Paraskevas Antzas, former Greek international, passed away on May 25, 2026, in Drama, Greece, at the age of 49. Introduction Antzas was a defender from a generation that made Greek football more robust and professional, even before the country achieved its greatest triumphs internationally. He earned 26 caps for Greece and developed into a regular at Olympiakos, part of a team that became national champions five times in a row. His career was not characterized by loud showmanship but by reliability, positioning, and the ability to bring calm to the backline. Sporting Career Paraskevas Antzas was born on August 18, 1976, in Athens. In his early years, he played for Doxa Drama and later for Kavala, where he developed into a defender who not only won duels but also read the game well. This insight elevated him to a higher level. At AEK Athens, he broke through as a regular in the defense. There, he played during a period when the top of Greek football fiercely contested power, and clubs like AEK and Olympiakos sought to make their mark in Europe. Antzas gained experience in European competitions and won the Greek Cup in 1999. His transfer to Olympiakos Piraeus made him a prominent figure in Greek football. Transfers between such rivals are rarely forgotten, especially when the player has played a significant role at both clubs. At Olympiakos, Antzas proved he was more than a controversial name; he became a key defender in a team that dominated the league for years. The highlight of his club career was the championship streak with Olympiakos. Between 2005 and 2009, the club won the league title five consecutive seasons, a period in which defensive stability was an essential part of the success. Antzas was among the players who less often made front-page news than attackers but were invaluable within a championship-winning team. Five-time Greek league champion with Olympiakos Piraeus: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Winner of the Greek Cup in 1999 26 international caps for Greece, between 1999 and 2008 Last professional match on May 3, 2009 He also held a steady, respected role in the national team. Between 1999 and 2008, he earned 26 caps for Greece during a period when the national team was growing towards a new level. He was among the defenders who contributed to building a stronger Greek team in the years before and after the major upheaval of the early 2000s. As a player, Antzas was known as a disciplined defender. He mainly played centrally but could also be deployed in other positions in the back line. In an era when football was more tactically disciplined and often more defensive than today, he fit perfectly the profile of a reliable last-line player, strong in organization and without unnecessary flair. Private Life Little is publicly known about Antzas's private life. He was known as a reserved professional who kept his personal life out of the spotlight. Passing Paraskevas Antzas died on May 25, 2026, in Drama, Greece, at the age of 49. It has been publicly confirmed that the cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Closure Paraskevas Antzas was the type of defender that makes championship teams possible, even when others receive most of the attention. His career connects several chapters of modern Greek football, from the growth of the national team to Olympiakos's dominant years. On Overleden.net, you can find more notable deceased from the world of football. This article was prepared with the support of AI tools and verified by the Overleden.net editorial team. Significance for the Netherlands Paraskevas Antzas had no direct significance for Dutch culture or society. As a Greek footballer who spent his entire professional career in Greece, he did not play a role in Dutch cultural, sporting, or societal developments. He did not appear in the Netherlands, did not work for Dutch organizations, and had no influence on Dutch institutions or public debates. His legacy is limited to Greek football, where he contributed to the professionalization and stabilization of the defense during an important decade in the history of Olympiakos and the Greek national team.