Loukas Vyntra

Loukas Vyntra (Greek: Λουκάς Βύντρα; born 5 February 1981) is a Czech-born Greek footballer who plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv and the Greek national team. Mainly a central defender, he can also play as a right back.

Early life

Vyntra was born in Město Albrechtice, Czechoslovakia to a Czech father and a Greek mother. Vyntra moved as a youngster to his mother’s homeland of Greece.

Club career

Paniliakos

Vyntra signed his first professional contract in 1999 with Paniliakos. He made his senior debut on loan with third division Veroia in 2000–01. Returning to Paniliakos at the end of the season, he swiftly became established in the starting 11, helping them win promotion to the Alpha Ethniki in 2002–03. Making his debut in the Greek top-flight, Vintra played in Paniliakos' first 15 games of the 2003–04 season.

Panathinaikos

Greek giants Panathinaikos was quick to notice his potential and brought Vyntra to Athens-based club in 2004. Immediately making an impact at the club, Vyntra became a regular for Panathinaikos since his first season wearing the green-and-white. He was a versatile member of back-line, switching between playing on the right and the centre of defence. On 29 September 2004, he made his European competition debut in a 1–0 away loss against PSV in the UEFA Champions League. He scored two memorable goals during the 2004–05 season, one against Arsenal in the Champions League and one against Sevilla in the UEFA Cup.