Jun
16
This was probably not the way that the 37-year old Antonis Nikopolidis imagined announcing his retirement from international soccer. Yesterday, the Greece goalkeeper that has been an integral part of his country’s national team for 11 years announced his retirement along with defender Paraskevas Antzas of Olympiacos. It is rather surprising that Antzas decided to also retire considering that he could have easily played for Greece for another 2 years helping his country qualify for the 2010 World Cup; he did not say why he decided to retire at this moment and so we won’t bother any further with him.
Nikopolidis was an important factor in Greece’s surprise win at the 2004 European Championships. His performance, however, has always been a bit controversial. Nikopolidis can go from hero to zero in an instant and he has done so on many occasions most recently in their game against Russia which Greece lost to a large extend because of his mistake on a misjudged cross. This is why I think the timing of his retirement is unfortunate. For his contributions to the team for over one decade, he deserved to go away under better circumstances. But such is soccer and so he will leave the game and the team that he has served passionately for so many years on a low point for him and all Greek soccer fans.
In 3 days, he will play his last game for Greece. Incidentally, this will also be his 90th cap and it will be against powerhouse Spain. I am certain that both Nikopolidis but also all of Greece would like to see their team perform at the level expected of the defending champions for no other reason but to say goodbye to one of the best goalkeepers to have put on the blue and white uniform.
Farewell Antonis and good luck with your club Olympiacos. Thank you for the memories (good and bad!) You will be missed.