Greek football team sponsored by brothel

Prostitutes Steffi (L) and Nicole pose in front of a goal wall 08 June 2006 at the brothel 'x-carree' in Halle, eastern Germany (Getty Images)

It's a rare occasion that you can call footballers prudish, and this certainly isn't one of them. A Greek amateur team Voukefalas will wear practice shirts emblazoned with the logos of two local brothels, one of which features a suggestively prancing horse.

"Villa Erotica" and "Soula's House of History" (!!) stepped in to plug some of Voukefalas' financial losses, but players also have an additional incentive to perform, as 67-year-old madam Soula Alevirdou has promised them "special time" on the house each time they win.

She sounds like a character, this Alevirdou, and phrases her support of the team in stirringly patriotic terms: "Greece has educated people, cultured people and good athletes. It's better to help them than take our money to Switzerland."

Brothels have been legally permitted, with a permit, in Greece since 1999.