PAOK Academy at the EFC conference in Paris
A non-negotiable and constant priority for PAOK is the continuous training of its PAOK Academy executives. Through educational programs, knowledge exchange and contact with modern football practices, PAOK systematically invests in its people, aiming at continuous development and providing high-level education to its young players.
The technical director of the U-7 to U-12 age groups, Andreas Balambanis, participated in the EFC conference at the Paris Saint-Germain facilities (2.12 and 3.12). Essentially, it was a specialized educational program, which aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the philosophy, structure and methodology of one of the most modern and organized development models in European football.
During the visit, the philosophy of Paris Saint-Germain in the field of young footballer development was presented in detail, with an emphasis on the long-term development of the player, the individual approach and the connection of the academy with the first team. Particular reference was made to the structure and organization of the academy, as well as the role of each department within the overall development plan.
The presentations focused on the training methodology, the design of training units by age group and how the goals and stimuli are adapted depending on the stage of development of each footballer. At the same time, the individual improvement model was analyzed, with specific examples of personalized programs and player guidance.
An important part of the visit was the observation of training sessions, where the application of Paris’s coaching philosophy, the intensity, the quality of the exercises and the interaction between coaches and players were observed in practice. The performance monitoring system was also presented, through which the competitive, physical and psychological condition of the football players is continuously evaluated, using modern data analysis tools.
The visit to the Paris Saint-Germain academy was a high-level training seminar, offering valuable knowledge and practices that can be utilized in the development and evolution of academies, based on the standards of a leading European club.
- European Football Clubs (EFC) is the single voice representing more than 800 member clubs in 55 countries across Europe, including 139 women’s clubs. Formerly known as the European Club Association (ECA), the organisation was renamed EFC on 7 October 2025 to better reflect its mission to represent all football clubs, regardless of size or gender. Based in Nyon, Switzerland, the EFC is officially recognised by UEFA and FIFA as the only independent body representing football clubs in Europe.
