Leonidas Kabantais
Encyclopedia
Leonidas Kampantais is a Greek
footballer, currently playing for OFI Crete
. On 30 June 2009, Arminia Bielefeld
did not renew Kampantais's contract and so he was released. On 7 July 2010, he signed a one-year contract with Olympiakos Volou.
in 2002, appearing in 11 matches in Alpha Ethniki (from 2006 has been renamed to Super League), scoring two goals. He remained in Salonica for another year, scoring one goal in seven appearances.
, who was a fan favourite and current Chairman of AEK FC).
In Season 2005, Fernando Santos proposed him to go on-loan, to gain the required experience. He agreed, and moved to Anorthosis Famagusta FC
, where Temuri Ketsbaia
(a former player of AEK Athens) was a player-manager. However, Kabantais returned after six months, in January 2006
, after scoring only two goals and wasting numerous goal opportunities in 14 matches. Although Kabantais claimed that the reason Anorthosis released him due to personal problems he had with player/manager Ketsbaia
which appeared to be true. He moved then to Panionios NFC for six months. Panionios had the option of buying the player. At first, he was not considered to play very well, even though he appeared in almost every game, scoring two very important goals. Additionally, the last three to four appearances were very good.
In 2006, Ilija Ivic
told him that the best for him was to go on-loan again. However, Kampantais was unwilling to go, unless the new manager would tell him so. Llorenç Serra Ferrer
(the new manager), gave him enough chances to prove his worth, as he did. However, Serra Ferrer did not register him for the UEFA Champions League
matches, which upset Leonidas, but he later showed his worth.
Even though not considered a first team regular, he was one of the best players in the friendly matches. Serra Ferrer trusted him in the derby vs. Panathinaikos. Leonidas, even though he did not score, played a good match.
The next matches, in which Kampantais played, was versus Aris
and Larissa
. These two matches were critical for AEK, and Leonidas managed to score in each game once (in both matches he was in the first team). Versus Kerkyra
, Kampantais, was awarded two clear penalties. He was announced as Most Valuable Player in that match. That was the first time Kampantais was given this award.
Since then he appeared in every match and scored goals. He was voted one of the two MVP in the big derby against Olympiakos early February.
His contract with AEK expired summer 2007. On 21 May 2007, he was released by AEK and signed by German team Arminia Bielefeld
.
in 2007, picking number 27.
career in Olympiakos Volou in summer 2009.
in 2004
.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
footballer, currently playing for 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 30 June 2009, Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
did not renew Kampantais's contract and so he was released. On 7 July 2010, he signed a one-year contract with Olympiakos Volou.
Aris Thessaloniki FC
Kampantais began his professional career in 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...
in 2002, appearing in 11 matches in Alpha Ethniki (from 2006 has been renamed to Super League), scoring two goals. He remained in Salonica for another year, scoring one goal in seven appearances.
Move to AEK Athens
He joined AEK Athens in 2004. Kampantais picked number 11, which was used by Demis NikolaidisDemis Nikolaidis
Themistoklis "Demis" Nikolaidis was the forty second president of AEK Athens F.C., and is considered one of the finest footballers Greece has ever produced. In his early childhood and teenage years he lived in the city of Alexandroupoli, in the north-east part of Greece...
, who was a fan favourite and current Chairman of AEK FC).
In Season 2005, Fernando Santos proposed him to go on-loan, to gain the required experience. He agreed, and moved to Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Αnorthosis Famagusta FC is a Cypriot football and volleyball club which is originally based in Famagusta, but is now temporarily based in Larnaca, due to the Turkish invasion. Anorthosis is one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football, having won 13 league titles, 10 Cypriot Cups and 6...
, where Temuri Ketsbaia
Temuri Ketsbaia
Temuri "Temur" Ketsbaia is a Georgian football manager and former player. As a player he represented the Georgian national team and played for Dinamo Tbilisi, Anorthosis Famagusta, AEK, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Dundee.Ketsbaia is often regarded as having played a major role...
(a former player of AEK Athens) was a player-manager. However, Kabantais returned after six months, in January 2006
January 2006 in sports
See also: 2006 in sports, January 2006-31 January 2006 :*Football: 2006 African Cup of Nations**Group D: Nigeria 2–1 Senegal Nigeria finishes with a perfect record in the group...
, after scoring only two goals and wasting numerous goal opportunities in 14 matches. Although Kabantais claimed that the reason Anorthosis released him due to personal problems he had with player/manager Ketsbaia
Temuri Ketsbaia
Temuri "Temur" Ketsbaia is a Georgian football manager and former player. As a player he represented the Georgian national team and played for Dinamo Tbilisi, Anorthosis Famagusta, AEK, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Dundee.Ketsbaia is often regarded as having played a major role...
which appeared to be true. He moved then to Panionios NFC for six months. Panionios had the option of buying the player. At first, he was not considered to play very well, even though he appeared in almost every game, scoring two very important goals. Additionally, the last three to four appearances were very good.
In 2006, Ilija Ivic
Ilija Ivic
Ilija Ivić is a retired Serbian footballer. Ivić works currently as Red Star Belgrade and his last job was the Technical Manager of the Greek side Olympiacos...
told him that the best for him was to go on-loan again. However, Kampantais was unwilling to go, unless the new manager would tell him so. Llorenç Serra Ferrer
Llorenç Serra Ferrer
Lorenzo Serra Ferrer is a Spanish football coach.His career was mainly associated with RCD Mallorca and Real Betis, and he also served the former in various other capacities.-Playing career:...
(the new manager), gave him enough chances to prove his worth, as he did. However, Serra Ferrer did not register him for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
matches, which upset Leonidas, but he later showed his worth.
Even though not considered a first team regular, he was one of the best players in the friendly matches. Serra Ferrer trusted him in the derby vs. Panathinaikos. Leonidas, even though he did not score, played a good match.
The next matches, in which Kampantais played, was versus Aris
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 Larissa
AEL 1964
AEL 1964 F.C., fully the Athletic Union of Larissa 1964 , is a Greek association football club based in the city of Larissa, capital of Greece's Thessaly region. The club is also known, unofficially, as Larissa. It is the only FC outside the two big Greek cities, Athens and Thessaloniki, to have...
. These two matches were critical for AEK, and Leonidas managed to score in each game once (in both matches he was in the first team). Versus Kerkyra
Kerkyra FC
Kerkyra FC, also known as AO Kerkyra , the Athletic Club Kerkyra, is a Greek association football club based on the island of Kerkyra , Greece.-History:...
, Kampantais, was awarded two clear penalties. He was announced as Most Valuable Player in that match. That was the first time Kampantais was given this award.
Since then he appeared in every match and scored goals. He was voted one of the two MVP in the big derby against Olympiakos early February.
His contract with AEK expired summer 2007. On 21 May 2007, he was released by AEK and signed by German team Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
.
Arminia Bielefeld/Bundesliga
Kampantais began his Bundesliga career with Arminia BielefeldArminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
in 2007, picking number 27.
Olympiakos Volou/Beta Ethniki
Kampantais began his Beta EthnikiBeta Ethniki
Football League, former Beta Ethniki, is the second highest professional football league in Greece.-History:In its first years, the system of conduct was very intriguing. It began in 1954 as regional championship, separated in two groups, North and South. Then, the participating teams were the...
career in Olympiakos Volou in summer 2009.
International career
Kampantais played for the Greek Olympic 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 2004
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
.