Kalaitzidis: “Important that we didn’t panic at -5, low the ball”
The pine-experimental fighters prevailed with Aigaleo 65-67 as part of its 1st match Elite Leagueand the winners guard, Dimitris Kalaitzidis, spoke on the show “Listen to what you did” Eok Webradio With Leonidas Pistiolis and Kostas Zafiris.
He said in detail:
For the climate after the victory over Aigaleo: “Certainly when you’ve won the week starts well. The important thing was that in the half time we were at +9 I said “I wish we were so in the 2nd half, ending with a victory, because the return with a victory is very different”. We were all happy, they were big “double”. Last year we didn’t have so many trips, even though we got the championship, we had three long trips but we didn’t make a “double”. This year we started in Aigaleo, with a team that was also a newcomer and with the same goals. With a “trunk” of Greeks from last year, with two strangers and with the aim of fighting for her salvation, just like us. “
For the “key” point of victory: “We have the problem of injury to Apostolis Ioannou, who was injured by our first friendly. Alexandros Komnianidis was also injured. We were minus two players. While we were very good in the 1st half, in the 2nd we were back. The world has come into the equation, which gives them a great boost. There is no such such a stadium in the Elite League that they are so many fans present and help so much with their voice. Nevertheless, we showed calm. With the defensive approach we had last year, which helped us get the championship, we showed character. We got an aggressive rebound, Notis put the two shots, and the defense came out. When everything is judged on the shot, you want luck. It was important that we were not panicked even though we were at -5 from +14. On such a stadium, the difference could easily go even further and lose. I think the homogeneity we have in relation to last year has counted. Of course, yes we did a big “double” that makes us feel better and work better, but the season is a “marathon”. “
For the two home games with AO. Daphne (11/10) and AS Papagou (18/11) following: “Last year will be a guide for us this year. Last year we didn’t miss a single match at our headquarters, either in the regular season or in the play-offs. Without having a seat like Aigaleo, we felt very comfortable. It is a very important part for us the seat. We start from the match with Daphne and as soon as it’s over we will think about AS. Papagou. It will be the first home match. We want the Pefki and Thessaloniki world to come and watch it and be able to make it 2-0, against a team as well. Daphne has kept a “trunk”, has homogeneity, they have players like Karaboulas, who is very talented and decisive. Tzivelekas and Topali have played the category, as well as Filippakos. It’s a team that if you underestimate it can damage you very easily. “
For the team’s readiness level: “We have injuries, the Americans came relatively late, early September. We have played a friendly in the last week in Diavata against Ionian Ionia, which is a quite quality team, with National League 1 players and the protagonist in the category. Our image was not so good and there were various questions about the premiere. There was a restrained optimism that we would go to what we know, but the team is still set up. It wasn’t that we were ready, we were looking. This victory, which was away and against a competitor, helps us work better afterwards. “
For this year’s fighter target: “The ball is low. The team will again go with the financial data that the three presidents have said, who are fighting. In this year’s category we have ten trips and only of them change the budget directly. We will rely on the Greek “trunk” from last year, to experience young children and to finally be able to save the team and, from now on, the best. It is very difficult and wants a great fight. We have a health, not to have injuries, to achieve the goal of staying and to be able to be able to find the young children we have in the group to find their time and to “press” well.
As to whether he has thought of coaching: “I have the teenage fighters since last year, U18. In recent years I have also been in the staff in scouting. But I still feel a player. In recent years I have been in a transitional period, but the playing track is still pulling me. It seems to me to stop playing. “
