Once PAOK, always PAOK. Krmenčík stayed in Thessaloniki, slaps from teammates and what happened with the fans – Sport.cz

Thessaloniki (from our correspondent) – “When you score the winning goal against Olympiakos, PAOK‘s biggest rival, which also meant winning the Greek Cup, the fans will worship you for the rest of their lives, ” says Krmenčík. In an interview with Sport.cz, Slovácko’s current support recalls his stay in Thessaloniki and estimates the possibilities of Pilsen, with won three titles, in Thursday’s Europa League duel at PAOK’s ground.

When you hear the word PAOK, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

A great year. I will never forget PAOK, we did well in the league, we won the Greek Cup. The club is well managed, it works perfectly. The president called us before big games and wished us luck. I could have played in PAOK until now, but I chose another path then.

Slavia called me, my wife and I agreed that we would try to return to the Czech Republic. But I don’t want to talk about that. My family and I had a great time in Thessaloniki. Fans still write to me through social networks, a smaller group even went to the Czech Republic to see me. For a league game when I was in Slavia. I have an invitation from PAOK ultras to the G4 section for a home game.

Are you getting up there anytime soon?

When I finish my career, I will definitely go there and enjoy it with the fans. The PAOK stadium is the first foreign one I show my daughters. But I won’t take them to the G4 section.(laughter) It was nice when we went for a walk with our family around town, the girls were still in the pram, and the fans stopped us and bought us a coffee, for example. On the other hand, after the loss, the club advised us not to go to the promenade.

I remember that after losing the derby with Aris, the goalkeeper Paschalakis had a problem. He said something embarrassing about the fans to the media, they were waiting for him after training. When he got into the car, a group of twenty fans wanted to turn him. I walked past, I asked them not to be crazy. Captain Vierinha also came running immediately. He told the fans that it was just football, that losing was part of it. Fortunately, it worked.

Paschalakis needs to be further on their blacklist. In 2022, he moved to Olympiakos.

They do not forgive this. Paschalakis did the same stupid thing I did (note – as an icon of Pilsen, Krmenčík moved to hated Viktoria Slavia in the summer of 2021). The fans follow the motto Once PAOK, always PAOK. Respect for the club is passed down from generation to generation, children have no choice. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to visiting Thessaloniki and telling my girls how I played there at the stadium.

Also about the special ritual that new players go through in PAOK?

Well, you see, it was worth it too. The boys made a kind of tunnel and as I ran through they hit and kicked me. Then I had to sing. I brought Coats, Little Lady. Some even tried to join, I had success as a singer.

I think PAOK is one of the best foreign events. I had excellent players around me. For example, the Japanese Kagawa, who went through Dortmund, or the captain Vieirinha, European champion with Portugal. He is still in PAOK, as are others from the team at that time. Pilsen will certainly have a very difficult time on Thursday. Even considering the atmosphere of hell in the stadium.

Who do you keep your fingers crossed for?

I will support good football and I hope the fans of both clubs enjoy the game.