Derby “eternal” act… first!
Panathinaikos and Olympiacos will face each other tonight (21:30, sport-fm.gr, News Bulletin 247) in the indoor gym of Agios Thomas for the first final of the Women’s Volleyball League.
The two teams, after their qualifiers against AEK and PAOK respectively, are facing each other for the third time during this season, with the “greens” counting the same number of victories in the regular season of the championship and even with the same score (3-0 set).
Panathinaikos has the home advantage as it finished in 3rd place of the regular season and reached the finals by first eliminating Thetida Voulas and then AEK, even making two breaks at the headquarters of “Enos”. The coach of the team Yannis Kalmazidis he has all his players at his disposal, declaring that his team will do everything to win the title.
“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”.
For home advantage and breaks taken by both teams: “We’ve seen in the past that seats can be overturned. 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 league 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 the friends of the team: “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”.
On the other hand, Olympiacos wants to take the first step by “breaking” Panathinaikos’ headquarters and transfer the series to Rentis with an advantage. The “red and white” finished in 4th place of the regular season and reached the finals by first eliminating AO Thiras and then the pioneer throughout the season PAOK.
The coach of Olympiakos, Lorenzo Micelli expressed his optimism for the match and the outcome of the finals. The statements of the Italian technician in detail: “We are very happy to have reached here, that is, to 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: “For sure the home advantage gives a small advantage but when it comes time to play, the level of volleyball of the two teams will have the most important role”.
If 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 can be an advantage, but on the other hand Panathinaikos played one more match and can definitely have a better pace”.
We remind you that the champion will be the team that succeeds three wins.
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.
