Apostolos Giannou

Apostolos Giannou (Greek: Απόστολος Γιάννου; born 25 January 1990) is a Greek footballer who currently plays for Superleague Greece club Panionios.

Career

Early life and career

Giannou was born in Naousa, Greece, but moved to Australia at a young age and grew up in Melbourne, Victoria. In Australia he was known as Paul.

Giannou played junior football for Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne. Following state representative honours at under-14 and under-15 level, Giannou was selected for the VIS by Ernie Merrick. He took part in Melbourne Victory's pre-season friendlies prior to the 2006–07 A-League season with an intention of being signed in an apprenticeship capacity. However, Giannou and his family had turned to a FIFA agent who secured a two-week trial for him with PSV Eindhoven's Reserve and Academy teams.^[1] Giannou was assured that if he did not sign with the Dutch club, he could return to Melbourne Victory.^[2] Despite the unsuccessful trial, Giannou came back to Melbourne and signed a six-month contract with Victorian Premier League side Oakleigh Cannons.

Apollon Kalamarias

By mid-2007, Giannou was transferred to Greek second division side Apollon Kalamarias. Giannou netted his first goal for Apollon Kalamarias in late 2008, an 81st minute consolation goal in a 3–1 defeat at home to Kerkyra.^[3] Giannou would go on to score 5 more times in the 2008–2009 Beta Ethniki season before being transferred to Kavala, who had gained promotion to Superleague Greece for the 2009–10 season, on a five-year contract.

Kavala

On 21 November 2009 Giannou debuted for Kavala where he was substituted on after 79 minutes, after being played through on goal Giannou neatly passed the ball into the back of the net on the 88th minute mark to seal a 2–1 victory against AEK Athens.^[4][5] Down the track, Giannou was one of five Australians in the Greek side as the club welcomed the arrivals of Robert Stambolziev, Zeljko Kalac, Andreas Govas and Craig Moore.

P.A.O.K.

After the relegation of Kavala, Giannou was set free and on 30 September 2011 signed a three-year-contract with P.A.O.K..^[6] He made his first appearance for the club during the 2011–12 season in a 0–0 draw against OFI Crete on 16 October, where he was substituted onto the field for Vladimir Ivic in the 78th minute.^[7] Giannou scored his first goals for the club, a brace, in a 2–0 away victory against OFI on 11 February.^[8]

Panionios

On September 2, 2013 Panionios proceeded to a significant addition to its roster, by announcing the acquisition of Giannou. The 23 year old striker was released by PAOK, as it was not in the plans of Huub Stevens, but did not stay for long time as unemployed and immediately signing a two-years' contract with the club. ^[9]

International career

In 2006 Giannou represented the Australia under-17 team at the AFC U-17 Championship 2006 Qualification. Giannou scored in Australia's 3–1 win against Indonesia.^[10] Giannou was the only Victorian player selected for Australia's under-17 side that took part in the International Youth Football tournament in Niigata, Japan. The team finished top of their respective group as Giannou scored a goal in a 5–1 win against Albirex Niigata.^[11]

In 2008 Giannou represented the Greece under-19 team at the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification where Greece qualified for the Championship finals, he played alongside Australian Dean Bouzanis. Under coach Alexis Alexiou, Giannou appeared twice at the European Under-19 Championships when he was substituted on in a 1–1 draw against Italy and started in a 3–0 loss against England as Greece finished at the bottom of their group.^{[12][13][14][15]}

On 5 September 2010 Giannou returned to the international stage after two years' absence, he was selected for the Greece under-21 team for a 2011 European Under-21 Championship qualifier against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia which Greece won 2–1.^[16][17][18]

On 24 March 2015, Apostolos Giannou was selected for the Greek National Team for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Hungary.^[19]

References

External links

• Apostolos Giannou – UEFA competition record