Antonios Nikopolidis

Antonios Nikopolidis (Greek Αντώνιος Νικοπολίδης, born October 14, 1971 in Arta ) is a former Greek football goalkeeper and current coach. His coach debut was January 20, 2013 in the game of Olympiakos Piraeus against the PAS Ioannina.

Career as a player

Nikopolidis began his career at Anagennisi Artas as a striker. It was by chance that he had represented his cousin whose wedding anniversary at the gate. In 1989 Nikopolidis the Greek top club Panathinaikos Athens. From the bench he experienced from three Greek championship titles (1990, 1991, 1995 ), three cup wins (1993, 1994, 1995 ) and two victories in the Greek Super Cup (1994, 1995). 1995 Nikopolidis was first-choice goalkeeper at Panathinaikos and won in 1996 for the first time as such the Greek championship.

In the following years he became one of the best Greek goalkeepers and announced on August 18, 1999 against El Salvador made ​​his debut in the Greek national team. Under the German coach Otto Rehhagel Nikopolidis was put in goal for the national team, even before the 2004 European Cup, for which Greece had qualified for the first time since 1980, although Nikopolidis at this time was only goalkeeper at Panathinaikos. After the double profit for 2004 ( league and cup ) from the bench Nikopolidis virtually took part without match practice from the league play at the 2004 European Championships. There he formed the backing of the Greek team that won the European title. Nikopolidis was appointed on account of his efforts ( just four goals in seven games ) into the All- Star team the championship.

After the EM Nikopolidis moved free transfer to Olympiakos Piraeus, where he was first-choice goalkeeper and helped to win the doubles in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009. His contract ran until 2010.

In the 2008 European football championships in Austria and Switzerland Nikopolidis could, but once goalkeeper, unconvincing and caused mainly by some mistakes for attention. Nevertheless, he completed all the games in full length and was in the last game against Spain even team captain. After leaving the Defender in the group stage, he finished his international career.

In June 2010, he made his career end known, however, this revised short time later, before he finally finished the end of the 2010/11 season his active career.

For the national Nikopolidis completed 1997-2008 90 games, making record keeper of his country.

Career as a coach

In October 2012, Nikopolidis assistant coach at Olympiakos Piraeus. On 19 January 2013 he took over after the dismissal of head coach Leonardo Jardim the team as interim coach.

Achievements

Private life

Nikopolidis is married to former basketball player Vaso Stasinou. The two have three children together. His nickname, " Clooney " he owes journalists at the European Football Championship 2004, which attest to its resemblance to the American actor George Clooney. 2012 Nikopolidis published his memoirs. The title: "The game of my life " (Greek Ο αγώνας της ζωής μου ).