Future Phenom, Present Prodigy, Historic Hotshot: Panathinkos Edition

Work that ball...

Future Phenom: Sotiris Ninis

There's nothing like being hailed as Greece's "Great White Hope" and a PAO superstar at age 19. But, really, Ninis does have a considerable body of work from which to draw the hype. Since stepping onto the Superliga scene three years ago, at the tender age of 16 years and 309, he has built a solid reputation and fervent following. Furthermore, in so doing, became the second youngest footballer to play in Greece's top league. For comparison, consider what you were doing at 56 days short of your 17th birthday.

Tellingly, in his first call up to the senior national team (for their game against Cyprus in May 2008), Ninis scored the opening goal of the match, setting another record as he was the youngest ever scorer for Greece. While Ninis is not the most physically intimidating player, he has nonetheless found success with his impeccable ball control, his instinct for finding space and his pace. His play and promise may be reminiscent of a diminutive Argentine (hint: he is currently the best player in the world), but his ability to fully capitalize on that potential is TBD.

So what's next for one of UEFA's 2007 U-19 "Names to Note"? Past rumblings have claimed that he could land anywhere from AC Milan to Man Utd to Real Madrid (though, really, when's the last time they nurtured young talent?), but Wegner's purportedly keenest on making him a part of the young Gunners.


Present Prodigy: Sotirios Kyrgiakos

If for nothing else, Kyrgiakos gets a mention here because he is the first Greek player to sign for Liverpool. Additional stints at Rangers and Eintract Frankfurt make him one of the more successful Greek players outside of the Superliga, which is quite a feat considering the quality of the aforementioned league.

Furthermore, injuries to Agger and Skrtel and the general lack of Liverpool depth at the back will likely give him the opportunity to prove his worth on the grandest of stages; that of the EPL.

Historic Hot Shot: Mimis Domazos

No list of great PAO, actually make that no list of great Greek, players would be complete (or even credbile) without "The General." Domazos is held in such high esteem as a result of his uncanny ability to conceive of and execute effective plays with the ball at his feet. His dribbling prowess and competitive spirit consistently set him apart from all others, who try to claim the all-time Greek great title.

Domazos was a incomparable leader, captaining PAO for 15 years, and an indominable figure, towering over the Superliga competition for 21 years (a record for longest active player). At PAO, he won nine league championships, three Greek Cups, and compelled his side to the 1971 European Cup Final, making PAO the first (and only) Greek team to reach a European Cup Final.