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===International Career Controversy===
===International Career Controversy===


Dean's decision to defect so readily to play for the Greek underage setup has left a sour taste in the mouth of many within Australia's football community, including past football legends.<ref>http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/79693,fraser-stop-bouzas-greek-tragedy.aspx</ref> Adding fuel to the fire is suggestions from Dean's agent that he still wants to play for Australia <ref>http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/79193,greek-bouzanis-still-wants-roo-shirt.aspx</ref>, in effect using his selection for Greece as a barging tool to get Olyroo selection. Such little regard for the wearing the national shirt is unthinkable by most Australians. Despite Dean's assurances that he is only looking to gain experience in the Greek setup, Australian fans cannot help to draw similarities to other deserters with minority backgrounds such as Josip Šimunić and Joey Didulica. Many Australian's feel the best way to help players overcome this problem is for better communication with young players and the need to tie many to the Australian National team as soon as possible. So far the FFA, has looked to engage young players rather than capping them for the Socceroos, with national coach Pim Verbeek, recently meeting Dean whilst playing for his club reserves team Liverpool.
Dean's decision to consider the Greek underage setup has left a sour taste in the mouth of many within Australia's football community, including past football legends.<ref>http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/79693,fraser-stop-bouzas-greek-tragedy.aspx</ref> Adding fuel to the fire is suggestions from Dean's agent that he still wants to play for Australia <ref>http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/79193,greek-bouzanis-still-wants-roo-shirt.aspx</ref>, and this has led to some theories that Bouzanis is using his selection for Greece as a bargaining tool to get Olyroo selection. Despite Dean's assurances that he is only looking to gain experience in the Greek setup, Australian fans cannot help to draw similarities to other non-ethnic Australians who have played for their country of heritage such as [[Josip Šimunić]], [[Ante Seric]] and [[Joey Didulica]]. Many Australian's feel the best way to help players overcome this problem is for better communication with young players and the need to tie many to the Australian National team as soon as possible. So far the FFA, has looked to engage young players rather than capping them for the Socceroos, with national coach Pim Verbeek, recently meeting Dean whilst playing for his club reserves team Liverpool.



==References==
==References==

Revision as of 09:05, 4 July 2008

Dean Bouzanis
Personal information
Full name Konstantinos Bouzanis
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 March 2008


Dean Bouzanis (born October 2 1990, in Sydney, Australia) is a Australian football goalkeeper with Greek heritage. He is currently signed to Liverpool.

Biography

Club career

Bouzanis was born and raised in Australia to Greek parents, and he attended De La Salle College in Cronulla[1] His talents were first seen at his local soccer club, Carss Park, whilst playing in the under 9s[2] alongside close friend Nikolas Tsattalios. Bouzanis then went on to play in the NSW State League for St George Saints at 14 before joining the NSW Institute of Sport.

Bouzanis spent three weeks with Liverpool F.C. first team squad in January 2007 and was offered a three year deal.[1] Liverpool's manager Rafael Benitez and goalkeeping coach have rated him as the best goalkeeper in the world of his age.[3][4][5]

He was loaned to A-League side Sydney FC as understudy to Clint Bolton and was included in the club's squad for their AFC Champions League 2007 campaign,[6] but did not appear at the tournament. The loan spell was expected to be extended until January 2008, but after Sydney delisted him from the club,[7] it was decided by the Reds’ goalkeeping staff to fast-track his program:

“They wanted to put me straight into action and fast track my process with the reserves side but more importantly, I’ll be starting pre-season with the senior squad”.[8] - Dean Bouzanis

He made his first appearance after arriving in the UK on a full-time basis for Liverpool's Academy (Under-18's) side on 8 September, 2007, keeping a clean sheet as they beat Nottingham Forest F.C.'s academy side 3-0.[9] He had previously played in two under-18's matches for the club against Stoke and West Bromwich Albion while on trial with the club.[10] On 4 December, 2007, Dean made his debut for Liverpool Reserves keeping a clean sheet in their 3-0 win over Everton.

International career

Bouzanis received his first call up to the Australian U17 side in 2005 at the age of 15.[1] He was also later included in the squad for Australia's unsuccessful 2006 AFC U17 Championships qualifying campaign.[11]

On February 2 2008, Bouzanis officially received a call-up from the Greek FA youth manager Alexis Alexiou to represent the youth team against Slovakia on February 5, 2008. [12] Bouzanis visited Greece on February 3 2008 for an interview with Greek radio station SportFM[13], and also to participate in the friendly against Slovakia. He played the full 90 minutes for Greece, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

Despite playing for the Greek team Bouzanis is still currently eligible to play for either the Greek or Australian full international sides[14][4][15] Bouzanis has given three reasons why he might choose Greece "First, due to my origin; second, because it's the European champion; and third, because the trips won't be too far." however he is also in contact with Australian football authorities.[4], the Australian press have stated that his departure would be a "disaster"[14] likening it to the loss of Joey Didulica to the Croatian national side.[16]

After keeping a clean sheet for the Greece under-19 team on the 11th March 2008 in a 1-0 win against Serbia, Dean made a statement to the Greek Football Association (the EPO):

''The team is very good, with good strength and technical qualities. The most important thing, however, is that we are bound together as a team and that we all want to be distinguished. The work being done with the National Team is very important, and I believe that in the qualifying stages for the Euro-19 Championship we will show our worth, and progress to the finals." [17] - Dean Bouzanis

It has been reported that Bouzanis would like to play for the Olyroos - the Australian Olympic team - in the 2008 Olympics. In April 2008 he was called up to the Australia Under 23 squad to compete in the Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia as part of their preparations for the Olympics due to Danny Vukovic's suspension. With the announcement that this suspension will not be lifted for the Olympics, suggestions have been made that Bouzanis will be included in the squad. [18][19] On 24 June 2008, Bouzanis accepted the call-up from Alexis Alexiou to represent Greece in the UEFA U-19 European Championships to be held in the Czech Republic.[20] In a statement to the Greek Football Federation, Dean exclaimed:

''I am very proud that I will be competing at the finals of the European Championships with Greece" [21] - Dean Bouzanis

International Career Controversy

Dean's decision to consider the Greek underage setup has left a sour taste in the mouth of many within Australia's football community, including past football legends.[22] Adding fuel to the fire is suggestions from Dean's agent that he still wants to play for Australia [23], and this has led to some theories that Bouzanis is using his selection for Greece as a bargaining tool to get Olyroo selection. Despite Dean's assurances that he is only looking to gain experience in the Greek setup, Australian fans cannot help to draw similarities to other non-ethnic Australians who have played for their country of heritage such as Josip Šimunić, Ante Seric and Joey Didulica. Many Australian's feel the best way to help players overcome this problem is for better communication with young players and the need to tie many to the Australian National team as soon as possible. So far the FFA, has looked to engage young players rather than capping them for the Socceroos, with national coach Pim Verbeek, recently meeting Dean whilst playing for his club reserves team Liverpool.

References

  1. ^ a b c "How a Sydney kid made cut at one of the greatest clubs". The Sydney Morning Herald. February 4, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "smh how" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Exclusive: Bouzanis Jets Off To Liverpool". Australian British Soccer Weekly. July 15, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Player Profile". www.sydneyfc.com. March 21, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "'World's best' targets Liverpool place". Setanta Sports. February 12, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Teen ace Bouzanis snapped up by Reds". The Age. February 4, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Branko is Sydney's man". Fox Sports. February 13, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Necevski eyes Bolton's spot". FourFourTwo.com. June 26, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Exclusive: Bouzanis Jets Off To Liverpool". Australian British Soccer Weekly. July 15, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Pourie at the double for Under-18s". Liverpoolfc.tv. September 10, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Dean puts Mum in charge". The Catholic Weekly. March 11, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Qantas Joeys Held To Draw By Hosts". Football Federation Australia. 2006-02-08. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  12. ^ "Ισόπαλοι οι Νέοι" (in Greek). 2008-02-05.
  13. ^ "Μπουζάνης: «Ελλάδα λόγω καταγωγής»" (in Greek). SuperSport FM. 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  14. ^ a b "Greeks woo our star keeper". The Daily Telegraph (Australia). March 2, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "Greece targets 'the next Bosnich'". Fox Sports (Australia). February 9, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Time to stop the rot". The Daily Telegraph (Australia). March 2, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Ελληνικη Ποδοσφαιρικη Ομοσπονδια
  18. ^ Bouzanis 'Upset' At Olyroo Snub - Australian FourFourTwo - The Ultimate football Website
  19. ^ Liverpool answers Olyroos keeper call
  20. ^ http://www.sportnet.gr/report.aspx?id=161063
  21. ^ http://www.sportfm.gr/article/135972
  22. ^ http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/79693,fraser-stop-bouzas-greek-tragedy.aspx
  23. ^ http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/79193,greek-bouzanis-still-wants-roo-shirt.aspx
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