Orestis Karnezis

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Orestis Karnezis
Karnezis with Greece in 2013
Personal information
Full name Orestis-Spyridon Karnezis[1]
Date of birth (1985-07-11) 11 July 1985 (age 38)
Place of birth Athens, Greece
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1999–2003 Agios Mattheos Corfu
2003–2005
OFI
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007
OFI
0 (0)
2007–2013
Panathinaikos
53 (0)
2013–2019 Udinese 108 (0)
2013–2014Granada (loan) 6 (0)
2017–2018
Watford
(loan)
15 (0)
2018–2019
Napoli
(loan)
9 (0)
2019–2020
Napoli
0 (0)
2020–2022 Lille 0 (0)
2021–2022 Lille II 3 (0)
Total 194 (0)
International career
2004–2005 Greece U21 3 (0)
2012–2018 Greece 49 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:17, 22 May 2022 (UTC)

Orestis-Spyridon Karnezis (Greek: Ορέστης-Σπυρίδων Καρνέζης; born 11 July 1985) is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Panathinaikos

Born in Athens, but grew up in Corfu, Karnezis started his professional football career at Panathinaikos in 2007. He made only a few appearances for the club until the 2011–12 season, when he got more chances and impressed. After a few months, his coach, Jesualdo Ferreira, made him the regular goalkeeper of Panathinaikos. He had great performances and saved his team at crucial moments. Reports from Greece indicate that Karnezis was the subject of transfer speculation, as the Greek international attracted suitors from around Europe, following a solid campaign in the

Superleague Greece 2012–13 season. Reports from Greece indicated that Udinese Calcio emerged as front-runners to sign Karnezis, after the Italian club reportedly offered €800,000 to bring Karnezis to the Serie A that summer. Karnezis took over as Panathinaikos' number one choice in goal that season and played admirably for the Athens giants. Karnezis' exploits for the Trifylli earned him consistent call-ups to the Greece national football team.[2]

Udinese

Karnezis completed his move from Panathinaikos to

Yannis Anastasiou keen to use income from the transfer to continue building his squad. A fee of €750,000 had been quoted by the Greek press, with a further €2 million due to Panathinaikos if the player returned to Greece to play with another club in the future.[3][4]
Karnezis signed a five-year contract on 22 July 2013, then was immediately loaned out to Spain's Granada for the season by the Italian club.

Loan to Granada

Karnezis made his Spanish La Liga debut for Granada in a 3–0 away loss to Almeria on 4 January 2014.[5] Karnezis had earlier in the season played in both legs of the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) against AD Alcorcón on 8 December 2013 and 18 December 2013.

On 12 April, Karnezis was the key player in a 1–0 home victory against Barcelona, saving a shot from Cesc Fàbregas and a 20-yard free-kick from Lionel Messi. Barça totalled 29 shots on goal, none of which succeeded in beating Karnezis.[6][7]

2014–15 season

In his return to Udinese after the loan stint with Granada in La Liga, Karnezis made his Serie A debut in Udinese's 2–0 home victory over

Atalanta, by stating that throughout the year and not only in that game, Karnezis gave a sense of security to the squad, even without necessarily making difficult saves.[9]

Italian sports newspaper La

Napoli were interested in signing Karnezis after his remarkable 2014–15 season with Udinese. "It is too early", his agent Vasilis Panayotakis said. "We will see what happens after May 20, when we know what is really going on with the clubs that have shown interest. Karnezis is committed to Udinese until the end of the season, that is more important right now".[10][11] During the season former Italian national goalkeeper Dino Zoff had heaped praise on both Karnezis and Mattia Perin, labelling the pair the best glovesmen in Serie A.“It's going well, he's young and can only get better: he is taking confidence that is essential for a goalkeeper. I think Karnezis and Perin are the best goalies in Series A.”[12]

On 14 May 2015, Udinese confirmed they were ready to sell Karnezis, to make room for

Roma were interested and he was linked with a move to the Giallorossi. "Karnezis could've gone to Benfica last summer,[13] but Andrea Stramaccioni decided to focus on his international experience," explained Udinese director Andrea Carnevale on TeleRadioStereo. "Now with his excellent season, he can go to a more important club. Our future is Simone Scuffet. We've been preserving him, as a season working as understudy to Karnezis has helped him to grow."[14][15]

On 24 May 2015, in a home game against

Roma, Inter, Napoli, Benfica and other European clubs.[17]

2015–16 season

On 1 July 2015, Karnezis signed a new contract until June 2019 with the Friuli outfit. "Udinese Calcio announces the renewal with mutual satisfaction of the economic agreement in place with the goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis," read the statement. “The contract of the Bianconeri player will now expire on 30 June 2019."

Milan, Karnezis was in fine form and produced sensational saves to deny Carlos Bacca, Mario Balotelli and Riccardo Montolivo kicks, helping his club to escape with a valuable draw.[26] On 24 April, thanks to Karnezis, mUdinese managed to keep the score down to 3–1 against Inter as he made some fantastic saves to deny Geoffrey Kondogbia, Marcelo Brozović and Ivan Perišić, to keep his side afloat.[27] On 14 May 2016, he was voted by the fans as the MVP of the club for the 2015–16 season.[28] On 15 May 2016, he set a new record for the 2015–16 season, as he was the only ever-present.[29]

2016–17 season

Karnezis started the

Genoa C.F.C.

Karnezis was caught between Napoli and Watford for the

Napoli and replace the increasingly shaky Pepe Reina, or even act as his understudy. He instead joined Marco Silva's Watford, to meet another former Greek international José Holebas.[32][33] As a result of this possibility, since 14 May, Udinese's coach Luigi Delneri
decided to start Simone Scuffet for the remaining matches of the season.

Watford

12 hours before the closure of the transfer market, Watford announced the signing of Karnezis on a one-season loan from Udinese. The 32-year old would compete with Heurelho Gomes for the starting place at Vicarage Road.[34][35]

On 5 November 2017, in a 3–2 away loss against Everton, the club lost first-choice keeper Heurelho Gomes, who was taken off with a nasty head gash shortly before Christian Kabasele's goal. It proved to be the turning point, as Karnezis, on his Watford debut, was at fault for Everton's first when he came rushing out and Oumar Niasse darted past him and bundled the ball home. He was at fault for the second one too.[36] On 21 January 2018, he returned to the starting XI in a 2–0 away loss game against Leicester City While a 2–0 defeat, which proved to be Marco Silva's final game in charge, was hardly the ideal place to make his bow, Karnezis was pleased with his display.[37] On 31 January 2018, in his third appearance in Premier League, Karnezis made a remarkable save on Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri's fierce volley kick, helping his club to gain a crucial point in its rally to stay in the League. His overall performance placed him in the best team of the matchday, becoming the first Watford keeper to keep a clean sheet in 12 Premier League outings.[38]

Napoli

On 5 July 2018, Napoli announced the signing of Karnezis from

S.S. Lazio
.

On 26 February 2019, Karnezis has only made six official appearances on the season. David Ospina took over as the club's starting goalkeeper and is now the new number two since Meret has recovered from injury. Karnezis has dropped to the club's third string goalie, but Napoli have decided to sign Karnezis on a permanent move as the club announced.[41]

Lille

In July 2020, Karnezis moved to French side Lille in a transfer that sent Lille's player Victor Osimhen the other way.[42] The Greek ex-international had a contract until June 2021 with Napoli, but in Lille he signed a closed 3 years contract, with a total gross salary of €4.5 million. With his move to Lille, Karnezis makes history after becoming the first Greek footballer to have played in 4 of the 5 top European leagues, namely in the La Liga (Granada CF), Serie A (Udinese Calcio and S.S.C. Napoli), Premier League (Watford F.C.) and now in Ligue 1.[43]

International career

Karnezis's good performances led

Fernando Santos to call him for a friendly match on 29 February 2012 against Belgium, in which he made his international debut, playing the entire game. Unfortunately for Karnezis, Fernando Santos didn't call him for UEFA Euro 2012 to be one of the three goalkeepers of the Greece national team. Fernando Santos said: "If Karnezis keeps going that way, he will be without a doubt in the squad of the Greece national team for the qualifying matches of Mundial 2014." And, indeed, he was called to be part of Greece national team both for a friendly game with Norway and for the qualifying matches after that. Karnezis was called by Greece national manager Fernando Santos to the 30 man provisional World Cup squad, and also to the final 23-man squad for 2014 FIFA World Cup.[44]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 6 November 2021[45]
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Panathinaikos 2007–08 Super League Greece 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2008–09 Super League Greece 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009–10 Super League Greece 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2010–11 Super League Greece 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 0
2011–12 Super League Greece 22 0 2 0 0 0 24 0
2012–13 Super League Greece 29 0 1 0 10 0 40 0
Total 53 0 7 0 10 0 70 0
Granada 2013–14 La Liga 6 0 2 0 8 0
Udinese 2014–15 Serie A 37 0 0 0 37 0
2015–16 Serie A 38 0 1 0 39 0
2016–17 Serie A 33 0 1 0 34 0
Total 108 0 2 0 110 0
Watford 2017–18 Premier League 15 0 1 0 16 0
Napoli
2018–19
Serie A 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2019–20
Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
Lille 2020–21 Ligue 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Lille II 2021–22 Championnat National 3 3 0 3 0
Career total 194 0 13 0 10 0 217 0

International

As of match played 23 March 2018
National team Year Apps Goals
Greece 2012 7 0
2013 10 0
2014 10 0
2015 7 0
2016 7 0
2017 7 0
2018 1 0
Total 49 0

Honours

Panathinaikos
  • 2009–10
  • 2009–10
Napoli
Lille

References

  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Panathinaikos taking offers for Karnezis". footballhellas.com. 12 July 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Panathinaikos goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis set to complete Udinese move". footballhellas.com. 18 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Karnezis signs with Udinese, media reports".
  5. ^ "Almeria -Granada 3-0". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Granada-Barcelona 1-0". fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Granada-Barcelona 1-0". BBC Sport. 12 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Stramaccioni: 'Thanks Karnezis!'". Football Italia. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Stramaccioni content with point". Football Italia. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Napoli targeting Karnezis".
  11. ^ Gaetano Mocciaro (27 March 2015). "Napoli, per la porta si pensa a Karnezis" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb.com. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Zoff: Karnezis and Perin are the best goalkeepers in Series A". forzaitalianfootball.com. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  13. ^ "Karnezis talks up Benfica switch".
  14. ^ "Scuffet sends Karnezis to Roma". Football Italia. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  15. ^ "Udinese invite offers for keeper Orestis Karnezis".
  16. ^ "Udinese 0-1 Sassuolo". ESPN FC. 24 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Karnezis ready to sign new Udinese deal". 9 June 2015.
  18. ^ "New Udinese deal for Karnezis". Football Italia. 1 July 2015.
  19. ^ "Στην Ουντινέζε μέχρι το 2019 ο Καρνέζης!". 1 July 2015.
  20. ^ "Udinese player ratings: Karnezis and Thereau inspire Zebrette". La Gazzetta dello Sport. 23 August 2015.
  21. ^ "Result: Udinese edge past Frosinone".
  22. ^ "Result: Udinese play out goalless draw with Sassuolo".
  23. ^ "Result: Gonzalo Higuain inspires Napoli to Udinese victory".
  24. ^ "Torino 0-1 Udinese: Man advantage not utilised as Zebrette hold on - Forza Italian Football". forzaitalianfootball.com.
  25. ^ "Carpi 2 - 1 Udinese". Football Italia. 9 January 2016.
  26. ^ "Milan v Udinese Live Commentary & Result, 07/02/2016, Serie A - Goal.com".
  27. ^ "Karnezis clinic prevents heavier defeat". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  28. ^ "Οι οπαδοί της Ουντινέζε ψήφισαν κορυφαίο τον Καρνέζη!".
  29. ^ "Η Καλαματιανή με τα καλύτερα στήθη στη Μύκονο!".
  30. ^ "Le pagelle di Atalanta-Udinese 1-3" (in Italian). Eurosport.com. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  31. ^ "RELIVE Serie A Pescara-Udinese 1-3: tre gol per tre punti che chiudono una volta per tute il discorso salvezza!" (in Italian). TuttoUdinese.it. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  32. ^ "Νάπολι ή Premier League ο Καρνέζης".
  33. ^ Ο Καρνέζης έδωσε απάντηση για το "φλερτ" της Νάπολι
  34. ^ Rédaction. "Orestis Karnezis quitte l'Udinese pour Watford".
  35. ^ "Επίσημο: Δανεικός στη Γουότφορντ ο Καρνέζης".
  36. ^ "Η Τσέλσι το ντέρμπι, εφιάλτης για τον Καρνέζη".
  37. ^ "Leicester 2-0 Watford: Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez lead Foxes to victory".
  38. ^ "Στην καλύτερη ενδεκάδα της αγωνιστικής ο Καρνέζης σύμφωνα με την". Daily Star.
  39. ^ "Napoli, visite mediche per Karnezis. Adesso si penserà a sfoltire la rosa". www.gazzetta.it.
  40. ^ "Η Νάπολι ανακοίνωσε τον αντικαταστάτη του Καρνέζη". www.sport24.gr.
  41. ^ "Aγόρασε τον Καρνέζη η Νάπολι". www.sdna.gr.
  42. ^ "How much did Napoli pay for Osimhen?". Football Italia. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  43. ^ "Με αγορά στη Λιλ ο Καρνέζης κι αύξηση 3,5 εκατ". www.sport24.gr. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  44. ^ "Greece World Cup 2014 squad". telegraph.co.uk. 19 May 2014.
  45. ^ "O. Karnezis".
  46. ^ "Coppa: Napoli beat Juventus on penalties". Football Italia. 17 June 2020.
  47. ^ "Lille Winns first French Super Cup". skysports Sports. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.

External links