RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Panathinaikos Hero Vyntra Looking Forward
It's a classic zero-to-hero story for Pana's centre-back...
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
Feb 10, 2009 2:16:03 PM
Derby-day hero Loukas Vyntra is understandably happy with the rhythmic chanting of his name by Panathinaikos fans after his unprecedented double inspired his side to a 3-0 win over PAOK at the weekend.
Speaking to Greek newspaper Sportday, the centre-back spoke about his delight at having helped his team to a crucial victory that keeps alive their title challenge.
The win on Sunday moved Henk Ten Cate’s team into second place and it was Vyntra’s first league goals of the season that grabbed headlines.
“I am extremely happy to have scored my first two league goals,” Vyntra said. “And my pleasure was greater because I scored two goals in a derby that helped my team to win.
“But it doesn’t change anything for me.”
However, despite having had his name chanted by fans because of his heroics at the weekend, there was a time when Vyntra was made something of a scapegoat by Panathinaikos supporters for the failures of past sides.
Under his new Dutch manager though, the 28-year-old has improved enough at centre-back this season enough to warrant a place in Otto Rehhagel’s Greece set-up.
But the former Paniliakos man insists that he has moved on from any previous tension with fans.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Vyntra said. “Those things have passed.
“I am looking forward.”
It is perhaps a wise plan considering Spanish Primera Divison outfit Villarreal await Pana in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League on February 25, followed by a crucial derby clash with Olympiakos a few days later.
It will be a season-defining week for the Athenian club, though Vyntra insists the focus will be more immediate.
He said, “I don’t like setting targets; I don’t look that far ahead.
“I look at each game separately, all of the matches are hard now and I am looking to the next one against Iraklis.”
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
Speaking to Greek newspaper Sportday, the centre-back spoke about his delight at having helped his team to a crucial victory that keeps alive their title challenge.
The win on Sunday moved Henk Ten Cate’s team into second place and it was Vyntra’s first league goals of the season that grabbed headlines.
“I am extremely happy to have scored my first two league goals,” Vyntra said. “And my pleasure was greater because I scored two goals in a derby that helped my team to win.
“But it doesn’t change anything for me.”
However, despite having had his name chanted by fans because of his heroics at the weekend, there was a time when Vyntra was made something of a scapegoat by Panathinaikos supporters for the failures of past sides.
Under his new Dutch manager though, the 28-year-old has improved enough at centre-back this season enough to warrant a place in Otto Rehhagel’s Greece set-up.
But the former Paniliakos man insists that he has moved on from any previous tension with fans.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Vyntra said. “Those things have passed.
“I am looking forward.”
It is perhaps a wise plan considering Spanish Primera Divison outfit Villarreal await Pana in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League on February 25, followed by a crucial derby clash with Olympiakos a few days later.
It will be a season-defining week for the Athenian club, though Vyntra insists the focus will be more immediate.
He said, “I don’t like setting targets; I don’t look that far ahead.
“I look at each game separately, all of the matches are hard now and I am looking to the next one against Iraklis.”
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Foolish & spiteful Suarez lets Liverpool down again
The Uruguayan striker snubbed the Manchester United defender before Saturday's clash, the first meeting of the players after the ex-Ajax star was banned for racist abuse
-
The ‘Dutch Xavi’ Jordy Clasie – a Euro 2012 candidate
The young midfielder has proved all his doubters wrong with a string of impressive performances and could be rewarded with a call-up for Oranje for Poland and Ukraine
-
The factors that will decide the 2012 Afcon final
As the final two left standing in the Cup of Nations get ready to face each other in Libreville on Sunday night, Goal.com looks at the battles that might help determine the victor
-
Henry caps EPL swansong on perfect day for Arsenal
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has left the door open for a return to the Emirates and it's no wonder because the French striker has galvanised the Emirates as AC Milan loom
-
Should 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally?
The spray, which has been designed to stop defensive walls from encroaching closer than 10 yards to the ball at free-kicks, is set to be discussed at next month's IFAB meeting
Advertisement
Advertisement
