Aussies playing in Greece now

[andy]

Any Greek experts know the deal with why so many aussies playing in Greece atm?

Zeljko Kalac - Kavala
Paul Giannou - Kavala
Robert Stambolziev - Kavala
Matt Deegan - Zakynthos
Yannis Galanos - Zakynthos
Nick Marinos - Zakynthos
Andreas Govas - AEP Kozanis
Chris Tomaras - AEP Kozanis
Foti Hatzivalsamis - Rouvas
Kosta Mantis - Rouvas
Tony Hatzis - Niki Volos
Bill Konstantinidis - Niki Volos
Nathan Burns - Kerkyra

[ruud]

true blue aussies

[olympiakos]

Any Greek experts know the deal with why so many aussies playing in Greece atm?

Zeljko Kalac - Kavala
Paul Giannou - Kavala
Robert Stambolziev - Kavala
Matt Deegan - Zakynthos
Yannis Galanos - Zakynthos
Nick Marinos - Zakynthos
Andreas Govas - AEP Kozanis
Chris Tomaras - AEP Kozanis
Foti Hatzivalsamis - Rouvas
Kosta Mantis - Rouvas
Tony Hatzis - Niki Volos
Bill Konstantinidis - Niki Volos
Nathan Burns - Kerkyra

pretty stupid question no offence, any reason why aussies are playing anywhere? what does greece have to do with it?

[smicko]

how is it a stupid question?

the reason is because before they went over there wasn't a solid step-up after they completed sasi or state team programs. I am related to a player in that list, and that is the reason he is there, to improve his game technically as he believes in Aust he cannot. Different for a kid who will grow up in Aust in 10 years time, once the system is in place, but for now, we have to risk losing these players to countries inside europe.

[andy]

Any Greek experts know the deal with why so many aussies playing in Greece atm?

Zeljko Kalac - Kavala
Paul Giannou - Kavala
Robert Stambolziev - Kavala
Matt Deegan - Zakynthos
Yannis Galanos - Zakynthos
Nick Marinos - Zakynthos
Andreas Govas - AEP Kozanis
Chris Tomaras - AEP Kozanis
Foti Hatzivalsamis - Rouvas
Kosta Mantis - Rouvas
Tony Hatzis - Niki Volos
Bill Konstantinidis - Niki Volos
Nathan Burns - Kerkyra

pretty stupid question no offence, any reason why aussies are playing anywhere? what does greece have to do with it?

um, I was only asking why the sudden surge in Aussies in Greece. I doubt we've ever had so many Aussies playing in Greece, so I was just calling upon the collective wisdom of the forum to suggest why there are so many at the moment? Has the Greek federation changed their import quotas or something like that???

maybe i just shouldnt have bothered

[The Kop]

No change in quotas Andy, still 5 non-eu allowed.

But from the list you posted, you will find the majority of whom are born in Greece (eg Giannou and Govas?) or have Greek heritage and thus can naturalise easily.

Which makes the natural progression for a footballer of that background go to Greece as the player can adjust more confortably knowing the culture, language and have family there.

About 2 of the more senior players on that list.
Burns' case is well documented, he would have found it very very difficult to see any action at AEK considering all the players we signed. Plus he signed a 4 year contract, so theres no scope to release him. A loan and see how he goes is the best option.

Kalac - Not sure what Kavala are thinking. They also signed Itjande (spelling) from Liverpool on loan and Katergiannakis (CL experienced keeper with Olympiakos and part of Euro04 squad). Not sure what his role will be there.

[vertu1]

Hey Kop, i have been trying to find a website (in english) that has details of the Greek leagues , match reports etc
so that i can keep on eye on some of these guys
not having much luck with finding details of games from beta div or lower other than just the scores

can you point the way to some decent sites ?

thx

[Bomber]

There are a lot more Greeks playing in Australia than the other way round!

[The Kop]

Hey Kop, i have been trying to find a website (in english) that has details of the Greek leagues , match reports etc
so that i can keep on eye on some of these guys
not having much luck with finding details of games from beta div or lower other than just the scores

can you point the way to some decent sites ?

thx

To be honest there isnt much in english, if any, that I know of.
Best bet would be to go onto a forum (like this one) where the majority of posters speak english.

Try:
www.greeksoccer.com
The main page may have some scores from lower divs.
Click the 'forum' link up the top of the main page then scroll down and have a look at the subforums for B, C and D divisions.
Thats all that I can think of.

Otherwise:
Go to the Greek sites, copy a block of text and then go to http://au.babelfish.yahoo.com/ and translate the block of text. It wont be 100% accurate but you can get the gist of it.

If I come accross anything half decent I'll post it.

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

true blue aussies

Which ones are not born here? Dickhead.

No change in quotas Andy, still 5 non-eu allowed.

But from the list you posted, you will find the majority of whom are born in Greece (eg Giannou and Govas?) or have Greek heritage and thus can naturalise easily.

Which makes the natural progression for a footballer of that background go to Greece as the player can adjust more confortably knowing the culture, language and have family there.

About 2 of the more senior players on that list.
Burns' case is well documented, he would have found it very very difficult to see any action at AEK considering all the players we signed. Plus he signed a 4 year contract, so theres no scope to release him. A loan and see how he goes is the best option.

Kalac - Not sure what Kavala are thinking. They also signed Itjande (spelling) from Liverpool on loan and Katergiannakis (CL experienced keeper with Olympiakos and part of Euro04 squad). Not sure what his role will be there.

[Salpigidis]

There are a lot more Greeks playing in Australia than the other way round!

yes we have lower leagues where they tend to fit easily. much like a-leagues stars playing in B-league , Beta Ethniki. it improves australian football and they will probably play for australia national team in they make as a starter in a super league club .

[arxidi]

Hey Kop, i have been trying to find a website (in english) that has details of the Greek leagues , match reports etc
so that i can keep on eye on some of these guys
not having much luck with finding details of games from beta div or lower other than just the scores

can you point the way to some decent sites ?

thx

To be honest there isnt much in english, if any, that I know of.
Best bet would be to go onto a forum (like this one) where the majority of posters speak english.

Try:
http://www.greeksoccer.com
The main page may have some scores from lower divs.
Click the 'forum' link up the top of the main page then scroll down and have a look at the subforums for B, C and D divisions.
Thats all that I can think of.

Otherwise:
Go to the Greek sites, copy a block of text and then go to http://au.babelfish.yahoo.com/ and translate the block of text. It wont be 100% accurate but you can get the gist of it.

If I come accross anything half decent I'll post it.

is this a wind up ?

[Salpigidis]

ill be glad to answer any questions that aussies may have about aussie players in Greece if i know or ill just look it up for ya.

[andy]

ill be glad to answer any questions that aussies may have about aussie players in Greece if i know or ill just look it up for ya.

Thanks buddy!!
And thanks to The Kop too

[andy]

I used to try to keep track of Aussies playing in Greece, but have found it harder to keep up in the last couple of years.
Aside from current players (listed in my earlier posting), I have compiled the following list of Australians who have played professionally in Greece.
Can anyone think of anyone I may have missed?

Ike ALAGIOZIDIS 1989-1992 Panserraikos
John ANASTASIADIS 1988-1997 PAOK
Joe BACAK 2000 Ethnikos
Lou BEKIARIS 1989-1991 Aris
George BOUHOUTSOS 1989 Panathinaikos
Andrew BOURAKIS 2004 Panathinaikos
Dimitri BRINIAS 2002-2004 Marko, Panathinaikos
Nathan BURNS 2008 AEK
Pablo CARDOZO 2000 Athinaikos
Alvin CECCOLI 1998 AEK
George CHRISTOPOULOS 1983 AEK
Ante COVIC 1999-2001 Kavala, PAOK
Bill DAMIANOS 1998-2002 Kalithea, Xanthi
Travis DODD 2004 Panionios
Hayden DOYLE 2007 Niki Volou
Peter ELEFTHERAKIS 2008 Pyrsos Grevenon
Adam FOTI 2006-2008 Kerkyra
Johnny FOUNDOULAKIS 1999-2003 Agrotikos, Panaigialios, Proodeftiki
Paul GIANNOU 2007-2009 Apollon
Andreas GOVAS 2008 Apollon
Greg HAGIAS 1999 Panahaiki
George HANIOTIS 1989-1992 Apollon, Panahaiki
Tony HATZIS 2006-2009 Niki Volou, Olympiakos Volos, Veria
Lou HRISTODOULOU 1987-1996 Panathinaikos
Chris KALANTZIS 1987-1997 Olympiakos, Panathinaikos
Peter KATHOLOS 1985 Larissa
Angelo KOUTOS 1991-1999 Pierikos
Peter LAHANAS 1993-1999 Apollon, Panarkadikos
Alen MARCINA 2003 PAOK
Nick MARINOS 2008 Zakynthos
Dino MENNILLO 2001 Kalithea
Sasa OGNENOVSKI 2002 Panahaiki
Terry PALAPANIS 1995-1998 Diagoras Rodos, Panahaiki
Joe PALATSIDES 1993-2000 Kalamaria, Olympiakos Volos, PAOK
Michael PANOPOULOS 1995-1999 Aris
Con PAPPAS 1979 Yiannina
Terry PATALIS 1984-1992 AEK, Ethnikos, Kalithea
Jim PATIKAS 1985-1996 AEK, Athinaikos, Kastoria
Adriano PELLEGRINO 2005 Panahaiki
Angelo PETRATOS 1993 Panserraikos
Jason POLAK 1989 Panathinaikos
Sotirios PSAROUDAKIS 1999 Ethnikos
Steve REFENES 1992-1996 Eleysina, Olympiakos, Panionios
Kosta SALAPASIDIS 2001 Kalithea
Tony SPYRIDAKOS 1991 Pierikos
John TAMBOURAS 2000-2003 Kalamata
Mathew THEODORE 2008 Apollon
Kyriakos TOHOUROGLOU 1992-2007 Doxa Drama, Olympiakos, Panilaikos, PAOK
Nick TOLIOS 2000 Ethnikos
Arthur TSIRTSAKIS 1999 Ialysos Rhodes
Peter TSOLAKIS 1995 Kalamaria
Mike VALKANIS 1996-2002 Agios Nikolaos, Iraklis, Larissa
Andrew VLAHOS 1998 Panathinaikos
Charlie YANKOS 1988 PAOK
George ZABETAKIS 1994 Panionios
Peter ZORBAS 2005 Panahaiki

[Salpigidis]

thanks for the list mate

althought i believe marcina is canadian and i dont remeber him ever playing at paok

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

Was Foundoulakis Australian or from New Zealand?

I think it is a pretty complete list. Did Westervelt ever play a game? And was Constanzo to Kallithea speculation or just happened in Championship Manager?

[vertu1]

what makes you think this is in any way a wind up?
it's a post re: Aussies in Greece , we would like to keep track of them , couldn't find any detail (in english) on the websites from google results , so i ask a guy that appears to know a bit about Greek football , who replies that there are few if any sites that fit the bill
surprising as it may seem , not every forum post needs to be about people mindlessly slagging each other

what actually sparked my interest was the fact that Nathan Burns appears to be now playing in Corfu for a team with a 2500 capacity stadium, this would suggest that he is not making an impact and could be back in Aus at the end of his contract.. maybe ??

Hey Kop, i have been trying to find a website (in english) that has details of the Greek leagues , match reports etc
so that i can keep on eye on some of these guys
not having much luck with finding details of games from beta div or lower other than just the scores

can you point the way to some decent sites ?

thx

To be honest there isnt much in english, if any, that I know of.
Best bet would be to go onto a forum (like this one) where the majority of posters speak english.

Try:
http://www.greeksoccer.com
The main page may have some scores from lower divs.
Click the 'forum' link up the top of the main page then scroll down and have a look at the subforums for B, C and D divisions.
Thats all that I can think of.

Otherwise:
Go to the Greek sites, copy a block of text and then go to http://au.babelfish.yahoo.com/ and translate the block of text. It wont be 100% accurate but you can get the gist of it.

If I come accross anything half decent I'll post it.

is this a wind up ?

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

vertu1, Arxidi and The Kop are mates.

Arxidi is referring to a previous topic and to The Kop's signature.

Nothing against your topic.

[To Mati]

http://clubs.phantis.com/sports/index.php? plenty of traffic there too

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Matt Deegan is coming home.

[vertu1]

oh, in house stuff eh!
fair enough

vertu1, Arxidi and The Kop are mates.

Arxidi is referring to a previous topic and to The Kop's signature.

Nothing against your topic.

[smicko]

http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Abroad/index.shtml

[ozzie owl]

Any Greek experts know the deal with why so many aussies playing in Greece atm?

Zeljko Kalac - Kavala
Paul Giannou - Kavala
Robert Stambolziev - Kavala
Matt Deegan - Zakynthos
Yannis Galanos - Zakynthos
Nick Marinos - Zakynthos
Andreas Govas - AEP Kozanis
Chris Tomaras - AEP Kozanis
Foti Hatzivalsamis - Rouvas
Kosta Mantis - Rouvas
Tony Hatzis - Niki Volos
Bill Konstantinidis - Niki Volos
Nathan Burns - Kerkyra

How about earning more than they were getting in Australia.