Georgios Samaras

Georgios Samaras

Samaras with Celtic in 2010
Personal information
Full name Georgios Samaras
Date of birth (1985-02-21) 21 February 1985
Place of birth Heraklion, Greece
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Playing position Winger / Striker
Club information
Current team
 Rayo OKC
Number 9
Youth career
1994–2000 OFI Crete
2000–2002 Heerenveen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2006 Heerenveen 88 (25)
2006–2008 Manchester City 54 (8)
2008 → Celtic (loan) 16 (5)
2008–2014 Celtic 156 (48)
2014–2015 West Bromwich Albion 5 (0)
2015 → Al-Hilal (loan) 5 (0)
2016– Rayo OKC 24 (2)
National team‡
2004–2006 Greece U21 5 (0)
2006–2014 Greece 81 (9)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 6, 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 October 2014

Georgios Samaras (Greek: Γεώργιος Σαμαράς, pronounced [ˈʝorɣos samaˈras], born 21 February 1985) is a Greek professional footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Rayo OKC of the North American Soccer League and the Greece national team.

Samaras started his career at OFI Crete, before moving on to Eredivisie side Heerenveen in 2001. He made his first team debut two years later and after a further three seasons with the club he moved to Premier League club Manchester City for a fee of £6 million in 2006. After Sven-Göran Eriksson took over as manager Samaras fell out of favour with the first team. In January 2008 he was loaned out to Scottish Premier League team Celtic, moving on a permanent basis in the summer.

Samaras helped Celtic win Scottish league championships in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014, totalling 74 goals in 249 competitive games. He left the club at the end of his contract in 2014 and returned to the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion, where he featured rarely and had an unsuccessful loan to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. In March 2016, he joined North American Soccer League expansion team Rayo OKC.

Although eligible to play for Australia, because his father Ioannis Samaras was born in Melbourne, Samaras chose to represent his country of birth, Greece. He made his debut in 2006, and became a regular over the next eight years, earning 81 caps and scoring 9 goals. He represented his country at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.

Early life

Samaras was born on 21 February 1985 in Heraklion, the capital city of the Greek island of Crete. His favourite footballer growing up was Marco van Basten. Samaras was also a keen basketball fan and his father, Ioannis Samaras, often let him stay up until the early hours of the morning so he could watch his hero Michael Jordan.[2]

In 1994, when he was 10 years old, Samaras joined his boyhood heroes, OFI Crete.[3] His father was playing for them at the time and then retired in 1996. Six months later, he became Academy chief manager, a position he retained until 2000, when he became manager. Samaras credits his father highly with helping start his football career. His influence meant that Samaras trained every day of his childhood and he also got to spend a lot of time behind the scenes at OFI. Samaras left for Eredivisie club Heerenveen in 2001.[4]

Club career

Heerenveen

Samaras broke into the Heerenveen team during the 2002–03 season, still aged only 18. He scored three goals in his first four appearances, all of which were from the bench.[5] This form prompted Heerenveen activate a three-year extension clause in his contract.[6]

Samaras' first goal of the 2003–04 season came, on 25 October, in a shock 2–1 loss for Heerenveen against NEC Nijmegen.[7] On 3 December, Samaras scored as Heerenveen beat ADO Den Haag 2–0.[8] His next goal came 10 days later as he scored an equaliser to secure a draw 1–1 for Heerenveen against RBC Roosendaal.[9] He then scored on 20 December, as Heerenveen beat Roda JC 2–1.[10]

Samaras' first goal of the 2004–05 season came on 11 September, in a 2–0 win over De Graafschap.[11] He then scored a last-minute winner on 3 October, as Heerenveen secure all three points against ADO Den Haag.[12] On 28 November, Samaras scored one of Heerenveen's goals as they staged a late comeback against title-chasing Feyenoord, and secured a 2–2 draw.[13] He then scored on 22 January, as Heerenveen, who were performing very well in the Eredivisie, beat Den Bosch 2–1.[14] On 12 March, Samaras scored an equaliser against RKC Waalwijk, but Heerenveen then conceded a late goal and fell to a 2–1 defeat.[15] On 2 April, Samaras scored to help Heerenveen secure a shock 2–1 victory over Ajax.[16] A fortnight later, Samaras scored the equaliser as Heerenveen came from behind to beat Vitesse Arnhem 3–1. This win moved Heerenveen up to fifth in the table.[17] In the next match Samaras, along with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, scored a hat-trick as relegation candidates RBC Roosendaal were defeated 7–1 and Heerenveen pushed to finish the league in a European spot.[18]

At the start of the 2005–06 season, Sevilla were reported to be interested in Samaras as a replacement for Júlio Baptista.[19] While Arsenal were also looking at him after they had missed out on signing Baptista, some news organisations had reported that Arsenal had already signed Samaras and that he would join at the end of the season. However, the player's father, Ioannis Samaras said that this was untrue and that his son wanted to stay at the club for another year.[20] Samaras scored on the opening day of the season, on 20 August, when he helped Heerenveen to a 5–4 victory over Roda JC.[21] He picked up a minor leg injury in September, which ruled him out of Heerenveen's UEFA Cup tie against Baník Ostrava.[22] But he returned to action on 23 September, and scored as Heerenveen beat NEC Nijmegen 2–1.[23] On 14 December, Samaras scored as Heerenveen came back from behind to beat Levski Sofia 2–1 in the UEFA Cup.[24] On 30 December, Samaras scored twice as Heerenveen beat Ajax 4–2.[25] In January 2006, Arsenal and Manchester City showed interest in signing the striker.[26] Samaras tried to get released from his contract after Heerenveen had rejected a bid from Manchester City. However, the Dutch arbitration commission ruled that he had no grounds to end his contract.[27] Samaras scored 25 goals in 88 appearances for Heerenveen.[28]

Manchester City

Samaras moved to Manchester City on 30 January 2006 for a fee of £6 million,[29] a record for a Greek player. He was given the number 20 shirt.[30] Samaras stated that he was excited about moving to Manchester City, because he saw them as being the next stage in his development. He also said that he would relish being in a team with the likes of David James, Andy Cole, and Trevor Sinclair.[31] He made his debut for City on 1 February, as a 65th-minute replacement for Cole in a 3–0 home win against Newcastle United.[32] His first goal for the club came in the following home match, against Charlton Athletic.[33] The following month Samaras scored in a 2–1 home win against Aston Villa, to put City through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup. This was his fourth goal in six appearances.[34] Samaras scored one further goal that season, in a 2–1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.[35]

2006–07

Samaras' first goal of the 2006–07 season came on 20 September, despite this, City lost 2–1 in the League Cup to League One side Chesterfield.[36] Four days later, Samaras scored twice, as Manchester City beat West Ham United 2–0. City had won just three of their previous 16 games, and the club, as well as Samaras, had been receiving a lot of criticism from fans.[37] In December, City manager Stuart Pearce publicly stated that Samaras would have to 'toughen up', if he wanted to be a success in the Premier League. He said that Samaras' all round game wasn't good enough, and that he would need to learn to pass the ball better and compete more effectively. Some fans had criticised Pearce for signing Samaras, along with other foreign players, who had not settled in well enough to the English game.[38] On 2 January, Samaras came on as a half-time substitute, and scored twice, as they beat Everton 2–1.[39]

In March, the Daily Mirror reported that the reason Manchester City were struggling so badly was that they didn't have any quality strikers. They went on say that the £6 million spent on Samaras looked like "very bad business" especially compared to the £2.5 million Blackburn Rovers had spent on Benni McCarthy. They also described Samaras as looking like a "fish out of water" as he struggled to adapt to the different style of play in England.[40] On 10 March, defender Richard Dunne said that he felt the reason that City were performing so badly was that their foreign players, including Samaras, were letting the side down by not working hard enough. Samaras responded to his criticisms, by saying that he felt it was Pearce's fault that he wasn't playing well because the manager wasn't giving him a regular run of games. He also said that he felt a lot of criticism stemmed from his high transfer fee, saying that it is normal for expensive players to be criticised more than most when they don't play well. Samaras also said that he had come through tougher periods than this and his self-belief would not be shaken, he said that his desire was to become a Champions League player. The Daily Mail pointed out that, despite the criticism, Samaras had scored more goals than any other City player and that he was also responsible for the few highlights of their season.[41]

2007–08

Sven-Göran Eriksson took over from Pearce for the 2007–08 season and, following a spending spree, Samaras was reportedly deemed surplus to requirements by the new manager. Samaras' agent Paul Koutsoliakos said that, despite interest from across Europe, his client wanted to stay in the Premier League and prove his ability.[42] Samaras was linked with a £2.5 million move to Middlesbrough towards the end of the transfer window but ended up staying at City.[43] Eriksson stated that although he was unimpressed with Samaras when he first joined, he felt the player had improved and adapted his style of play a lot during pre-season and that he now felt comfortable keeping him at the club.[44] Samaras had been widely criticised, and even booed, by City fans at times during the previous season and Eriksson said that he hoped it would not happen again and that he appreciated why Samaras could have found it hard to play under those circumstances. Samaras was behind the likes of Valeri Bojinov and Rolando Bianchi in the pecking order and was included in the squad for the first time only on 25 September, when he was selected for a League Cup match against Norwich City.[45] He started the match and scored a last-minute winner to put Manchester City into the quarter-final.[46]

By the time the January transfer window came, Eriksson had decided to sell Samaras, amongst others, to try and raise funds for the club.[47][48] Birmingham City had chased him for several weeks and had a £2.5 million offer accepted, meeting Manchester City's valuation of the player,[49] but they pulled out of the deal with a week of the transfer window remaining.[50] Several teams including Rangers, Middlesbrough, Espanyol, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic had expressed an interest in signing him, but it was Celtic to whom he eventually moved.[49][51][52]

Samaras failed to get a regular place in the first team over the two years he was at Manchester City. Mainly used as a substitute, he scored 12 goals in 63 appearances for the Eastlands club.[53]

Celtic

On 29 January 2008, Samaras signed for Scottish Premier League club Celtic on a six-month loan deal, with the club having an option to buy him at the end of his loan spell. He said that he wanted the move because he needed to be playing first team football to get into the Greece squad for Euro 2008. He also said that he was attracted to the fact that he would regularly be able to play in European competition with Celtic.[51][52]

Samaras was given the number 9 shirt and made his debut on 4 February, in a 5–1 win in the Scottish Cup over Kilmarnock. He scored the final goal of the game after coming on as a substitute.[54] On 20 February, he came on as a substitute in Celtic's 3–2 defeat to Barcelona, this was his first ever Champions League match.[55] A week later he scored the winner in a 2–1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle to help Celtic keep up the pressure on league leaders Rangers.[56] He then scored in Celtic's next match, a 2–0 win over Hibernian, after coming on as a substitute.[57] Samaras' next goal came on 23 March, he again came on as a substitute and rounded off the scoring in a 3–0 win over Gretna.[58] On 19 April, he scored the only goal of the game as Celtic beat Aberdeen 1–0, and moved to the top of the league for the first time in 2008.[59] The next month, on 3 May, Samaras again came on as a substitute and scored the winner. His goal gave Celtic a 2–1 victory over Motherwell and kept up Celtic's late challenge for the league title.[60] Celtic won the title on the last day of the season, 22 May, by beating Dundee United 1–0. Samaras came on as a late substitute and collected his first winners' medal after the match.[61][62]

Samaras' contribution in the second half of the season proved vital to Celtic winning the title, he scored several important goals which kept alive Celtic's faltering title hopes.[63] His signing was also credited with reviving the previously underperforming Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.[54]

Samaras playing for Celtic

2008–09

After his successful loan spell,[64] Samaras left Manchester City on 15 July 2008 and signed a three-year contract with Celtic.[65] Although the fee was not disclosed, it was reported to be between £1 million and £3 million.[66][67][68][69] Samaras' first goals of the 2008–09 season came on 23 August. He scored twice as Celtic beat Falkirk 3–0.[70] On 13 September, he scored another two goals as Celtic beat Motherwell 4–2.[71] He scored twice again in Celtic's next match as they beat Kilmarnock 3–1.[72] He then scored another two goals as Celtic beat Livingston 4–0 and advanced to the League Cup quarter-final.[73] He was named SPL Player of the Month for September, at this point he was also the top scorer with seven goals.[74]

Samaras suffered a knee cartilage injury in mid-October, after a successful operation he was expected to be out for a month. This meant he would be likely to miss crucial Champions League ties against Manchester United and Aalborg.[75] He returned earlier than expected and was back in training on 9 November, having missed seven games.[76] Samaras returned to action on 12 November, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 win over Kilmarnock.[77] On 25 November he started against Aalborg but did not play well and missed several chances as Celtic lost 2–1. This loss consigned Celtic to a bottom place finish in their group.[78]

His first goals of the new year came on, on 4 January, as he scored twice against Dundee United. However, this was not enough for a victory and the match finished 2–2.[79] Although he did not start in the League Cup Final due to poor form,[80] he did come on as a substitute as Celtic beat Rangers 2–0 and won the trophy.[81] Samaras scored twice on 4 April, as Celtic beat Hamilton Academical 4–0.[82] Celtic lost the title on the last day of the season.[83] Samaras scored 17 goals,[53] with 15 of them coming in the SPL. This made him the third top scorer behind Kris Boyd and team mate Scott McDonald.[84]

2009–10

Samaras after the final match of Celtic's 2010–11 season

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan left at the end of the season and was replaced by Tony Mowbray.[85] On 5 August, Samaras scored in injury time of Celtic's Champions League third qualifying round tie against Dynamo Moscow. This goal won Celtic the tie, 2–1 on aggregate, and helped them to their first European away win in six years.[86] Celtic then drew English Premier League club Arsenal, but lost 5–1 on aggregate and subsequently dropped into the Europa League.[87] On 13 December, Samaras scored in Celtic's 3–2 win over Motherwell, this was his fifth goal in the club's previous four matches.[88] He scored in Celtic's 2–1 defeat against Hearts on 19 December. This left Celtic four points behind rivals Rangers going into Christmas.[89] From February onwards, Samaras was mainly played out of position on the left of midfield.[90]

Celtic endured a dismal season, culminating in a humiliating 2–0 loss to lower league Ross County in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.[91] Samaras missed a chance to equalise in that match when the score was only 1–0 to County,[91] and he was amongst several players publicly criticised by caretaker manager Neil Lennon.[92] Samaras finished the season with 10 league goals and 12 in all competitions.[53]

2010–11

Samaras began the 2010–11 season in good form, scoring his first goal in a Europa League tie against FC Utrecht with a chest down and finish to make it 2–0, sending Celtic into the second leg with a lead.[93] On 22 September 2010, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the League Cup.[94] However, the goals then dried up with Samaras failing to score again in 2010.[95]

He then produced a match-winning performance against Rangers at Ibrox on 2 January 2011.[96][97] He was selected as a lone striker[98] and scored both Celtic goals in a 2–0 victory.[99] His first goal came from latching onto a Joe Ledley pass before rounding Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor and slotting home from a wide angle.[99][100] His second came after he won a penalty which he converted to secure the victory.[99] His efforts in this game won him Goal.com's World Player of the Week Award.[101] In the following game, a Scottish Cup tie against Berwick Rangers, Samaras again started but failed to last the 90 minutes after sustaining a hamstring injury.[102] Samaras had an influential performance in a 3–0 home victory against Rangers in the SPL on 20 February, helping to set up the second goal for Gary Hooper[103] and causing problems for the opposition throughout the game.[104]

On 16 March, Samaras captained Celtic for the first time in a 2–1 Scottish Cup win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Caledonian Stadium.[105][106] Two days later, he signed a new deal to keep him at Parkhead until the summer of 2014.[107] Celtic drew 0–0 with Rangers on 24 April 2011 in the final Old Firm league fixture of the season, with Samaras missing a penalty kick late in the second half.[108] The draw kept Rangers one point ahead of Celtic in the league, and the Ibrox club went on to win the league by one point despite Celtic's emphatic 4–0 win over Motherwell in the final league game of the season (Samaras scoring Celtic's second goal in that game).[109] Samaras did end the season with silverware though, playing a week later in Celtic's 3–0 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Cup Final.[110]

2011–12

On 3 November 2011, Samaras started against Rennes in a Europa League match at Celtic Park. Celtic won the match 3–1 with Samaras getting two assists. He drew plaudits for his much noticed work-rate and determination during the match.[111] Samaras then started the next match against Motherwell in the SPL and set up another goal for Anthony Stokes, Celtic went on to win the match 2–1 after being 1–0 down.[112] Samaras went on to score his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 5–0 win over St Mirren. Manager Neil Lennon said that; "He got his goal, which we've been waiting on a long time. His play was fantastic. He is a talent and all we are asking for is consistency. He has shown everyone today what he is capable of when he is in full flow. The rest took a leaf from his book."[113] After an impressive performance in Celtic's 1–1 draw against Italian league leaders Udinese,[114] fellow Serie A side Palermo expressed an interest in Samaras. He had been playing as a left midfielder in the previous few weeks, and the Daily Record said that his good form since returning to the team had helped re-ignite Celtic's season.[115] On 24 December, Samaras started as a striker and scored twice as Celtic beat Kilmarnock 2–1.[116]

2012–13

On 8 August, Samaras scored his 50th Celtic goal in the 2–0 away victory over HJK Helsinki in the second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round.[117] On 21 August, Samaras assisted Kris Commons' opening goal in the Champions League play-off round first leg away at Helsingborgs and then scored himself later in the match.[118] He scored a dramatic late winner in a 2–3 win against Spartak Moscow in the Champions League group stage.[119] Samaras became the first player in Celtic history to score in five consecutive away matches in Europe,[120] with headed goals in 2–1 defeats to Barcelona and Benfica adding to his goals against Spartak Moscow, Helsingborgs and HJK Helsinki.[121] Samaras is also credited for helping Celtic qualify from the group stage, providing the assist for Hooper's opening goal in the final game against Spartak at Parkhead and then winning the foul for the penalty that Commons converted to clinch the win required that night.[122][123]

Samaras scored an overhead kick in a 2–0 win at Dundee on Boxing Day 2012.[124] In March 2013, Samaras was substituted on as Aberdeen led Celtic 3–1 at Celtic Park, and his overhead kick completed the comeback as he made it 4–3 in the 94th minute of the match.[125]

Over the course of the season, Samaras captained Celtic on several occasions, including the opening league match against Aberdeen and also in the away leg of Celtic's last-16 Champions League tie against Juventus.[121] Samaras finished the season with more silverware as Celtic clinched their second successive league title and then defeated Hibs 3–0 in the Scottish Cup Final, albeit Samaras was an unused substitute in that match.[126]

2013–14

Samaras started the 2013–14 season with a goal against NIFL Premiership club Cliftonville in the Champions League second qualifying round,[127] and made it two goals in two matches as he scored in the return leg with a header in a 2–0 victory. Celtic won the tie 5–0 on aggregate.[128] Celtic knocked out Elfsborg in the next round,[129] before playing Shakhter Karagandy in the final qualifying round. Trailing 2–0 from the first leg away in Kazakhstan,[130] they rallied in the return match at Parkhead. Samaras scored early in the second half, adding to Commons' goal just before half time, to level the tie on aggregate. A last minute goal from James Forrest clinched the aggregate win and saw the club once again progress to the group stages.[131] Samaras played in all six group games, but only scored once, away against Barcelona in a 6–1 defeat.[132] He continued to feature regularly in domestic games for Celtic, but was often used as a substitute.[133] He scored a hat-trick on 28 September away against Kilmarnock in a 5–2 win.[134] Samaras only scored another three league goals after that,[135] including a goal from a penalty kick in his final appearance for the club on 11 May 2014, a 3–1 win at home against Dundee United.[136]

The same day, Samaras confirmed that Celtic would not offer him a new deal when his current contract expired at the end of the season, leaving him as a free agent.[137][138][139]

West Bromwich Albion

On 22 August 2014, Samaras completed a free transfer move to English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion on a two-year contract.[140] He failed to secure a regular place in the team and by January 2015 had made only eight substitute appearances, all without scoring.[141]

On 5 February 2015, Samaras joined Saudi side Al-Hilal on loan for the rest of the season, with an option to sign him permanently at the end of his loan spell.[142] He played against Al-Ahli in the Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final eight days later, but despite scoring his first goal for his new team, they lost 2–1.[143] His next goal came in the first round of the Kings Cup on 10 March 2015, netting his side's fourth goal in a 4–1 win over Al-Jeel.[144]

In April 2015, Greek newspaper SportDay reported that Samaras was unhappy with life in the Middle East and did not wish to continue his career at the Saudi club when his contract expired at the end of the season. It was also reported that Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon were keen to sign him.[145]

Samaras had his contract with West Bromwich Albion terminated by mutual consent on 17 July 2015.[146]

Rayo OKC

In August 2015, Samaras was reported to have agreed terms with Serie A club Sampdoria, but the move fell through as the club were unhappy with the results of his medical.[147][148] Afterwards, he spent time in New York to rehabilitate from a back injury, and in November 2015 was linked with a move to the New York Cosmos,[149] although once again no move actually materialised.[150]

Samaras did eventually sign for a North American Soccer League team, joining expansion side Rayo OKC on 10 March 2016.[151] On 2 April, he made his debut in their first match, replacing Robbie Findley for the final 12 minutes of a goalless home draw against FC Edmonton.[152] He was the last of three of the team's players sent off on 28 May in a 1–0 loss at Soccer Bowl holders the Cosmos.[153] Samaras' first goal for the franchise came on 16 July in his 9th match, coming on as a late substitute to wrap up a 3–0 win over the same opponent at the Miller Stadium.[154]

International career

Samaras lining up for Greece in November 2010

Samaras was eligible to play for the Australian national team. His father, Ioannis, was born in Melbourne, but moved to Greece at the age of 13, and had a successful football career, playing for OFI Crete, Panathinaikos, and the Greek national team.[155] Additionally, his grandfather (also Georgios) was one of the founding members of South Melbourne FC. Although Samaras considered playing for Australia, he was never approached by Football Federation Australia and chose to play for the country of his birth.[156]

He made his debut for Greece just a week after his 21st birthday, on 28 February 2006, in a friendly game against Belarus, in which he scored the only goal of the game.[157] He featured in Greece's Euro 2008 qualifiers and was a member of the unsuccessful Greek squad at the finals,[155] making just one appearance as a second-half substitute in their first UEFA Euro 2008 Group D game against Sweden.[158]

Samaras' fourth international goal was a crucial one, when he scored the winning goal in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Israel in front of his hometown crowd in Heraklion.[159] He scored his fifth international goal with an overhead kick in a World Cup qualifier on 10 October 2009, against Latvia in a 5–2 victory.[160] Samaras also played against Ukraine in a World Cup Qualifying play-off, setting up the only goal of the tie, passing to Dimitris Salpingidis who slotted home to give Greece a 1–0 win and a place in the 2010 World Cup Finals.[161][162]

On 1 June 2010, Georgios Samaras was selected in the 23-man Greece squad for the World Cup.[163] ESPN.com rated him as Greece's second best player, only behind talisman Giorgos Karagounis.[164] He played in all three group matches.[155] Despite Greece's 2–1 win over Nigeria, they failed to proceed to the knockout stage, due to 2–0 losses to both South Korea and Argentina.[165] On 17 November 2010, Samaras scored his sixth international goal in a friendly against Austria in Vienna with Greece winning the match 2–1.[166] Samaras also set up Greece's second goal.[166]

Samaras then went on to score a vital goal for Greece against Croatia on 7 October 2011, a volley from the edge of the box with his left foot. The match finished 2–0 and the result meant that Greece qualified for the Euro 2012.[167] Samaras played in all three of Greece's group games at Euro 2012, helping them to finish second in Group A and progress to the quarter-finals.[168] He then played in the quarter-final tie against Germany, scoring early in the second half to level the match at 1–1, although Germany went on to win 4–2 and knock Greece out.[169]

Samaras was selected in Greece's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In the team's final group stage fixture, Samaras assisted Greece's first goal and scored the winning goal from a penalty kick in the 90th minute to give the team a 2–1 win over the Ivory Coast and qualify Greece for the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in the nation's history.[170]

Style of play

Samaras has been described as having all the skills necessary for forward play.[171] His height, 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), makes him difficult to handle in the air – and he is also a good header of the ball. This means he can be used as an effective target man and his team can hit long balls up to him. He can also score from corners and crosses. Samaras is also strong which further adds to his physical presence and makes him harder for defenders to play against.[44]

Samaras' ability to go past defenders is considered one of his best attributes

Samaras is also a good dribbler.[172] This is due to his skill, quick feet and agility. He uses this to his advantage as often goes on runs where he beats several opposition players. However, he can sometimes hold onto the ball for too long and get tackled.[173] As well as his dribbling ability, he is quick which means he can beat players with his pace. He can also use his strength to beat players as well and is also able to use his creativity to set up goals for other players.[98][164][174] While he was at Manchester City, Eriksson said that he would only retain him in the side if he stopped dribbling and running out wide. Eriksson said that he believed Samaras to be a good header of the ball and he had to stop believing he was like Ronaldinho if he was to become a good player.[44]

Although predominantly a striker, Samaras can also play as a left midfielder. During his time at Manchester City, Samaras expressed his disappointment at being used on the left of midfield too often, he publicly said to manager Sven-Göran Eriksson; "I am not a left-midfielder, I am a striker and I like to play there,"[175] However, after his move to Celtic, Samaras was more open to playing as a left midfielder. The Daily Mail said that this was because he was happier at Celtic and more willing to be a team player.[176] In addition to being able to play as a target man, Samaras can also be used in several different roles when playing up front. His natural style of play is to drift off the front line and provide a link between the attack and midfield. In doing this he can use his pace and skill to run at the defence, while also creating chances or opening up space for his teammates.[164][172] He can also run beyond the centre-backs and his pace means he can run on to through balls hit over the defence.[98]

Despite his ability, Samaras has performed inconsistently throughout his career. His mazy runs often go up away across the field and score in open space nowhere and he frequently gets caught in possession when a pass to a team-mate is available. His languid manner exacerbates supporters' frustrations and has often led to accusations of him being "lazy".[171][177][178][179][180]

Career statistics

Club statistics

As of 6 November 2016[181][182][183]
Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotal
ClubLeagueSeasonAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
NetherlandsLeagueKNVB Cup—EuropeTotal
HeerenveenEredivisie2002–0315411——165
2003–042743061365
2004–05311110503711
2005–06 1561152219
EnglandLeagueFA CupLeague CupEuropeTotal
Manchester CityPremier League2005–06 144210000165
2006–07354511100416
2007–085000210071
ScotlandLeagueScottish CupLeague CupEuropeTotal
CelticPremier League2007–08165310020216
2008–0931152032404017
2009–1032102010834313
2010–11223503341347
2011–12 264421070386
2012–13 25940101054014
Premiership 2013–14 20710001243311
EnglandLeagueFA CupLeague CupEuropeTotal
West Bromwich AlbionPremier League2014–15 5010200080
Saudi ArabiaLeagueCrown Prince CupSaudi King's CupAsiaTotal
Al-HilalSaudi League2014–15 50211130112
U.S.A.League--CONCACAFTotal
Rayo Oklahoma CityNASL2016 242100000252
Career TotalNetherlands882562—16311030
England5988252007212
Scotland1725321395471324974
Saudi Arabia50211130112
U.S.A.242100000252
Career Statistics348883881586616467120

International

As of 17 October 2014[184]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Greece 200673
200770
200880
200992
2010121
201181
2012121
201370
2014111
Total819

International goals

Scores and results list Greece's goal tally first
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 28 February 2006 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol  Belarus 1–0 1–0[185] Friendly
2. 1 March 2006 GSP Stadium, Nicosia  Kazakhstan 2–0 2–0[186] Friendly
3. 11 October 2006 Bilino Polje, Zenica  Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0 4–0[187] UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier
4. 1 April 2009 Pankritio Stadium, Heraklion  Israel 2–1 2–1[188] 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier
5. 10 October 2009 Olympic Stadium, Athens  Latvia 4–2 5–2[189] 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier
6. 17 November 2010 Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna  Austria 1–0 2–1[190] Friendly
7. 7 October 2011 Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus  Croatia 1–0 2–0[191] UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier
8. 22 June 2012 PGE Arena‚ Gdańsk  Germany 1–1 2–4[192] UEFA Euro 2012
9. 24 June 2014 Estádio Castelão‚ Fortaleza  Ivory Coast 2–1 2–1[193] 2014 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Club

Celtic[182]
Al-Hilal[182]

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 18. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  2. ↑ The Official Celtic FC Annual 2010. Grange Communications. 2009. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-906211-74-5.
  3. ↑ The Official Celtic FC Annual 2011. Grange Communications. 2010. p. 59. ISBN 978-1-907104-60-2.
  4. ↑ "City: Samaras can be the new Goat". Manchester Evening News. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "Heerenveen braced for Samaras loss". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 28 January 2006.
  6. ↑ "Heerenveen put faith in youth". Sky Sports. 10 April 2003. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  7. ↑ "Eredivisie Round-Up". Sky Sports. 25 October 2003. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  8. ↑ "Eredivisie round-up". Sky Sports. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "Eredivisie round-up". Sky Sports. 13 December 2003. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Eredivisie Round-Up". Sky Sports. 20 December 2003. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Eredivisie Round-up". Sky Sports. 11 September 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  12. ↑ "Eredivisie Round-up". Sky Sports. 3 October 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  13. ↑ "Eredivisie Round-Up". Sky Sports. 28 November 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  14. ↑ "Eredivisie round-up". Sky Sports. 22 January 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Eredivisie round-up". Sky Sports. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "Eredivisie round-up". Sky Sports. 2 April 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  17. ↑ "Eredivisie round-up". Sky Sports. 16 April 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  18. ↑ "Heerenveen hit seven". Sky Sports. 22 April 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  19. ↑ "Sevilla target Kanoute". Sky Sports. 9 August 2005. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  20. ↑ "Gunners rumour scotched". Sky Sports. 31 July 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  21. ↑ "Eredivisie Round-Up". Sky Sports. 20 August 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  22. ↑ "Kissi out of Uefa Cup tie". Sky Sports. 14 September 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  23. ↑ "Heerenveen beat NEC". Sky Sports. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  24. ↑ "Heerenveen-Levski". UEFA. 14 December 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  25. ↑ "Heerenveen 4–2 Ajax Amsterdam". Soccernet. ESPN. 30 December 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  26. ↑ Arsenal show interest in Samaras BBC Sport, 11 January 2006; Retrieved 18 June 2012
  27. ↑ "Man City target may go on strike". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 27 January 2006.
  28. ↑ Georgios Samaras Soccerbase; Retrieved 18 June 2012
  29. ↑ "Samaras seals £6m Man City switch". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 January 2006.
  30. ↑ "Georgios Samaras has all the attributes to be a lethal weapon for Celtic but his inconsistency still frustrates". Herald Scotland. 1 December 2009.
  31. ↑ "Samaras looks for fresh start". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  32. ↑ "Man City 3–0 Newcastle". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 February 2006.
  33. ↑ "Samaras Eyes Europe". Manchester Evening News. 15 February 2006.
  34. ↑ "Samaras gives City chance to dream". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 15 March 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  35. ↑ "Tottenham 2–1 Man City". BBC Sport. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  36. ↑ "Chesterfield 2–1 Man City". BBC Sport. 20 September 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  37. ↑ "Samaras lifts City gloom". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 24 September 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  38. ↑ "Pearce: Georgios peach bruising too easily". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  39. ↑ "Manchester City 2 Everton 1: Samaras wakes Pearce's men from slumber". The Independent. 2 January 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  40. ↑ "tame city in a stu". Mirror Online. Mirror Group Newspapers. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  41. ↑ "Pearce in the fight of his life". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  42. ↑ "Samaras keen to stay in England if cut loose by City". The Independent. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  43. ↑ "Southgate closes in on Samaras". Mirror Online. Mirror Group Newspapers. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  44. 1 2 3 "sven sick of samaras tricks". Express.co.uk. Northern and Shell Media Publications. 28 October 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  45. ↑ "Sven's plea over Samaras return". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. 24 September 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  46. ↑ "Man City 1–0 Norwich". BBC Sport. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  47. ↑ "City chief Eriksson told to budget". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  48. ↑ "Sven can only spend £10m". Mirror Online. Mirror Group Newspapers. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  49. 1 2 "Brum close on £2.5m Samaras". The Sun. News Group Newspapers. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  50. ↑ "Alex McLeish abandons Georgios Samaras bid". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 22 January 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  51. 1 2 "Samaras joins Celtic on loan from Man City". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  52. 1 2 "Celtic make double signing swoop". BBC Sport. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  53. 1 2 3 Georgios Samaras ESPN Soccernet
  54. 1 2 "Kilmarnock 1 – 5 Celtic". HeraldScotland. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  55. ↑ "Celtic 2–3 Barcelona". BBC Sport. 20 February 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  56. ↑ "Celtic 2–1 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. 27 February 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  57. ↑ "Hibernian 0–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  58. ↑ "Gretna 0–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. 23 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  59. ↑ "Celtic 1–0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  60. ↑ "Motherwell 1–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  61. ↑ "Striker Samaras waiting on confusion at City as he seeks to seal Celtic move". Mail Online. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  62. ↑ "Celtic win third successive SPL title". Telegraph. 22 May 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  63. ↑ "Samaras proves Celtic's saviour". guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  64. ↑ "Werder Bremen could snatch away Celtic loan star Georgios Samaras". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  65. ↑ "Celtic sign Samaras from Man City". Herald Scotland. Herald & Times Group. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  66. ↑ "Samaras leaves City to complete Celtic switch". guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  67. ↑ "Celtic sign Georgios Samaras on three-year deal". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  68. ↑ "Tottenham May Sign Striker Luis Garcia, Sun Reports: Roundup". Bloomberg. 11 July 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  69. ↑ "Samaras signs three-year deal at Celtic". Scotsman.com. Johnston Publishing. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  70. ↑ "Celtic 3–0 Falkirk". BBC Sport. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  71. ↑ "Motherwell 2–4 Celtic". BBC Sport. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  72. ↑ "Kilmarnock 1–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. 21 September 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  73. ↑ "Celtic 4–0 Livingston". BBC Sport. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  74. ↑ "Strachan and Samaras net awards". BBC Sport. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  75. ↑ "Celtic hitman Georgios Samaras faces fitness battle for Aalborg crunch". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  76. ↑ "Samaras in training but injury crisis far from over". Scotsman.com. Johnston Publishing. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  77. ↑ "Celtic 3 – Kilmarnock 0". Kilmarnock FC. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  78. ↑ "Celtic must win treble to ease Euro heartache, says Georgios Samaras". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  79. ↑ "Celtic 2–2 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  80. ↑ "Celtic triumph over Rangers to win cup". guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media. 15 March 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  81. ↑ "Celtic 2–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 15 March 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  82. ↑ "Celtic 4–0 Hamilton Accies". BBC Sport. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  83. ↑ "Celtic's SPL title loss – Hugh Keevins' verdict". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 25 May 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  84. ↑ "SPL: 2008/09 – Top Scorers". SPL. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  85. ↑ "Arsenal's quality may prove too much for Celtic to match, says Georgios Samaras". The Telegraph. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  86. ↑ "D'mo Moscow 0–2 Celtic (agg 1–2)". BBC Sport. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  87. ↑ "Europa League can provide unexpected Celtic cheer". ESPN Soccernet. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  88. ↑ "Motherwell 2 – 3 Celtic: Stylish Georgios Samaras has turned the tables to propel Celtic". The Scotsman. 13 December 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  89. ↑ "Blame game! Georgios Samaras: We're all guilty for Celtic's Heartache". Mail Online. 20 December 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  90. ↑ "Celtic hitman Georgios Samaras keen to shake off 'enigma' tag". Daily Record. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  91. 1 2 Gibson, Fraser (10 April 2010). "Celtic 0–2 Ross County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  92. ↑ "Neil Lennon: I don't know Celtic future after Ross County humiliation". STV Sport. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  93. ↑ "Dynamic Celtic sink Utrecht". Yahoo!/Eurosport. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  94. ↑ "Celtic boss Neil Lennon hails hat-trick hero Georgios Samaras as Caley Thistle are given six of the best". Daily Record. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  95. ↑ "Games involving Samaras, Georgios in season 2010/2011". FitbaStats. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  96. ↑ "Samaras brace seals Ibrox win". Sky Sports. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  97. ↑ "Ibrox bean counters are Smith's biggest foe". STV Sport. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  98. 1 2 3 "Georgios Samaras to star – Neil Lennon". BBC Sport. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  99. 1 2 3 "Rangers 0 – 2 Celtic". BBC Sport. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  100. ↑ "Rangers 0–2 Celtic: Samaras brace sinks Gers". The Scotsman. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  101. ↑ "Goal.com World Player of the Week: Georgios Samaras – Celtic". Goal.com. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  102. ↑ "Neil Lennon proud of team's character". The Scotsman. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  103. ↑ "Hooper doubles up in Celtic Old Firm win". Belfast Telegraph. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  104. ↑ "Neil Lennon pleased with Celtic 'product' on the pitch". BBC Sport. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  105. ↑ "Alan Thompson praise for captain Georgios Samaras". BBC Sport. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  106. ↑ "Ledley double ensures Celtic victory". Irish Examiner. Examiner Publications. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  107. ↑ "Celtic's Georgios Samaras agrees new three-year deal". BBC Sport. 18 March 2011.
  108. ↑ "Rangers 0–0 Celtic". BBC Sport. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  109. ↑ "Celtic 4–0 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  110. ↑ "Motherwell 0–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  111. ↑ "Celtic goal hero Anthony Stokes hails outstanding Georgios Samaras". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  112. ↑ "Motherwell 1–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  113. ↑ "Georgios Samaras set tone for great win – Neil Lennon". BBC Sport. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  114. ↑ "Europa League: Udinese 1 Celtic 1". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  115. ↑ "Serie A side Palermo weigh up £2million bid for Celtic star Georgios Samaras". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  116. ↑ "Celtic 2–1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  117. ↑ "HJK 0–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  118. ↑ "Helsingborgs 0–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  119. ↑ "Samaras ends Celtic's away misery at Spartak". UEFA.com. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  120. ↑ Purden, Richard (15 May 2014). "Selling Samaras over Lennon's head would be a grave error". The Irish Post. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  121. 1 2 "Games Involving Samaras, Georgios in season 2012/2013". FitbaStats. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  122. ↑ Lamont, Alasdair (5 December 2012). "Celtic 2 – 1 Spartak Moscow". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  123. ↑ Walker, Michael (5 December 2012). "Celtic 2 Spartak Moscow 1: Commons touch sees Hoops through... but nervous Lennon can't watch winning penalty". Mail Online. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  124. ↑ Crawford, Kenny (26 December 2012). "Dundee 0 – 2 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  125. ↑ Gordon, Moira (17 March 2013). "Celtic 4–3 Aberdeen: Samaras comes to four". The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  126. ↑ Lamont, Alasdair (26 May 2013). "Hibernian 0–3 Celtic". BBC Sport.
  127. ↑ Petrie, Richard (17 July 2013). "Cliftonville 0–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  128. ↑ "Celtic 2–0 Cliftonville". BBC Sport. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  129. ↑ Campbell, Andy (7 August 2013). "Elfsborg 0 Celtic 0". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  130. ↑ Grant, Michael (21 August 2013). "Shakhter Karagandy 2 Celtic 0: stirring cocktail leaves Lennon's side groggy". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  131. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (28 August 2013). "Celtic 3 Shakhter Karagandy 0". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  132. ↑ Lamont, Alasdair (11 December 2013). "Barcelona 6 Celtic 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  133. ↑ "Georgios Samaras 2013–14". FitbaStats. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  134. ↑ "Kilmarnock 2–5 Celtic". BBC Sport. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  135. ↑ "Georgios Samaras 2013–14". FitbaStats. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  136. ↑ "Celtic 3 Dundee Utd 1: champion Hoops take home the trophy". Herald Online. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  137. ↑ "Georgios Samaras: Celtic did not make me an offer". BBC Sport Football. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  138. ↑ "Georgios Samaras claims his Celtic exit is due to chief executive Peter Lawwell not offering him a new Parkhead deal". DailyMail. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  139. ↑ "Celtic Manager Ronny Deila open to possibility of signing Greek forward Georgious Samaras". DaillyMail. 5 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  140. ↑ "Georgios Samaras: West Brom sign striker on a free transfer". BBC Sport. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  141. ↑ "Georgios Samaras set for West Brom exit". Evening Times. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  142. ↑ "Samaras loan exit confirmed". www.wba.co.uk. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  143. ↑ "2014–15 Saudi Crown Prince Cup: Al Hilal vs. Al Ahli 1 – 2". Soccerway.
  144. ↑ "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup 2015 – 10 March 2015 – Al Hilal 4–1 Al-Jeel". Goalzz. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  145. ↑ "Samaras linked with Sporting". sdna.gr. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  146. ↑ "ALBION today announce the departure of Georgios Samaras.". West Bromwich Albion Football Club. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  147. ↑ "Samaras fails Samp medical?". Football Italia. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  148. ↑ "Sampdoria, sfuma Samaras. Il greco non convince a livello fisico". Tutto Mercato. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  149. ↑ Shires, Freddie (14 November 2015). "New York Cosmos chief hopeful over Georgios Samaras deal". HITC Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  150. ↑ Keefer, Ryan (30 January 2016). "D.C. United interested in Georgios Samaras". Black and Red United. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  151. ↑ "RAYO OKC SIGNS GREEK NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER GEORGIOS SAMARAS". RayoOKC.com. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  152. ↑ Brannick, Chris (2 April 2016). "Rayo OKC opens season with draw in front of sellout". News OK. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  153. ↑ Brannick, Chris (28 May 2016). "Rayo OKC sees three red cards in road loss to New York Cosmos". News OK. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  154. ↑ "New York Cosmos take first loss of NASL Fall Season vs. Rayo OKC". Soccerwire. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  155. 1 2 3 "7 Georgios Samaras". FIFA.com. FIFA. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  156. ↑ "Star who slipped the net". The Age. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  157. ↑ "Greece owe it to Samaras on debut". CNN. 28 February 2006. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  158. ↑ "Greece 0 – 2 Sweden". UEFA.com. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  159. ↑ "Greece beats Israel 2–1 in WCup qualifier". USAToday.com. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  160. ↑ "Four-goal haul for Gekas sends Greece second". Soccernet. ESPN. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  161. ↑ "Ukraine 0 Greece 1: Dimitrios Salpingidis fires former European champions into World Cup finals". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  162. ↑ "Ukraine 0–1 Greece (0–1 Agg)". RTÉ Sport. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  163. ↑ "World Cup 2010: Greece boss Otto Rehhagel names squad". BBC Sport. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  164. 1 2 3 "Team preview: Greece". Soccernet. ESPN. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  165. ↑ "Samaras laments exit, backs Argentina". Soccernet. ESPN. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  166. 1 2 "Samaras inspires Greece to fortuitous win in Austria". Reuters. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  167. ↑ "Greece 2–0 Croatia". Yahoo/Eurosport.com. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  168. ↑ "UEFA EURO 2012 – History – Greece". UEFA.com. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  169. ↑ "Germany 4 – 2 Greece". UEFA.com. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  170. ↑ "Greece 2–1 Ivory Coast". BBC Sport. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  171. 1 2 "Georgios Samaras has all the attributes to be a lethal weapon for Celtic but his inconsistency still frustrates". Herald Online. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  172. 1 2 "Steven Pressley: Celtic stars can be hits at Euro 2008". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 8 June 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  173. ↑ "Sunday's SPL as it happened – 13:00". BBC Sport. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  174. ↑ "Sami can be a true Celts superstar". The Scottish Sun. News Group Newspapers. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  175. ↑ "Man City striker issues warning to Sven". Mail Online. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  176. ↑ "City boys will see my stock has risen at Celtic, says Samaras". Mail Online. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  177. ↑ Cully, Ronnie (2 April 2014). "Lennon hails Celtic legacy of Samaras". Evening Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  178. ↑ Cully, Ronnie (13 May 2014). "Hair today and gone tomorrow as Samaras signs off at Celtic". Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  179. ↑ Hannan, Martin (5 October 2013). "New Georgios Samaras deal next on Celtic wish list". The Scotsman. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  180. ↑ Berry, Gavin (2 August 2013). "Paul Hartley: Celtic ace Georgios Samaras was always a top Bhoy". Daily Record. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  181. ↑ "Football: Georgios Samaras". FootballDatabase.eu. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  182. 1 2 3 "Greece – Georgios Samaras". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  183. ↑ "Georgios Samaras". UEFA. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  184. ↑ "Georgios Samaras". National Football Teams. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  185. ↑ "Greece vs. Belarus – 28 February 2006". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  186. ↑ "Kazakhstan vs. Greece – 1 March 2006". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  187. ↑ "Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Greece – 11 October 2006". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  188. ↑ "Greece vs. Israel – 1 April 2009". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  189. ↑ "Greece vs. Latvia – 10 October 2009". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  190. ↑ "Austria vs. Greece – 17 November 2010". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  191. ↑ "Greece vs. Croatia – 7 October 2011". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  192. ↑ "Germany vs. Greece – 22 June 2012". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  193. ↑ "Greece 2–1 Ivory Coast – 24 June 2014". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  194. ↑ "Strachan and Samaras net awards". BBC Sport. 3 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  195. ↑ Slevison, Andrew. "Samaras takes out Celtic Supporters' award, Forster voted for by players". tribal football. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  196. ↑ "Greece 2-1 Côte d'Ivoire". FIFA. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Georgios Samaras.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.