“Champions of Europe. Two words. I don’t know if we can understand exactly what we have done. We are European champions. We are ten million Greeks. Only 20 can say they are European champions, the guys from Euro 2004. Collectively it’s us.”
Visibly moved, Sotiris Sylaidopoulos, the coach of the U19 team of Olympiakos who won the Youth League today, also stated, after his team’s success:
“We proved that there is Greek football, methodical work and what we often downplay as a country. We belong to this level. We should believe it and give more, especially to Greek football. Let this be the beginning for the Greeks to believe in the Greeks.
First I dedicate it to the children. An amazing group, a team with a very strong character, a team that knows what it wants to do on the pitch. We are very close and it shows. In the organization, in the president, he has invested time and money. We dedicate this to the fans and my family who have made huge sacrifices to be here. I love them very much.
Asked what he told his players at half-time, he said: “What I said from the start. There is a specific plan, we know what we have to do on the pitch. Then there are 45 minutes left and you have no more time. That’s the magic. That’s what I said at half-time: There are 45 more minutes and we’re not turning back time and that since we’re better, we should win the cup.”
He added: “The third goal was the icing on the cake. It was a performance and anyone who can analyze the game will see regular requests. We were excellent in all phases of the game. Character and personality aside, they know what they are going to do. Congratulations to the whole stf, I thank them and love them. There are many people with me and it is a justification. After the Lecce match I told the guys that we can go very far. I saw in this group something that was visible, but faith led us here.”
As for the men’s team: “It has found its way. We are the only team to be in a European semi-final. I would like to experience another European final. It will be something extraordinary and magical.”
Read also:
Olympiacos: The tears of joy after the end, the wild party and the awarding of the trophy (Photos – Video)
Olympiacos made history – They won the UEFA Youth League with a hat-trick in Milan! (Videos)
Olympiacos – Milan: Great development – Three goals in six minutes by the “red and whites” (Videos)
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