The gladiator

Panathinaikos striker Nikolaos Karagounis (R) celebrates after scoring his side's first goal against Manchester United 21 November 2000 in a UEFA Champions League phase-two group A match at Old Trafford.

In July, 2003 midfielder Giorgios Karagounis caused a sensation in his homeland when he became only the second Greek ever to join mighty Inter Milan in the demanding Italian top flight, signing from Panathinaikos.

Idolised by the Greek supporters and seen as something of a football gladiator, his feisty play has been at the heart of successful results for both his country, who booked qualification for Euro 2004, and also at club level.

A native of Pyrgos, Karagounis broke into professional football with Panathinaikos in 1995 and helped the team to the Greek title before moving to Apollon on the other side of the capital.

Midfield source

La Coruna's Mauro De Silva (rear) tackles with Panathinaikos Athens Giorgos Karagounis while La Corunas Fernando Sanchez watches, during their UEFA Cup match in Athens 09 December 1999. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

Two years later he was back at Panathinaikos in a team that competed respectably in the Champions League in 2000-01, scoring on a regular basis despite being a midfielder (30 goals in 160 matches).

A Champions League highlight was a marvellous free-kick scored against Manchester United under the nose of David Beckham an expert in this valuable speciality.

Despite a series of strong performances, his trophy cabinet contains only a Greek championship medal (1996) and an appearance in the Greek Cup final in 1999, both times with Panathinaikos.

Portuguese Luis Figo (L) vies with Greek Karagounis during their friendly soccer match, Portugal vs Grece, for the Euro2004 championship at the new stadium of Aveiro.

He nearly added a second domestic crown in 2003 only for arch rivals Olympiakos to edge the race courtesy of a better goal difference.

His growing talents, notably on the European stage attracted Inter who brought him to Serie A in the summer of 2003 where he links up in midfield with the likes of Turkish star Emre, Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi and the Argentine Matias Almeyda.

Now he is heading to Euro 2004 as part of the emerging Greek side hoping to qualify for the second round of a major tournament for the first time in their history.