A look into PAOK’s young stars at the U19 level

PAOK under 19s claimed the U19 Super League title for the third consecutive season, and AGONAsport’s Athan Stylos looks at the club’s standout players at the U19 level.

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PAOK’s dominance at the youth level is a result of the club’s hard work to improve their academy and become one the best (if not the best) in Greece. Since the arrival of Ivan Savvidis, the club has identified the importance of creating a successful academy for their youth teams.

The hard work put in over the past couple of seasons has been rewarded with PAOK’s under 19s side winning their third consecutive league title. This squad features standout players ready to take the next step to senior football.

Under 19s manager and former PAOK player, Pablo Garcia, has been a successful addition to the club as a coach. Under his guidance, the youthful Thessalonikis have gone two consecutive seasons without tasting a single defeat. This season, the PAOK U19s recorded 19 wins and five draws. Their last defeat was on 10 December 2017, over two years ago, in a 1:0 loss away to Panathinaikos. Garcia’s team is currently on a 69-game unbeaten streak, with a record of 62 wins and just seven draws.

The achievement is more remarkable given the fact that Garcia has the third-youngest squad in the entire league. Garcia significantly reduced the average age of the team this season. 

With the PAOK administration looking to rejuvenate the senior squad, AGONAsport identifies the standout players from the championship-winning PAOK U19 team, which could potentially put their hand up for senior selection in the near future.

Georgios Doumtsis

Born in Florina, Doumtsis arrived at PAOK’s academy in 2013. He has been a championship winner with PAOK at the under 15, 17, and 19 levels. Doumtsis is a forward who has a strong presence and can score goals using both feet as well as his head. He has been a standout performer this season, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists from 18 appearances.

Kyriakos Giaxis

Giaxis is considered the key pillar within this team. He is crucial to the way the team functions and in the way Pablo Garcia wants his team to play. Giaxis thrives on the defensive side of the game and wins the ball back in the midfield, whilst also possessing great technique and intelligence when he is on the ball.

Christos Tzolis

Tzolis is considered one of the rising stars of Greek football. Born in 2002, the young gun has been involved within the PAOK academy since a young age. His abundant talent gives him the ability to play on both wings. He made 22 starts this season, scoring a tremendous 19 goals and providing eight assists. Tzolis looks sure to win the Most Valuable Player award at the end of the season.

Petros Kaloutsikidis

Kaloutsikidis was promoted from the under 17s team this season and has had no issues adjusting to the under 19s level. Kaloutsikidis’ natural position is in midfield, but manager Pablo Garcia has transformed him into a right-back. He is a modern full-back who shows great energy and causes problems for the opposition when attacking. He has scored one goal this season and provided five assists.

Image Source: sportime.gr

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