Traianos Dellas facts for kids
Dellas as a manager of AEK Athens
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Traianos Dellas | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 31 January 1976 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Thessaloniki, Greece | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1993 | Aris | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–1997 | Aris | 22 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1996 | → Panserraikos (loan) | 39 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1999 | Sheffield United | 26 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | AEK Athens | 40 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | Perugia | 8 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2005 | Roma | 44 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2008 | AEK Athens | 54 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2010 | Anorthosis | 35 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2012 | AEK Athens | 39 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 307 | (26) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1998 | Greece U21 | 20 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2009 | Greece | 53 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2015 | AEK Athens | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Atromitos | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Panetolikos | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | Panetolikos | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | OFI | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Traianos Dellas (born January 31, 1976) is a famous Greek football player and manager. He played as a Centre-back, which is a defender who helps protect the goal. Dellas was a very important part of the Greek national team that won the European Championship in 2004. He is also known for scoring the only "silver goal" ever in an international football match. A silver goal was a rule where the first team to score in extra time would win if they were still ahead after the first 15 minutes of extra time.
Contents
Playing for Football Clubs
Early Career in Greece
Traianos Dellas started his professional football journey in 1993 with Aris. He played there for two years. During this time, he helped his team qualify for the 1994–95 UEFA Cup, a big European competition.
In 1994, Dellas was loaned to Panserraikos for two seasons. He quickly became a regular player for them. After his loan, he returned to Aris.
Playing in England
Dellas then moved to England to join Sheffield United. Fans remember him for a special game in March 1999 against Tranmere Rovers. Sheffield United was losing 2–0, but Dellas came on as a substitute and scored two goals, helping his team win 3–2. He also scored another amazing goal from 30 yards out against Portsmouth.
Return to Greece with AEK Athens
In 1999, Dellas came back to Greece to play for AEK Athens. He helped AEK win the Greek Cup in 2000. He played well for two years at the club.
Time in Italy with Perugia and Roma
After leaving AEK, Dellas signed with the Italian club Perugia. He played only eight matches there.
In 2002, Dellas joined Serie A club Roma for free. He became a key player for Roma. Fans really liked him, even during tough times for the team. He left Roma after his contract ended.
Second and Third Stays at AEK Athens
In 2005, Dellas decided to return to AEK Athens. He became the team captain and signed a new contract in 2007. AEK came very close to winning the league title during this period. On July 23, 2008, Dellas left AEK again.
The next day, he signed a two-year deal with Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta. Dellas helped Anorthosis qualify for the UEFA Champions League in the 2008–09 season.
On June 5, 2010, Dellas signed with AEK Athens for a third time. He wanted to finish his career at the club he loved. He scored his first goal in the Greek championship in two years in December 2010. In March 2011, he scored in the Greek Cup semi-final, sending AEK to the final. On April 30, 2011, Dellas won his second Greek Cup with AEK. He played one more season before announcing his retirement from professional football on May 26, 2012.
Playing for His Country: Greece
Dellas played his first game for the Greek national team in April 2001. He had an amazing performance at Euro 2004. He was a strong defender, helping Greece's defense become almost impossible to break through. Because of his great play, he was chosen for the tournament's all-star team.
During the semi-finals, he scored the only "silver goal" in history against the Czech Republic. This goal allowed Greece to reach the final. It was his only goal for the Greek national team. The coach of Greece called him 'the Colossus of Rhodes' because of his powerful performances. This nickname is still used for him today.
After Euro 2004, Dellas continued to be a key player for Greece's defense. He helped Greece qualify for Euro 2008. He was also part of the team trying to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Becoming a Manager
Coaching AEK Athens
On April 4, 2013, Traianos Dellas became the new coach for AEK Athens. At that time, AEK had been moved down to the third division of Greek football. Dellas stayed with the team to help them get back to the top league. He successfully led AEK back to the Super League in 2015. On October 20, 2015, Dellas resigned from his coaching role at AEK.
Managing Other Clubs
After AEK, Dellas signed a contract with Atromitos on November 7, 2015. He later signed with Panetolikos on January 12, 2018, and resigned in April 2019.
Panetolikos announced his return as manager on November 10, 2020. He helped the club avoid being moved down to a lower league. His second time as manager there ended on June 5, 2021.
Personal Life
Traianos Dellas married Greek model Gogo Mastrokosta on September 11, 2008. They have one daughter together.
Honours and Awards
As a Player
- AEK Athens
- Greek Cup: 2000, 2011
- Greece National Team
- Greece U21 Team
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 1998
- Individual Awards
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2004
As a Manager
- AEK Athens
- Football League 2: 2013–14 (Group 6)
- Football League: 2014–15
See also
In Spanish: Traianos Dellas para niños
