Ninis returns to Greek National Team

Otto Rehhagel has made his final call-ups ahead of his side’s international friendly against Slovakia on August 20th. Visiting the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, the friendly against the Slovaks will be Greece’s first action since their early exit from the European Championships in mid-June. After making call-ups of international players earlier in the month, the German finalized his roster this week.

Returning to the squad is Panathinaikos youngster Sotiris Ninis. In his only appearance with the Greek National Team, Ninis impressed in a friendly against Cyprus in May. The 18-year old managed to open the scoring against the Cypriots, as he score six minutes into his international career.

In goal, the starting role could be in question with Olympiacos goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis calling time on his international career. Kostas Chalkias has maintained his spot within the squad, but his chances at a starting role could be ailing after a shaky domestic season with Aris last year. Now with Aris crosstown rivals PAOK, Chalkias will need to impress in the Super League to fend off the likes of OFI’s Alexandros Tzorvas.

Paraskevas Antzas also retired after the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, but his Olympiacos counterpart Avraam Papadopoulos has gotten the call-up.

Not on the roster is out-of-contract Stelios Giannakopoulos, as well as Panathinaikos center-back Ioannis Goumas. Both players, whom were usual regulars with the Ethniki, have been left out of this ‘new’ edition of the Piratiko.

Greece (Otto Rehhagel):
Goalkeepers: Kostas Chalkias (PAOK), Alexandros Tzorvas (OFI Crete)

Defenders: Traianos Dellas (Anorthosis Famagusta), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (AEK), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiacos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Christos Patsatzoglou (Olympiacos), Giourkas Seitaridis (Atletico Madrid), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Vassilis Torosidis (Olympiacos), Loukas Vyntra (Panathinaikos).

Midfielders: Angelos Basinas (AEK), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Kostas Katsouranis (SL Benfica), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Panathinaikos).

Forwards: Ioannis Amanatidis (Eintracht Frankfurt), Angelos Charisteas (FC Nuremberg) Theofanis Gekas (Bayer Leverkusen), Nikos Liberopoulos (Eintracht Frankfurt), Dimitrios Salpingidis (Panathinaikos), Georgios Samaras (Celtic FC).