Ziaka Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 The Greeks of Czech soccer This is a special project by Ziaka to document the soccer players of Greek origin who play or played in Czechoslovakia or in current Czech Republic all these years. Little background information is in order. After the civil war in Greece, which ended in 1949, approximately 10,000 refugees settled in Czechoslovakia (these days Czech Republic). Those Greeks who made Czechoslovakia their new home had to learn to live in the new environment. They found jobs, went to schools, and lived everyday lives in a foreign country. They could not avoid getting involved in the sporting life as well. And soccer was no exception. There are several players of Greek origin who managed to play in the top Czech soccer teams. Some even made the national squads of Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic. The following is an attempt to put the information about these players in one place. It will be updated as new information becomes available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziaka Posted June 28, 2006 Author Share Posted June 28, 2006 Players of Greek origin who made their mark in Czech soccer: ASPROVSKI (Aspros) - convert from Greek to Slavo-Macedonian (see entry for Pando Jankulovskui for more info). Played 2nd division soccer for two Ostrava teams: NHKG and TJ Vitkovice. Also played for Frydek Mistek. CHONOUTZIDIS - played 1st and 2nd division soccer for Trinec. Vasilis GOTSIS - born in Ziaka, Greece (same as my father) and played 2nd and 3rd division soccer for NHKG Ostrava in 1960's/1970's. Pando JANKULOVSKI (Jankulis) - according to my father Pando changed his last name from Jankulis to Jankulovski after he left Greece. He was among the many people who "found" their slavo-macedonian roots after the civil war in Greece. In any case Pando Jankulovski started his soccer career at Bohumin (4th division) in the 1960's. After that he made it to 1st division Zbrojovka Brno. After many season at Brno he returned to north Moravia to play for 2nd division Trinec. At the end of his career he also had stints at NHKG Ostrava and even the Austrian side Kapfenberg. Marek JANKULOVSKI - Marek is the son of Pando Jankulovski. He was born in Ostrava on May 9, 1977. he has 30 caps for the Czech national team. He is corrently a player of AC Milan. His previous teams were Udinese Calcio between 2002-2005, AC Napoli (2000-2002) and Banik Ostrava (1994-2000). Marek Jankulovksi in the Czech national team jersey. Iosif MICHAILIDIS - played 1st division soccer for Jablonec and Zbrojovka Brno in 1960's. He then moved to Greece to play for Aris Thessaloniki between 1969-1974. Later he ended up in Chicago, where he coached local team Olympiakos Chicago. Tanas PAPADOPULOS - Tanas was born in Ostrava on September 9, 1962. He started his soccer career at NHKG Ostrava, where he was a teammate of mine. It was natural for Tanas and me to join the NHKG soccer academies, since we both lived half a block away from the NHKG stadium. Also, since me and Tanas lived in the same building complex in Ostrava-Zabreh, we also spent countless hours playing pick up games in the back yard of the building. Tanas's next team after NHKG was Banik Ostrava. He played on Banik's junior and senior squad before he went to the Czechoslovak army. After his army stint, he was loaned for several months to Trinec. It was at that time that Panathinaikos was after his services. Through some maneuvering Tanas was able to receive a diplomatic passport and through Pragosport agency managed to travel to Greece and join Panathinaikos. This was something very hard to achieve in Czechoslovakia in mid-1980's. During this time Tanas played in six Greek Cup and several friendly matches for Panathinaikos. Unfortunately for him, there were already two other foreign players on the Panathinaikos squad. In order for him to remain at Panathinaikos, he tried to get a Greek passport. However when the Czechoslovak authorities learned of his motives, they revoked his diplomatic passport claiming that he tried to emigrate. Because of this Tanas decided to return back to Czechoslovakia in order not to face the prospects of not seeing his family again. After he returned back, he was not able to play competitive soccer for about year and a half as punishment. Later he was able to join the Frydek Mistek soccer club. After his soccer career ended, he started his coaching career. He is now a part of the coaching staff at the Banik Ostrava junior squads. Tanas Papadopulos (left) and "young" Ziaka in Ostrava in 1990. Michal PAPADOPULOS - Michal is the son of Tanas Papadopulos and was born on April 15, 1985 in Ostrava. As his father, he started his soccer career at the local NH Ostrava (that's what NHKG was renamed to after the political changes in Czechoslovakia). He was immediately picked by Ostrava's premier soccer team Banik Ostrava. He quickly rose through the Banik Ostrava system into the senior squad in the Czech 1st division. At the same time he was a regular part of the various Czech junior natiomnal teams. In 2003, Michal joined Arsenal London on loan basis. Arsenal had an option to acquire him after one season, but unfortunately Michal suffered a knee injury and was not able to prove himself. While at Arsenal, Michal was able to play several games for the Arsenal reserves. He was also used in the Arsenal Champions League game against Inter Milan as a substitute in 2004. Since Arsenal decided not to exercise the option of the loan, Michal returned to Banik Ostrava, where he played during the 2004-05 season. In the Winter 2005 transfer period, Banik Ostrava sold Michal to Bayer Leverkusen. So far Michal played two games for Bayer in Bundesliga. Michal in the Czech U-21 team jersey in a game against Holland in 2005. Michal in the Banik Ostrava jersey. Vaclav SVERKOS - some reports have him having some Greek blood in him. Born on November 1, 1983 in Trinec, where he also started his soccer career at VP Frydek Mistek. After that he moved to nearby Ostrava to play two seasons for 1st division Banik Ostrava (2001-2003). In 2003 he was sold to Borussia Monchengladbach for 2.9 million Euro. He played for Borussia until 2005. Currently he plays for Hertha Berlin. He was a regular on the Czech Republics u-16, u-18 and u-21 national teams. In March of 2006 he made his debut in the Czech Republics senior squad in the game against Turkey in Izmir. Vaclav Sverkos --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Special thanks to my father for providing information on some of the older players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aek21 Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Marek Jankulovski mother is greek aswell. Nedved also consider him to be the best czech player at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savas Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 interesting stuff! would papadopoulos be available to play for Greece? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziaka Posted June 29, 2006 Author Share Posted June 29, 2006 Michal Papadopulos has a Greek passport and if he wanted to he could play for the Greek NT. The question is does EPO want him to play for Greece. I think the answer is no. As a result at this point it might be too late for him. He has allready established himself on the Czech U-21 nt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsalgik Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 Endiaferonta stoiheia.Mpravo!(oraio papoutsaki Ziaka) :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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