Greeks Abroad extended wrap up.
England:
Sokratis Papastathopoulos / Arsenal
MOTM for Arsenal in their draw against huge rival Tottenham, he was everywhere, closed off any dangerous chances Spurs had, lead the back four and had a huge tackle to cover for Koscielny at one point (also one mistake that Leno did well to save), simply he’s in form & at his best lately.
Mavropanos didn’t make the bench this week but has been playing really well with the academy team recently.
Spain:
Dimitris Siovas / Leganes
Another solid game for Siovas helping Leganes keep a clean sheet in Monday nights match. He was his usual self, good in the air, good positions
Germany:
Kostas Stafylidis / Augsburg
Started and played really well in a 2-1 won Vs Borussia Dortmund, but came off injured and might be out for a month which is a big worry (Anastasiadis said so himself over the weekend).
Tasos Donis was left on the bench while Retsos & Kyriakos are still out injured
Italy:
Panagiotis Tachtsidis / Lecce
Playing as the deep midfielder he seems to be back to his best passing the ball we’ll as well as making the tough tackles when needed. Tactically he was great while he still gets beat for pace (1-2 times in this match), he could stil be useful.
Portugal:
Andreas Samaris / Benfica
Another surprising start for Samaris who this week played in midfield (with Gabriel who later got sent off) after playing at Center Back in last weeks match. Tactically he was at his best, his passing was decent, but his tackling and covering from midfield was huge for Benfica to get the win (he had one play where he dove to deflect a pass in the box tracking back that surely would have tied the match had he not intervened).
Odysseas Vlahodimos / Benfica his usual flawless self in goal with a few big saves, and in the right positions constantly. Probably the favorite to start for Greece when Euro qualifying starts.
Denmark:
Zeca / FC Copenhagen
played well in his familiar box to box role, made the right simple passes necessary (something he struggles with at times), and covered the back four really well in an easy win for Fc Copenhagen.
Holland:
Lazaros Lamprou: Another goal for the young winger on loan from PAOK, his form has been so good of late (won young player of the month for February/Dutch League) that no one should be surprised if he gets a call up this month.
Pavlidis: Another goal for the youngster as well in a 4-2 loss, his pace and technique have shown week by week, showing why B.Dortmund bought him last summer.
P.Hantzidiakos was on the bench for AZ Alkmaar.
+ A few mentions from the Greek Super League games this weekend:
Manolis Siopis / ARIS: Playing in more of a box to box role he was everywhere for Aris in their big and impressive win (2-0) over AEK on Saturday. Made all the right tackles, flawless with his passes & one quick look at where Panionios (SIopis's former team) currently is in the table as opposed to Aris for me says it all about how much of a big time player he is.
Kolouris /Atromitos : Not his best match in a comfortable 3-0 win but another goal (from the penalty spot) to take his total for the season to 18!! . Easily Greece's most inform striker this year.
Bouzoukis & Lymnios /PAO.PAOK: Both weren't at their best but they had their moments in a tight tactical battle on Sunday between Panathinaikos & PAOK. Bouzoukis played a lot better when moved through the middle after starting on the wing, made some tackles, controlled the ball well (as always), and had a great long range shot that tested Paschalakis. Lymnios meanwhile was giving PAO fits with his pace & dribbling down the right flank, something Greece still desperately needs.
By Apostolos for Hellas Football
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