Third National
Fotis Koutzavasilis on Sportish: “Apollo Paralimni’s journey is like a fairy tale, I hope other teams can achieve it”
Fotis Koutzavasilis spoke to Sportish about the historic success of Apollon Paralimni, who qualified for the “8” of the Greek Novibet Cup and became the first team from the amateur category to play at this stage of the institution.
His story Apollo of Paralimni the Novibet Hellenic Cup continues as the team from Serres managed to qualify for the “8” of the competition.
In fact, she managed to make history by becoming the first team to reach the quarter-finals of the Novibet Hellenic Cup at amateur level. Now it’s time for Apollon Paralimniou to take on a top-flight team, Lamia, with whom he just needs to make wins.
THE Fotis Koutzavasilis He was the ‘guardian angel’ of Nikos Karabetakis’ side in the historic game against Agios Nikolaos and made his debut with the team. The 33-year-old goalkeeper speaks Sportish about the triumph of the Apollo Paralimni team, what he experienced there as a “rookie” and the goals of the team.
Interview with Thomas Tzouvara
How did it feel to combine your debut with this historic achievement?
Yes, it was the first game I could play. It was a very nice feeling, very nice that your debut comes with something nice, a win, because basically we’re playing for it. It was nice because I could put my little rock in something nice that the kids started a long time ago and that the whole organization of Apollo Paralimnio wanted to make happen.
How did you decide to continue at Apollon and was the team’s progress in the cup an additional motivation?
Additional motivation is the team and how it works. I have known the team for many years through my brother, he has been playing there for a long time. It’s a healthy environment that Greek football needs. I didn’t think about it for a moment. I wanted to be in a healthy environment in the last years of my career and because Greek football has been going downhill.
The organization of Apollo Paralimni has nothing to envy to the 2/3 of the Super League
What has brought Apollon the constant run and the great run in the cup in recent years?
The Team What I have seen in these ten days and was very impressed is the organization that is in place. He currently has nothing to envy 2/3 of Super League 2. Footballers like to work in this environment and that’s why I think the team is doing well, not only this year but also in recent years.
How does it feel to be the first amateur team to get an 8?
It’s something very important for the team and we talked about it before the game. By completing this game and getting the qualification, you are essentially making history. I hope other teams can do the same. We saw it at the cups abroad and said “what a beautiful thing”. Small groups make the surprises and we liked that. At least for us football romantics. Whichever team qualifies would make history. We were glad we did.
The series with Agios Nikolaos showed that the two teams are equal, they played nice football and showed that they belong to a higher level. Do you have a picture of the first game and how did you feel about the second leg?
Of course I also have a picture of the first game. Both teams were very good, with good football in both games. In fact, the quality of both teams was good. Both teams have shown that they can compete in Super League 2. Two open games and both wanted qualification. Those who watched both games were glad they took the time.
Would you compare this course to a fairy tale?
If we look at the story of how the group started in a small village in Serres, I don’t know if the people who started this group expected this to happen after so many years. It’s definitely a fairy tale. Everyone likes these stories. We are proud. First of all the guys who started this course and then myself who managed to achieve something so big in such a place with people who love this place.
How did the villagers take the historical achievement?
Apollon Paralimniou can look back on a long-standing presence in the third national team. Not only the village, but all of Serrai football supports us. Everyone was happy. It was a big day for the Serres Prefecture. Panserraikos also qualified so everyone was happy. Serres Prefecture is a football prefecture, it has produced great players and great achievements.
Next opponent is Lamia. What do you think of these games?
Two games. Let’s have fun, let’s have fun, that’s our reasoning. We don’t know if we can continue. They are different quality, different sizes. It’s nice for the newcomers to get these shows. It’s two 90 minutes. Whatever happens. If something good comes, we will be fine, if not, we will emerge victorious again. We can only have profit.
We’d like a bigger team, but playing Lamia is no small feat
If you had the chance, would you rather play against a bigger opponent?
If we asked everyone on the team, not just me, they would choose a bigger team. Let’s live it even more. To gain even more experience. I think we’d go for this one, but okay, and what’s going on is no small matter. Lamia is a Super League team and has been playing at the highest level for years. So it’s ok.
What do you think about your future and what is Apollo Paralimni’s aim for this season?
In my remaining years I want to enjoy football. I see a Greek football essentially non-existent. A Super League and chaos from there. I want to enjoy soccer and if I stop seeing what I’m going to do, will I continue playing soccer or not.
However, Apollo’s goals are not clear either. he wants nHe takes part in every game and wins it. In addition, in terms of the long-term goal, victory is what counts. If they win all the games, promotion will definitely come. That is the clear goal of the group and in the end the cash register is made.
You talked a lot about problems in Greek football. Would you like to go into that a little more?
I think it’s clear. Super League 2 is a league tormented a thousand times and it just keeps getting worse. There can be many reasons, it can be due to some. The thing is, nothing seems to be changing on the horizon. It’s a shame for Greek football. The second and third national teams are his nursery. There are few Greeks in the Super League. Unfortunately, there are very few teams that can do anything in the 2nd Bundesliga. Everyone else has problems. Many children are unpaid and we are getting worse and worse.
Source: sport 24
I’m a sports enthusiast and journalist who has worked in the news industry for over 8 years. I currently work as an author at Sportish and my work focuses mainly on sports news.
Third National
In Trikala, a man was arrested for attacking a referee in a third national team match
Police said a man was arrested for attacking a referee in a third national team match between PO Fikis and Asteras Petritis.
There is violence in all categories, including in games in the 3rd National League. In particular, there were deviations in the confrontation between PO Fikis and Asteras Petritis.
Police said a man who attacked the referee was arrested in the Trikala area. The file also contains three people who are said to have threatened and insulted the referee.
The police report:
“A local man was arrested yesterday (10/12/2023) in the Trikala area by police officers from the Pyli Police Department and charged with assault, threats and violation of sports laws.
The file also lists three people who are wanted for sports violations and insults.
In particular, yesterday afternoon, after the end of an amateur football match, the perpetrators attacked the referee of the match and expressed threatening and abusive behavior towards him, while one of those later arrested attacked him.
The arrested person will be taken to the Misdemeanor Prosecutor of Mr. Trikala.
Source: sport 24
I’m a sports enthusiast and journalist who has worked in the news industry for over 8 years. I currently work as an author at Sportish and my work focuses mainly on sports news.
Third National
Paneiyalios denounced a violent attack by people from Rhodes
With his announcement, Paneiyalios condemned the attack that the group’s mission received from people from the AS administration. Rhodes as part of the 5th matchday of the 3rd group of the 3rd national team.
There was talk of a “violent attack” and “criminal behavior” by the people of Rhodes Paneigialios in his announcement during the 5th matchday of the 3rd group of the 3rd national team.
The announcement of the Panegialeion in detail:
“Paneiyalios GS finds itself in the uncomfortable position of having to publicize and condemn the cowardly attack that our group’s mission received from people from the administration of AS. Rhodes, including the president of the club, after the end of the AS Rhodes-Panaigialios GS game on the 5th matchday of the 3rd group of the 3rd national team.
Your violent attack and the criminal behavior of the administrators of AS Rhodes, which resulted in the injury of our general team leader Giannis Georgiadis, should not and will not go unpunished. It is worth noting that, in addition to our team, the game’s referee trio was also manhandled in their attempt to get into the locker room of the municipal stadium at the end of the game.
The Rhodes managers did not accept the final draw (1:1) within the four lines and wanted to take the law into their own hands. They brazenly took advantage of the unjustified absence of police officers and entered the locker room after the end of the game to initially intimidate the trio of referees. And as if that were not enough, they transferred their anger to Paneialios and the men of his mission for no reason or reason and attacked with violence.
In other words, they committed violence against the team that had been asked to host them twice last season so that the Rhodes team could train at the municipal stadium of Aegio on the eve of their games with teams from Ilia and Achaia. In other words, they committed violence against the team that was doing its best to host the Rhodes team in Agios.
In other words, they committed violence against a member of the Panegialeio administration, even though the President of Rhodes and the members accompanying the mission had received the best hospitality from the members of our administration last year. We will not say that this whole scene of terrorism that they have set up against our team is a “shame” for the perpetrators of Rhodes, because they will not understand the meaning of the word.
However, we would like to remind you that the right clubs and the right administrations show their superiority on the pitch and in the hospitality they show opposing teams. I’m sorry to have to prove that you’re not getting better…
We are sorry for not sitting down to ensure our physical integrity…
I’m sorry for proving to you that Paneiyaleios can play against you in your stadium…
I’m sorry that despite your request, we received you perfectly, even twice…
We inform you that Paneiyalios GS will take all appropriate measures so that the above-mentioned criminal behavior does not go unpunished.”
Source: sport 24
I’m a sports enthusiast and journalist who has worked in the news industry for over 8 years. I currently work as an author at Sportish and my work focuses mainly on sports news.
Third National
Ethnikis will take over its headquarters in SEF from January
Ethnikis will play in its own stadium in SEF from January, as the contract was signed between the municipality, the stadium management and also with the team.
Ethnikos has acquired its football home as it will play at the SEF football stadium from January 1, 2024. The agreement was signed between the mayor of Piraeus, the president of the SEF, the state and Ethnikos.
The mayor of Piraeus, Yiannis Moralis, emphasized in his speech: “Today is a pleasant day with good news for the national football team, which will receive its own headquarters in the SEF in order to be able to compete in its city from January 1, 2024 and not be forced to go to the sports fields of other municipalities. It was a request from Ethnikos to compete at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.
In this context, we have initiated the necessary measures with the President of SEF. and OPAN and today we signed the concession for the 11×11 field to the Municipality of Piraeus so that we can proceed with the construction of a 1500-seat stand and operational interventions so that the national team can compete in the best possible conditions. Our goal is of course for Ethnikis to acquire a modern sports facility in Schistos.
Ownership still needs to be resolved moving forward and I believe we will have good news with Schistos in 2024. At the same time, the remaining teams trained as before in the SEF stadium. It is a good synergy between four parties, the Municipality of Piraeus, OPAN, SEF and Ethnikos and I would like to thank her
President of SEF Christina Tsiligiri for our friendly cooperation. It is a start to solving this problem that has plagued Ethnikos for 19 to 20 years. As a city administration, we will always be close to the clubs in our city and will do our best to help find sports facilities and of course to create new sports infrastructure“.
The President of SEF Christina Tsiligiri emphasized in her speech: “From its inception, the Stadium of Peace and Friendship has aimed to actively contribute to the development of the wider Piraeus area.
Through this process, SEF As a side quest, it entails self-improvement and a long process of healing from wounds and bad memories. After all, the country’s stadiums are in the spotlight these days. As an administration of the SEF, we have put sport at the forefront in recent years, with various activities taking place in our facilities.
In implementing our master plan, we place great emphasis on modernizing our stadium with changes that enable the transition to a new digital and at the same time environmentally friendly reality. The 11×11 football field in the area surrounding the Peace and Friendship Stadium is a valuable asset of our organization, which we have been renting to the municipality of Piraeus for several years with the aim of supporting the region’s football teams but also promoting the sporting ideal. It is one of the final touches on the canvas of our interventions.
The Municipality of Piraeus, in collaboration with SEF and OPAN They will take all the necessary measures in the near future so that the football field can be declared the official headquarters of the Piraeus national team. Finally, I would like to thank the Mayor of Piraeus, Yiannis Moralis, with whom we have a great partnership“.
The President of the Organization for Culture, Sports and Youth, Iosif Vourakis, emphasized, among other things: “Some things don’t happen when you try, but they do when too many people try. In this particular case, it was the mayor’s instruction to proceed with this project.
We worked with Ms. Athina Glykas, without whom we would not have done anything without the finance department. If the President of the 3rd Municipality, Charalambos Liakostavros, had not been by our side for the last four years, we would not have been able to maintain this stadium.
It will now be a professional stadium that will serve all teams and those who train and play their games, as well as the national team, which will now compete at home in Piraeus.
Therefore, Ethnikos’ request for a headquarters in Piraeus is an obligation for us to find it. We found her. Late; Possibly. What matters is that we did it.
The most important thing is to get started. And you know very well that with the city administration, both in the first five years in which I did not participate and in the second in which I did participate, we reach the end when the beginning is made“.
President of the National OFPF Yannis Patlakas noted: “Ethnikis turns 100 this year. We are very pleased that “water is now coming into the groove”. We think we’re going to do a lot of things. The city administration is always by our side, as is the administration of SEF in everything we asked for. Everything is done methodically and correctly. Thank you very much and keep it up“.
Source: sport 24
I’m a sports enthusiast and journalist who has worked in the news industry for over 8 years. I currently work as an author at Sportish and my work focuses mainly on sports news.
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