Michael Panopoulos
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mike" Panopoulos (also written Michalis Panopoulos), born in Melbourne
, Australia
) is an Australia
n-Greek
association football player. He has currently retired from playing, but now coaches the Altona City U12/U13 boys team and also the state of Victoria.
Panopoulos' parents come from the Macedonian village of Kratero
in Florina, Greece. He began his career as a youth player with Heidelberg United
in Australia, though in 1993 he was offered a professional contract with Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
in the Greek Super League
. Whilst at the Greek club Panopoulos played in the UEFA cup
and a was a losing finalist in the Greek Football Cup
.
Strong performances by Panopoulos for the Greek club led to a £1 million transfer to Portsmouth F.C.
in August 1999; a club record fee. Panopoulos spent three years at Portsmouth, but left the club the year before Portsmouth
's promotion to the FA Premier League
.
In December 2001 Panopoulos moved on loan from Portsmouth to Dunfermline F.C. in the Scottish Premier League
. After leaving Portsmouth he transferred to South Melbourne FC
and then made a return to Greece with Kerkyra F.C. That was followed by a move back to Australia, with Oakleigh Cannons
of the Victorian Premier League
.
International Carrier
Michael Panopoulos played with U-23 Greek National team
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...
) is an 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...
n-Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
association football player. He has currently retired from playing, but now coaches the Altona City U12/U13 boys team and also the state of Victoria.
Panopoulos' parents come from the Macedonian village of Kratero
Kratero
Kratero is a village located in the Florina peripheral unit of northwestern Macedonia, Greece.- Geography:Kratero is located east of the Lake Prespa National Park and is on the slopes of the Eastern Varnous mountain range. The village is at an altitude of 980 meters. Neighbouring villages include...
in Florina, Greece. He began his career as a youth player with Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
in Australia, though in 1993 he was offered a professional contract with 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 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...
. Whilst at the Greek club Panopoulos played in the 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...
and a was a losing finalist in the Greek Football 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....
.
Strong performances by Panopoulos for the Greek club led to a £1 million transfer to Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in August 1999; a club record fee. Panopoulos spent three years at Portsmouth, but left the club the year before Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
's promotion to the FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
.
In December 2001 Panopoulos moved on loan from Portsmouth to Dunfermline F.C. in the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. After leaving Portsmouth he transferred to South Melbourne FC
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...
and then made a return to Greece with Kerkyra F.C. That was followed by a move back to Australia, with 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...
of the 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...
.
International Carrier
Michael Panopoulos played with U-23 Greek National team