Seven Greece U17 stars from successful Elite Round

In connection with the under 17 Greek national team qualifying for the 2019 UEFA European Championship, AGONAsport takes a closer look at the squad’s achievements.

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Qualifying for a major competition at any level is a reason to be proud. In the initial qualifying round, the under 17 Greek national team emerged from Group 12 with four points in three games against Belgium, Latvia and Moldova, before finishing in second place of Group 5 in the Elite Round behind Spain to qualify for the 2019 UEFA European U17 Championship. The tournament will take place in Ireland, with Greece competing in Group A against the hosts, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

Over the two qualifying stages, 27 players from 10 different clubs were used: Olympiacos (9), PAOK (7), Panathinaikos (3), Xanthi (2), Schalke 04, Sampdoria, PAS Giannina, Asteras Tripolis, Panetolikos and Atromitos (all 1).

Let’s take a closer look at seven players which shone in the Elite Round of qualifying:

Konstantinos Tzolakis

The 16-year-old goalkeeper stood between Greece’s sticks for all three matches of the Elite Round against Spain, Ukraine and Kosovo, conceding only two goals in the 0:2 defeat to the Spaniards. Highly rated, Tzolakis joined Olympiacos in the summer of 2018, transferring from Platanias where he had been training with the first team. Reports have suggested that Serie A clubs are tracking his progress.

Christos Tzolis

His role in the qualification cannot be underestimated. Incredibly, across the initial qualifying phase and the Elite Round, 17-year-old striker Tzolis was the only Greek player to score! His grand total of five goals in matches against Latvia (1:1), Moldova (1:0), Ukraine (1:0) and Kosovo (2:0) fired the team to the competition. On the books of PAOK, Tziolis has been prolific in the U17 Super League, registering 18 goals and four assists in 14 games. Standing at 169 centimeters tall, Tzolis has a low sense of gravity, something which enhances his excellent technical ability. A great prospect for the future.

Thomas Karaberis

Karaberis, similar to Greece U17 teammate Vasilios Grosdis, transferred from the Aris academy to PAOK in 2012. Interestingly, Thomas is the son of former Aris president Sotiris Karaberis, but the young defensive midfielder took the decision to move to PAOK seven years ago. 17-year-old Karaberis was a hugely important player in the qualifying process, participating in all six matches to help the team make the final competition. Karaberis is also capable of playing further forward.

Christos Liatsos

The fact a 15-year-old player played in all three U17 Elite Round matches speaks volumes. Olympiacos attacking midfielder Liatsos only turns 16 in September, but he was included in the starting line-up for two of the three Elite Round games, impressing the coaches with his clever play. Liatsos had reportedly attracted attention from abroad with his showings with Olympiacos in the U17 Super League, and to his advantage, he is capable of playing in any position behind the front line. His versatility (Liatsos can play with either his left or right foot) helps him stand out above the crowd.

Ioannis Karakoutis

Born on February 3, 2003, the PAOK left winger is the second youngest player of this Greece U17 squad behind Liatsos. In the Elite Round, Karakoutis emerged as a substitute against Spain, and he was then a starter for the wins over Ukraine and Kosovo. A gifted left-footed attacker, Karakoutis is blessed with superb skills, contributing with five goals and three assists in 10 matches with PAOK in the U17 Super League. Karakoutis transferred to PAOK from Kalamaria in 2013.

Vasilis Pavlidis

Recognise the surname? You got it, Vasilis is the younger brother of Vangelis Pavlidis, who is currently shining for Willem II on loan from Bochum in the Netherlands. Just like his brother, 16-year-old Vasilis also plays his football also plays his abroad (Schalke 04 in Germany), and he declined offers to sign for a Greek club. Although he is at his best playing as a left-back, Pavlidis is used as a central defender for Greece U17, playing well in all three Elite Round games.

Antonis Siatounis

In August 2018, defensive midfielder Siatounis made the jump abroad, leaving Panathinaikos for Sampdoria in Italy. After progressing through the Panathinaikos academy, Siatounis was wanted by the likes of Benfica and Internazionale, but he took the decision to join Sampdoria. In the 2018/2019 season, Siatounis has played in 16 Under 17 Italian championship matches with Sampdoria, popping up with two goals. He was a reliable figure for the under 17 Greek national team as he shielded the defence effectively.

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: sport24.gr

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