Yourkas Seitaridis
Encyclopedia
Georgios "Giourkas" Seitaridis (born 4 June 1981) is a Greek
footballer who plays as a defender
. He is currently playing for Panathinaikos
and is a member of the Greek national football team. Giourkas means "George" in the Pontic Greek dialect and is his grandfather's name.
in 1997, becaming one of the most important player for the defence. Seitaridis helped the team towards promotion in the Greek Super League
in the season 1999/2000. He also played with PAS Giannina, playing more than 40 games and scoring 5 goals.
, for whom he signed for in 2001. He quickly established himself as a regular player for the team and at the age of 22 he won his first silverware by helping Panathinaikos to the championship and cup double in the 2003–04 Greek Super League
season. He scored his first European goal against Manchester United
on 7 March 2001. His impressive performances earned great interest from teams abroad. Seitaridis in 2004 he won the Greek title with Panathinaikos
and the Greek Cup
against the Olympiakos.
side and at the time Champions League
winners FC Porto in June 2004 for €3 million,. Soon after joining the Dragões he won the Intercontinental Cup
. There were constant rumours about a possible change of course to Real Madrid
, following his success at UEFA Euro 2004, but the deal fell through, and on 23 May 2005, he was sold to Russia
n side Dynamo Moscow
for €10 million., following the foot step of former team-mate Derlei
, Costinha
and Maniche.
for a transfer fee of €12 million.
to join Atlético stating that its a big club and the fans are great. He was given his number 2. Seitaridis was sent off on the 44th minute of his debut for the club in the opening game of the season away to Racing Santander on 27 August 2006. Seitaridis scored his first goal for Atletico on 21 July 2007 in a game against Gloria Bistriţa
in the Intertoto Cup.
In November 2007, Seitaridis damaged his achilles tendon in a match against UD Almería
, which meant he needed to undergo surgery and was off the field for six months. He made his return in the 2–1 away win over Sevilla FC
, although not playing; he made an appearance on the substitute's bench.
Seitaridis started the 2008–09 season, playing in Atlético's first game, in a 4–0 victory over Malaga CF
, and making many plays down the wing, being a regular starter for the team. He picked up a few injuries, and after three games out, he returned on Atlético Madrid's Champion's League match against PSV.
On 13 May 2009, Seitaridis was released by Atlético a year before his contract expires, a statement on the club's official website read "Seitaridis is therefore free to negotiate with other clubs who may be interested in signing him.".
. There he met again with players like Kostas Katsouranis
and Giorgos Karagounis
which had together won Euro 2004 with the Greek National Team
.
Seitaridis however has been struggling to re-establish himself due to a lot of injuries, missing most of the 2009–10 season's matches. However, on 21 March 2010, Seitaridis returned to the line-up for the big derby against rivals Olympiacos. Panathinaikos
impressed and finished the season positively by winning his second Greek league
title and getting more playing time and two weeks after he won his second Greek Cup
.
, and later that year participated in the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final round in Switzerland
. He was also one of the key players for the Greek national team that won the Euro 2004 championship in Portugal
, a win that shocked the footballing world as Greece were considered 100–1 outsiders before the tournament started. Seitaridis had such an impact on the victorious team that he was named as part of the 23-man UEFA
All-Star squad, together with four other Greek players. He scored his first international goal on 2 June 2007 against Hungary
in a Euro 2008 qualifying match. helping the Greek National Team to be the first country qualified for Euro 2008. Seitaridis impressed by contributing to the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. Together with Angelos Charisteas
, Kostas Katsouranis
, Georgios Karagounis, Kostas Chalkias who were on the winning Euro 2004 squad, they were part of the Greek National that won its first game in a World Cup, 2–1 win against Nigeria.
|-
|1||2 June 2007||Pankritio Stadium, Heraklion
, Greece||||2–0||2–0||Euro 2008 qualifying
|}
Panathinaikos
Porto
Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
footballer who plays as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He is currently playing for Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
and is a member of the Greek national football team. Giourkas means "George" in the Pontic Greek dialect and is his grandfather's name.
PAS Giannina
Seitaridis started his professional career with northern Greek side PAS Giannina named, Ajax of EpirusEpirus (periphery)
Epirus , formally the Epirus Region , is a geographical and administrative region in northwestern Greece. It borders the regions of West Macedonia and Thessaly to the east, West Greece to the south, the Ionian Sea and the Ionian Islands to the west and the country of Albania to the north. The...
in 1997, becaming one of the most important player for the defence. Seitaridis helped the team towards promotion in the Greek Super League
Super League Greece
The 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...
in the season 1999/2000. He also played with PAS Giannina, playing more than 40 games and scoring 5 goals.
Panathinaikos
He was soon spotted by Greek PanathinaikosPanathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
, for whom he signed for in 2001. He quickly established himself as a regular player for the team and at the age of 22 he won his first silverware by helping Panathinaikos to the championship and cup double in the 2003–04 Greek Super League
Super League Greece
The 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...
season. He scored his first European goal against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
on 7 March 2001. His impressive performances earned great interest from teams abroad. Seitaridis in 2004 he won the Greek title with Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
and the Greek Cup
Greek football Cup
The 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....
against the Olympiakos.
Porto
Before the 2004 European Championships Seitaridis signed for PortuguesePortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
side and at the time 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...
winners FC Porto in June 2004 for €3 million,. Soon after joining the Dragões he won the Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (football)
The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
. There were constant rumours about a possible change of course to Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, following his success at UEFA Euro 2004, but the deal fell through, and on 23 May 2005, he was sold to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n side Dynamo Moscow
FC Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white...
for €10 million., following the foot step of former team-mate Derlei
Derlei
Vanderlei Fernandes Silva , aka Derlei, is a retired Brazilian-Portuguese footballer who played as a striker.He spent most of his 16-year professional career in Portugal , having represented all three most important clubs in the country, and amassing top division totals of 187 games and 70...
, Costinha
Costinha
Francisco José Rodrigues da Costa, OIH , aka Costinha , is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a defensive midfielder....
and Maniche.
Dynamo Moscow
Soon after signing for Dynamo Moscow, Seitaridis began to show his discomfort at the club. He claimed the reasons he wanted to leave was that the weather was different to his native Greece and that he could not cope with the coldness. Seitaridis decided to leave Dynamo after one season, and on 16 June 2006, he was transferred to Atlético MadridAtlético de Madrid
Club Atlético de Madrid, S.A.D., commonly known as Atlético Madrid, is a Spanish football club based in Madrid who play in La Liga. Atlético have won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey on nine occasions, including a double in 1996; in Europe, they won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1962, were...
for a transfer fee of €12 million.
Atletico Madrid
He was advised by fellow ex-Atlético Madrid player 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...
to join Atlético stating that its a big club and the fans are great. He was given his number 2. Seitaridis was sent off on the 44th minute of his debut for the club in the opening game of the season away to Racing Santander on 27 August 2006. Seitaridis scored his first goal for Atletico on 21 July 2007 in a game against Gloria Bistriţa
Gloria Bistrita
Gloria Bistriţa is a Romanian professional football club from Bistriţa, Bistriţa-Năsăud County.-History:The club was founded on July 6, 1922 and among the founding staff members there were: Simion Sbârcea as the club's president, Teofil Moldovan as the club's secretary, Ion Bota, Dumitru Hara,...
in the Intertoto Cup.
In November 2007, Seitaridis damaged his achilles tendon in a match against UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
, which meant he needed to undergo surgery and was off the field for six months. He made his return in the 2–1 away win over Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
, although not playing; he made an appearance on the substitute's bench.
Seitaridis started the 2008–09 season, playing in Atlético's first game, in a 4–0 victory over Malaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
, and making many plays down the wing, being a regular starter for the team. He picked up a few injuries, and after three games out, he returned on Atlético Madrid's Champion's League match against PSV.
On 13 May 2009, Seitaridis was released by Atlético a year before his contract expires, a statement on the club's official website read "Seitaridis is therefore free to negotiate with other clubs who may be interested in signing him.".
Panathinaikos F.C.
On the very last day (10 September 2009) of the Greek transfer period for free agent players, he signed a 4 year deal with PanathinaikosPanathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
. There he met again with players like Kostas Katsouranis
Kostas Katsouranis
Konstantinos "Kostas" Katsouranis is a Greek footballer who currently plays for Panathinaikos FC and the Greek national team as a defensive midfielder.-Panachaiki:...
and Giorgos Karagounis
Giorgos Karagounis
Giorgos Karagounis is a Greek footballer who currently plays for Panathinaikos . He is best remembered for scoring the first goal of UEFA Euro 2004, a very long range effort that helped his team to win the opening game of the tournament, in which the Greeks surprisingly emerged as champions.His...
which had together won Euro 2004 with the Greek National Team
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...
.
Seitaridis however has been struggling to re-establish himself due to a lot of injuries, missing most of the 2009–10 season's matches. However, on 21 March 2010, Seitaridis returned to the line-up for the big derby against rivals Olympiacos. Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos is a multi-sport club based in Athens, Greece. It has the shamrock as its official emblem and green and white as its colours...
impressed and finished the season positively by winning his second Greek league
Super League Greece
The 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...
title and getting more playing time and two weeks after he won his second Greek Cup
Greek football Cup
The 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....
.
International career
Seitaridis made his international debut on 13 February 2002 against SwedenSweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
, and later that year participated in the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final round in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. He was also one of the key players for the Greek national team that won the Euro 2004 championship in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, a win that shocked the footballing world as Greece were considered 100–1 outsiders before the tournament started. Seitaridis had such an impact on the victorious team that he was named as part of the 23-man UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
All-Star squad, together with four other Greek players. He scored his first international goal on 2 June 2007 against Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
in a Euro 2008 qualifying match. helping the Greek National Team to be the first country qualified for Euro 2008. Seitaridis impressed by contributing to the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. Together with Angelos Charisteas
Angelos Charisteas
Angelos Charisteas was born on 9 February 1980 in Strymoniko, Serres, but originates from Mani. He is a Greek football player who currently plays as a striker for Panetolikos F.C....
, Kostas Katsouranis
Kostas Katsouranis
Konstantinos "Kostas" Katsouranis is a Greek footballer who currently plays for Panathinaikos FC and the Greek national team as a defensive midfielder.-Panachaiki:...
, Georgios Karagounis, Kostas Chalkias who were on the winning Euro 2004 squad, they were part of the Greek National that won its first game in a World Cup, 2–1 win against Nigeria.
|-
|1||2 June 2007||Pankritio Stadium, Heraklion
Heraklion
Heraklion, or Heraclion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is the 4th largest city in Greece....
, Greece||||2–0||2–0||Euro 2008 qualifying
|}
Statistics
Last updated (30 May 2009)| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998/99 | PAS Giannina |  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... |
6 | 0 | ||||||
| 1999/00 | PAS Giannina | Beta Ethniki Beta 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... |
24 | 3 | ||||||
| 2000/01 | PAS Giannina | Greek Super League |
10 | 2 | ||||||
| 2000/01 | Panathinaikos Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most... |
Greek Super League |
12 | 0 | ||||||
| 2001/02 | Panathinaikos Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most... |
Greek Super League |
19 | 0 | ||||||
| 2002/03 | Panathinaikos Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most... |
Greek Super League |
25 | 0 | ||||||
| 2003/04 | Panathinaikos Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most... |
Greek Super League |
21 | 0 | ||||||
| 2004/05 | Porto |  Portuguese LigaPortuguese Liga The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system... |
23 | 0 | ||||||
| 2005/06 | Dynamo Moscow FC Dynamo Moscow Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white... |
 Russian Premier LeagueRussian Premier League The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition... |
8 | 0 | ||||||
| 2006/07 | Atlético Madrid |  La LigaLa Liga The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system... |
31 | 0 | ||||||
| 2007/08 | Atlético Madrid | La Liga La Liga The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system... |
14 | 0 | ||||||
| 2008/09 | Atlético Madrid | La Liga La Liga The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system... |
14 | 0 | ||||||
| 2009/10 | Panathinaikos Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most... |
Greek Super League |
8 | 0 | ||||||
| 2010/11 | Panathinaikos Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most... |
Greek Super League |
7 | 0 | ||||||
| 2011/12 | Panathinaikos Panathinaikos FC Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most... |
Greek Super League |
1 | 0 | | Total | 222 | 5 | |||
Individual
- Greek Young Footballer of the year: 2001
Team
PAS Giannina-
- Greek Second DivisionBeta EthnikiFootball 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...
: 2000
- Greek Second Division
Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
-
- Greek Super League: 2003–04, 2009–10
- 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....
: 2003–04, 2009–10
Porto
-
- Portuguese Super Cup: 2004
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 20042004 Intercontinental CupThe 2004 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 12 December 2004 between FC Porto, winners of 2003–04 UEFA Champions League, and Once Caldas, winners of the 2004 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, in...
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...
-
- Euro 20042004 UEFA European Football ChampionshipThe 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, better known as Euro 2004, was the 12th European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament for European national teams. It was hosted in Portugal, for the first time, between 12 June and 4 July 2004, following its selection by UEFA, in...
- Euro 2004