Although Karagounis played as defensive central midfielder at Pao & Fulham for the national team he was used mostly as a #10 attacking midfielder/playmaker or either left or right midfield. Basinas, Katsouranis, Zagorakis, K.Papadopoulos, Makos, Pliatsikas, Tsiolis, Maniatis, Samaris or Tachtsidis have been preferred probably because Greece do not lack defensive midfielders but have lacked a true #10 playmaker ever since Tsiartas. Karagounis is the only player the coaches have trusted in that roll after Ninis & Fetfatzidis failed to take their chances when given the opportunity. They played one great match & then not get involved in the next 3 matches or get injured. Personally I thought Karagounis was best as a defensive midfielder as he did in his last two matches against Ivory Coast & Costa Rica.