Greek team refuse World Cup bonuses, ask for training centre instead

Lots of warm fuzzy feelings for the Greek team today.

First, they just got booted out of the World Cup thanks to a penalty shootout with Costa Rica in this morning's round of 16 game. 

Now, news is trickling out about the team refusing bonuses offered to them after qualifying for the last 16 in the World Cup for the first time ever. 

According to the UK's Metro paper, they asked for the money to be put towards building a new training centre instead. 

Greece's midfielder and captain Giorgos Karagounis (right) embraces defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos after their round of 16 football match with Costa Rica at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. PHOTO: AFP

The team wrote in their request to Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras on Sunday (June 29), before their match with Costa Rica. 

"We do not want extra bonus, or money. We only play for Greece and its people," read the note, according to Metro. 

"All we want is for you to support our effort to find land and create a sports centre that will house our national team."

The website Greek Reporter said the Euro 2004 champs "do not train in fancy sports centres" and that they have had their budget cut, making their progress in the ongoing World Cup a "surprise". 

Sources: Metro, Greek Reporter