Nikos Pentzaropoulos

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The late Nikos Pentzaropoulos was a Greek football goalkeeper of the 1940s - 1950s era, undoubtedly one of the best keepers Greece has ever produced.

Pentzaropoulos, who was born in July 1927, played his entire career in the pre-Alpha Ethniki era for Panionios, though he was sought after by many Greek and foreign clubs (Racing Paris and Inter Milan being among them). Pentzaropoulos once sat out an entire season as Panionios refused to negotiate his transfer to another club.

Pentzaropoulos was capped 11 times by the Greek National Football Team. His most memorable appearance was in Tampere, Finland, against Denmark on July 3, 1952 when he earned the nickname "the hero of Tampere".

Pentzaropoulos died of cancer on March 29, 1979.