Apostolos Giannou
Encyclopedia
Apostolos Giannou is a football (soccer) player who currently plays for PAOK
in the Superleague Greece.
to Melbourne
, Australia
with his family, Giannou played junior football for the 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
in 2004. 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
player's agent
who secured a two week trial for him with PSV Eindhoven's Reserve and Academy team's. Giannou was assured that if he would not sign with the Dutch club, he could return to Melbourne Victory. Despite the unsuccessful trial, Giannou came back to Melbourne
and signed a six month contract with Victorian Premier League
side Oakleigh Cannons
. By mid-2007, Giannou was transferred to Greek second division side Apollon Kalamarias
.
season, on a five year contract.
, Andreas Govas
and Craig Moore
.
. He made his first appearance for PAOK 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.
. Giannou scored in Australia's 3–1 win against Indonessia. 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
.
where Greece qualified for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
, 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.
against FYROM
which Greece won 2–1.
against Iran
on 16 May 2007. Giannou was called up to a mixed U-23 and U-20 training squad in Germany in April 2011.
PAOK FC
P.A.O.K. F.C. is a Greek association football club based in Thessaloniki, Greece. It is the largest supported football club in Macedonia.PAOK FC is the football department of Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans , a multi-sport club. Since its formation in 1926 the football club...
in the Superleague Greece.
Career
After migratingHuman migration
Human migration is physical movement by humans from one area to another, sometimes over long distances or in large groups. Historically this movement was nomadic, often causing significant conflict with the indigenous population and their displacement or cultural assimilation. Only a few nomadic...
to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
with his family, Giannou played junior football for the Oakleigh Cannons
Oakleigh Cannons
Oakleigh Cannons Football Club is a football club based in the south-east Melbourne suburb of Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia. The club was formed in 1972 as the South Oakleigh Soccer Club by members of Oakleigh's Greek Australian community...
and South Melbourne
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
. Following state
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
representative honours at Under-14 and Under-15 level, Giannou was selected for the VIS
Victorian Institute of Sport Football (Soccer) Program
The Victorian Institute of Sport is run by the Victorian Institute of Sport, in Melbourne, for Victorian youth players. VIS runs this program for both men and women.-Program:...
by Ernie Merrick
Ernie Merrick
Ernest 'Ernie' Merrick is the Scottish former head coach for the Australian A-League football team, Melbourne Victory.-Melbourne Victory:...
in 2004. He took part in Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
'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
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
player's agent
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
who secured a two week trial for him with PSV Eindhoven's Reserve and Academy team's. Giannou was assured that if he would not sign with the Dutch club, he could return to Melbourne Victory. Despite the unsuccessful trial, Giannou came back to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and signed a six month contract with Victorian Premier League
Victorian Premier League
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
side Oakleigh Cannons
Oakleigh Cannons
Oakleigh Cannons Football Club is a football club based in the south-east Melbourne suburb of Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia. The club was formed in 1972 as the South Oakleigh Soccer Club by members of Oakleigh's Greek Australian community...
. By mid-2007, Giannou was transferred to Greek second division side Apollon Kalamarias
Apollon Kalamarias
Apollon Kalamarias is a Greek association football club based in the district of Kalamaria, in southeast Thessaloniki, Greece.The club was suspended from playing in the Second Division for the 2009-10 season, due to unsettled debts...
.
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. 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 2009–20102009–10 Super League Greece
The 2009–10 Super League Greece season is the fourth since its establishment. The league consists of 16 teams. Participants are the 13 best teams from the 2008–09 season and three teams that have been promoted from the Beta Ethniki...
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. Down the track, Giannou was one of five Australians in the Greek side as the club welcomed the arrivals of: Robert Stambolziev, Zeljko KalacŽeljko Kalac
Željko Kalac is a retired Australian football goalkeeper. Standing at 2.02m, Kalac is one of the world's tallest professional goalkeepers....
, Andreas Govas
Andreas Govas
Andreas Govas in Australia is a Greek footballer who currently plays for Greek Super League side AO Kavala.-Club career:In 2007 Govas was a part of Portsmouth's U-18 Youth Academy team....
and Craig Moore
Craig Moore
Craig Andrew Moore , is a retired Australian soccer defender.Moore is best known for his two spells with Scottish Premier Division / Scottish Premier League club Rangers...
.
PAOK
After the relegation of Kavala, Giannou was set free and on 30 September 2011 signed a three-year-contract with PAOKPAOK FC
P.A.O.K. F.C. is a Greek association football club based in Thessaloniki, Greece. It is the largest supported football club in Macedonia.PAOK FC is the football department of Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans , a multi-sport club. Since its formation in 1926 the football club...
. He made his first appearance for PAOK in a 0-0 draw against OFI Crete
OFI Crete
OFI , the Sportfriends Association Heraklion, is a Greek association football club based in Heraklion, on the island of Crete. Outside Greece, the club is generally known as OFI Crete F.C., however, the name Crete is not actually part of the club's official title.OFI is the club with most...
on 16 October, where he was substituted onto the field for Vladimir Ivic
Vladimir Ivic
Vladimir Ivić is a Serbian footballer who plays as a midfielder for PAOK. He is the younger brother of Ilija Ivić, ex Red Star player and sports director....
in the 78th minute.
Australia U-17 (2006)
In 2006 Giannou represented Australia's under-17 team at the AFC U-17 Championship 2006 QualificationAFC U-17 Championship 2006 Qualification
AFC U-17 Championship 2006 Qualification in a 2005- Group A :----------------- Group B :----------------- Group C :----------------- Group D :----------------- Group E :------------- Group F :--------...
. Giannou scored in Australia's 3–1 win against Indonessia. 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
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The team finished top of their respective group as Giannou scored a goal in a 5–1 win against Albirex Niigata
Albirex Niigata
is a Japanese J. League Division 1 association football team. Despite the club's relative youth, only joining the J. League in 1999, Albirex are one of Japan's best supported teams. In 2003, while still playing in the second tier of Japanese football , Albirex attracted the best average crowd in...
.
Greece U-19 (2008)
In 2008 Giannou represented Greece at the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification
UEFA U-19 Championship 2008 is the second round of qualifications for the Final Tournament of UEFA U-19 Championship 2008. The winners of each group join hosts Czech Republic at the Final Tournament.-Group 1:--------------------...
where Greece qualified for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship was the 24th UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, UEFA's premier competition for players under the age of 19. The tournament was held in the Czech Republic with matches played from 14 July to 26 July 2008. Players born...
, he played alongside Australian Dean Bouzanis
Dean Bouzanis
Dean Anthony Bouzanis is an Australian football player who currently plays as a goalkeeper for League One side Oldham Athletic on non-contract terms.-Club career:...
. 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
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and started in a 3–0 loss against England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
as Greece finished at the bottom of their group.
Greece U-21 (2010-2011)
On 5 September 2010 Giannou returned to the international stage after 2 years absence, he was selected for Greece's under-21 squad for a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualifier2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 9
The teams competing in Group 7 of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifying competition were England, Greece, Lithuania, Macedonia, and Portugal.- Standings :Qualification...
against FYROM
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
which Greece won 2–1.
Australia U-23 (2007 & 2011-)
Giannou was included in the Australia under-23 squad for a 2008 Olympic qualifier2008 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
The Asian Football Confederation's Pre-Olympic Tournament was held from 7 February to 21 November 2007. Twenty-four teams entered the qualification for the three allocated spots for the 2008 Summer Olympics Football tournament in Beijing....
against Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
on 16 May 2007. Giannou was called up to a mixed U-23 and U-20 training squad in Germany in April 2011.