Antónios Nikopolídis

1987/89 Anagennisi Artas (GRE) 49 matches

1989/2004 Panathinaikos (GRE) 251 matches

(Greek Championship: 189 matches)

(Greek Cup: 12 matches)

(Champions League: 34 matches)

(Cup of Cups: 1 match)

(UEFA Cup: 15 matches)

2004/11 Olympiakos (GRE) 257 matches

(Greek Championship: 180 matches)

(Greek Cup: 28 matches)

(Champions League: 34 matches)

(UEFA Cup: 15 matches)

With the National Team :

90 caps

(Friendlies: 45 caps)

(World Cup Qualifier: 17 caps)

(Euro Qualif: 16 caps)

(Euro: 9 caps)

(Confederations Cup: 3 caps)

1st international : 18 August 1999 against El Salvador (3-1)

Last selection: 18 June 20085 against Spain (1-2)

espoirs: 8 sélections

Αντώνιος Νικοπολίδης

Born on 14 January 1971 in Arta (GRE)

Greek, Goalkeeper, 1m87

The Greek goalkeeper was first trained at the modest club in his hometown, Anagennisi Arta. After 2 seasons, he joined one of the biggest clubs in the country: Panathinaikos. We are then in 1989 where, aged 19, he joined the professional group as number 2. He is a promising goalkeeper but unfortunately fails to establish himself. However, he is content with his role as his goalkeeper, behind the Polish goalkeeper Jozef Wandzik in particular.

He was very calm goalkeeper, he was also known for his incredible reflexes. It was during the 1997-1998 season that his time came, it was then his ninth season with the Athenian club. He finally became a starter and never left the cages of Panathinaikos... Until the 2003-2004 season, when he was replaced by Konstantinos Chalkias. The explanation is not only sporting. Indeed, at the end of his contract, Antonis Nikopolidis found the extension offer made by his club insufficient: €400,000 per year. The supporters, unaware of this, side with their champion, relegated to the sidelines a priori without explanation after 15 years of good and loyal service to the Greens. Then they turned against him at the end of the season, while a persistent rumor announced his departure for Piraeus. Indeed, before the start of Euro 2004, he reached an agreement with Olympiakos, to the tune of €600,000 per year. In the Athens Port club, he dominated the Greek D1 from 2005 to 2009.

The Greek goalkeeper became a footballing legend when, at the age of 32, he led Greece to the summit of Europe. He conceded just four goals in six matches, keeping his goal intact throughout the finals. Behind an ironclad defence, he was the perfect last line of defence. His two decisive saves at the start of the semi-final against the Czechs and his impeccable performance in the final earned him a place in the team of the tournament's best players.

Quite loyal to his clubs, Nikopolidis only played in 3 clubs, 3 clubs in his country, he who could have joined the biggest championships in Europe. His record of eleven league titles and nine cups is unrivaled in Greece. He still left a huge void when he decided to end his international career after the disappointing Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria. Since then, Greece has always been looking for a goalkeeper. On a personal level, he was voted best goalkeeper in the Greek championship 8 times.

- Voted best goalkeeper in the Greek championship in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009

- Named in the Euro 2004 team of the tournament

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