And so, this season (2021-22) – all being well – The Under-16 side will compete on three fronts. Both in the top league of the Macedonia Football Clubs Association (MFCA) and in the MFCA Cup – as well as in a series of friendlies that they are expected to play during the season. Plus, some of the players will also play in some of the Super League Under-17 games (those who belong to both squads). In addition, there is also the possibility of a tournament under the auspices of the Super League for this age group.

The participation of the the Under-16 side in the MFCA top flight, according to coach Ilias Galanopoulos «is an innovative effort from PAOK FC. For 16-year-olds to participate in men’s leagues is the best possible transition process to men’s football at the moment, as it is a first-class opportunity to gain experiences, appearances, and used to the dynamics of a men’s league,» said the team’s coach.

PAOK was drawn in the sixth group together with Anagennisi Rysiou, Apollon K. Scholariou, Asteras Redestou, Atromitos Ag. Antoniou, Atromitos Triadiou, Doxa Trilofou, Keravnos Angelochoriou, Niki Mesimeriou and Orfeas Sourotis. The championship is expected to start within October and will be held in two rounds. After those rounds are completred, there will be play offs and play outs.

Therefor for the Under-16’s, the season starts on Saturday, October 2 at 16.30 with the first match for the MFCA Cup. PAOK face M. Alexandros Thessaloniki, away from home. AE Charilaou Agios Eleftherios and Elpida Toumba also participate in PAOK’s group. PAOK will play each time twice, once at home and once away. The first two in the group will progress to the knockout stage.

Under-16s profile

The squad is made up exclusively of players born in 2006. Their coach remains Galanopoulos, who has been training this age group for two years. This year, four new players have been added to the squad. We welcome, therefore, to the PAOK Academy, Vassilis Archontakakis from Proteas Evosmou, Giorgos Bakas from Olympiakos Thessaloniki, Loizos Papadimitriou from Astrapi Nea Politia Larissa, and Alkiviadis Avrabos from Olimpiko Livadias.

It’s worth noting that eight of the Under-16 squad players are hosted in the PAOK Academy House.

Coaching & Technical Staff

Coach: Ilias Galanopoulos

Assistant coach: Panagiotis Dimitriadis

Gymnast: Vassilios Bilis

Goalkeeping coach: Ippocratis Roumeliotis

Physiotherapist: George Giannikos

Caregiver: Thomas Tseos

Goalkeepers: Anastasios Sevastidis, Vassilios Tsintsolis, Evangelos Katsaros, Vassilios Archontakakis

Defenders: Tryfon Kalioglou, Georgios Koupenos, Georgios Telo, Panagiotis Tsitskas, Efstathios Panikidis, Konstantinos Arvanitis, Christos Xepapadakis, Konstantinos Polykratis, Makis Magis, Alkiviadis Avrabos

Media: Vassilios Papageorgiou, Maximilian Sznaucner, Georgios Sapanis, Antonio Zoumbi, Konstantinos Karaioannou, Marios Kalaitsidis, Konstantinos Hatzigavriil, Loizos Papadimitriou

Forwards: Stefanos Tzimas, Grigorios Politakis, Marios Mylonas, Konstantinos Vryzas, Dimitrios Hatsidis, Iordanis Kesidis, Emmanouil Tsombanis, Georgios Bakas,