Zisis Vryzas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Zisis Vryzas

Personal information
Date of birth	(1973-11-09) 9 November 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth	Kavala, Greece
Height	1.90 m
Playing position	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1991–1996	Skoda Xanthi	122	(31)
1996–2000	PAOK	118	(19)
2000–2003	Perugia	108	(25)
2003–2005	Fiorentina	20	(4)
2004–2005	→ Celta Vigo (loan)	32	(7)
2005–2006	Torino	11	(2)
2006–2007	Skoda Xanthi	16	(1)
2007–2008	PAOK	13	(0)
Total		440	(89)
National team
1994–2006	Greece	68	(9)
Honours Men's football Representing  Greece UEFA European Championship Winner 2004 World Military Cup Winner 1997
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Zisis Vryzas (born 9 November 1973) is a Greek former professional footballer. He played as a forward for many teams in Greece and other countries. He was also a key player for the Greece national team when they famously won the Euro 2004 tournament. After he stopped playing, Zisis Vryzas worked as a technical director and even as a president for the football club PAOK. He also served as an assistant coach for the Greek national team.

Playing Career: Zisis Vryzas's Football Journey

Early Days at Skoda Xanthi

Zisis Vryzas was born in Kavala, Greece. He began his football career at a club called Skoda Xanthi. His skills and talent quickly caught the eye of bigger teams, both in Greece and abroad.

Becoming a Star at PAOK

In 1996, Vryzas joined PAOK, a very popular club in Greece. Fans loved him for his strength, determination, and dedication on the field. He scored many important goals for PAOK. One of his most memorable moments was in 1997. He scored a late goal against the English team Arsenal, helping PAOK win and move forward in the UEFA Cup. This was a huge upset, as Arsenal was a very strong team that year.

Moving to Italy: Playing for Perugia

In 2000, Vryzas moved to Italy to play for Perugia in the top league, Serie A. Even though Perugia was struggling, Vryzas quickly became popular with the fans. His hard work and ability to adapt helped Perugia stay in Serie A.

Joining Fiorentina and Celta Vigo

His great performances at Perugia led him to join Fiorentina in 2003. Fiorentina was a big club that was trying to get back into Serie A. They succeeded, even beating Perugia in a play-off game. In 2004, Vryzas also played for Celta Vigo in Spain on a loan deal.

Later Club Years: Torino and Returns Home

In 2006, Vryzas moved to another Italian club, Torino. Later that year, he returned to Greece and played again for Skoda Xanthi, the club where he started. In 2007, he made an emotional return to PAOK, which he called the "club of his heart." He played his last professional game for PAOK on 6 January 2008. Fans gave him a huge standing ovation, showing their love and appreciation for his career.

International Success: Winning Euro 2004

Playing for Greece

Zisis Vryzas first played for the Greek national team in October 1994. He scored his first goal for Greece a few months later. However, he had to wait until 2004 to play in a major international tournament.

The Unforgettable Euro 2004 Victory

Vryzas was not always the highest scorer, but he was a very important player. He worked tirelessly, battled against defenders, and created chances for his teammates. His aerial ability and passing skills made him valuable for all his clubs and for the Greek national team. In Euro 2004, Greece was not expected to win, but they surprised everyone. Vryzas was a key part of the starting team. He scored a very important goal against Russia. Even though Greece lost that game 2-1, Vryzas's goal meant Greece moved on to the quarter-finals. This was a huge moment for the "underdogs" of the tournament, and they went on to win the entire championship!

Life After Playing: Management and Leadership

Becoming a Technical Director

After retiring from playing, Zisis Vryzas quickly moved into management. On 8 January 2008, he became the Technical Director of PAOK. In this role, he helped bring many talented players to the club, such as Pablo Contreras, Zlatan Muslimović, and Vieirinha. He also managed the sales of other players, helping the club financially.

Serving as Club President

In October 2009, Vryzas was appointed as the president of PAOK for a period. He later returned to PAOK in 2012 as president and then again as technical director in 2014. During a difficult financial time for PAOK, Vryzas made smart decisions. He helped build a strong team with a lower budget, which allowed the club to keep playing in European competitions like the UEFA Europa League. He brought in international players who became very important for the club.

Other Roles in Football

After leaving PAOK in 2015, Vryzas continued his career in football management. He became the technical director for Veria. He also took on responsibilities at the Hellenic Football Federation, which is the main organization for football in Greece. He was in charge of the Directorate of Competition, which organizes events like the Greek Cup.

Career Statistics: Zisis Vryzas's Numbers

Awards and Achievements

Perugia

• Intertoto Cup: 2003 (a European football competition)

Greece National Team

• UEFA European Football Championship: 2004 (European Champions!)

See also

In Spanish: Zisis Vryzas para niños