Antonis Papasavvas on Sportish: “Proud to be a member of this group, I could not have imagined this path”

Kifissia is the Cinderella of the Stoiximan Super League, as their draw against Kalamata saw them rise to the top of the Greek football arena and became the 70th team to take part in the premier league.

The leader of Kifissia, Antonis Papasavvas, was one of the pioneers of the promotion, had a catalytic role in the axis of Giorgos Petrakis’ team and made a total of 20 appearances in the championship that year. At the same time he was also one of the oldest in the group, since he was in the team from the 3rd national team. At the end of the game, he couldn’t hold back tears of emotion at the renewed success.

The 28-year-old spoke up Sportish on how he personally experienced this dream year for Kifissia, the team’s plan and his goals for continuing in the most challenging new year.

Interview with Thomas Tzouvara

Kifissia has reached the promotion goal. What are you thinking?

“I’m proud of this team, of each and every one of them. The players, the coaching staff, the administration, everyone. We deserve it because we worked for it every day. We are now happy about this success and it fills us with joy and relief“.

What made you special as a team?

“First of all, congratulations to everyone. It’s one of the best teams I’ve worked with as a footballer and it’s really an honor for me as captain. They all gave 100% in every game and training session, I felt very comfortable with them. It was a joint success across the board“.

What do you think Kifisia has that deserves the move from the second to the first division?

“Aside from the players who had quality and lived up to the demands of the league, I think the team exudes health. On an organizational level it is making tremendous progress and with new facilities trying to establish itself as the first national team there“.

What did you think when Kalamata was at the top?

“I believed in the team until the end that we could get the result. The moment the goal came I thought we might have to play another final. We gave our all in this game too. It was a bit strange until we made it 1-1, luckily the goal came and I calmed down“.

When did you think this team could finish first and move up?

“We were a new team. Compared to last year, about half the players remained and several new ones joined. When you’re a new team, you don’t know from the start what you can achieve. That’s how I think as a soccer player. During the championship and as the games progressed, I was very confident that we would achieve our goal“.

You are one of the oldest members of the team and a member of the 3rd national team. Did you expect Kifisia to be promoted to the Super League so soon?

“I could not imagine that the team would be promoted to the First National League so soon. If I had been told back in the Third National that the team would be promoted to the Super League, I would have called it a crazy dream. And yet this crazy dream has come true for me“.

What do you see for the future?

“I hope to continue next year. I think the team will do very well in the new season“.