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Pantelis Kafes (Greek: Παντελής Καφές) (born on 24 June 1978 in Veria, Greece) is a Greek footballer currently playing as a deep-lying playmaker for AEK Athens in the Greek Super League. He is known for being one of very few outfield players to have worn the number 1 jersey and has won acclaim for his creative abilities and passing skills.
Club career Pontioi Verias He started playing professional football in January 1995 at the age of 17 for Pontioi Verias. The club were relegated to the third division that summer and the following May were demoted again. The one shining light was Kafes, who joined PAOK in January 1997. PAOK Kafes burst on to the Alpha Ethniki scene in 1998–99, scoring seven times. He continued to impress and was instrumental in PAOK's 2000–01 and 2002–03 Greek Cup triumphs. Yet his spell in Thessaloniki ended acrimoniously as he was released from his contract after a dispute over unpaid wages. Olympiacos stepped in with a three-year contract. Olympiacos He was ever-present in his first season at Olympiacos as they finished second in the Alpha Ethniki in 2003, and made his first UEFA Champions League appearances, five in all. Kafes played in the majority of Olympiacos' league matches on their way to the domestic double, and only a mid-season injury preventing him from matching his record in Europe, where he took part in all of the club's Champions League and UEFA Cup games. Likewise for next season, 2005–2006, where he played 22 domestic league games, earned another double and scored two truly memorable tying goals from the edge of the box for Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League. Kafes was released from Olympiacos during 2006–07 season. A few days later he signed a 2 year contract with rival side AEK Athens. AEK Athens Soon after signing for AEK and continuing his tradition of wearing the number 1, Kafes broke into the first team and was a mainstay in AEK's fight for the championship, but they had to settle for second. The following season on 12 January 2008 Kafes scored his first goal for AEK against Veria. On February 30 of the same year, Kafes scored against his former club Olympiacos and put AEK 4 – 0 in front. For the rest of the season however Kafes' efforts to win the championship proved unsuccessful as AEK came out second again, missing out on the title on goal difference to Olympiacos. In his third season with the "Dikefalos-Aetos", AEK did not live up to their expectations and finished third, Kafes was a key figure in there revival inwich he captained the side on a few occasions. On 12 June 2009, Kafes signed a new 3 year deal which will keep him at AEK until 2012. He agreed to reduce his wages to help the clubs financial difficulties. On 11 July 2009, Kafes was given the captains armband and will be the new captain for the upcoming season.[1] On 13 September 2009, Kafes scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season versus Iraklis. Kafes also scored 2 goals against PAS Giannina. He has made great appearances throughout the 2009–10 season, with much silent work as a defensive midfielder and some great assists to his teammates. In the summer 2010, Kafes found his ex-teammate Traianos Dellas that he joy to AEK Athens and also they won EURO 2004 with the Greek national Team. On 30/4/11, Kafes won the Greek Cup scoring AEK's 3rd goal in a 0-3 win against Atromitos. International career Kafes made his debut in the national team against Croatia in April 2001 and scored his first goal against Austria in Vienna in March 2003. Kafes made two appearances in UEFA EURO 2004 qualifying, and was in the finals squad and he won Euro 2004 with Greece. Kafes participated in 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. Kafes has been re-called into the team from the new coach Fernando Santos during the qualification for Euro 2012. On 8 October 2010 Kafes came on as a substitute against Latvia replacing Giorgos Karagounis. This was Kafes' first competitive match under new coach Fernando Santos. On 17 November 2010, Kafes played also the second halp of the friendly match against Austria, giving a big contribution, where Greece beat Austria. Statistics Club
International
Last updated: 2010-10-15
Honours PAOK Greek Cup: 2 2001, 2003 Olympiacos Greek Championship: 2 2005, 2006 Greek Cup: 2 2005, 2006 AEK Athens Greek Cup: 1 2011 Greece UEFA European Championship: 1 2004
^ Kafes new Captain
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