Dimitrious Konstantopolous
Encyclopedia
Dimitrios Konstantopoulos (Greek
: Δημήτριος Κωνσταντόπουλος; born 29 November 1978 in Thessaloniki
) is a Greek
football goalkeeper, who currently plays for AEK Athens
.
in 2003 by the then manager Neale Cooper after previously playing for Portuguese team SC Farense and Greece’s under 21 national team. After impressing in reserve matches, and due to the forthcoming departure of Hartlepool’s number 2 keeper Anthony Williams, Konstantopoulos was offered an 18-month contract.
Konstantopoulos spent the majority of his first season playing for Hartlepool’s reserve team and as a substitute. In the following 2004–2005 season, Konstantopoulos finally made his debut in the 2–1 League Cup win over Macclesfield Town
on 24 August 2004. After impressing, Konstantopoulos then made his league debut in the 2–1 win against Colchester United
six days later and his performances displaced Jim Provett
as Hartlepool’s first choice keeper. During this season, Konstantopoulos went on to make 6 appearances in cup competitions and 28 in the league. One of his most crucial performances came in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Tranmere Rovers
, in this match Konstantopoulos pulled off a number of spectacular saves to keep Hartlepool in the match. When the match went to penalties Konstantopoulos saved twice to help put Hartlepool through to the play-off final. During this season, Konstantopoulos won the Hartlepool United Disabled Supporters Association(HUDSA) Community Player of the Year.
At the end of the 2009/2010 Coventry City
told Konstantopoulos he was surplus to requirements and he was subsequently released.
on loan until the end of the 2007/08 season. He then ruptured his tendon in his right leg on his first day of training at The City Ground. The keeper's Forest career was over before it started.
on a 1 month emergency loan deal after Swansea's first choice keeper Dorus de Vries
suffered a double fracture to his jaw against Queens Park Rangers
. He made his Swansea debut against Doncaster Rovers
on 1 November, saving a penalty in the 85th minute. He made a total of 5 appearances before the return of de Vries meant he was dropped to the bench before being recalled to Coventry due to a goalkeeper crisis, appearing on the bench in the clubs 2–0 win over Kidderminster Harriers
.
He returned to Swansea on a second loan spell in January, making just one appearance in the FA Cup
, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win over Portsmouth
. Swansea attempted to extend his loan deal beyond the end of the transfer window but the deal was unable to be completed in time due to adverse weather conditions.
until the end of the season as cover for Finland
international Peter Enckelman
who was ruled out for up to two months after undergoing knee surgery. With second choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton also being ruled out through injury, Konstantopoulos was handed his debut on 22 February against Wolverhampton Wanderers
which ended in a 2–2 draw after the Greek keeper scored an own goal after dropping a cross from Wolves midfielder Kyel Reid
into his own net. Konstantopoulos continued in goal with a draw against Queens Park Rangers
and a defeat to Southampton
before winning his first games with the club after recording consecutive wins over Barnsley
and Doncaster Rovers
. However his Cardiff career took another knock after a second blunder in his first month during a 2–0 defeat to Norwich City
when he failed to clear a long pass and was tackled by Dave Mooney
to concede the first goal of the game. His errors led to Cardiff manager Dave Jones signing Stuart Taylor on loan from Aston Villa
to replace him and, despite remaining with the side for the rest of the season, he did not make another appearance before returning to Coventry.
. Shortly after he signed Konstantopoulos stated, "It is an honour to be chosen starting goalkeeper at a huge team like AEK is and I thank AEK for believing in me. One thing I can promise to the fans is that I will give my best effort every match and I will try my best to help AEK succeed there goals by winning the league."
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
: Δημήτριος Κωνσταντόπουλος; born 29 November 1978 in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
) is a Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
football goalkeeper, who currently plays for AEK Athens
AEK Athens FC
AEK Athens F.C. , the Athletic Union of Constantinople, is a Greek association football club based in the city of Athens, Greece. Outside Greece, the club is also known as AEK Athens, however, the word Athens is not part of the club's official title.Established in Athens in 1924 by Greek refugees...
.
Hartlepool United
Konstantopoulos was given a trial at Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
in 2003 by the then manager Neale Cooper after previously playing for Portuguese team SC Farense and Greece’s under 21 national team. After impressing in reserve matches, and due to the forthcoming departure of Hartlepool’s number 2 keeper Anthony Williams, Konstantopoulos was offered an 18-month contract.
Konstantopoulos spent the majority of his first season playing for Hartlepool’s reserve team and as a substitute. In the following 2004–2005 season, Konstantopoulos finally made his debut in the 2–1 League Cup win over Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
on 24 August 2004. After impressing, Konstantopoulos then made his league debut in the 2–1 win against Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
six days later and his performances displaced Jim Provett
Jim Provett
James "Jim" Provett is a football goalkeeper, who currently plays for Norton & Stockton Ancients.-Playing career:...
as Hartlepool’s first choice keeper. During this season, Konstantopoulos went on to make 6 appearances in cup competitions and 28 in the league. One of his most crucial performances came in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, in this match Konstantopoulos pulled off a number of spectacular saves to keep Hartlepool in the match. When the match went to penalties Konstantopoulos saved twice to help put Hartlepool through to the play-off final. During this season, Konstantopoulos won the Hartlepool United Disabled Supporters Association(HUDSA) Community Player of the Year.
Coventry City
Konstantopoulos was signed by Coventry City on 30 June 2007.At the end of the 2009/2010 Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
told Konstantopoulos he was surplus to requirements and he was subsequently released.
Nottingham Forest
On Monday 24 March 2008 Konstantopoulos signed for Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
on loan until the end of the 2007/08 season. He then ruptured his tendon in his right leg on his first day of training at The City Ground. The keeper's Forest career was over before it started.
Swansea City
On 24 October 2008, Konstantopoulos signed for Swansea CitySwansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
on a 1 month emergency loan deal after Swansea's first choice keeper Dorus de Vries
Dorus de Vries
Dorus de Vries is a Dutch football goalkeeper signed to English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.De Vries began his professional career in his native Holland with Telstar, before spending three seasons with ADO Den Haag. He moved to Britain in 2006, when he spent a season at Scottish...
suffered a double fracture to his jaw against Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
. He made his Swansea debut against Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
on 1 November, saving a penalty in the 85th minute. He made a total of 5 appearances before the return of de Vries meant he was dropped to the bench before being recalled to Coventry due to a goalkeeper crisis, appearing on the bench in the clubs 2–0 win over Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
.
He returned to Swansea on a second loan spell in January, making just one appearance in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win over Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. Swansea attempted to extend his loan deal beyond the end of the transfer window but the deal was unable to be completed in time due to adverse weather conditions.
Cardiff City
After returning to Coventry, Konstantopoulos was again loaned out, this time to Swansea's local rivals Cardiff CityCardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
until the end of the season as cover for Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
international Peter Enckelman
Peter Enckelman
Peter Enckelman is a Finnish football goalkeeper who currently plays for St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.-Aston Villa:...
who was ruled out for up to two months after undergoing knee surgery. With second choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton also being ruled out through injury, Konstantopoulos was handed his debut on 22 February against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
which ended in a 2–2 draw after the Greek keeper scored an own goal after dropping a cross from Wolves midfielder Kyel Reid
Kyel Reid
Kyel Romaine Reid is an English footballer who plays for Bradford City in League Two.-West Ham:Born in South London, Reid joined West Ham United in July 2004 and is a product of the West Ham United academy system...
into his own net. Konstantopoulos continued in goal with a draw against Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
and a defeat to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
before winning his first games with the club after recording consecutive wins over Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
. However his Cardiff career took another knock after a second blunder in his first month during a 2–0 defeat to Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
when he failed to clear a long pass and was tackled by Dave Mooney
Dave Mooney
Dave Mooney is an Irish footballer, currently playing for Leyton Orient.-Shamrock Rovers:Born in Dublin, Mooney joined Shamrock Rovers, his first senior club, in 2000 and scored in every round when Rovers' won the U17 All Ireland title against Kingdom Boys in 2002. He made his first team debut...
to concede the first goal of the game. His errors led to Cardiff manager Dave Jones signing Stuart Taylor on loan from Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
to replace him and, despite remaining with the side for the rest of the season, he did not make another appearance before returning to Coventry.
AEK Athens
On 13/7/11 Konstantopoulos signed a two-year deal with Greek giants AEK Athens keeping him at the club until 2013. Due to Konstantopoulos' very impressive performances at Kerkyra where he was awarded Superleague Greece keeper of the year he was AEK Athen's main target in the Summer transfer period to replace Argentinian keeper Sebastian SajaSebastián Saja
Diego Sebastián Saja is an Argentine football who plays for Racing Club de Avellaneda as a goalkeeper.-San Lorenzo:...
. Shortly after he signed Konstantopoulos stated, "It is an honour to be chosen starting goalkeeper at a huge team like AEK is and I thank AEK for believing in me. One thing I can promise to the fans is that I will give my best effort every match and I will try my best to help AEK succeed there goals by winning the league."