The hard player: Stelios Giannakopoulos
Born on 12 July 1974 in Athens, Stelios Giannakopoulos built his reputation at Olympiakos, racking up 230 matches and 72 goals as a right winger. Those numbers were enough to earn him a move to the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers, where he made 177 appearances and scored 28 goals. His career also took him through Paniliakos, Ethnikos Asteras and AEL Larissa.
At international level, he earned 77 caps for Greece and scored 12 goals. Only 36% of players managed to name him in today’s quiz – a reminder that even those who left a real mark on European football can slip through the cracks of collective memory.
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PlayThe medium player: Gilberto Silva
Born on 7 October 1976 in Lagoa da Prata, Gilberto Aparecido da Silva grew up in a poor family, combining various odd jobs with football during his childhood. He turned professional in 1997 at América FC before strong performances earned him a move to Atlético Mineiro in 2000, where he played three seasons in the Brazilian Série A. That foundation brought him into the national squad in 2001, and in 2002 he played all seven matches as Brazil lifted the World Cup.
Arsenal paid 4.5 million pounds for his services in August 2002, and the investment paid off: 244 matches and 24 goals in Gunners colours, a Premier League title and two FA Cups. On 19 August 2006, he scored the very first goal at the Emirates Stadium. He served as vice-captain in 2006, and captained Brazil at the Copa América 2007, which they won. He then joined Panathinaïkos in 2008 for three seasons before returning to Brazil, first with Grêmio, then with Atlético Mineiro from 2013.
The easy player: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Born on 27 March 1972 in Paramaribo, Suriname, Jerrel Hasselbaink – known as Jimmy Floyd – wasted no time making his mark in European football. A top scorer in the English championship in both 1999 and 2001, his 88 goals in 177 matches for Chelsea and 42 goals in 87 appearances at Leeds United made him one of the most feared strikers of his era.
With the Netherlands, he earned 23 caps and scored 9 goals, with a highlight being the 1998 World Cup where the Dutch side reached the semi-finals. A stint at Atlético de Madrid yielded a stunning 35 goals in 47 matches, proving he was just as dangerous on the continent. After a playing career spanning from 1989 to 2008, he moved into management – and he is also the uncle of Nigel Hasselbaink.