The Greeks are passionately devoted to soccer and basketball, and betting (legal and nationwide) on sports events is heavy. All sports events are listed in the Greek press and sometimes in the English-language daily Athens News. You can also try to get information by stopping by the office of the Greek National Tourism Organization, 2 Amerikis, and asking if anyone is playing (unless you speak Greek, do not try this by phone). The best-known soccer teams are the fierce rivals Olympiakos (Piraeus) and Panathanaikos (Athens).

The Greek national basketball team endeared itself to the nation when it won the European Championship by defeating Russia in 1987. Celebrations went on all night. (We should know: We were among the few people in Greece trying to sleep that night.) The championships take place in July or August at different venues in Europe. You may also be able to catch a game between Greek teams in Athens.

If you're in Greece when major international sports events in the world of soccer or basketball take place, you probably will be able to see them on Greek television or CNN. If you're in Greece during Wimbledon and not staying in a hotel with CNN or STAR cable service, you may have to settle for listening to the live radio coverage on the BBC.