Ioannis Okkas

Yiannakis Occasions (Greek Γιαννάκης Οκκάς; born February 11, 1977 in Larnaca ) is a Cypriot footballer, who played in Cyprus, among other things Omonia Nicosia and is capped player of the Cypriot National Team.

Career

In the club

At the age of 16 years Occasions began his career at Nea Salamis Famagusta, for whom he scored 16 goals in 53 games, and switched to Anorthosis Famagusta four years later. Four times won Occasions with Anorthosis Famagusta the championship, then he moved in 2000 to PAOK Thessaloniki. With seven goals in the first year, he helped his club to the Greek Cup and was elected Cypriot Footballer of the Year. Finally Occasions moved to AEK Athens and Olympiakos Piraeus 2004.

Occasions is free transfer changed in August 2007 to Spain for second division Celta Vigo after his contract with Olympiakos Piraeus was not renewed. There, however, he could not prevail, scoring only six goals in 24 games. Because of this, he moved to his home country of Cyprus and first joined Omonia Nicosia and in the summer of 2009 for the second time Anorthosis Famagusta on.

National

At the age of 19 years Occasions was appointed to the Cypriot national team and plays regularly since then for his country. In 2003, he played his 50th game. In qualifying for the 2002 World Cup he scored three goals and also in the qualifying match for Euro 2004 against France he scored one goal.

Since qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, he is captain of the national team. Since 20 August 2008, he is most-capped player of Cyprus. With his 83rd international game, he surpassed the record of Pambos Pittas. On 8 February 2011 he made the 0-2 against Sweden was the first Cypriot player his 100th game.