Fotis Koutzavasilis on Sportish: “Apollo Paralimni’s journey is like a fairy tale, I hope other teams can achieve it”

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.