Giorgos Skrekis ( el, Γιώργος Σκρέκης; born 2 February 1945) is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a defender. His nickname was ''"Kalpos"'' ''( el, "Κάλπος")'', due his running style at the pitch resembled that of a horse's gallop.

Club career

Skrekis was from a young age systematically involved in football as a member of the infrastructure teams of Iraklis Kallitheas. In 1962, at the age of 17, he was transferred to

Panionios Panionios G.S.S. Football Club ( Greek: ΠΑΕ Πανιώνιος Γ.Σ.Σ.), the ''Pan-Ionian Gymnastics Club of Smyrna'' (Πανιώνιος Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Σμύρνης, ''Panionios Gymnastikos Syllogos Smyrnis'' ...

and the following year, the coach of the blue and red team, Giannis Skordilis, established him in the first team, giving him the position of central defender, in which he played successfully for almost five years. He was a key player for his team in reaching the final of the Greek Cup in 1967, where they lost by

Panathinaikos Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos ( el, Παναθηναϊκός Αθλητικός Όμιλος, literally in English: "Panathenaic Athletic Club" or Panathinaikos A.C.), also known simply as Panathinaikós , is a major Greek multi-sport club ba ...

. In 1968, the coach of red and blues, Dezső Bundzsák, recognizing his special speed and his fast acceleraion, relocated him as a right full-back. His career at the club of Nea Smyrni culminated in 1971 with the second place in the Championship, behind AEK Athens and the conquest of the

Balkans Cup The Balkans Cup was an international football competition for clubs from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey, and Yugoslavia. It was introduced in 1961 and was very popular in the 1960s (the 1967 final attracted 42,000 spectators), being t ...

. A serious injury at the beginning of the following season left him out of the squad for a long period. In the summer of 1974, Skrekis was transferred to AEK Athens of Loukas Barlos and

František Fadrhonc František Fadrhonc (18 December 1914 – 9 October 1981) was a Czech football manager, who was born in Nymburk, Austria-Hungary, present day Czech Republic. He coached many teams in Europe, mostly in the Netherlands. After winning the Dutch ch ...

, alongside his teammates,

Georgios Dedes Georgios Dedes ( el, Γεώργιος Δέδες; born 25 February 1943) is a Greek former professional footballer of Asia Minor descent, who played as a forward. His main characteristics were his speed, his technique and his shooting. He compe ...

and Victor Theofylopoulos. Even though Fadrhonc believed in his abilities, his relatively advanced footballing age and the remains of his serious injury did not allow him to impress with the yellow-black jersey. He scored his only goal on 21 December 1975 in a 2–1 home win over Aris. He was a part of the squad that reached to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in the 1977. In 1977, he returned to Panionios for a season, where he ended his career. In fact, in 1978 he was awarded the Golden Cross of Panionios, the club's greatest award, for his overall contribution.

International career

Skrekis was five times international with Greece between 1966 and 1970. He made his debut on 16 October 1966 in a 2–1 home win for the Euro qualifiers against Finland. He played again on 11 October 1970 in an away match against Malta for the Euro qualifiers, which ended 1–1. This was followed by two friendly defeats against Spain away from home and

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

at home. His last appearance was on 16 December 1970 in a home match for the Euro qualifiers against

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

, which were defeated by 1–0. Skrekis also played 5 times for the Greece Military Team with which he won the

World Military Cup The World Military Cup is a football competition for national military teams. It is organized by the International Military Sports Council (CISM). The tournament has been held since 1946 and was originally called the World Military Championship. ...

for two consecutive years in 1968 and 1969.

After football

After finishing his football career, Skrekis was very successful in the travel business and is the owner of the GS TRAVEL S.A. travel agency, organizing through it many fan trips for matches of Greek teams abroad. His friendship with Dimitrios Melissanidis, made him accept in joining him in the summer of 2013 in his Steering Committee of AEK, even though his tenure was brief.

Personal life

Skrekis is married and has two daughters.

Honours

Panionios *

1971 * The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses ( February 25, July 22 and August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 10, and August 6). The world population increased by 2.1% this year, the highest increase in history. Events Ja ...

Greece Military *

: 1968, 1969 Individual * Panionios Golden Cross: 1978

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Skrekis, Giorgos 1945 births Living people Greece men's international footballers Panionios F.C. players AEK Athens F.C. players Men's association football defenders Footballers from Athens Greek men's footballers Super League Greece players