Elias Sapachlaris '16 Recruiting Profile
Video
Elias Sapachlaris...Personal Statement
I'm an attacking player with experience playing in multiple positions and roles in midfield and attack. I feel most comfortable playing behind the striker where I have the opportunity to play the final pass, drop into spaces, threaten the defence from distance either by shooting or direct dribbling. I can also drop further back and be a playmaker, setting the tempo and help bring my teammates into the game if we are under pressure. I believe my strengths are my creativity, composure, technique and change of pace and that an area I have to improve is my aerial ability which I'm working on. I'm also working on my body after training to better prepare myself for that physical college game.
I started playing for Olympiacos Nicosia's academy where we won multiple regional and national championships. I made my debut for Olympiacos Nicosia's Men's team in April 2014, on my 17th birthday which was an extremely proud moment for me. Since 2011 I have been part of the Cyprus National Team set-up and have represented Cyprus at U15,U17 and U18 level. In the Summer of 2014 I chose to join MEAP Pera Chorio Nisou in the 3rd Division where I will have the opportunity to compete against seasoned players in a physical league. I did this as I want to continue to improve as a player and challenge myself. I enjoy playing under pressure and I'm now relishing the challenge of going up against bigger and more experienced players.
English is my first language and I attended the American International School in Cyprus where I took the full IB Diploma and I graduated in June 2015 with 3.4 GPA. My extracurricular activities include volunteering in the 'Adopting a Family' foundation in Cyprus and I'm also a National Honor Society (NHS) member.
I believe that continuing my education whilst playing soccer is a great opportunity for me to expand my horizons and grow as a player and a person.
Athletics
Club Information
- Seasons of Club Experience
- 7 seasons
- 2015 MEAP Pera Chorio Nisou (Men's - Cyprus 3rd Division)
- Finished 4th, 2 points away from promotion.
- 2014 Olympiacos Nicosia FC (U21)
- Finished 4th in the Cyprus Division II U21 Championship, only 4 points away from first place, under coaches Andros Avlonitis and Nikolas Kaltsis
- 2014 Olympiacos Nicosia FC (Men's - Cyprus 2nd Division)
- Completed pre-season training with the men's team of Olympiacos Nicosia FC in the summer of 2013. In April 2014, I began training regularly with the men's team as an amateur player and made my debut against Othellos Athienou.
- 2013 Cyprus National Team (U17)
- Represented Cyprus at international level participating in the Bulgaria and Malta international tournaments under coach Giannos Stavrinou. I also played for Cyprus in the Poland international tournament and UEFA U17 European Championship qualifiers under headcoach Renos Demetriades.
- 2013 Olympiacos Nicosia FC (U17)
- Finished 3rd in the Nicosia Championship and 2nd in Cyprus Division 1 Elite Championship (Highest level of youth football in Cyprus) under coach Andros Avlonitis.
- 2012 Olympiacos Nicosia FC (U15 & U17)
- Played in U15 where we won the Ayia Napa International Tournament under coach Panikos Neokleous and was promoted to U17 where I played under coach Andros Avlonitis.
- 2011 Olympiacos Nicosia FC (U13)
- Finished 2nd in Cyprus Championship under coach Panikos Neokleous
Coach References
- Club Director
- Costas Seraphim - Olympiacos Nicosia FC
- Club Coach
- Andros Avlonitis - Olympiacos Nicosia FC
- Club Coach
- Renos Demetriades - Cyprus U17/U19 National Team Coach
Events
- Camp/Event
- Cyprus National Team - U18 Training Camp
- 10/06/13 to 10/10/13
- Called up to the Cyprus National Team U18 Training Camp by headcoach Giannos Stavrinou.
- Camp/Event
- Malta Under 17 International Easter Tournament
- 3/28/13 to 4/01/13
- Winner's medal with Cyprus National Team in the Malta International Tournament where we played against the national teams of Greece, Malta and Northern Ireland and won all of our matches. I participated in all of my country's games, starting against Malta where I won a penalty and came on as a substitute against Greece and Northern Ireland.
- Camp/Event
- Cyprus National Team - U15 Training Camp
- 4/01/11 to 4/05/11
- Called up to the Cyprus National Team U-15 Camp by headcoach Costas Malekos. This was my first call-up to youth national teams.
- Camp/Event
- Arsenal F.C Elite Academy Trial
- 7/05/10 to 7/11/10
- I was invited to participate alongside 120 of the best youngsters from South-Eastern Europe in a combine for Arsenal FC's Elite Academy based in Loutraki,Greece. The state of the art residential facility is aimed at young players aged between 12 and 16 who are recruited from Greece and the surrounding countries in the Balkans, with the goal of developing players for Arsenal F.C. At the end of the week, although I was not offered a scholarship from Arsenal, the academy director, Mr. Lakis Papaioannou, singled me out as one of three participants who were not chosen but have the potential to play professionally at a high level. It was a great experience to be invited to a combine held by one of the biggest soccer clubs in the world and it was a huge honor when Mr. Papaioannou spoke about the potential he sees in me.
Statistics
Academics
Grades
Test Scores
High School Information
Academic Accomplishments
Registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
YesAwards and Activities
- AwardsHonor student member of the National Honor Society, Honor Roll student throughout my time in American International School Cyprus.
- ActivitiesI volunteer in the 'Adopt a Family' charity in Cyprus.
