1. Overview
Pantelis Kafes (Παντελής ΚαφέςGreek, Modern; born 24 June 1978) is a Greek former professional footballer who primarily played as a midfielder, specifically in defensive or central midfield roles. He is notable for being one of the few outfield players to have worn the number 1 jersey, a tradition he continued throughout his career, following the example of Osvaldo Ardiles. Kafes earned acclaim for his creative abilities and precise passing skills, making him a key figure in the midfield for both his clubs and the Greece national team. His career spanned from 1995 to 2013, during which he achieved significant club and international honours, including the UEFA European Championship with Greece in 2004.
2. Club Career
Pantelis Kafes' professional club career began in 1995 and saw him play for several prominent Greek clubs, where he achieved multiple domestic titles.
2.1. Pontioi Veria
Kafes began his professional football career in January 1995 at the age of 17, joining Pontioi Veria. In his debut season, the club faced relegation to the third division that summer, followed by another demotion the subsequent May. Despite the club's struggles, Kafes emerged as a promising talent, leading to his transfer to PAOK in January 1997. During his time at Pontioi Veria, he made 51 appearances and scored 7 goals.
2.2. PAOK
Joining PAOK in January 1997, Kafes quickly made an impact, bursting onto the Alpha Ethniki scene in the 1998-99 season by scoring seven goals. He continued to be a crucial player for PAOK, playing an instrumental role in their Greek Cup triumphs in the 2000-01 and 2002-03 seasons. His tenure in Thessaloniki concluded acrimoniously when he was released from his contract following a dispute over unpaid wages. Following his departure, Olympiacos promptly offered him a three-year contract. With PAOK, Kafes made 146 appearances and scored 29 goals.
2.3. Olympiacos
Kafes' period at Olympiacos was marked by significant success. In his first season, 2003-04, he was an ever-present figure as the team finished second in the Alpha Ethniki. He also made his debut in the UEFA Champions League, appearing in five matches. Kafes played in the majority of Olympiacos' league matches during their successful pursuit of a domestic double in the 2004-05 season. A mid-season injury was the only factor preventing him from maintaining his record of participating in all of the club's Champions League and UEFA Cup games that season.
The 2005-06 season saw a similar pattern of success, with Kafes playing in 22 domestic league games and securing another double. He scored two memorable tying goals in the UEFA Champions League during this season: one against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and another against Olympique Lyonnais on October 19, 2005. Despite his contributions, Kafes was released by Olympiacos during the 2006-07 season. A few days later, he signed a two-year contract with rival club AEK Athens. During his time at Olympiacos, he accumulated 81 appearances and scored 8 goals.
2.4. AEK Athens
Upon signing with AEK Athens, Pantelis Kafes continued his distinctive tradition of wearing the number 1 jersey. He quickly established himself in the first team and became a mainstay in AEK's challenge for the championship, though they ultimately finished second. On January 12, 2008, Kafes scored his first goal for AEK against Veria. On March 30 of the same year, he scored against his former club, Olympiacos, contributing to AEK's 4-0 lead. Although AEK initially finished first in the Greek League, a court case involving Apollon Kalamaria and Olympiacos regarding the illegal usage of a player (Roman Wallner) resulted in Olympiacos being awarded three points, causing AEK to finish two points behind their rivals.
In his third season with the "Dikefalos-Aetos" (Greek: Δικέφαλος-ΑετόςGreek, Modern, 'Double-headed Eagle'), AEK finished third, and Kafes played a key role in their revival, captaining the side on several occasions. On June 12, 2009, he signed a new three-year deal, extending his stay at AEK until 2012, and notably agreed to reduce his wages to help the club navigate its financial difficulties. On July 11, 2009, Kafes was officially given the captain's armband for the upcoming season. He scored his first goal of the 2009-10 season on September 13, 2009, against Iraklis, and also netted two goals against PAS Giannina. Throughout the 2009-10 season, he delivered strong performances as a defensive midfielder, contributing significant, often understated, work and providing key assists to his teammates. In the summer of 2010, Kafes expressed satisfaction at being reunited with former Greece national team colleague Traianos Dellas at AEK, with whom he had won UEFA Euro 2004. On April 30, 2011, Kafes won the 2010-11 Greek Football Cup with AEK, scoring the team's third goal in a 3-0 victory over Atromitos. He scored his first goal of the 2011-12 season on February 5, 2012, in a 1-0 home win against Panionios. The 2011-12 season marked his final year with AEK. He played 138 matches and scored 16 goals for AEK.
2.5. Veria
After leaving AEK in June 2012, Pantelis Kafes underwent a trial with Rangers F.C. in Scotland, but he did not sign with the financially troubled club. Following two months as a free agent, he returned to his hometown team, Veria FC, on August 31, 2012. He scored his first goal for Veria on October 6, 2012, against Atromitos. On December 12, 2012, he made his Greek Cup debut for Veria against Thrasyvoulos, and on December 22, he helped his new team qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition. Kafes was released during the winter break, and in February 2013, he trialed with Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer. He made 14 appearances and scored 1 goal for Veria.
3. International Career
Pantelis Kafes had a distinguished career with the Greece national football team, participating in major tournaments and contributing to significant victories.
He made his debut for the national team against Croatia in April 2001. His first international goal came in March 2003 against Austria in Vienna, in a friendly match that ended in a 2-2 draw, with Kafes' goal putting Greece 2-1 ahead. He scored his second international goal on August 20, 2003, against Sweden in Norrköping, in a friendly match that Greece won 2-1. His third goal was scored on November 16, 2005, against Hungary in Piraeus, in another friendly that Greece won 2-1.
Kafes made two appearances during the UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying campaign and was subsequently included in the final squad for the tournament. He was part of the Greece team that famously won UEFA Euro 2004, marking a historic achievement for the nation. He also participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Under the new coach Fernando Santos, Kafes was recalled to the national team for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers. On October 8, 2010, he came on as a substitute for Giorgos Karagounis against Latvia, helping the team secure qualification for UEFA Euro 2012. This match was his first competitive appearance under Fernando Santos. On November 17, 2010, Kafes played the second half of a friendly match against Austria, contributing significantly to Greece's victory.
4. Career Statistics
Pantelis Kafes' career statistics reflect his long and impactful presence in professional football, both at club and international levels.
4.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Greek Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| ΑΕP Verias | 1994-95 | Beta Ethniki | 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| 1995-96 | Gamma Ethniki | 28 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 5 | |
| 1996-97 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| PAOK | 1996-97 | Alpha Ethniki | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1997-98 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||
| 1998-99 | 27 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 8 | ||
| 1999-00 | 26 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 4 | ||
| 2000-01 | 27 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 45 | 6 | ||
| 2001-02 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 36 | 8 | ||
| 2002-03 | 25 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 37 | 9 | ||
| Olympiacos | 2003-04 | Alpha Ethniki | 30 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 42 | 5 |
| 2004-05 | 21 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 36 | 3 | ||
| 2005-06 | 22 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 33 | 4 | ||
| 2006-07 | Super League Greece | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| AEK Athens | 2006-07 | Super League Greece | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| 2007-08 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 35 | 3 | ||
| 2008-09 | 27 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 35 | 4 | ||
| 2009-10 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 36 | 5 | ||
| 2010-11 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 35 | 5 | ||
| 2011-12 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 | ||
| Veria | 2012-13 | Super League Greece | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| Career total | 430 | 61 | 65 | 11 | 73 | 4 | 568 | 76 | ||
4.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | 2001 | 3 | 0 |
| 2002 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 41 | 3 | |
Scores and results list Greece's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kafes goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-03-26 | UPC-Arena, Graz | Austria | 2-1 | 2-2 | Friendly |
| 2 | 2003-08-20 | Norrköpings Idrottspark, Norrköping | Sweden | 2-1 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 3 | 2005-11-16 | Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus | Hungary | 2-1 | 2-1 | Friendly |
5. Honours
Pantelis Kafes' career was marked by significant team successes, including domestic cup and league titles, as well as a major international championship with the Greek national team.
5.1. Club Honours
PAOK
- Greek Cup: 2001, 2003
Olympiacos
- Greek Championship: 2005, 2006
- Greek Cup: 2005, 2006
AEK Athens
- Greek Cup: 2011
5.2. International Honours
Greece
- UEFA European Championship: 2004
6. Playing Style and Characteristics
Pantelis Kafes was a versatile midfielder, capable of playing both as a central midfielder and a defensive midfielder. He was particularly known for his creative abilities and excellent passing skills, which allowed him to dictate play from the midfield and provide crucial assists to his teammates. His playing area typically extended from the right side of midfield to the central areas.
A distinctive characteristic of Kafes' career was his choice to wear the number 1 jersey, a number traditionally reserved for goalkeepers. He adopted this unusual choice for an outfield player, following the example of Argentine legend Osvaldo Ardiles, and maintained this tradition throughout his time at AEK Athens and other clubs. This unique jersey number became a notable part of his identity on the field.