On Saturday night, Panathinaikos beat Olympiakos 3-2 to win the 25th championship in its history in women’s volleyball by going 3-0 in the final series.

Like last year, there was one player who was always present at the big games this year. In the third final, he came on as a substitute in the middle of the third set and changed the flow of the game.

The reason, of course, lies with Irini Chatziefstratiadou. The 28-year-old Panathinaikos center spoke to Sportish about the Trifyllios girls’ duel and the difficulties they faced throughout the year to reach the final in OAKA.

Irini Hatziefstratiadou was one of the athletes to celebrate the double last year, although the two years featured several differences. “This year the title came home to us, with the same team but with a different set of events. What we went through this year was a calvary. A year of ups and downs. I think it was a title that we deserved. Maybe midway through the year we weren’t at the level we should have been, but I think losing the cup was a powerful lesson.” he said characteristically.

We wanted to show our work on the field

Panathinaikos may have started the year defending the league title but there have been many changes in their line-up. Something that took its time.

“It was difficult. The team has been rebuilt from the ground up for this year. Young athletes came along who had never played in a team like this before and they had to adapt. From the middle of the year and when the coach moved in, the change happened. He showed us what we can do and the most important thing is to show it on the field at game time.”

Looking at the team’s progress this year, it could be divided into three periods. But how did the athletes experience it? Irini Chatziefstratiadou pointed this out to us: “Basically, we had two defining moments in the season in different ways. The first was the arrival of coach Kalmazidis, and the second – the lost cup final. These moments brought us closer as a team and playing dog-eared on the pitch proved that taking part in the cup final wasn’t enough for us. We wanted something more, we wanted a title.”

During the year, Panathinaikos lost many derbies against AEK and PAOK, while winning them against Olympiacos with relative ease. What has robbed the Greens of a better presence in previous derbies and, above all, what has changed and Panathinaikos won the title? “We had a lot to show in all the derbies but something held us back. Maybe psychology or the belief that we didn’t have to get the wins and the result we wanted.

The period between the cup final and now we’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of replays and work on regular matches that we didn’t get in the derbies. It was the best time to work on them and they came out in the games against AEK and Olympiakos.”

In order for Panathinaikos to defend their crown, they had to eliminate AEK. Again, Yannis Kalmazidis’ girls chose the difficult route after losing it with two breaks in Marousi.

“We had the chance, but we like to do the surprises the hard way. We did that last year too. The games had many ups and downs in these games. Players who haven’t performed in games like this have shown what they can do to these teams too, so I think the chemistry between us and the trust the coaching staff has shown in us is what turned the tide for us which many did not believe.”

I hope all athletes experience what we experienced at OAKA

Panathinaikos and Olympiacos played their best volleyball of the season in the final. The players of both teams gave their all and the third final was particularly exciting.

Many sets were full of twists and turns and judged on details. But what made the difference and gave Panathinaikos the title? “The thirst we had to win the championship and the sweat we shed on the field every day paid off at the right time against Olympiakos. In such games it is the best opportunity to give what you have on both team and individual level. As a good athlete, he has to show his true self in these games. The work that you have been doing for the last eight months must come out of that.”

Of course, we couldn’t help but ask her how she experienced the atmosphere at OAKA. Where a women’s volleyball match was held for the first time and with so many people.

“It was the best thing I’ve ever experienced. I want to thank the people who came. I hope we showed that Greek volleyball is raising its level. It is a unique experience that I wish every athlete for a moment in their life.”.

Irini Chatziefstratiadou and the rest of the Panathinaikos athletes helped make history on Saturday night.

Giannis Kalmazidis was the first coach to win titles with both men’s and women’s teams. The central Panathinaikos knew this, and before we could finish our question, she rushed to position herself.

“I’m happy for the coach. He showed all his faith in us and never lost it, so he got his hands on the title and the entire coaching staff.” he said characteristically.