Open Play by Panos Bletsos

Europe is the home of soccer, as well as Soccer365's contributing writer Panos Bletsos. A Euro 2012 commentator with Greece's public TV, ERT, Panos has a 15+ - year experience in covering the Beautiful Game for a number of newspapers, radio stations and web portals, including Goal.com and will be dealing with the most intriguing European football issues.

  • The Future is Germany

    Sunday, 27. January, 2013

    On-field success, fiscal wealth, the largest attendances in the world and goals, many goals. What more could the Bundesliga need to become the best national league on Earth? Soccer365's European correspondent suggests a couple more Guardiolas would do the trick.

  • The Mourinho Dilemma

    Sunday, 13. January, 2013

    José Mourinho has lost the backing of the fans, the media, even some of his players and has condeded defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona in La Liga. But should Real Madrid fire him now, with the Champions League still within their grasp? Soccer365's Panos Bletsos on a tough question for Florentino Pérez.

  • New Year’s Revolutions

    Saturday, 5. January, 2013

    It's that time of year again and with almost half the season behind us clubs have one final chance to balance their rosters. They say the winter transfer window offers no real opportunities. Soccer365's European correspondent Panos Bletsos disagrees. And he has concrete evidence.

  • Defenders of the Faith

    Thursday, 20. December, 2012

    Messi is the main attraction, Xavi is the guy who makes Barcelona tick, but Carles Puyol is definitely not not just making up the numbers. For some reason it's always defenders that die-hard fans identify with their clubs. Soccer365's Panos Bletsos reports.

  • Who Needs Beckham?

    Tuesday, 11. December, 2012

    England? Australia? China? Or even the UAE? Everybody seems to want David Beckham, even at the grand old age of 37. But do they need him? Soccer365's Panos Bletsos has a closer look.

  • FIFA Ballon d’Or: Messi Doesn’t Deserve It

    Saturday, 1. December, 2012

    To say Leo Messi is the best player in the global game today is no harder a suggestion to make than stealing candy from a baby. But should he be rewarded for his 2012 exploits with yet another Golden Ball? Soccer365's Panos Bletsos thinks not.

  • Di Matteo Not the First Casualty

    Saturday, 24. November, 2012

    Roberto Di Matteo and some strange coincidences involving Real Madrid, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund. Soccer365's European correspondent Panos Bletsos on the curse of winning the Champions League.

  • Can Wilmots Deliver the Goods?

    Friday, 16. November, 2012

    Ten years out in the wilderness is a very long time for a country which has presented world football with stars such as Enzo Scifo or Jan Ceulemans. Now former captain Marc Wilmots has the honour and responsibility to take a super-talented new Belgium generation to Brazil 2014. Will he succeed where bigger names have failed?

  • The List of Mourinho Wannabes

    Wednesday, 7. November, 2012

    While Alex Ferguson is still going strong at Manchester United just before entering the eighth decade of his life, a whole new breed of promising coaches is following in the footsteps of José Mourinho, as Soccer365's Panos Bletsos reports.

  • Leonidas Messi and His 300 (Plus One)

    Friday, 2. November, 2012

    At the tender age of 25 Leo Messi has already surpassed the 300-goal mark for club and country and is breaking every scoring record in the book. However, as Soccer365's Panos Bletsos reports, two high obstacles still lie ahead for the Argentine wonder.

  • Ryan Giggs, a Champions League Synonym

    Sunday, 28. October, 2012

    Ryan Giggs is not only the most decorated player in English football history, but also the only Manchester United player to have appeared in each and every one of their UEFA Champions League campaigns! Soccer365's Panos Bletsos reveals the Welshman's next goal.

  • The Price of Honesty

    Saturday, 20. October, 2012

    If you think all is well in the world of calcio after clearing up the latest betting scandal, you might have to think again. Soccer365's European correspondent Panos Bletsos on the story of Simone Farina, the man who was really punished for bringing culprits to justice.