Loukas Vyntra (Greek: Λουκάς Βύντρα) (born 5 February 1981 in Město Albrechtice, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech-Greek (Czech father, Greek mother) football player. The 184 cm tall defender started his career in 1999 in Paniliakos, but moved to Pontioi Verias in 2000. However, in 2001 Paniliakos brought him back again, and he was a regular in their side until his transfer to Panathinaikos FC. In the summer of 2007, Hertha BSC Berlin approached the player but Panathinaikos did not wish to sell him unless they found adequate cover. This decision has provoked some criticism from the fans, because they consider Vyntra as an error-prone player. Vyntra has caused a lot of controversy with his unstable performance although during 2007/2008 season he has definitely matured as a player.

Although he is a hard working player good in tackling and marking and he is picked by all his managers for the starting XI, his lack of stability made him the target of complaints and he has received the most critisicm for Panathinaikos' recent inability to win titles. However his new manager, Henk ten Cate, has been using Vyntra mainly as a central defender for the 2008-2009 season and he offered him a lot of support helping him to build his confidence. Although the heart of the defence is still a problem for the team, Vyntra is gaining more respect and support from the fans.

Vyntra has been used mainly as a right back for Panathinaikos and more recently he has moved to the centre of the defence. He also played some games as a left back in 2008. Besides his versatility, he is a quite fast defender, good in close marking and tackling.

He scored a goal against FC Sevilla in the UEFA Cup during the 2004/2005 Season. He scored his first 2 goals in the Greek Superleague against PAOK Thessaloniki on February 8, 2009.

[edit] External links

• (Czech) Loukas Vyntra - Čech v řeckém dresu

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v • d • e Greece squad – 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup 1 Nikopolidis • 2 Seitaridis • 3 Vyntra • 4 Tavlaridis • 5 Kyrgiakos • 6 Basinas • 7 Zagorakis (c) • 8 Giannakopoulos • 9 Charisteas • 10 Tsiartas • 11 Papadopoulos • 12 Chalkias • 13 Sifakis • 14 Fyssas • 15 Vryzas • 16 Kafes • 17 Amanatidis • 18 Goumas • 19 Kapsis • 20 Karagounis • 21 Katsouranis • 22 Gekas • 23 Lakis • Coach: Rehhagel

v • d • e Greece squad – UEFA Euro 2008 1 Nikopolidis • 2 Seitaridis • 3 Patsatzoglou • 4 Spiropoulos • 5 Dellas • 6 Basinas • 7 Samaras • 8 Giannakopoulos • 9 Charisteas • 10 Karagounis • 11 Vyntra • 12 Chalkias • 13 Tzorvas • 14 Salpigidis • 15 Torosidis • 16 Kyrgiakos • 17 Gekas • 18 Goumas • 19 Antzas • 20 Amanatidis • 21 Katsouranis • 22 Tziolis • 23 Liberopoulos • Coach: Rehhagel

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