Salvador Hidalgo spoke on the club’s official website about his presence at Olympiakos so far, as well as his best moments with the red and white jersey.
The German-Cuban winger of the Greek champions and European Cup winners, said he was blessed to be part of the team, remembered the night of the final against Maccabi Tel Aviv for the Challenge Cup, while he estimated that the future of the team will be bright.
Among other things, he stated that he is… a fan of Olympiakos, while taking his hat off to the team’s fans.
Analytically:
-It’s been a while since the “magical” night at SEF, winning the Challenge Cup in front of 15,000 people! Does it compare to your presence in the Champions League group stage? “The experience we had a few months ago, winning the Challenge Cup in front of 15,000 people, was an amazing experience. There is nothing to compare. In today’s world, everyone knows how difficult it is to fill such a large court for a volleyball match. Amazing atmosphere, a feeling we cannot compare with the Champions League. However, the Champions League is the No.1 competition in the world. There is nothing more beautiful than winning a trophy in this amazing SEF stadium, in front of 15,000 people. This is a feeling and an experience we will always remember! So this is one of the most beautiful things I’ve had in my career.”
-What is the team’s “weapon”?: “We are a very aggressive team, we have a very good serve and defense. As a team, the biggest weapon we have is unity, beyond serving, counter-attacking, blocking, defending. We have more than one weapon. We are a very integrated team.”
-How are these two years of yours here, at Olympiakos?: “I’m blessed to be here, the team did a great job, trying to keep the whole team. I am happy to be here. I wish we win the league and more trophies this season. I feel blessed for the opportunity to be here! I feel the love of every person in the club, the fans on the road, in other cities, what is happening here is amazing. I am truly blessed to be a member of the Olympiakos family! We won two trophies last year, two very important trophies. Now, we are leading the championship, we will see what happens with the Cup and with the CEV Cup. The future looks bright.”
-Do you watch the other Olympiacos sports?: “Yes, I’m a big sports fan, I’m a football fan, I’m a big basketball fan, because I love sports in general, so I like team sports. I have been to the Olympiakos stadium, to football, to basketball, with my family. An amazing experience, amazing atmosphere.”
-Favorite food in Greece?: “100% souvlaki”.
-What’s your hobby;: “My hobby, for sure, is being at home with my family, doing as much as I can with them. And of course, I like to watch sports, most of the time La Liga, NBA, Premier League, Champions League. When I have free time, I like to watch movies, but generally, I like to be at home with my family, spend as much time as I can, because you know, as a professional gamer, it’s very difficult to be at home. So the hobby I like is trying to spend time with my family.”
If you weren’t a volleyball player, what would you be?: “I do not know. I think, baseball player. When I was a kid, I was really good at it. In Cuba, as a kid, you start playing baseball or soccer or basketball. In Cuba baseball was the national sport, so I think I could be a great baseball player. Volleyball was in the blood of our family, my father played in the National team, my uncle in the National team.”
What’s your dream;: “My dream is to live everyday life and life to the fullest, to live happiness. I want to see my children grow up. I have so many dreams, I just want to be successful in whatever I do. Today I play volleyball, tomorrow I don’t know. The dream I had when I was a child was to become a volleyball player. I never had the chance to play in the National team. I want to see my children grow up in the best possible way. I wish they make some impact, people love them for whatever they do. And this is my real dream. I just want to keep the people around me happy.”
Your idol?: “When I was little and growing up, I really loved Maradona. Then, when I started to grow older, to mature, I really appreciated Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James, and I also adore the figure of Tom Brady.”
-Three things you like most in Greece: “Sure, going to the beach, when I have time, with my family, visiting the islands. In winter, we really like to visit the mountains, like Arachova. So these are the three things I like the most: beach, traveling to the islands and playing with the kids in the mountains, in the snow. It is very beautiful”.
-What is your favorite color; “White is my favorite color, but I also really like red. It’s a coincidence that I play in a team with white and red, but my No.1 color is white and second is red. Then I like black, blue, yellow.”
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.
