A new generation of players making a name for themselves

For decades now Greece has had talented youth players coming in and out in waves but with very few reaching anywhere close to their potential with several off them either getting lost in their careers through lack of development or just by simply making bad career decisions. Now with the financial crisis affecting Greek teams, along with the globalization of the sport with scouts finding talented youth players easily it seems there's a good chance more players won't get lost as much and could therefore finally add some depth to the Greek National Team (or Ethniki) which is sorely needed. Regardless, this season has shown there's plenty of talent on the way despite the many problems of the Greek Super League so here's a look at a first team of players this season that have made a name for themselves either in their league, within scouts/team/etc, or in the National Team.

*In this list of players I left out already established first team U21 players like Donis & Retsos who are clearly big parts of the first team, as well as others that are part of the first team. (Kourbelis, Siopis, Stafylidis, Mantalos, Pelkas etc), or have the potential to be included still (Mystakidis, Giakoumakis to name a few). 

So here's a look at several U23 players (& a few U17's) that have made a name for themselves this season.

Goalkeeper: 

Vasilios Barkas (23 years old, AEK)

In an up and down season for him this year he showed in the Greek Cup final why he's so highly rated saving a penalty and several other one on one chances to keep AEK in the match even though they lost in the end. The good thing is AEK and the Greek National Team coach Skibbe seem to be fully aware of his capabilities.

Right Back:

Giannis Masouras (21, AEL Larissa)

A player many weren't too familiar with until this season where the Patra born winger/fullback showed us his pace, aggressive defending, and his ability to create chances, cover the whole right flank, as well as score some big goals as he did in a few match winning performances against PAS Giannina in the quarter final of the Greek Cup where he scored 3 goals in their two games. His talent has already caught the attention of several teams in Europe (FC Copenhagen being one of them) so It's unlikely AEL will be able to hold on to him that much longer.

Center Back:

Kostas Mavropanos (20, Arsenal)

One of the biggest surprises of the January transfer season was Mavropanos going from PAS Giannina to Arsenal. He might only be a few games into his Arsenal career but he's shown so far that he's more then capable of playing at the highest level with his commanding presence in the air and his great tackling. He still has plenty to learn with his recent red card being an example. Simply a talented Center Back that will only draw even more attention to the talent that Greece has at smaller clubs.

Pantelis Hatzidiakos (21, AZ Alkmaar)

Pantelis is another Center Back that is incredibly talented and that was finally included in the Greek National Team at youth level (He can choose between Greece or the Netherlands still though) He recently had an impressive season helping AZ Alkmaar finish in a European place this season. He really impressed me with his control on the ball and his passing in a friendly I was able to watch him play against Panathinaikos over the summer.

Left Back: 

Kostas Tsimikas (22, Willem II on loan from Olympiakos)

With his 7 goals & 4 assists this season at Willem II in the Dutch league (In 37 appearances) as a left back he definitely made a name for himself in the Dutch League. Solid defensively (but can improve more), he's always been able to put in great crosses, but with goals and assists now he will be able to add a lot more to a teams overall play.

Midfield:

Dimitris Meliopoulos (18, Xanthi)

Athanasios Androutsos (20, Olympiakos)

Kostas Galanopoulos (20, AEK)

Meliopoulos is a classic defensive midfielder/centre back. He's great on the ball and a smart, physical player that was very impressive playing for Xanthi's first team at only 17 this season in various positions.

Androutsos & Galanopoulos meanwhile have drawn the attention of many teams across Europe with their performances in the Europa League, the Greek League, as well as the Greek under 21 team with the team still being undefeated with the two players often starting together in midfield. 

Androutsos' way to dictate play with his passing is something that is very impressive for his age and something the Greek Team sorely lacks, while Galanopoulos is a natural ball winning midfielder (Both can score too being 2nd and 3rd in the goal scoring ranks for the under 21's)

Left Wing: 

Christos Almpanis (23, Apollon Smyrnis)

One of the revelations of this Super League season having recently been a big part of Apoolon Smyrnis promotion the year before. Great technique, able to beat people one on one and can score some great goals playing either as a winger or a striker (A very similar player to a young Georgios Samaras for me)

Right Wing: 

Dimitris Lymnios (19, PAOK)

One of Greece's biggest hopes, in his first season with PAOK he showed that he's a player that can affect the game on the wing with his pace, dribbling ability, and the ease at which he's able to beat people one one one (Perhaps thanks to his Brazilian roots as his mother is Brazilian). While he can score more (had zero for the season) he's a player Greece needs & with his recent call up to the first team it seems Greek National team coach Skibbe feels the same way.

Striker: 

Anastasios Douvikas (18, Asteras Tripolis)

Scored three goals in four games with the Greek Under 19 team recently (seven in ten games overall) to get the attention of even more European teams (Getafe & some Dutch & Premier League clubs reportedly are interested). Only 18, with his great technique he can effortlessly play on the wing or as the lone striker. In his first professional season he showed he has it all with pace, dribbling skills, a good passer, good defensively, and has shown many times during the season he can change games on his own as well as score some brilliant goals.

Bench: 

A. Stergiakis (Slavia Sofia)

D. Nikolaou (Olympiakos)

D. Giannoulis (PAOK on loan at Atromitos) 

D. Dimitrou (Moving from PAOK to FC Basel)

A. Kampetsis (B.Dortmund)

+5 Under 17 players that have caught the eye of several big teams across Europe:

P. Tzimas (17, Asteras Tripolis) A midfielder scores big goals and can play literally anywhere.

Giorgos Antzoulas (18 Asteras Tripolis) A midfielder/CB that is great on the ball and has caught many peoples attention

Andreas Athanasakopoulos (16 PAO) A classic #10 that is simply one of Greece's biggest talents 

Vagionidis (17, Panathinaikos) A Right Back that's drawn the attention of FC Porto (like Seitaridis before) & Manchester City reportedly).

Christos Mandas (16, Atromitos) A.K.A the Greek Donnarunna which really says it all, having made his debut this season at 16 in the Greek Cup.

While Skibbe it seemed showed too much faith in the veterans at times the past few years, the talent on the way up for Greece is making it harder for the National Team coach to leave them out of the team, especially with so many of them drawing the attention of several European teams. All of this is great for the Greek National Team (Ethniki) and Greek Football overall.

By Apostolos for Hellas Football