It is often difficult to identify promising football talents capable of making it in Europe, and the Travlos family is fortunate to have two sons not only doing so but managing to do it together at the same time.
Valentino (14 years old) and Konstantinos (13 years old) Travlos have been playing football since they were each three in what has already been an impressive youth career that now sees them playing in Belgium and the Netherlands respectively.
Valentino is making waves as a winger on both the left and right, while his brother is praised as a great utility player, capable of playing as a wing back and winger on either flank as well as in midfield or even as a striker during training.
Theodoros Travlos, their father, said the boys started at Earlwood Wanderers FC (their local team) before both joining Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the U10s division, with Konstantinos (only eight at the time) playing up an age group.
Valentino temporarily split from his younger sibling for a year to go to Sydney Olympic (U11s) before the two reunited at Marconi (Valentino U12s and Konstantinos U11s).
It was from this point they made the biggest jump of their careers where they both signed with Greek club Atromitos, officially moving to the homeland in what was the start of their European journey.
“The boys spent two seasons with Atromitos Athens and played U13s and U14s in the club’s academy teams. They played regular games against other well-known academy teams in Greece including Olympiacos, AEK, Panathinaikos, Aris, Ionikos etc,” Mr Travlos told Neos Kosmos.
“The training at Atromitos was very intense. The boys would train every day in their teams. On the weekends they would also usually play in two games. The training was very good, and the coaches were very technical and strategic.”
Their time in Greece proved to be very productive for the pair, with their father revealing they spent a little time with Olympiacos while also receiving further assistance on the side from individuals like AEK legend Daniel Batista.
“In Greece, the boys had regular personal training with Daniel Batista for two years. The boys have also done strength and conditioning training with Aggelos Vasileiou,” Mr Travlos said.
“Both Daniel and Aggelos have done an amazing job with the boys to help them achieve where they are now… developing them both physically and mentally.”
The two youngsters have now once more split from each other, Valentino landing a spot with Belgian side Patro Eisden and competing in the Belgium Elite 15s Competition and Konstantinos playing for Dutch club MVV Maastricht in the Netherlands Elite 14s Competition.
They are now both testing themselves against some of the best academy teams in each country and yet are still managing to stay under one roof.
The family all live in the southern part of the Netherlands, Mr Travlos explained, and the father drives into both countries to take the boys to training every day.
“This has been a big challenge but so far has been very exciting and interesting at the same time,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“The distance between both clubs is approximately 15 kms. Essentially, I take Konstantinos to training first, then drive across the border and take Valentino. I usually stay with Valentino and then return to pick up Konstantinos.”
It would be easy to forgive the two boys for struggling to adapt given all the changes they have already experienced, but Mr Travlos expressed his admiration at how they have settled in wherever they have gone.
“The journey has been incredible and to see the boys grow and develop over the years has been amazing,” the proud father said.
“They have adapted to life, culture and different surroundings everywhere they have gone. Speaking differently languages and adapting to different friends and coaches. Each year they have progressed better and better, continued to grow, and become wiser and smarter both on and off the field.”
The two boys are dual citizens and passport holders of Australia and Greece and so could feature with either national team in the future, though Mr Travlos stated that the two youngsters want to leave all options available.
“The boys are very passionate for both Australia and Greece. They have played at the top level for their respective age groups and so are very familiar with the elite level participation,” he said.
“If by chance either national team setup came knocking, they would definitely consider all options.”
