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Sotiris Balafas (Greek: Σωτήρης Μπαλάφας; born 19 August 1986 in Arta) is a Greek footballer who plays for FC Hoverla Uzhhorod in Ukraine, as a defensive midfielder. He is a defensive midfielder known for his defensive awareness, his tackling and heading skills as well as his pace and strength.

Club career

Balafas started his career in Anagennisi Artas and became integral part of the team at very young age. Interestingly enough, he was mostly performing the duties of a centre back in his old club in contrary to his role in PAOK.

In the summer of 2005 he was picked up by PAOK for a transfer fee of 80,000 Euros. After a while he became a first-team option. In the 2007–2008 season he was the first choice defensive midfielder for most part of the season and was cooperating well with newcomer Ricardo Matias Verón.

Holding a secondary role in Fernando Santos's plans for the 2009–2010 season, Balafas agreed during the pre-season to move on loan to the newly promoted PAS Giannina for one year. It was reported that the main reason for his choice to play for a minor club, was the possibility to work again with his mentor Georgios Paraschos.[1]

At 2011-12 season, after a lot of injures of the most playable players of the team, balafas take his chances for the Europa League in this season and after the winning goal against FC Karpaty Lviv became again a fan favorite and giving that his coach László Bölöni give him chances of playing time.
International career

He has been a basic part of the Greece national under-21 football team along with former PAOK teammates Stelios Iliadis and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, being capped for more than 10 times.
Club statistics
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Greece League Greek Cup Europe Total
2004–05 Anagennisi Arta Beta Ethniki 21 2 1 0 0 0 22 2
2005–06 PAOK Alpha Ethniki 17 0 1 0 4 0 22 0
2006–07 Superleague 23 2 4 0 0 0 27 2
2007–08 24 3 1 0 0 0 25 3
2008–09 23 0 3 0 0 0 26 0
2009–10 PAS Giannina 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Ergotelis F.C. 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
2010–11 PAOK 6 0 1 0 1 0 8 0
2011–12 15 2 3 0 4 1 22 3
2012-13 FC Hoverla Uzhhorod Ukrainian Premier League 21 2 2 1 0 0 23 3
2013-14 21 1 1 0 0 0 22 1
Career total 189 12 17 1 9 1 215 14
Greece U21 national team
Year Apps Goals
2006 4 0
2007 5 1
2008 3 0
2009 1 0
Total 13 1