Kostas Frantzeskos
Encyclopedia
Kostas Frantzeskos (born 4 January 1969) is a Greek
former footballer, best known for his deadly free-kick accuracy. He was regarded as one of the best free-kick specialists
in Europe
, scoring numerous times from set-pieces during his career.
. He made nearly 100 apeearances for the Greens - including 11 European games - winning one championship and three cups.
In 1994 he was transferred to OFI
and spent two seasons there, under coach Eugen Gerrard, which he still holds to the highest esteem. He appeared in many games, becoming a mainstay in the Cretan team's midfield.
, Vassilis Borbokis
, Thodoris Zagorakis, and others. He was much loved by PAOK fans for his many memorable goals, especially his winner against Arsenal
in the first round first leg of the 1997/98 UEFA Cup
, in Toumba Stadium
. PAOK went on to win the tie 2-1 on aggregate. He made over 100 appearances with PAOK during his 3-year stay, scoring 45 goals. He also made 12 appearances in the UEFA Cup, scoring 6 times.
His standout performances helped him develop a good reputation in Europe especially after having some very good European match performances with PAOK.
, a much smaller club, then struggling for survival in the 1st Division. His tenure there was rather short, and although making a handful of appearances, he could not help the club stay in the first division. He left the next year for Ionikos, another mid-range club, also battling to avoid relegation. Managing even less appearances than the previous year, Frantzeskos decided to try out the Cypriot League, signing for AEK Larnaca, where he regained some of his former glory. That was not the case, however, when he returned to Greece in 2003, playing half a season for Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
and another half for Proodeftiki
. In 2003-2004 Aris narrowly escaped relegation, yet Proodeftiki was not equally lucky - so Frantzeskos finished his 15-year long career in relative obscurity, playing a season in the Second Division until 2005.
's anguish, both home and away. He continued scoring from spot-kicks on to his last days, scoring a few for Proodeftiki.
He also holds a rather unusual record of being the only player in Greece to score a hat trick
with free-kicks, in the last game of the 1996-1997 season, with PAOK playing against Kastoria FC.
Quite surprisingly, Frantzeskos was very inefficient at scoring from the penalty spot - which led to his famous quote during an interview:"Next time we win a penalty, and they want me to take it, i'll ask for a wall
".
in 1992, in a friendly match against Cyprus
, held in Kaftanzoglio Stadium
, with Cyprus winning 2-3. He was an important member of the squad that qualified to the 1994 World Cup. He ended his national years in 2000, again in a friendly match, this time against Austria
, held in Kalamata
.
He has been capped a total 38 times for the Greece
, scoring 7 goals.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
former footballer, best known for his deadly free-kick accuracy. He was regarded as one of the best free-kick specialists
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, scoring numerous times from set-pieces during his career.
Panathinaikos and OFI
As a youngster, Kostas played for Vouliagmeni. He started his Football A Division career in Panathinaikos, after they picked him up in 1990. He was very quick to adapt and soon made his 1st division debut, in a vey successful season, with Panathinaikos winning the doubleThe Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
. He made nearly 100 apeearances for the Greens - including 11 European games - winning one championship and three cups.
In 1994 he was transferred to OFI
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...
and spent two seasons there, under coach Eugen Gerrard, which he still holds to the highest esteem. He appeared in many games, becoming a mainstay in the Cretan team's midfield.
PAOK
In 1997, Frantzeskos left OFI for PAOK. He was one of the many Greek star-players bought at that time by then-PAOK owner Giorgos Batatoudis, along with Zisis VryzasZisis Vryzas
Zisis Vryzas is a former football player, and had been the vice president of PAOK FC for the past 3 years. He was born 9 November 1973 in Kavala, city of northern Greece, located in the region of Macedonia . He played as a striker for various teams in Greece and abroad, as well as the Greek...
, Vassilis Borbokis
Vassilis Borbokis
Vassilis Borbokis is a former Greek football player. He is the brother of former Greek football player Stefanos Borbokis, who was also a PAOK FC player...
, Thodoris Zagorakis, and others. He was much loved by PAOK fans for his many memorable goals, especially his winner against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the first round first leg of the 1997/98 UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, in Toumba Stadium
Toumba Stadium
Toumba Stadium is a football stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece, owned by the multisports club A.S. PAOK. It was built in 6 September 1959 as the club's prime sporting venue and served the home ground for the club's football team, which was participating in the then national football league. The...
. PAOK went on to win the tie 2-1 on aggregate. He made over 100 appearances with PAOK during his 3-year stay, scoring 45 goals. He also made 12 appearances in the UEFA Cup, scoring 6 times.
His standout performances helped him develop a good reputation in Europe especially after having some very good European match performances with PAOK.
Late years and decline
After turning 31, Kostas left PAOK in 2000 for KalamataKalamata
Kalamata is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf...
, a much smaller club, then struggling for survival in the 1st Division. His tenure there was rather short, and although making a handful of appearances, he could not help the club stay in the first division. He left the next year for Ionikos, another mid-range club, also battling to avoid relegation. Managing even less appearances than the previous year, Frantzeskos decided to try out the Cypriot League, signing for AEK Larnaca, where he regained some of his former glory. That was not the case, however, when he returned to Greece in 2003, playing half a season for Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
Aris Football Club , also known as God of war and the Yellows, is a Greek football club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia. Formed in 1914, the club was a founding member of Macedonian Football Clubs Association as well as the Hellenic Football Federation, they currently compete in...
and another half for Proodeftiki
Proodeftiki FC
Proodeftiki FC is an historical Greek sports club based at Korydallos. The club was established in 1927.Today it has a football club playing in the Greek Fourth Division, and basketball and volleyball teams playing at regional tournaments....
. In 2003-2004 Aris narrowly escaped relegation, yet Proodeftiki was not equally lucky - so Frantzeskos finished his 15-year long career in relative obscurity, playing a season in the Second Division until 2005.
Free kicks
Frantzeskos holds the record in Greece for the most goals ever scored from direct free-kicks, always using his left foot. He was frequently cited as one of the most accurate free-kick takers in Europe, especially while playing for PAOK. He even scored a few of them in the UEFA Cup, most notably the two against Atletico Madrid, much to keeper José Francisco MolinaJosé Francisco Molina
José Francisco Molina Jiménez is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.11 years of his extensive professional career were spent at Atlético Madrid and Deportivo de La Coruña, where he won a total of five titles combined...
's anguish, both home and away. He continued scoring from spot-kicks on to his last days, scoring a few for Proodeftiki.
He also holds a rather unusual record of being the only player in Greece to score a hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
with free-kicks, in the last game of the 1996-1997 season, with PAOK playing against Kastoria FC.
Quite surprisingly, Frantzeskos was very inefficient at scoring from the penalty spot - which led to his famous quote during an interview:"Next time we win a penalty, and they want me to take it, i'll ask for a wall
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
".
National team
Frantzeskos debuted for the national teamGreece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
in 1992, in a friendly match against Cyprus
Cyprus national football team
The Cyprus national football team represents Cyprus in association football and is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association, the governing body for football in Cyprus. Cyprus' home ground is the GSP Stadium in Nicosia and the current coach is Nikos Nioplias...
, held in Kaftanzoglio Stadium
Kaftanzoglio Stadium
Kaftanzoglio stadium is a sports stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece. The stadium was built with money donated by the Kaftanzoglou Foundation, hence its name. At the time of its opening on 27 October 1960, the stadium was one of the highest quality stadiums in the Balkans...
, with Cyprus winning 2-3. He was an important member of the squad that qualified to the 1994 World Cup. He ended his national years in 2000, again in a friendly match, this time against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
, held in Kalamata
Kalamata
Kalamata is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf...
.
He has been capped a total 38 times for the Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
, scoring 7 goals.
Honours
- Greek ChampionshipSuper League GreeceThe Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
- Panathinaikos (1): 1991Alpha Ethniki 1990-91-Standings:' : Cup winner 1990-91' : Title holder' : Promoted from Beta EthnikiPts = Points Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference;*Notes-Match table:Match changes:* * * *...
- Greek CupGreek football CupThe Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
- Panathinaikos (3): 1991Greek Cup 1990-91The Greek Cup 1990-91 was the 49th edition of The Greek Football Cup, or Greek Cup for short.-Tournament details:Totally 72 teams participated, 18 from Alpha Ethniki, 18 from Beta, and 36 from Gamma...
, 1993Greek Cup 1992-93The Greek Cup 1992-93 was the 51st edition of The Greek Football Cup, or Greek Cup for short.-Tournament details:Totally 72 teams participated, 18 from Alpha Ethniki, 18 from Beta, and 36 from Gamma...
, 1994Greek Cup 1993-94The Greek Cup 1993-94 was the 52nd edition of The Greek Football Cup, or Greek Cup for short.-Tournament details:Totally 72 teams participated, 18 from Alpha Ethniki, 18 from Beta, and 36 from Gamma...