Greece targets 'the next Bosnich'

[Piola]

A YOUNG Australian tagged "the next Mark Bosnich" by good judges remains torn between two countries despite playing for Greece in two under-17 friendlies this week.

Sydney-born and -raised goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, who is on the books of English giant Liverpool, made his Greece debut in a 2-1 loss to Slovakia before being a second-half substitute in a 3-1 loss to the same side the next day.

Despite the defeats, the former Sydney FC back-up keeper impressed Greek management.

The Greek FA is keen to tie him up for the country where his parents were born and have also targeted young Sydney FC defender Nikolas Tsattalios, who has a Greek background as well.

However, Bouzanis, who has played for the Australian under-17s (Joeys), is coy about his international plans. "I haven't decided yet for which national team I'm going to play," Bouzanis said.

"I went to Greece to see the facilities, to talk to the trainer, to play in these friendlies, and I'll speak to my agent to finally decide.

"I've been a part of junior Australian teams, but I'm still at an age that I have time to choose between Greece and Australia."

Bouzanis, who will be 18 in October, said he would like to clear up the situation as soon as possible but has to be "careful I don't rush in to things".

Under world governing body FIFA's rules, Bouzanis is free to play for Australia or Greece but once he plays a full senior international he is tied to that country.

A product of the New South Wales Institute of Sport, Bouzanis played his junior football in Cronulla alongside his good friend Tsattalios.

[diegom]

Play for greece mate, u will get alot of international football against quality sides.

[Judge Judy]

next coke head

[Panathinaikos]

My sources say he will pledge alliance to Greece. Its good for Greece but personaly he should play for Australia his country of birth and also where he learned his football

my opinion only

[manU4life]

go play for greece you wanka

[Missing Post Count]

A product of the New South Wales Institute of Sport

If this is the case he should play for Australia

[Golden Greek]

next coke head

lol

[Ronnie]

annoys me how all of these players who were born in australia and were products of the various institutes go off and play for a different country.
if they are getting on a bit and still havent crackd it for the australian team, then fair enough, but if australia wants you, then they should feel ashamed to turn their back on them

[Missing Post Count]

Perhaps this should be a clause in Institue of Sports' contracts

[To Mati]

annoys me how all of these players who were born in australia and were products of the various institutes go off and play for a different country.
if they are getting on a bit and still havent crackd it for the australian team, then fair enough, but if australia wants you, then they should feel ashamed to turn their back on them

Most of the time it will end up being about the $$$. And that is something Australia doesn't have.

[Missing Post Count]

The guy who was shown three yellow cards by graham poll chose croatia because he felt he had a better chance of going to the WC, not because of money.

[Missing Post Count]

Bosnich was on Sentanta's Friday Football Show today

[LeBron]

annoys me how all of these players who were born in australia and were products of the various institutes go off and play for a different country.
if they are getting on a bit and still havent crackd it for the australian team, then fair enough, but if australia wants you, then they should feel ashamed to turn their back on them

Couldn't of said it better myself!!

[ruud]

annoys me how all of these players who were born in australia and were products of the various institutes go off and play for a different country.
if they are getting on a bit and still havent crackd it for the australian team, then fair enough, but if australia wants you, then they should feel ashamed to turn their back on them

Couldn't of said it better myself!!

well lets be honest here

playing in europe against european teams... or play in australia against asian teams and a european team coming down here like once every 2 years

hrmmm

[MG&Son]

go play for greece you wanka

couldnt have said it better myself

[Missing Post Count]

annoys me how all of these players who were born in australia and were products of the various institutes go off and play for a different country.
if they are getting on a bit and still havent crackd it for the australian team, then fair enough, but if australia wants you, then they should feel ashamed to turn their back on them

Couldn't of said it better myself!!

well lets be honest here
playing in europe against european teams... or play in australia against asian teams and a european team coming down here like once every 2 years
hrmmm

I know what you're saying, but players who have been developed by institutes of sport here should really play for this country.

[Lilly Whites]

what are you guys on about

its not about the quality of opposition you play

its knowing that everytime you put that strip on your representing YOUR country

you bunch of women

[Art Vanderlay]

There was a big nearly full page article on this lad a cpl ov weeks ago in the w/end Australian. THe Greeks r also interested in one of his mates with a dual AUS/GRC passport thing as well.

[Di Canio]

what are you guys on about

its not about the quality of opposition you play

its knowing that everytime you put that strip on your representing YOUR country

you bunch of women

Agree, and anyone that doesn't feel that way shouldn't get a look in.

Also, if he's any good he'll be playing against top quality sides week in week out in domestic football anyway.

[Piola]

Im italian and if i had a choice to play for Australia or Italy i wouldn't even think twice about putting on the green and gold. This is where i was born, the best country in the world.

i'd rather be a fringe player for the Azzurri than captain Australia.

Unfortunately Im not good enough.

[Jay Walking]

Im italian and if i had a choice to play for Australia or Italy i wouldn't even think twice about putting on the green and gold. This is where i was born, the best country in the world.

i'd rather be a fringe player for the Azzurri than captain Australia.

Unfortunately Im not good enough.

I would rather be a reserves player in the SA Amatuer league than the Italian captain.

Oh, I am.

There would be nothing better than pulling on the Green and Gold to represent this great country. My sister has done it and she said that there is nothing that inspires you more and fills you with more pride and a will to win.

[Piola]

there is nothing that inspires you more and fills you with more pride and a will to win.

that is what playing for Lazio or Italia would mean for me, supported them since I first watched a football match

maybe its the same with Bouzanis?? who the fuck knows??

[Jay Walking]

there is nothing that inspires you more and fills you with more pride and a will to win.

that is what playing for Lazio or Italia would mean for me, supported them since I first watched a football match

maybe its the same with Bouzanis?? who the shiraz knows??

Out of interest, I'm not taking the piss here, people who are from other countries that love them more than were they are currently living, why do they stay there. Eg, Hate Aus, love England but still live in Aus. Would it just be because of work etc?

[Piola]

there is nothing that inspires you more and fills you with more pride and a will to win.

that is what playing for Lazio or Italia would mean for me, supported them since I first watched a football match

maybe its the same with Bouzanis?? who the shiraz knows??

Out of interest, I'm not taking the piss here, people who are from other countries that love them more than were they are currently living, why do they stay there. Eg, Hate Aus, love England but still live in Aus. Would it just be because of work etc?

me? Don't hate Aus, just that Italia was the first football team I ever supported. Wouldnt feel right to change just because Australia suddenly made a WC.

both countries have their good points. for what its worth Australia is probably an easier place to live with better hospitals, more work etc. but if you make it in Italy (ie find work and get paid well) you'd probably have a better time over there. much tougher society to survive in but lifestyle is better than anywhere else on this planet.

[Missing Post Count]

In Japan we have a saying 住めば都 which directly translated says if you live somewhere it's a metropolis. What it means anywhere is a nice place if you settle there.

[the_gun]

bouzanis is a complete idiot if he goes and plays for greece. full stop. born in oz, lived here his whole life, learnt how to play football here. u play for australia.

[Missing Post Count]

bouzanis is a complete idiot if he goes and plays for greece. full stop. born in oz, lived here his whole life, learnt how to play football here. u play for australia.

Whilst I agree with you, considering how much the hassle of getting my son an Australian passport has been compared to getting him a Japanese one was if he said "sod it, I'll play for Japan" I'd say go for it... something I would never have said six months ago.

[the_gun]

its not that hard to get an australian passport if you are an australian citizen.

[Missing Post Count]

its not that hard to get an australian passport if you are an australian citizen.

No, they just too pedantic.

[aPod]

This topic makes me so angry.

Im 19 years old, born in australia, with Italian heritage. I went to a school with predominantly Italian and Greek kids, majority of which all would prefer to play for the country of their parents birth over australia.

It makes me sick to think that a place where you grew up, where your family is, where your home is, where you were educated, where you were taught to play football, and where your LIFE is; could all be disregarded for another country with distant links to you.

If Australia was at war with Italy, or greece, or any other country for that matter, would you go fight for them? Ofcourse not. Same applies for supporting of the national team.

If people continually migrate to australia, establish themselves here, make their homes here, only to disregard it, then not only wont we move forward as a football team, but as a country as well.