Fanis Christodoulou for the 32-year anniversary of the Panion Cup

After 32 years, Fanis Christodoulou, General Manager, “soul” of the current Panioni team in the new great effort he is making, remembers the magical night of winning the Cup, on April 10, 1991 against PAOK in SEF, but above all he has every reason to be optimistic that everything can become very beautiful again. In detail, what it says on the Panionio website:

– Shall we do a flash back to the magical night of April 10, 1991?

This Cup was the reward for the work that Panionios had done with Dzurovic. There was a very good atmosphere in the team, we had freedom both on and off the field and this had improved our psychology. We were fortunate to prepare for the final at a difficult time such as Easter. Because of the season, we had to follow the custom, to leave Athens. Jurovic wanted us to prepare. It was a… small talk but we finally convinced him.

-How did you convince him?

We told him the following: “Let us leave for two or three days for Easter and we will win the Cup. As it happened.

-And against a PAOK who were European Cup winners a few days ago

We wanted that match very much. We played with a lot of spirit. Very well in defense, we limited PAOK’s strengths. Perhaps the opponent was also a little disoriented by winning the European trophy. It was the moment for Panionios to get a trophy.

– In short, Djurovic’s freedom of movement helped you psychologically.

My experience is that the player should be happy. It’s his psychology. He doesn’t eat the pressure of the match, to think only about it and get overwhelmed by anxiety. The more relaxed you are, the better. This also happened in Eurobasket 1987, we were more relaxed. We didn’t have the pressure from the coach and it worked positively.

– In general, however, one would say that it was a title that Panionios was entitled to. So;

Of course we deserved the title. Panionios was also entitled to other titles. I can say that we were entitled to two championships which certain circumstances, off the pitch, did not allow. It is the mentality we have in Greece with the possible and the impossible. Panionios was the weak one, to be precise, it was the “strong-weak” one, and I am referring to the fact that while we were strong competitively, financially we could not compete with other teams. But no one passed through Nea Smyrni, and when they did, it was not easy.

-How was the next day in Nea Smyrni after winning the Cup? You remember the impact on everyday life.

Yes, children gathered in Panionios. We have always had infrastructure and talent. The children grew. In recent years there has been a decline, not only in Panionios but in general in academies, but I am sure they will come back. In recent years, the team has not had a good run and this has affected everyone, but I believe that this will soon change.

– And of course, this year Verginis also called you to lift the UNICEF TROPHY together.

It was very nice. We have two trophies, one big let’s say and one small. Just kidding! All trophies are important.