The "Greek Maradona" Made its Debut 45 Years Ago

Like today 45 years ago, he made his debut in Greek stadiums, perhaps the top football player that our country has ever produced. The reason for the huge Vassilis Hatzipanagis, who in 1975 went to Thessaloniki on behalf of Hercules. An airport transfer on paper, a train station in practice, after the then 21-year-old midfielder came by train to the co-capital.

So on November 22, 1975, he was welcomed by his grandmother and 2,000 friends of Hercules, who lifted him in the air and showed him their love from the first moment. Almost two weeks later and more specifically on December 7, 1975, "Vasia" -as was one of his many pseudonyms- made his debut in the team's match against Atromitos, at the Veria stadium. He came into the game as a substitute and while he did not manage to score, he managed to show some very positive elements.

So on November 22, 1975, he was welcomed by his grandmother and 2,000 friends of Hercules, who lifted him in the air and showed him their love from the first moment. Almost two weeks later and more specifically on December 7, 1975, "Vasia" -as was one of his many pseudonyms- made his debut in the team's match against Atromitos, at the Veria stadium. He came into the game as a substitute and while he did not manage to score, he managed to show some very positive elements.

Characteristic are what the newspaper Macedonia wrote in the next day's paper:

The only pleasant point of the match is that the newly acquired Hatzipanagis showed that he is a great football capital. However, this player was not used in both halves, ie his teammates could not take advantage of the great asset that the team presents, having in the position of left winger a player with so many qualifications. When the others want to cooperate with the newly acquired and when he himself enters the spirit of his teammates, then the use of the acquisition called Hatzipanagis will take place.

This boring 1-1 was just the beginning of a course that lasted for 15 years. "Nureyev" - still one of the nicknames given to him by the friends of the round goddess - was born on October 26, 1954 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. A child of Greek expatriates, he started his course in Dinamo Tashkent, to continue in Pakhtakor Tashkent and finally find his "Ithaca" in Thessaloniki and specifically in "Giraios".

He will remain in the team until his retirement (October 26, 1990) and will win a Greek Cup and a Balkan Cup.

The expatriates loved him and he will be found playing friendly games with Hercules in Australia and the USA -among other things- with the reception being very warm.

Many refer to him as the "Greek Maradona" and may be right. He may not have been a goal scorer, but he was able to pass the whole opposing team, even the goalkeeper. Fantasy player, dribbler, insightful with tremendous inspirations - who gave the easy goal to his teammates.

Friends of all the teams that caught up with this great player have one thing to say: That he was born at the wrong time and that he could very well make a great career abroad. This may not have happened, but "Vasia" was loved more than anyone, was universally accepted and wrote a special story.

Even if he never managed to play for the National Team of Greece (he took part in a friendly match in 1976), as he had already played in official matches with the "small" national teams of the Soviet Union. In fact, he had expressed his disappointment about this, saying in an interview: "My great bitterness was that I did not play in the national team, which is the mirror for every player."

However, 30 years after he hung up his football boots, he continues to be considered one of the top Greek players. Characteristic is the title of this year's mini documentary made by the Copa 90 Stories page: "The Greek Maradona, the Best Player You Didn't Meet".