Greek professional footballer who played as a midfielder and won the UEFA Euro 1980 with Greece. He is also a manager, having coached several teams in Greece and Cyprus.
Sotiris Balafas is a Greek professional footballer who has made a name for himself as a defensive midfielder, known for his exceptional defensive awareness, tackling and heading skills, as well as his pace and strength. With a career spanning over a decade, Balafas has played for several clubs, including Anagennisi Artas, PAOK, PAS Giannina, Hoverla, and Veria, leaving an indelible mark on the football world.
Born on August 19, 1986, Balafas started his career at Anagennisi Artas, where he quickly became an integral part of the team at a very young age. His impressive performances earned him a transfer to PAOK in the summer of 2005 for a fee of 80,000 Euros.
At PAOK, Balafas established himself as a first-team option, and in the 2007-2008 season, he became the first-choice defensive midfielder for most of the season. His partnership with newcomer Ricardo Matias Verón was particularly noteworthy, as they formed a formidable duo on the pitch.
The 2009-2010 season saw Balafas playing a secondary role in Fernando Santos' plans, which led him to agree to a loan move to PAS Giannina for one year. This decision was influenced by his desire to work again with his mentor, Georgios Paraschos.
The 2011-2012 season proved to be a turning point for Balafas, as he took advantage of injuries to more senior players to establish himself as a regular starter. His winning goal against FC Karpaty Lviv in the Europa League cemented his status as a fan favorite, and coach László Bölöni gave him more playing time.
In the 2012-2013 season, Balafas decided to ply his trade abroad, signing with Hoverla. However, his stint with the club was short-lived, and he was released in May 2014. Undeterred, Balafas signed with Veria on a free transfer in September 2014, making his official debut against PAS Giannina.
Balafas' impressive performances for Veria earned him a contract renewal for two more years in May 2015. His first goal for the club came in a 2-0 home win against Platanias, where he opened the scoring.
On August 22, 2015, Balafas suffered an injury during training, which was diagnosed as a clostrum. Despite this setback, he continued to be an integral part of Veria's squad.
Sotiris Balafas' career has been marked by his exceptional defensive skills, versatility, and adaptability. As a defensive midfielder, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to read the game, win the ball, and distribute it effectively to his teammates. His commitment to his craft has earned him a loyal following among fans and respect from his peers.
While Balafas' career has had its share of ups and downs, he remains an important figure in Greek football, inspiring a new generation of footballers with his dedication and perseverance.
Today, Balafas continues to ply his trade, leaving an indelible mark on the beautiful game.
54 Years Old
A Greek footballer who won the Euro 2004 championship as captain, later becoming a politician and Member of the European Parliament.
50 Years Old
Greek midfielder who won the Euro 2004 with Greece, scoring the winning penalty in the quarterfinals against France. He's a national hero in Greece for his crucial role in the team's historic victory.
49 Years Old
A skilled midfielder who played for top clubs like Inter Milan and Fulham, and captained the Greek national team to Euro 2004 victory.
50 Years Old
Greek footballer and manager who won the Euro 2004 with Greece, scoring the winning goal in the quarterfinals against France. He's a national hero in Greece for his contributions to the team's historic victory.
50 Years Old
A skilled Greek footballer who played as a striker for several clubs, including Panathinaikos and AEK Athens, and represented Greece in multiple international tournaments.
44 Years Old
Greek professional footballer who played as a striker and scored crucial goals in international competitions, earning him a hero status in Greece.
47 Years Old
A Greek professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, known for his tenacious tackling and leadership, earning 116 caps for the national team.
