Coach
Otto REHHAGEL
09.08.38
King Otto, as he is known and respected in Greece, is the longest serving coach on the national side, at the helm since 2001.
He has chalked up for the Greeks 52 wins, 22 draws, 27 losses with of course the most sweet victory being the final of the Euro 2004 over host Portugal.
Despite having an extended record in the Bundesliga as a coach and player, he has never gone to a World Cup as either a player or coach. with national team.
The players look up to him as a father figure.
In the Bundesliga, he still holds the records for the most victories (387), most draws (205), most losses (228) and his teams have scored the most goals (1473) and conceded more (1142) than any others.
Goalkeepers
Alexandros TZORVAS
12.08.82
Panathinaikos
6 caps (0 goals)
Has led Panathinaikos to the league championship this season and has taken over the goalpost for the Greeks as well. Flexible and agile, Tzorvas sparked Greece in the playoff against Ukraine by shutting them out twice and thanks to his outstanding saves helped his team win 1-0 on aggregate.
Kostas CHALKIAS
30.05.74
PAOK Salonika
27 caps (0 goals)
After the retirement of ace Antonis Nikopolidis in 2008, he was under the goalposts and despite his injury during the playoffs against Ukraine, he will be counted on as a veteran to stop opponents from scoring. He has traveled and played for clubs in England and Spain, but is known for playing for all three Salonika teams (Aris, Iraklis and now PAOK).
Michalis SIFAKIS
09.09.84
Aris Salonika
1 cap (0 goals)
A backup goalie to veteran Antonis Nikopolidis during his stay at Olympiakos, he eventually got a starting position with Aris and his performances with the Greece Under-21 squad in 15 matches, led to coach Otto Rehhagel calling him up on the national squad. Last year he was honored by the Greek Professional Soccer Players Association for his “professionalism and ethos.”
Defenders
Loukas VYNTRA
05.02.81
Panathinaikos
27 caps (0 goals)
Born in the Czech Republic but moved to Greece aged nine, he is fast, a consistent performer and the backbone of the defense. A good tackler and marker, he has just finished his best season with Panathinaikos leading them to the league title.
Sotirios KYRGIAKOS
23.07.79
Liverpool (Eng)
56 caps (4 goals)
A workhorse who played more qualifying minutes than any other squad member. A tall, strong defender who gives little leeway to strikers in the air and is deadly on offense with his headers. Very consistent player, the pony-tailed player has impressed with Liverpool as he had done in Germany and Scotland before that.
Stelios MALEZAS
11.03.85
PAOK Salonika
0 caps (0 goals)
He started his career at AEP Katerini and moved to PAOK in 2003. Plays as a central defender, having formerly played as a midfielder.
Evangelos MORAS
26.08.81
Bologna (Ita)
10 caps (0 goals)
Out with injury for a time this season but is now ready, he has been a regular starter for Bologna. One of the tallest players in the Italian league, he has been impressive and in his first season with Bologna helped the club win promotion.
Avraam PAPADOPOULOS
03.05.84
Olympiakos
12 caps (0 goals)
Together with veteran Swedish international defender Olof Mellberg, the brick wall for Olympiakos defense. He is fast and chases the opponents, but often gets yellow-carded for his aggressiveness. Likes to move into the midfield and feed off strikers.
Socrates PAPASTATHOPOULOS
09.06.88
Genoa (Ita)
10 caps (0 goals)
A regular for Genoa all season, he defends with authority and covers a lot of ground. Has been seeing a lot of playing time with coach Otto Rehhagel. On May 14, 2008 during a derby match against Panathinaikos, he became the youngest player to have ever captained AEK Athens at the age of 19.
Georgios SEITARIDIS
04.06.81
Panathinaikos
67 caps (1 goal)
Only a miracle will get the veteran defender on the starting line-up due to an injury and a slow recovery as he sat out much of the season with Panathinaikos. He was named as part of the 23-man UEFA Euro 2004 All-Star squad.
Nikos SPYROPOULOS
10.10.83
Panathinaikos
17 caps (0 goals)
The left-footed defender is distinguished by a combination of speed, strength, agility and endurance. He likes to go forward whenever possible to cause a threat to the opponents. When signed from Panionios Athens to Panathinaikos, a clause says he is not able to play against his previous team for two years.
Vasilis TOROSIDIS
10.06.85
Olympiakos
25 caps (2 goals)
A hard full back known for his exceptional physical strength, endurance and technique, he has been an important part of the Greek national team and Olympiakos. A number of foreign clubs have shown interest in him but Olympiakos says it will not break his five-year contract which ends next year.
Midfielders
Giorgos KARAGOUNIS
06.03.77
Panathinaikos
91 caps (6 goals)
The team captain and the leader on the pitch. A stubborn midfield who knows how to keep possession of the ball and to draw fouls. With much pathos, he opened the door for the Euro 2004 triumph with the winning goal in the opening match against Portugal. Also known for his accurate and blistering free kicks from afar.
Kostas KATSOURANIS
21.06.79
Panathinaikos
67 caps (7 goals)
Started playing professional soccer at age 17, he covers a lot of ground for the Greeks and has a blistering shot which he often takes from afar keeping opponent goalies on their toes. In 2009 he was named Benfica player of the year but that same year joined Panathinaikos where he led the Greens to the title this season.
Grigoris MAKOS
18.01.87
AEK Athens
3 caps (0 goals)
He captained Panionios Athens at the age of 19 and last summer signed a five-year deal with AEK Athens. He saw service with the Greece Under-21 squad and captained the team, making 17 appearances. His performances there caught the eye of coach Otto Rehhagel.
Sotiris NINIS
03.04.90
Panathinaikos
3 caps (1 goal)
Talented and promising player who due to his young age has not been given too much time by coach Otto Rehhagel, but is sure to be among the first players to be called upon to help. Excellent dribbling. Scored one goal and assisted on another in Panathinaikos 3-2 win at AS Roma knocking them out of the Europa League.
Christos PATSATZOGLOU
19.03.79
Omonia (Cyp)
41 caps (1 goal)
A member of the squad at Euro 2008. Considered to be one of Greece’s top footballing talents, until he was injured in 2003, at a derby game between Olympiacos and AEK FC
Took two years to recover from the injury.
Athanassios “Sakis” PRITTAS
09.01.79
Aris Thessaloniki
An experienced midfielder currently playing for Aris Thessaloniki.
Alexandros TZIOLIS
13.02.85
Siena (Ita)
17 caps (0 goals)
A starter for Siena, he is a tall defensive midfielder, good in air, with powerful long shots. His crisp passing and physical strength are also positive aspects of his game. Ironically, for Panathinaikos last season he was MVP in 3-0 win in Germany against Werder Bremen in UEFA Champions League match, only to be given on loan to the German club a few months later, helping the team make the UEFA Cup final.
Forwards
Fanis GEKAS
23.05.80
Hertha Berlin (Ger)
46 caps (20 goals)
The top scorer in European Zone qualifying with 10 goals. Other than being the top scorer in the Bundesliga once (20 goals, 2006-2007 season), he has not had much luck on the club level on loan to Portsmouth and Bayer Leverkusen. A short, but sparky player, who fights his way through defenders and rarely misses opportunities.
Pantelis KAPETANOS
08.06.83
Steaua Bukarest (Rom)
1 cap (0 goals)
One of the leading scorers in Romania and has played 13 times for Greece Under 21 squad scoring two goals.
Dimitris SALPIGIDIS
10.08.81
Panathinaikos
34 caps (3 goals)
Scored the winning goal at Ukraine in the playoffs to send Greece to the World Cup. A short but scrappy player with a good eye for goal. Razor-sharp mind and lightning speed add to his qualities, is also known for his accurate crosses from the far side and for his deadly shots from afar.
Georgios SAMARAS
21.02.85
Celtic (Sco)
32 caps (5 goals)
Excellent dribbling skills and rather speedy, he has been a big help to Celtic and the Greek national team of late. His father Giannis also played for Greece. There are times, however, when he forgets that there are other teammates on the pitch and may take on opponents alone.
Angelos CHARISTEAS
09.02.80
Nurnberg (Ger)
82 caps (23 goals)
Will always be remembered as the scorer of the winner in the final of EURO 2004. The veteran is still being counted on by coach Otto Rehhagel to lead the Greeks up front. He is approaching the Nikos Anastopoulos record of 29 goals top scorer ever for the Greek side.
