Olympiacos – Pylaia 30-24: Red-White Super Cup

The Men’s Handball Super Cup ended in Red-White hands after Olympiacos SFP / Xyni Group beat Pylaia 30-24 at the Ilioupolis Indoor Stadium.

This is the first Super Cup won by Olympiacos while overall it was the second final to be played. The first was that 1999 between Ionian NF and ASE Doukas in the closed Panhellenic, won by the New Philadelphia team 26-20.

First Mr Giorgos Karasavvidis emphasized: “It was a game as we expected it to be. We won, but not easily. Pylaia are a very good team, they proved it. We are very happy. When the shots came out of our goals, the difference was also visible. It was the first official game, we didn’t run as much as we wanted, but it’s a game that brings a trophy and always these games are never easy.”

Petros Kandylas said: “First game of the season, first trophy. We started a little nervous. We knew in advance that we were up against strong opponents, and he showed that last year. We expected this difficult game. Because of our quality, we were fresher at the end, we had a clear head, so we deserved that victory that gave us the Super Cup. This team was built to have passion, it’s our hallmark, the defense and the passion we have. We respect the gate. It’s only when we play 100% that we respect the opponent, that’s my opinion.”

Robert Weber said: “It was certainly difficult because it was a title fight. I think they both fought for the title, we’re very happy with the win. I’m here to win trophies, for Olympiakos. Olympiacos is a big club, they win trophies and it shows already, since the first official match they have won a trophy! Our world is great. I like the atmosphere they create.”

Babis Dombris stressed: “It was very important for us to start the year with such a win and a trophy. It’s very important that we brought another trophy to the club. We wanted that title in the Olympiakos trophy cabinet and we succeeded. Now our full attention is on the match with AEK. Today was a good test. We’re winners and now we’re looking at the derby on Saturday.”

For his part, Olivier Niokas said: “It’s very important for me that we started the season right, it’s the first title! It wasn’t an easy game, but the most important thing is the title we won. I want us to win more trophies with Olympiakos, I’m happy about the first title”.

Olympiacos SFP / Xyni Group – Gate 30-24

The five minutes: 2-2, 3-4, 7-5, 10-10, 12-11, 16-12 (day), 18-14, 20-17, 22-19, 24-20, 30-24

Olympiacos SFP / Xyni Group (Karasavvidis): Kotanidis, Niokas 3, Karabourniotis, Papavasilis 3, Kandylas, Bayios, Papadopoulos 5, Dombris 2, Weber 8, Passias 1, Montoro 3, Slavoulitsa 2, Ostroutsko, Grandan 3, Michaelidis, Bauer

PYLAIA (Ananiadis): Babatsanidis 1, Zafeiris 1, Manoloudis 2, Metsis 2, Tsamesidis 3, Karagiozopoulos, Latsakou 3, Giannakidis, Koukmisis 1, Tsortekis, Batzios 6, Alexandridis 5, Kyriakidis, Syngiridis, Gioranidis, Alachatianos
Referee: Papamatthaiu – Christidis, Nikolitsas – Antonopoulos, Two minutes: 5-4, Penalties: 3/4-1/2