Vasilis Mastrakoulis (; born 1939) is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Club career Mastrakoulis began his football career playing for a team he had created with his friends, Keravnos Patisia. When he played against Apollon Athens' third team, he was noticed by the club's officials. He joined Apollon's youth setup in 1956, progressing through the club's reserve teams before making his senior team debut in 1957 against Iraklis at the Rizoupoli Stadium. Several Apollon players were unavailable because of a dispute between the players and the club's administration and Mastrakoulis was selected to replace Giannis Cholevas on the right wing. Apollon won the match 2–1 and Mastrakoulis established himself in the main squad. He played primarily as a right winger and was known for his speed, dribbling ability and willingness to create chances for his teammates. Mastrakoulis suffered a serious knee injury in 1962 and underwent surgery in 1963. He eventually returned to action in 1964. During his spell at the club he won the Athens FCA League in 1957.

Following a disagreement with Apollon's president, he received an offer to continue his career in South Africa through Chilean manager Mario Tuane, who had previously managed Doxa Drama and knew Mastrakoulis. Thus in early 1965, Mastrakoulis moved to Hellenic, where he spent two seasons. During this time, club official Kleanthis Maropoulos and the manager Tryfon Tzanetis negotiated his transfer to AEK Athens with his brother, Stavros.

On 31 July 1966, his transfer was completed for a fee of 270,000 drachmas paid to Apollon Athens. On 16 August, Mastrakoulis returned to Greece and joined the squad, as the following day the team would depart for a pre-season preparation, participating in the New York Champions Cup, playing against Santos and Benfica. At AEK he was also reunited with his teammate at Hellenic, Panagiotis Ventouris. He started at both legs against Braga for the European Cup Winners' Cup, where AEK suffered two defeats. He spent two seasons at the club, but made relatively few appearances, since he competed for the same position with the captain, Andreas Stamatiadis, on the right wing. He was part of the squad that reached the finals of the Balkans Cup of 1967, playing in all three finals against Fenerbahçe. During his career with AEK, he won the championship in 1968. On 31 July 1968, Mastrakoulis was released from the club. He wanted to return to Apollon, but a regulation introduced by general secretary of sport Konstantinos Aslanidis prevented a player from transferring directly between two first division clubs after the end of July. As a result, he ended his playing career at the age of 27.

International career Mastrakoulis represented Greece twice in 1961, both appearances coming in the qualifiers for the 1962 FIFA World Cup. He made his international debut on 17 October 1961 against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, in a 2–0 defeat. His second and final international appearance came five days later, on 22 October, against West Germany at the Rosenaustadion, where Mastrakoulis again started the match and Greece lost 2–1. Mastrakoulis subsequently lost his place in the national team after suffering a serious knee injury in 1962, which kept him out of action for much of the year, while his military service also affected his availability. He later recalled that he had also been selected for the Greece under-23 team and travelled to Romania, but his continuing physical problems prevented him from returning to the senior national team.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueAFCA LeagueCupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsApollon Athens1957–58Panhellenic Championship30000000301958–5900004000401959–60Alpha Ethniki201—71002721960–61254—30002841961–62163—00001631962–63101—00001011963–6450—1000601964–6510—000010Hellenic (loan)1965National Football League????—????—????1966????—????—????AEK Athens1966–67Alpha Ethniki90—00601501967–6830—102060Career total929001618011610

International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsGreece196120Total20

Honours

Apollon Athens Athens FCA League: 1957–58

AEK Athens Alpha Ethniki: 1967–68

References

External links