Greeks Abroad: Trouble in Paradise

No it’s not a catastrophe, and not even a Greek tragedy; instead, it’s more of a changing of the guard. Comparable to the brain drain, the wave that saw many of Greece’s top stars explore new horizons in European football, is beginning to spiral back to its origin. It’s not all bad though, players are still exploring the higher leagues in Europe.

The slide into trouble began with Kostas Katsouranis, and his controversy in Lisbon this past winter. I guess you could debate that Panagiotis Fyssas and his departure from Hearts was the beginning of the end; but lets face it, that was doomed from the beginning. Anyway, back to Portugal, where a graphic altercation between Benfica captain Luisão and Katsouranis sparked rumors of an exit from the Portuguese club. He remains in Lisbon and with Benfica, but Kostas Katsouranis could be returning to his roots. A move back to Greece with AEK Athens FC is in the cards, and it seems that Katsouranis’ days abroad are limited. The 29 year-old said earlier that he was suffering from It was reported that the original transfer fee for Katsouranis services is set at around 10 million euros; far too steep a hill to climb for many clubs.

Giourkas Seitaridis, highly regarded as one of Greece’s best full backs, could also be in search of a new employer. Currently with Spanish side Atlético Madrid, Seitaridis is supposedly the bait for a big money transfer away from the Vicente Calderón. It is reported that Atlético management are trying to eliminate big contracts that are unnecessary, and with the addition of Czech international Tomáš Ujfaluši, Seitaridis could be the odd man out. The 27 year-old was bought from Russia’s Dynamo Moscow in 2006 for a fee of 5 million euros. A purchase this summer could well be around the 5 million mark.

RCD Mallorca’s Angelos Basinas seems firm on heading back to Greece, with the likelihood of him moving to AEK quite imminent. Initial reports stated Olympiacos had made an offer for the Greek international, but a report 24 hours later concluded that Basinas was not coming to Limani. A relief for Olympiacos fans, as the former Panathinaikos playmaker would not be greeted under calm circumstances.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos is in no way involved in any trouble with Eintracht Frankfurt, but he has expressed his desires to explore a new challenge on many occasions. It would be an understatement to say that Kyrgiakos’ transfer speculation has been a bit of a Greek drama. Originally rumored to join Greek Champions Olympiacos at the end of this past season, Kyrgiakos snubbed the team from Piraeus, saying he wasn’t ready for a return to Greece. Weeks after the transfer window officially opened, Panathinaikos and Kyrgiakos were linked up with a transfer reunion. Surprisingly, the 29 year-old was rejected by PAO. Now , he is the center of a possible transfer to AEK, as the Athenian club struggles to fill the gap left by the departure of Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Another player who has his immediate future up in smoke is EURO 2004 hero Angelos Charisteas. His club, FC Nurnberg, was relegated from the German Bundesliga and now Charisteas is on the hunt for a new club. There is plenty of interest from around Europe, but the main interest has come from England where Ipswich has shown the most interest. However, the move to a Coca-Cola Championship club could not be in the cards for a player with top flight potential. Thnakfully, newly promoted Premier League side Stoke City also is keen to add Charisteas to their roster. Ironically, Charisteas’ Nurnberg recently faced Stoke in a friendly and the Greek striker was able to score the lone goal of the match. A likely move for Charisteas will be to either Stoke, or another German Bundesliga club — maybe Eintracht Frankfurt.

Like Charisteas, Stelios Giannakopoulos could join a newly promoted club. After being released by Bolton Wanderers at the end of this past season, the former Olympiacos player is also unemployed. Rumors originally had him returning to the Greek Champions, but Giannakopoulos pledged he wanted to stay in the Premier League for at least another year. Hull City are among the clubs with interest in the 34 year-old, but rumors circulating his future have died down in recent weeks. If nothing is cleared up soon, it could spell the end of Giannakopoulos playing career.

A rock in Greece’s defense in Lisbon four years ago, Michalis Kapsis is no longer considered a living hero. A brief stint in Greece with Olympiacos, saw the center back fall out of favor. Looking for a fresh start, he left to join Cypriot club APOEL. Now he is back in Greece, and has signed with Greek underdogs Levadiakos. At age 34 it is fitting that he returns to Greece, as retirement looms around the corner.

On the bright side of things, more Greeks are taking the challenge of joining clubs in Europe’s big leagues. Names include Nikolaos Liberopoulos, who was forced out of AEK to make way for Rivaldo and the captain’s arm band. Joining Eintracht Frankfurt, Liberopoulos will be in good company even if Kyrgiakos returns to Greece.

As mentioned before, Sokratis Papastathopoulos will be living away from home as he has been sold to Italian club Genoa. Not the greatest of moves for one of Greece’s future stars, but a move to a top league in Europe could be beneficial for experience. For a fee of 3.7 million euros, the sale of Papastathopoulos was a move made way too early, especially when you consider his age and potential. At 20 years-old, Papastathopoulos is highly considered to have an impact — if not more — on the national team as Dellas had in 2004.

Speaking of Traianos Dellas, AEK and the 32 year-old agreed to terminate his contract with AEK by mutual consent. Dellas opted to sign with Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta days later. The move is not a step up for the Greek defender but at least the club has welcomed him with open arms.

Many Greeks are staying put across Europe; at least that is what’s expected. Ioannis Amanatidis, accessorized with the captain’s armband, will look to lead Eintracht Frankfurt into a European berth again this year. Meanwhile, Theofanis Gekas will look to return to the form he had two years ago with Bochum as he embarks on another season with Bayer Leverkusen. In Scotland, Georgios Samaras has confirmed he will be staying with Celtic. After joining the Scottish Champions from Manchester City on loan, and managed to score vital goals on a few occasions. Playing in the Champions League this year will be a boost for the 23 year-old, and will help him gain plenty of experience.