Filipovic: “Last year in my career”

THE Philip Philipovich confirmed at today’s Olympiacos media day that this year will be the last year of his career. “We are all excited, because we have a new coach, new kids have arrived and a new energy has been created. I am very optimistic about the season. In mid-November we have a strong match against Pro Reco, here at home, we are preparing hard for this game, in which we want a full pool, with our people, to claim every chance we get” initially stated the Serbian superstar of world polo, before categorically stressing that “this is my last season, I will end my career here, at Olympiakos».

Referring to the team’s goals this season, Filipovic underlined: “Olympiacos always wants to win, it wants to claim the biggest challenges, this year we want to go to the Final-8 and why not look even higher, maybe the semi-final. We must dream, we must believe. Personally, I have a lot of faith in the team. And this is because the start of the season is different from last year. We are all preparing together, we are working, the quality in the league has gone up».

Filipovic also spoke about the historic change in the technical leadership of the “red and whites”, pointing out: “Milanovic’s achievements and titles speak for him. Everyone knows him. And when we say everybody, we mean everybody. He brought new energy, he lives every training session, we are lucky to have him. Thodoris Vlachos wrote history, not only with Olympiakos, but in general in Greek polo, and he is certainly one of the best coaches I had in my career».

He characterized Olympiakos as a new challenge for him Igor Milanovich, who did not hesitate to define the goal of Piraeus as the conquest of the Champions League. “Olympiacos is a new challenge for me. I have a lot of stories from Olympiakos, when I was a player, as in 1990-91 I signed here, but the Federation didn’t let four foreigners back then and, in the end, I didn’t make it. I have many friends here, it feels like my home» pointed out the Serbian technician and continued:

“First of all, we have to go to the Final-8 of the Champions League and step by step get wins and results. We have great players in the squad to qualify, anything is possible. I have enjoyed the work so far, the players have worked hard. The start in Europe will be tough, we have tough games at the beginning, first match against Pro Reko. We are preparing for this match from now. Zerdevas is injured, it would be better if we had him in the team from now on. I hope everyone stays healthy and we win every game. We have to go to the Final-8 and then anything is possible. My friend Vlachos was here for 10 years, I want to replace him worthy. Our goal is to win the Champions League, the team is very strong in every position, no one puts themselves above the team. I am satisfied with the team so far, with the level we are at. Ok, fitness is not where we want it to be yet, of course, it’s a start and we’ll all be ready when needed».

From the new transfer acquisitions of Olympiakos, the Hungarian Marton Vamos emphasized: “First of all, I enjoy being here. It’s the first time I play outside Hungary, Olympiacos is one of the best clubs in the world. I can improve my game, take it to an even higher level. Our goals are to win the titles in Greece, but also to go to the Final-8. If we are there, everything is possible! We have to go step by step from now, but first of all, we have to qualify. I think we have a great team to make it happen. Excellent team, excellent coach, Igor Milanovic, and Delakas, as second coach. We can do great things! Now, we are training very hard, preparing for the tough games».

A new face in the “red and white” is also Alexandros Papanastasiou, who returned to Greece after four years in Jug Dubrovnik. “The situation at Olympiakos is very good. I have only positive impressions from the one month that I have been participating in the training sessions. The team seems to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm and if you watch a training session, you can tell that. The team is motivated and we all give 100%,” said the regional international and continued: “When you play at Olympiakos, there are demands and pressure, it’s a club that is used to being at the top in all departments. I knew that, and me and all the guys are prepared, we’ve played high pressure matches in our career and we know what we’re going to face. All Champions League level teams work at a professional level, the way is different, from each team you get what suits you best, the main requirements of the athletes are always covered. When I left Glyfada for abroad, I was 19 years old, I have changed both as a player and as a person. Just going to Croatia by myself at a very young age to adapt and live in a new environment has helped me both inside and outside the game. The reputation of our new coach precedes him, in the last years he has been active he has been one of the leaders in high-level teams, where he has brought success. I am very excited to work with such a coach and I think all the players, apart from the team goal which is the top, can take things that will help them in their career. Every year the level of the Greek league rises even more, besides Olympiakos, Vouliagmeni and Panionios are in the playoffs of the Champions League and, if even one of them advances, after many years we will have two of our teams in the groups. The level is probably the best it has been in recent years. Our goal is to win all the domestic trophies and, if possible, the European ones as well».

THE Dinos Genidounias stated: “The first two goals, the league and the cup, are very important, but this year we are looking higher, as we wanted to last year. Unfortunately, things didn’t go the way we wanted last year. We are a new team, with a new coach, the goals are clear. The road to the Final-8 is long, we want to qualify and from there on, we will do our best for the best. I have worked with Thodoris Vlachos for too many years. And before I left for America, I was with him in Faliro. Seven seasons at Olympiakos and the National team with Thodoris Vlachos. It seemed strange to me at first, but now I’m used to it, I’m happy and lucky to work with Igor Milanovich. So far, we’ve been working a lot on defense. From the beginning he has put his element into the game».

THE Giannis Fundoulis emphasized: “Olympiacos always plays for the top. We come from a season where, yes, we won the double in Greece, but we didn’t get where we wanted in Europe. A new effort has started, with a new coach, with a fuller roster this year, our goal is to be in the Final-8 initially. And when that happens, let’s be in the best position to claim as much as we can. Certainly, each coach brings his own style of play. The fact that we are more players in number will help, so that we have a high tempo and intensity throughout the match. The important thing is, since last year didn’t go as we wanted, to be a motivation to try harder this year, with a greater thirst for distinction, to achieve the goals we have. The league has strengthened, this is good for all teams, the league will be competitive, there are teams that have strengthened. We respect everyone and will enter the water seriously. Vouliagmeni and Panionios show that they have quality, there will be nice battles in the season. The team I can’t say is ready, it definitely takes time, we start in Europe with Pro Reco, it’s a big motivation to win the European champion, the season is very long with many games. We are already preparing to be ready then. The new coach asked us to enjoy our cooperation, to see us in training with a smile and appetite and that he believes that in this way and with the quality of the team, we will achieve the goals we have set».

Finally, O Marko Bijac he said: “I feel very good at Olympiakos, as since last year’s first season when I competed. We have been working very hard so far and are looking forward to the tough games we have to play. Our goal is of course the championship and the cup in Greece, but our main goal is to qualify for the Final-8 of the Champions League and do our best there. It is a very difficult tournament, all the teams are at a very high level. Last year, although we started well, we did not succeed, now I believe we will show more passion, we will play smarter, we have very good players and team and I believe, we will do very well. We also have a very good coach, a great player as long as he played, he is still at the beginning, but I believe he will help us a lot».