Profile

A veteran striker now in his 13th year of senior international service, Nikos Liberopoulos is showing few signs of wear and tear after an excellent season with AEK Athens FC. Out of favour at UEFA EURO 2004, the sharp-shooting striker is likely to be used from the bench this time around.

Eleven goals in debut top-flight campaign for Kalamata FC alerted Panathinaikos FC, who bought him in 1996.

Scored winner for Panathinaikos v FC Dynamo Kyiv on UEFA Champions League debut but had to wait 23 games until his second goal in competition (v Real Madrid CF).

Won first cap for Greece in January 1996 but first sustained run in side came in 1998/99 under Romanian coach Anghel Iordnescu.

Lost place when Otto Rehhagel took over and played no part in UEFA EURO 2004? – qualifiers or finals – despite topping 2002/03 Greek Super League scoring charts with 16 goals.

Joined AEK in 2003; immediate success and won top scorer crown again in 2006/07 (18 goals).

Successful reintroduction to national team in 2005; scored three important goals in UEFA EURO 2008 qualification (all as substitute).
Voted Greek Player of the Year three times – in 2000, 2006 and 2007.

Did you know?

Despite playing 12 seasons for two of Greek football's biggest clubs, Liberopoulos has never won any major team trophies.