Who will Santos pick?

May 12th, 2012 | by: nick | View Comments

Hello all Greek fans. With Euro 2012 just over a month away and a full preliminary squad due to be released in the next week, it might be interesting to take a look at the players Santos has at his disposal. This is particularly interesting since he has a large pool to choose from and his final squad is certainly unpredictable. Also tally the players of have suffered from loss of form or injuries since the end of the qualifying campaign. With other teams like Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, there is a set core of players that are very likely to be included in the final 23. It’s a slightly different story with Greece.

One thing Santos did better than his predecessor, was to introduce youth into the lineup and give them playing time. Otto Rehhagel was best at turning them into bench warmers while a squad of veterans almost always took to the field. This approach undoubtably worked at Euro 2004 but failed miserably at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Goalkeepers

Michalis Sifakis
Debuted back in 2005 as a virtual unknown, he has grown to be one of Greece’s best keepers. Featured in six out of ten qualifiers and seems to be Santo’s No. 1 keeper.

Alexandros Tzorvas
Rehhagel’s No. 1 during the 2010 World Cup and along with Sifakis, is one of the best keepers in Greece. Even though he featured in only three qualifiers, he played in critical victories over Croatia and Georgia. Clearly competing for the No. 1 shirt with Sifakis but it looks like he’s been relegated to a deputy role. Additionally, his bench status at Parma could put him farther from contention.

Dimitrios Konstantopoulos
The 3-1 victory over Malta in Piraeus last June stands as his only cap and it is really unclear why he was chosen to start that match considering he had no international experience at the time. Since transferring to AEK last summer, he has been mostly a backup. Probably the fifth or sixth goalkeeper at this point.

Kostas Chalkias
Euro 2004 reserve keeper. Has not featured since sitting on the bench at the 2010 World Cup. Highly unlikely to play for Greece again. Remote possibility that he may wind up being a bench warmer for Euro 2012.

Dionisis Chiotis
Probably called up last October as an emergency measure due to the absence of Sifakis. Has been No. 1 at APOEL for the past two seasons and is in solid form. He has one cap from 2002 and is a possible choice as one of Santo’s No. 3 goalkeepers.

Orestis Karnezis
Started playing for Panathiniakos regularly only in January. His form for the club has been incredible since they recorded only three defeats under his goaltending. Has definitely emerged as a contender for one of the goalkeeper shirts and may even be a potential candidate for a starting place.

Stefanos Kotsolis
One of four goalkeepers competing for the No. 1 shirt at Panathinaikos. With one call up and no caps under Santos, it looks like he is out of the picture.

Stefano Kapino
After making a shaky debut against Romania this past fall, it looks like Kapino may be fading from the picture after being relegated to the bench at Panathinaikos. A slight possibility he may still be in consideration.

Defenders

Vasilis Torosidis Right-back
Has emerged as the first choice right-back since since the omission of Euro 2004 veteran Giourkas Setaridis. Under Rehhagel, he was the first choice left-back after the retirement of Takis Fyssas. Probably one of the best fullbacks in the squad at this point. Also quite versatile and can play anywhere across the back line and midfield.

Loukas Vyntra Right-back
Similar to Torosidis. Played in five of ten qualifiers. Very versatile but has been used mostly as a right-back by Santos. He started the campaign as a back up for any defender who got injured or suspended, but now seems to be the second choice right-back.

Giannis Maniatis Right-back
Called up only after Vyntra and Torosidis had fitness problems. After a solid season with Olympiacos, he is providing fierce competition for the right-back position. Started as a very aggressive player after receiving two yellow cards in just three caps.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos Center-back
One of the best central defenders since the retirement of Traianos Dellas and Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Played in eight qualifiers and missed only two matches through suspension. He has regained his best form at Werder Bremen after sitting around and not playing for almost the entire 2010-11 season at AC Milan.

Avraam Papadopoulos Center-back
Santo’s other first choice central defender but not nearly the same caliber as Sokratis. Featured in seven qualifiers. Seems to be improving after making several major mistakes during the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign and is facing some competition from Kyrgiakos Papadopoulos.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos Center-back
Spectacular performances for Schalke earned him a call up last June and he debuted to make an immediate impact by scoring a goal against Malta. He later saved Greece from an embarrassing defeat to Latvia in Riga. Since then, Papadopoulos appears to have pipped Avraam from the first choice back line. He has become a very active defender with two goals in just seven caps (four qualifiers and three friendlies). He may also be feature as a defensive midfielder.

Vangelis Moras Center-back
First choice center-back under Rehhagel but seems to have fallen out of favor with Fernando Santos. He has only two call ups along with one appearance for the entire qualifying campaign. With a recent resurgence in form for Cesena, it’s possible he may be in the final 23.

Stelios Malezas Center-back
He has been called up by Santos and Rehhagel but has yet to make an appearance. It looks like his status within the team seems to be an alternative to the usual back ups. Currently a first choice defender at PAOK, his inclusion is a definite possibility.

Kostas Giannoulis Center-back
One of a few players called up but has yet to be capped by Santos. His form for Atromitos has contributed to their fourth place finish. Despite no international experience he may be in serious contention for a back up spot.

Georgios Tzavellas Left-back
One of the most talented left-backs in the Greek squad. Capped in only three matches and appears to have fallen out of favor after losing his place at Eintracht Frankfurt. His current spell at Monaco appears to have alleviated some fitness problems, but his inclusion is a long shot.

Nikos Spyropoulos Left-back
A slightly more attack minded left-back, he was used mostly as a backup but played a full 90 minutes in four qualifiers. Scored a vital goal against Georgia in September 2010 and currently occupies the left-back spot for Panathiniakos as a starter. He appears to be on course to play in his third major tournament after featuring at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Giannis Zaradoukas Left-back
Zaradoukis was included in the squad after Tzavellas was injured and briefly appeared to have emerged as the first choice left-back. After brilliant outings against Croatia and Israel, a poor season at Giannina may have hampered his chances.

Iosif Cholevas Left-back
Called up after the qualifying campaign concluded, he seems to have intensified the competition for the left back spot. If his current form continues he will likely be a starter.

Midfielders

Giorgos Karagounis Central/Attacking Midfielder
A mainstay of the Greek national team since 1998, he is one of the few remaining Euro 2004 veterans in the squad. He won Euro 2004 marshaling the midfield in an attacking position but has recently been moved into a more defensive role. Played in all ten qualifiers as captain of the squad. Hard to see him omitted.

Kostas Katouranis Central/Defensive Midfielder
Like Karagounis, he is one of the few Euro 2004 alumni left. Having played in nine of ten qualifiers and starting alongside Karagounis in the central midfield, he may be facing competition from players like Tziolis, Makos, Petsos, and Papadopoulos, but given is experience and leadership he is likely to retain his spot.

Alexandros Tziolis Defensive Midfielder
Emerged during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and has since become a regular call up. Played in six qualifiers but Santos has relegated him to the bench in favor of the Katsouranis-Karagounis partnership in midfield. Despite a poor season with Monaco, Santos may include him for his aerial abilities.

Grigoris Makos Defensive Midfielder
Makos proved to be a valuable defensive asset when Greece faced Israel in Tel Aviv last September. Sat on the bench for most of the campaign and appears to be one of the usual back ups to the Karagounis-Katsouranis partnership. More likely than not we will see him in June.

Pantelis Kafes Central/Defensive Midfielder
Another remaining Euro 2004 veteran who was recalled after Santos took charge. He has largely been a deputy for Karagounis due to his similar playmaking abilities but was used sporadically. It’s unclear if he is still part of Santo’s plans.

Thanos Petsos Central/Defensive Midfielder
Called up this past summer and has yet to make his debut. He looks like part of the future talent to be integrated into the national team. One of several foreign based players plying his trade for FC Kaiserslautern in Germany, his selection will likely depend of injury and form of the more seasoned players.

Sotiris Ninis Right/Left/Attacking Midfielder
Ninis has emerged as one of the talismans of the team after scoring the critical goal against Israel last September. His creative talent is evident but underused by Fernando Santos. He failed to stay on for 90 minutes in seven qualifiers and injury appears to have hampered his first choice status.

Ioannis Fetfatzidis Right/Left/Attacking Midfielder
Like Ninis, he has emerged as another creative asset with several brilliant performances for Olympiacos. Often used as a left winger in order to accommodate Ninis on the right. Likely to be first choice if he continues to improve.

Giorgos Fotakis Right/Left/Attacking Midfielder
Another attacking option at Fernando Santo’s disposal after showing his potential by scoring a long range volley against Georgia last October. Fotakis can deputize on either wing or in the center and provides valuable depth for the squad. He could dislodge Ninis or Fetfatzidis as first choice.

Panagiotis Kone Right/Attacking Midfielder
Called up mostly as a back up for Ninis or Fetfatzidis. He played only nine minutes of the entire campaign and appears to be out of Santo’s plans.

Kostas Fortunis Right/Attacking Midfielder
Bleacher Report has labeled him as one of the unknown players who will shock Euro 2012. This characterization might be accurate about his skill but it was not enough to save Kaiserslautern from relegation this season. However, he seems to be under very serious consideration for place in the final 23.

Panagiotis Lagos Left/Attacking Midfielder
Like Kone, Lagos appears to be somewhere on the outer periphery of the team after not making a single appearance during the campaign. Seems unlikely that he will be in the final squad.

Forwards

Dimitris Salpingidis Striker/Right Winger
Since making his debut in 2005, he has steadily emerged as a first choice striker. Santos however does have the habit of using him as a right winger to provide extra width to the attack or to complement Ninis or Fetfatzidis in the center. He appeared in all ten qualifiers and will almost certainly be a starter in June.

Giorgos Samaras Striker/Left Winger
Like Salpingidis, Samaras comes from a pool of talent phased in early post Euro 2004 period, and has since emerged as a starter. Playing some games as a left winger and others as a striker, he is likely to pair Salpingidis depending on the formation Santos opts to use. His main contribution was scoring the first goal against Croatia last month in Piraeus.

Nikos Liberopoulos Striker/Second Striker/Attacking Midfielder
Liberopoulos is earliest debutant in the current squad, having started his international career in 1996. He was not called up for Euro 2004 but did play at Euro 2008 before announcing his retirement. He made a return in September 2010 but appeared in only two qualifiers and scored no goals. Despite being 36, he appears to still possess a creative playmaking talent on the field.

Angelos Charisteas Striker
Known for his heroics at Euro 2004, Charisteas was left out for over a year after Otto Rehhagel stepped down. He marked his return with a goal that secured direct qualification, but his form at Pantelikos has been less than impressive with just four goals this season and with other improving strikers, his place is under threat.

Theofanis Gekas Striker
The top scorer in Europe during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Gekas returned to the squad after a year of self-imposed exile but celebrated his return with goal in a memorable victory over Croatia last October. He scored eight goals in the last half season with Samsunspor but could not save them from relegation. He seems to be a favorite of Santos and is more than likely going to be included in the squad.

Kostas Mitroglou Striker
One of the more promising strikers after firing 17 goals for Atromitos this season. Having appeared in only the first half of the campaign, it appears his status may be in question. Being the second highest scorer in the Greek Superleague it would be strange for Santos to ignore his talents. Even as a backup striker, he could provide valuable depth.

Stefanos Athanasiadis Striker
He appears to be a backup for Salpingidis and Samaras up front after appearing in the last match to Georgia in October. With 12 goals for PAOK this season, his inclusion is looking more likely.

Lazaros Christodoulopoulos Striker/Winger/Attacking Midfielder
One of several major upcoming talents, Christodoulopoulos provides all around attacking versatility. But his latest form for the last few seasons is inconsistent at best. Rarely called up under Santos, his inclusion may be a long shot.