© EuroFootball.com
At the age of 53, on Thursday, the famous former player of clubs and the Greek national team Giannis Kyrastas died from a blood infection.
Right-back G. Kyrastas, born in Piraeus, represented "Olympiacos" from the age of 15. In December 1972, he made his debut with the team. Four times he became Greek champion with the team, and won the Greek Cup twice.
In 1980, the player moved to the ranks of the biggest rival of "Olympiacos," "Panathinaikos," where he mostly played as a midfielder. He won the championship twice, won the cup three times, and in 1984/85 reached the Champions League semifinals. In 1986, the player ended his career having played a total of 344 matches.
Kyrastas played 39 matches for the Greek national team. In 1980, the player participated in the European Championship in Italy.
Later, Kyrastas continued his career as a coach - he coached lower league teams such as "Proodeftiki FC" and "Panionios NFC." In the 1994/95 season, Kyrastas coached the top league team "Ethnikos Piraeus FC," as well as "Paniliakos FC" and "Panionios." In 1999, Kyrastas coached "Panathinaikos" and assembled the team that reached the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals in the 2001/02 season.
