At the offices of E.O.P.E. the press conference of the Women’s Volleyball League finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos took place on Friday morning (28/04). Winning the title will be decided on three wins, with the first match taking place at Agios Thomas on Saturday night (29/04, 21.30) as the shamrocks have home advantage.
Panathinaikos was represented by the team’s coach Giannis Kalmazidis and captain and passer Athena Papafotiou. O Yannis Kalmazidis he mentioned, among other things, how much home advantage plays a role in the finals series and commented on this year’s Women’s Volleyball League championship.
“We are all happy, because we have been fighting for many months to reach the important goal of the year. We have seen some exciting games this year. We want to reach the end and as high as possible, that is to win the championship».
On the home advantage and the breaks taken by both teams: “We’ve seen in the past that chairs can be tipped over. There’s definitely a push from the stand when you’re on your pitch, but if you’re focused anything can be done».
For the championship as a whole:There is great room for improvement, the ideal would be to avoid cases like that of ZAON this year. Also playing on suitable pitches is important. In other words, we played on courts that had basketballs in them, they were unsuitable for the sport. I want to say a big well done to the rest of the teams who created a very good level in the league. Not just the big four. We saw the course of Santorini in the Cup, of Aris in the championship. All teams had a contribution to the level rise».
On whether his presence played a role in… changing the course of Panathinaikos this year: “I don’t know if my arrival helped to change the image of Panathinaikos. This is for the rest to judge. Wherever I go, I try to help improve and have a good competitive image».
The message to friends of the group: “We can promise our world that we will play as well as we can. Sometimes we will succeed, other times the opponent. This always happens. Of course, personalities and passion will come forward, which can change the facts. But we will all give our best for our team and for the image of the sport».
The captain and passer of Panathinaikos Athena Papafotiou commented:
“An exciting run of semi-finals is over. I think they were very good games. We are very happy to have qualified. I hope we win it in the finals and I wish it was on TV. We also want people to come to the stadium and support us».
On the topic of television broadcasts, he said: “We claim to be on TV to show the dynamics that volleyball has in our country. I can’t understand, to be honest, why basketball and soccer and men’s volleyball are on TV and women’s is not. I think it is something that all agencies should reflect on and act in the right direction. We want to have people in our sport and especially young kids and get into their homes because that’s what television does».
Olympiakos was represented by the team’s Italian coach Lorenzo Micelli and captain and passer Stella Christodoulou.
THE Mitchell spoke in the best words about the level of the women’s Volley League championship which is improving every year, he mentioned the finals against Panathinaikos, the home disadvantage of his team and sent his own message to the world of the red and whites.
“We are very happy to have reached here, namely the finals. We are proud because in volleyball the most important thing is the playoffs and you have to be ready at the crucial moment. I have been positively surprised by the level of the Greek league. In previous years, watching it from afar, it was not so competitive, but now investments have been made and there are very good teams. The level of all the teams was excellent, the differences between the four teams are very small and AEK and PAOK could well be here. I am proud of my team, I wish that games will be played within sports frameworks. The championship was our goal and we will fight to win it».
For home advantage: “Sure home advantage gives a small advantage but when it comes time to play, the level of volleyball of both teams will have the most important role».
On whether there are injury problems: “We had problems in the past, but all the players are now ready to give everything for the title. The extra days of rest we had may be an advantage, but on the other hand Panathinaikos played one more match and can certainly have a better pace».
For the TV coverage: “In my opinion, women’s volleyball should be promoted more. The league as we have seen so far has been of a high standard with great matches in the playoffs. It is important to have a television broadcast because it will be seen not only by the fans of the teams but also those of the sport in Greece and abroad. Also, having a video challenge is very important so that there is always justice. This is not a reproach to the referees, after all the level of refereeing in Greece is quite high. But mistakes are always made, so the video challenge must exist to ensure the fairness that must exist».
The message to the friends of the team: “We expect the warm support of our fans. It is very important to get the good image of the league out.”
Olympiakos captain and passer Stella Christodoulou said:
“We are facing a very strong team. It is certain that we will see a series of very good games. I wish to see good volleyball and us to win the title in a strange year for us. I hope there will be nice matches and people will fill the stadiums».
On what those watching the games can expect:There will certainly be very good games, with very good competition. All, of course, within the framework of the playing field. Apart from that, we have nothing to share with Panathinaikos or any other team. This is what we expect from our people, to support us within the sports contexts».
On the similarities between this year’s series and last year’s: “The series is very different. Not only because this year we don’t have the advantage. The only thing that is the same is that two of the top teams in Greece will face each other in the finals».
For the TV coverage: “It is very important and we have been asking for many years for our matches to be shown on television. Even a little kid to win because he will see us is very important. I really wish women’s volleyball could be broadcast across the country».
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
