Travisa: “Olympiacos is a big chapter in my life”

He characterized last year’s conquest as expected Challenge Cup from Olympiakos, but also this year’s European course of the team, o Dragan Travica.

The captain of the “red and white” spoke on the club’s official website on the occasion of the crucial match with Enough for CEV Cup (31/1, 20:30)stood at the opponent’s level, while also remembering the wonderful night at SEF, where Olympiacos lifted its third European trophy, against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Among other things, Dragan Travitsa spoke about his stay in Greece and his favorite activities in our country,

In detail, Travitsa, speaking on the official website of the Association, stated the following:

-Very good course in the Champions League. Did you expect that?

“Yes, I expected it, because last year we won the European Championship and this year we deserved to play in the Champions League. We had two difficult qualifying rounds and proved that we have the characteristics as a team, but also the character, to stay at this great level of volleyball, the highest. We could, of course, do even better, but even that is an experience for this team. We understand that we can be at this level. We also understand that we have to work harder to maintain this level.”

– The victory against Zaksa is historic. How did you experience it?

“Yes, it was an amazing night for us, a great, historic win for the club. I thought we had a good chance to win this match because we were in a good moment in the league. They are some tough emotions, strong emotions, that can make you play harder and better. We wanted so badly to go on, we had our chances to qualify for the next round. However, we did something really nice and deserved this victory against Zaksa.”

-What do you know about Arkas?

“Arkas played for many years in the Champions League and the CEV Cup, it has a lot of experience, both as a team and as an individual. Some of her players are really, really strong, they have one of the best diagonals in the world. And not only. They have a very good passer, with experience, a very good young cross, very good coach. In general, they are a good volleyball team, of a high level. They are a team hungry for trophies and wins, but so are we. Arkas had problems at the beginning of the season, they didn’t start so well in the league, but then, now, they are playing more consistently. They also beat Zirat and beyond, which means they are in very good shape. It will be very difficult for us, for sure. But it’s a CEV Cup quarter-final, anything can happen, there are no favourites.”

-A few months have passed since winning the European championship at SEF. An incredible night, a title in front of 15,000 people! Does this compare to your presence in the Champions League?

“I think the final of the Challenge Cup, last year, in SEF was something unique in my career, I think in everyone’s career. This night will stay in my heart forever! What an atmosphere! And of course, I would like to repeat it, to relive these feelings. However, we must focus on the present. The Challenge Cup we won was something very big.”

-Who do you think is this year’s “weapon” of the team?

“I think it’s the character we show in the difficult moment. In difficult times, we find the solution to return, to survive. In the technical part, maybe it’s the serve, but recently, in the final against PAOK, it didn’t work very well.”

-What are your goals in the CEV Cup?

“Our goal is always to win, but I can’t know. I have a lot of respect for this sport, the opponents in the European competitions are all of a high standard, we always have to play hard. Step by step, let’s move to the next phase.”

-It is your second year at Olympiakos. How are these two years here?

“Olympiacos is for me a big chapter in my life. I like the country, I like the people of Greece, inside the stadium also outside. I like the atmosphere, the culture of the club. I understood from the first day I came, how big a club Olympiacos is and really, I am so proud to play for this shirt. I’ve already experienced unique feelings here, I’ve also found real friends, nice teammates, I’ve learned a lot and we’re having a great time. I want to give everything for this shirt, that’s what I’m trying to do, I want to succeed with this shirt, for people to remember me in the future. To come, in the future, as a grandfather and remember what I lived here. I want to be remembered as a good kid, a good person and athlete, who gave everything for this shirt. Because that’s what I’m doing.”

-What has impressed you more than the club?

“What impressed me a lot, from the first day I came, is how many sports this club has, how much effort this club puts into sports. It’s something, really, amazing. Of course, the support of the world, the emotions they feel and offer you too. The world lives for the red and white colors, this is unique in sports.”

-Do you watch the other Olympiacos sports?

“Yes, I watch and play all team sports, mostly Men’s basketball. I also like football, but I watch basketball more. Olympiacos is a big family! Of course, I also watch the girls’ volleyball, handball. I also know players from other sports and I’m happy that Olympiacos is winning.”

-What is your favorite food here in Greece?

“The kebab! I like a lot of food here, souvlaki, gyros, but there is one place I like the kebab. You know that in Italy we have amazing food, but I can say that here I am very happy with the food.”

-Your hobby?

“My hobby now is being a father (laughter). I have a growing son, so my hobbies are with my family, my wife, Julia. We don’t have a lot of free time, it’s hard to stay together a lot, we have a lot of trips with the team. But I like being at sea with my family.”

-If you weren’t a volleyball player, what would you be?

“I don’t know, really. From a young age I could play the ball well in my hands. Also, my family has volleyball in their blood, so I watched a lot of volleyball since I was little. I always talked about volleyball, I liked the sport since I was little. I tried many sports, of course, but I was sure that my future would be in volleyball.”

-Who is your idol?

“My father is my idol, because he gave me education and education, he gave me respect for myself and for everyone, so he is definitely, my idol. And my mom, of course, protected me from a lot. I achieved my dreams because my parents were always by my side, so they are my idols.”

-Three things you like most about Greece…

“The sun, the sea, the people.”

-What is your favorite color;

“Red, of course! Red (s.s. in Greek)’.