THE Christos Tzolis capped off a career-high season as he hit 24 goals and share 10 assists in 37 matches with Fortuna Dusseldorfwhich even narrowly missed promotion to the Bundesliga.
The Greek midfielder gave a long interview to Metropolis, where he talked about his future and whether it might be in Hellas or in another country other than Germany, as well as for the National team but also about his past in PAOK.
The interview of Christos Tzolis on Metropolis 95.5 in detail:
For the day PAOK won the championship and world events: “That day we had the last match of the league, I was the top scorer, I had also scored a hat trick and then we had a barbecue with friends and we also saw the match against Aris. I was competing in an empty stadium and I thought look what’s happening… We had also won the Cup before I left and I had felt the contact with the people. Nothing to do with now, but it was cool back then. I would like to play again in full Tuba”.
On how much abroad has changed him: “I have learned a lot abroad. I have also had bad moments, because a player does not only have an upward trajectory. I remember I was left out of the assignment at Norwich, it was the first time in my career. I had never felt this feeling before. I was always playing, wherever I was. There is criticism of England, but they also have the best league.
At Norwich there was a quick change of manager, Farke got me and then he left. Change the system and the philosophy. This was not an advantage for me and that’s why I thought of going on loan. Maybe I like Germany… In the future, you never know, I might go back to England to get my… blood back.”
On his experience in B. Germany: “B. Germany has a very good level, better than the Super League as a base. The stadiums are always full. It is the 5th league in Europe with the most people. Stefanos (s.s. Tzimas) will get many opportunities”.
About his nickname in Germany: “My nickname is Greek wine, it’s a song with that title and they used to call me that. At the end of the year, even younger children recognized me on the street. It is a very dear city. All of Dusseldorf supports Fortuna.”
On the upset in the last game of the playoffs, which denied Fortuna promotion to the Bundesliga: “The point is that we also lost on penalties, after 0-3 in regular time. I was pretty sure we went through after 0-3 in the first game, but on the day of the game I knew there was stress and it affected us. After the second goal we blacked out.”
On his experience in the National Team: “I was happy with the games against Germany and Malta, they were the first I played 90 minutes. I thank Nikos Papadopoulos for the opportunity. We had a positive image with Germany as well, I also had some phases to score. I’m thinking how come we’re out and other teams that seem of lower quality are there. Our national team has quality”.
For his participation time: “The truth is that we had a conversation with Mr. Poget and he told me that he counts on me and that he sees me in a good situation. Before Georgia that I was left out of the mission, he told me not to be sad and that he would explain to me the next day. In the end, that never happened. It is every player’s dream to compete in the Euro or World Cup.”
For Euro performers: “It is a bit difficult for the forwards to score so far, there are many own goals and goals from shots and the ball does not reach the area much. I see Spain strong and I think Austria will do well too. It also has an easy path and will definitely reach the “8”. And the Italians the same.”
Regarding the possibility of his return to Greece: “I don’t think about it at all. I have my family, I come for vacation, but professionally I wouldn’t want to go back.”
About his daily life in Germany: “I train every day. I have company, I can go for a coffee. It’s not like in England, I was a bit bored there. I only had Giannoulis and his girlfriend, Voula.”
On whether he is considering his transfer: “You may hear news soon. You never know in football. July 10 I start with Fortuna, until then a lot is happening. I can’t say many things. The chances are very high that I will stay in Germany. Let me tell you, it’s 50% to continue in Germany and 50% to everything else. There was no response from Greece, they just asked two teams, but I made it clear straight away that I was only thinking about abroad.”
For his friends at the National Team and Constantelia’s decision to stay at PAOK: “Pavlidis, Rota and Constantelias are my good friends, as well as other guys. Constantelias did not ask me for my opinion on the foreign country. Everyone makes the decisions with their family for themselves. I hope this decision works out for him. Salzburg sells players every year for multi-millions, many big names have passed through there and they play in the Champions League every year. He takes the championship all the time. It is a good team for young players.
We had played with Konstantelias together in K17. He had given me 13 assists and I had scored 30 goals! And now we are talking about when we will happen to play together again… Now that I was going to compete in the National Team, he got injured and I say, he goes, we will never play. We work well with Konstantelias, I hope we will show that in the future as well. At the moment, there was no impact from Mr. Jovanovic.”
For his dreams: “I want to be healthy and improve every year as a player and as a person. I want to play in the Champions League. The most difficult thing is to conquer it, which no Greek player has ever done. Of course, my participation with the National team in a major event. I have two teams in mind, Barcelona and Liverpool. Barca watched me when I was 13, at a tournament in Stockholm. I remember one year in K13 I scored 100 goals, but… ok, it was K13”.
In support of Varela: “After March, that year, I hadn’t played that much. By the way, Varela took me close, I’m not much different in age from his son, so he also saw me as a father. He is professional and helped me a lot. He had been talking to me since I was in K19. He was watching me and he said I hope you will be in the first team soon. I keep in touch with Schwab, with Murg and Vierinia, they are my friends. Several people helped me, so I adapted quickly.”
About Abel Ferreira and how much it helped him: “Ferreira had come to a match against Panathinaikos, where I had scored both goals. Then he told Garcia to go up and train with the first team. However, the coronavirus came and after the mini-preparation I entered directly and competed. I have no contact with Ferreira, but sometimes I send him congratulations for the trophies he wins.”
On his parallel presence at PAOK and Doxa Pentalofos: “I went to PAOK in January and until the summer I played with both teams. I was changing in the car! When we are young we don’t get tired, we see it as a game. Others have power in the shot, the point is to score goals. It is also the technique, the timing and where the goalkeeper will go. It’s a must-have, but it also takes work. I’ve had it since I was little, it’s true. I also worked with the coaches and my brother and I did extra training. I want to constantly improve. You have to be unpredictable.
For the players in PAOK who stood out: “From the big team, Vieirania had a terrible foot, and Misic, too. Swinderski had the best placement I’ve seen, with good placement and finishing. The point is to have alternatives before I shoot. I now also play as an inside winger.”
On the happiest and most unpleasant moment in his career: “The most pleasant one I came out with was first scorer because I had to score three goals and the first one didn’t succeed. I put it in the end and I was glad. It was a very nice moment, my brother had also come. The most unpleasant was when I was injured and was out for three months.”
On what he would advise Jima about his loan at Nuremberg: “Nuremberg doesn’t have much outside of the competition. To work a lot. Anyone who works is rewarded in Germany. To be focused on his goals and to score. It’s a historic team with a lot of people.”
For the contribution of his parents in his course: “I certainly wouldn’t have gotten here without them. They chased me every day, they worked and were tired but they never said no, they also followed me on trips. I thank them and hope to have better continuity. I have made personal gifts.”
What does PAOK have that you haven’t found outside or vice versa: “It has evolved and it shows in the European games as well. It can further develop the training center. It will help a lot. Fortuna is not better than PAOK. The field is”.
About the pitch that impressed him: “The stadium of Dortmund. The stand was incredible.”
About the German National Team and the attitude of the Germans: “At first they didn’t believe her, there was a lot of grumbling about who would play and who wouldn’t. Now, the rationale has changed.”
For Pablo Garcia: “I was with him in the U19, he helped me and improved me as a footballer. He is a very good coach. He had a good year with Panserraikos. I had met him once by chance at the airport and we had talked. I wish him success in Atromitos.”
On whether Lucescu tried to change his mind: “He had tried to change my mind. He told me not to let this affect me in training, to keep my mind on PAOK and my future was a management issue. I too had my mind on PAOK, but there were also discussions with the team about my future.”
On the toughest defender he has faced: “Dumfries of Eindhoven”.
For the player he worked with best: “With Isaac Johansen.”
On who he would choose between Andria, Despontov and Tyson: “Everyone is different. It’s a difficult question. Andria can play in many positions. Despodoff has better credentials, but Tyson is incredible. He is very fast for 36 years old. He doesn’t have the goal, but he put it where it should have been.”
On whether he’s thinking about marriage: “I’m still young (laughs). It remains to be seen if a serious relationship will be found. If you find the right one, everything will work out.”
Source: Sport Fm
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.
