UNITED KINGDOM – A public sector worker has been made to seriously question his fortunes after drawing Greece in his office Eurozone sweepstake.
Gregory Davidson, 47, is said to have entered the office competition to see which nation would still be left in the Euro by 2014 “for a laugh”, but has since been left to regret his decision.
“I was feeling optimistic as I pulled a card out the hat,” he recalled. “But when I saw the name was Greece my immediate reaction was ‘there goes my fiver’”.
Early exit on the cards
Pundits have already labelled Greece as one of the weaker sides in the Euro and risk being dumped out if they aren’t able to pull a clear financial strategy out of the bag soon.
Greece are currently in bad form in the Euro and after failing to agree terms on a bailout package are bookmakers firm favourites to be knocked out of the Eurozone.
“There were still a few good countries in the pot,” said Mr Davidson. “Holland, Sweden…Finland were still knocking about too so I thought what the hell right? It’s only a fiver.”
Earlier in bailout negotiations, President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso had assured investors Greece was “too good to go out” of the Euro, but later revised his assessment after seeing the amount of money they owe to german banks.
Without a functional government or sound fiscal policy in place, Barroso believes they stand little chance of making it to the latter stages of the single currency system.
That outcome would mean Gregory Davidson misses out on claiming the prize pot of £135 (€168), an amount roughly equal to Greece’s liquid assests.
“Dave from accounts got Germany – lucky bugger.”
‘Down the drain’
Many agree that Germany look the favourites to remain in the Euro. With a solid defense of their own financial interests it’s unlikely they could be convinced to lend the assistance required to keep a number of smaller nations around for much longer.
So disappointed with his selection, Mr Davidson reportedly paid a further £5 on the hopes of pulling a stronger nation, but was left with Spain.
“Truth be told I wish I’d saved the tenner now,” he admitted.
“Another few months and I could have brought both countries and a hot pie with the change.”
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