For the end of his cooperation with Olympiakos after 14 years and the next step he takes in the National team of China, he spoke to bwinΣΠΟΡ FM 94,6 Harry Pavlidis.
In detail, what he said on the Newsroom show with Tassos Nikolopoulos and Nikos Zervas:
For the end of his collaboration with Olympiakos: “I am still going to Papastratio. I can not leave the team headless until the replacement comes, but even after he comes, we will spend some time together to make the transition smooth. I still have not felt the lack. I take my dose daily. I help the team until the new coach takes over.
About when he will leave for China“Normally we should already be there, but there is a bureaucracy. Recruitment must be approved, the matter is procedural. “Once it is approved, we will issue the visa, we will do some necessary medical examinations and we will leave.”
About how the interest arose: “An approach has been taken again some years ago in theory. I was told that in the future I will be one of the candidates, but until then. After the Olympics, when they decided to change coach, they had another colleague with a first choice that did not go ahead and they turned to me. Their interest showed around mid-December, they wanted an immediate response. Due to coronavirus I could not have both teams to finish the year. They made me a great proposal, in everything I asked them they said yes. Due to my age I will not have such an opportunity to go abroad again for something more. With a heavy heart I decided to accept the proposal “.
For the size of the proposal: “It is not only the financial they offer, but also what you ask for to do the job properly. The big problem in Greece is the training facilities, there are no swimming pools, the conditions are tragic, the facilities are old. There are no such problems there. You have swimming pools, gyms, swimming pools, preparation in any part of the world you want. Whatever requests you make come true. For a coach it is not only the financial that is very basic, but also that you will have the equipment to show your work. “If you do not have the right material, you can not become a magician.”
About whether he imagined that he would reach the 19 titles with Olympiakos: “It could not have occurred to me that we would reach such numbers. I knew the dynamics of Olympiakos, I had confidence in my strengths, there was material, we brought talented players, who made Olympiakos what it is, but I did not imagine that we would reach such numbers. That we would be the first power in Europe ”
For the moment that stands out: “The first championship we won in 2009, when we faced Vouliagmeni with a home disadvantage. In the last game we won the championship away from home, against the European champions, a terribly good team. This gave me even more confidence that we can do many things. And the title in Budapest, in a year with a pandemic, interruption of championships, no preparation, no foreigners. We beat two Hungarian teams in Budapest, with a minimum of preparation. We really enjoyed this title. “All the titles have their meaning but they are a bit special”.
For what Olympiacos means to him in one sentence: “For this club, the word it describes is great. Olympiacos is something very special. If you do not experience it from within, you can not understand it. I was not an Olympian, I grew up in a Martian family. “What someone who comes to Olympiakos lives is rare”.
For Nikola Stamenic: “It has not only marked me, but an era of Greek polo. It brought revolution. All the teams were successful. Many athletes followed his philosophy. I was lucky enough to live with him and follow the whole philosophy. How he saw the pole, the teams. We stood there more, than the technical characteristics, because the pole is changing. The speed changes, the regulations change, you have to adapt, but the philosophy does not change “.
About whether there is something he did not do: “I would not say repulsed, at some point I would like to coach the national team of Greece. It has huge dynamics. Especially now, without wanting to put pressure on the coaches and the players, the material is for a medal. The Men took it in Tokyo, at some point it will be the turn of the women. I would like to have this opportunity. It was not given to me when I wanted, it was given to me this year, which I could not take on at the moment. My wish remains, I can fulfill it in the future “.
Congratulations to fans of other teams: “When we won the Euroleague I saw messages from fans of other teams. They moved me, because they do not fit fans. “Healthy fans have recognized things, just like when I see a team doing well, I am very happy, regardless of the fans’ feelings.”
Listen to what he said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8QE-fG4CE
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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.
