Greece to thank for it.
Ancient Athens around 508 BC (bet you didn’t think you’d read that sentence on JOE today) is where it can be traced to.
So there you have it, five reasons JOE is very grateful to Greece.
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