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Leonidas Kampantais (Greek: Λεωνίδας Καμπάνταης; born 8 March 1982 in Athens, Greece) is a Greek footballer,[1] currently playing for Panionios.

Career
Aris Thessaloniki FC

Kampantais began his professional career in Aris Thessaloniki F.C. in 2002, appearing in 11 matches in Alpha Ethniki (from 2006 has been renamed to Super League), scoring two goals. He remained in Salonica for another year, scoring one goal in seven appearances.

Move to AEK Athens

He joined AEK Athens in 2004. Kampantais picked number 11, which was used by Demis Nikolaidis, who was a fan favourite and current Chairman of AEK FC).

In Season 2005, Fernando Santos proposed him to go on-loan, to gain the required experience. He agreed, and moved to Anorthosis Famagusta FC, where Temuri Ketsbaia (a former player of AEK Athens) was a player-manager. However, Kabantais returned after six months, in January 2006, after scoring only two goals and wasting numerous goal opportunities in 14 matches. Although Kabantais claimed that the reason Anorthosis released him due to personal problems he had with player/manager Ketsbaia which appeared to be true. He moved then to Panionios NFC for six months. Panionios had the option of buying the player. At first, he was not considered to play very well, even though he appeared in almost every game, scoring two very important goals. Additionally, the last three to four appearances were very good.

In 2006, Ilija Ivic told him that the best for him was to go on-loan again. However, Kampantais was unwilling to go, unless the new manager would tell him so. Llorenç Serra Ferrer (the new manager), gave him enough chances to prove his worth, as he did. However, Serra Ferrer did not register him for the UEFA Champions League matches, which upset Leonidas, but he later showed his worth.

Even though not considered a first team regular, he was one of the best players in the friendly matches. Serra Ferrer trusted him in the derby vs. Panathinaikos. Leonidas, even though he did not score, played a good match.

The next matches, in which Kampantais played, was versus Aris and Larissa. These two matches were critical for AEK, and Leonidas managed to score in each game once (in both matches he was in the first team). Versus Kerkyra, Kampantais, was awarded two clear penalties. He was announced as Most Valuable Player in that match. That was the first time Kampantais was given this award.

Since then he appeared in every match and scored goals. He was voted one of the two MVP in the big derby against Olympiakos early February.

His contract with AEK expired summer 2007. On 21 May 2007, he was released by AEK and signed by German team Arminia Bielefeld.
Arminia Bielefeld/Bundesliga

Kampantais began his Bundesliga career with Arminia Bielefeld in 2007, picking number 27. On 30 June 2009, Arminia Bielefeld did not renew Kampantais's contract and so he was released.
Return to Greeve

Kampantais began his Beta Ethniki career in Olympiakos Volou in summer 2009.After a year moved to Superleague Greece, playing for OFI, and at June 2012 he signed a two year contract with Panionios.
International career

Kampantais played for the Greek Olympic Team in 2004.
References

"Kampantais, Leonidas" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 2 December 2012.

External links

Leonidas Kampantais at Transfermarkt
Leonidas Kampantais at fussballdaten.de (German)
Profile at Onsports.gr (Greek)

Greek footballers

Ancient Greece

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