GREECE'S TOP GOALKEEPER WITH ANTONIS NIKOPOLIDIS | E055 PODCAST

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

ABOUT THE GUEST

Antonis Nikopolidis is widely regarded as one of the greatest Greek goalkeepers of all time. With a professional career spanning two decades, he earned 90+ caps for the Greece National Team and played a pivotal role in Greece’s historic UEFA Euro 2004 victory, keeping clean sheets throughout the knockout stage and earning a place in the tournament's All-Star Team.

He began his career at Anagennisi Arta before becoming a star with Panathinaikos, and later, Olympiacos, where he won multiple league titles and became the only Greek player to win three consecutive domestic doubles with two rival clubs.

After hanging up his gloves, Antonis transitioned into coaching, becoming the head coach of Greece’s U21 National Team and taking on leadership roles at Olympiacos. Known for his composure, tactical insight, and inspirational leadership, Antonis continues to shape the future of Greek football on and off the pitch.

Antonis’ IG: https://www.instagram.com/nikopolidisa71/

Antonis’ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonios_Nikopolidis

George Stroumboulis sits down with Antonis Nikopolidis in Athens, Greece on the Invigorate Your Business Podcast to talk about winning the Euro 2004 Championship, life as Greece’s most iconic goalkeeper, transitioning to coaching, building mental strength under pressure, and so much more.

“I think in my life too I’m quite calm,  because I believe that always when you try to find the right decision, you have to be ready.  I certainly had a lot of trust in my teammates.”
— ANTONIS NIKOPOLIDIS

MEDIA RELATED TO THE EPISODE

George Stroumboulis sits down with Antonis Nikopolidis in Athens, Greece on the Invigorate Your Business Podcast to talk about winning the Euro 2004 Championship, life as Greece’s most iconic goalkeeper, transitioning to coaching, building mental strength under pressure, and so much more.

George Stroumboulis meets Greece’s legendary goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis in Athens for an inspiring episode of Invigorate Your Business. From lifting the Euro 2004 trophy to leading from the sidelines as a coach, they dive into pressure, perseverance, and the mindset of a true champion.

On this episode of Invigorate Your Business, George Stroumboulis sits down in Athens with Euro 2004 hero Antonis Nikopolidis to reflect on his historic football journey — from guarding Greece’s net to developing the next generation of athletes through coaching and mental resilience.

Antonis Nikopolidis joins George Stroumboulis in Athens to relive Greece’s unforgettable Euro 2004 run. On Invigorate Your Business, they talk leadership under fire, life beyond the pitch, and how elite athletes transition into coaching and mentorship.

Antonis Nikopolidis holds up a LeBron James LA Lakers jersey gifted by George Stroumboulis, symbolizing respect between champions and representing the city of Los Angeles, where George currently resides.

Antonis Nikopolidis joins George Stroumboulis in Athens to relive Greece’s unforgettable Euro 2004 run. On Invigorate Your Business, they talk leadership under fire, life beyond the pitch, and how elite athletes transition into coaching and mentorship.

George Stroumboulis being a fan with Greek soccer legend, Antonis Nikopolidis.

ABOUT THE “INVIGORATE YOUR BUSINESS” PODCAST

The Invigorate Your Business with George Stroumboulis podcast features casual conversations and personal interviews with business leaders in their respective fields of expertise. Crossing several industry types and personal backgrounds, George sits down with inspiring people to discuss their business, how they got into that business, their path to the top of their game and the trials and tribulations experienced along the way. We want you to get inspired, motivated, and then apply any advice to your personal and professional lives. If there is at least one piece of advice that resonates with you after listening, then this podcast is a success. New episodes weekly. Stream our show on Spotify, YouTube, Apple, Amazon and all other platforms.

ABOUT GEORGE STROUMBOULIS

George Stroumboulis is an entrepreneur to the core, having launched several ventures across multiple industries and international markets. He has held senior-level positions at progressive companies and government institutions, both domestically and internationally, building an extensive portfolio of business know-how over the years and driving profit-generating results. George’s ability to drive real change has landed him in several media outlets, including the front page of the Wall Street Journal. George was born in Toronto, Canada to his Greek immigrant parents. Family first. Flying over 300,000 miles a year around the world puts into perspective how important family is to George’s mental and emotional development. With all this travel to global destinations, the longest he stays even in the most far-out destination is 3 days or less - a personal rule he lives by to make sure he is present and involved in family life with his wife and three daughters. To read about George’s global travels, stay connected with his blog section.

EXPLAIN THE RIVARLY OF GREEK FOOTBALL (SOCCER) CLUBS PANATHINAIKOS AND OLYMPIACOS

Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos isn't just Greece’s most famous football rivalry — it’s one of the most heated and symbolic sporting rivalries in Europe, deeply rooted in class struggle, geography, identity, and pride.

🏛️ Historical Background

Panathinaikos A.O. was founded in 1908 in the heart of Athens. It became a symbol of urban aristocracy, education, and culture. The club attracted the Athenian upper-middle class and intellectuals. Its fans often viewed themselves as refined and sophisticated, representing the capital’s core identity.

Olympiacos CFP was founded later, in 1925 in Piraeus, the working-class port city of Athens. From its inception, it represented blue-collar values, grit, and rebellion against the elite. The club quickly became a people’s team, attracting massive support from laborers, dockworkers, and the broader lower-income populace.

This rivalry is not just about who scores more goals — it’s Athens vs Piraeus, privilege vs populism, old wealth vs new voice.

⚽ Footballing Legacy

Olympiacos is the dominant force in Greek football, with 47+ Greek Super League titles, over 28 Greek Cups, and the highest number of domestic doubles. They are known for their aggressive, result-oriented football and for controlling Greek football politics and media.

Panathinaikos boasts 20 league titles, but their legacy is more European-focused — they are the only Greek team to ever reach a European Cup Final (1971 vs Ajax) and have multiple deep Champions League runs.

Matches between the two are high-stakes, with both teams often competing directly for the championship.

🔥 Cultural Symbolism

This rivalry embodies more than sport:

Olympiacos fans chant about "breaking Athens' aristocracy".

Panathinaikos supporters see themselves as defenders of classic Athenian ideals.

They clash over everything: who owns the city, who works harder, who suffers more, who deserves to win.

💥 Matchday Atmosphere

Games between the two are among the most intense in Europe. Stadiums are electrified with pyrotechnics, flares, huge tifos, and deafening chants.

Security is tight — often with riot police present and away fans banned due to history of violence.

Matches have been suspended, stadiums damaged, and even club directors physically attacked in the past.

🧨 Controversies & Key Moments

Antonis Nikopolidis, Greece’s Euro 2004 hero, caused public outrage by leaving Panathinaikos for Olympiacos after a contract dispute. When he lifted the Greek Cup with Olympiacos, PAO fans booed their former captain.

The "Wallner Affair" in 2008, involving illegal player registration, led to legal battles that handed the title to Olympiacos — enraging Panathinaikos and their fans.

Refereeing bias, alleged government interference, and media control have long been accusations flung back and forth, especially by PAO fans against Olympiacos' dominance.

🧠 Psychological Impact

The rivalry affects players, coaches, and even politicians. Losing this derby can cost coaches their jobs — regardless of their broader success.

For many Greek footballers, scoring in this derby is a career-defining moment.

For fans, it's tribal — families are divided, friendships tested, and neighborhoods shaped by team loyalty.

🌍 Global Attention

While not as globally broadcasted as El Clásico or the North London Derby, this rivalry commands massive domestic TV ratings, has a fervent diaspora following, and is often spotlighted in UEFA features for its raw intensity and unique cultural depth.

🏁 Final Thought

Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos is more than just a game. It’s a clash of ideologies, cities, and generations. It defines modern Greek sports culture and remains a deeply embedded symbol of passion, pride, and identity in Greece.

WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF GREECE’S RUN AT EURO 2004, WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WHO WERE THE TEAM PLAYERS AND WHAT TEAMS DID THEY PLAY

🏆 HIGHLIGHTS OF GREECE’S EURO 2004 TRIUMPH

🔹 Group Stage:

Greece 2–1 Portugal (June 12, 2004 – Opening Match)

Scorers: Giorgos Karagounis, Angelos Basinas (pen). Shock win over the host nation

Greece 1–1 Spain (June 16, 2004)

Scorer: Angelos Charisteas

Greece 1–2 Russia (June 20, 2004)

Scorer: Zisis Vryzas. Despite the loss, Greece qualified for the quarterfinals on goals scored

🔹 Quarterfinals:

Greece 1–0 France (June 25, 2004)

Scorer: Angelos Charisteas. Knocked out the defending champions

🔹 Semifinals:

Greece 1–0 Czech Republic (July 1, 2004 – Silver Goal)

Scorer: Traianos Dellas (105’+1). Only silver goal in Euro history; scored in extra time just before halftime break

🔹 Final:

Greece 1–0 Portugal (July 4, 2004 – Lisbon)

Scorer: Angelos Charisteas (57’). Greece beat Portugal again to win their first ever major international trophy

🇬🇷 KEY GREEK PLAYERS AND THEIR CLUBS AT THE TIME:

Antonis Nikopolidis, Goalkeeper, Panathinaikos

Giorgos Karagounis, Midfielder, Inter Milan (Italy)

Angelos Charisteas, Forward, Werder Bremen (Germany)

Theodoros Zagorakis (Captain), Midfielder, AEK Athens (later joined Bologna)

Traianos Dellas, Defender, AS Roma (Italy)

Zisis Vryzas, Forward, Perugia (Italy)

Angelos Basinas, Midfielder, Panathinaikos

Kostas Katsouranis, Midfielder, AEK Athens

Giourkas Seitaridis, Defender, Panathinaikos

Nikos Dabizas, Defender, Leicester City (England)

Michalis Kapsis, Defender, AEK Athens

Stelios Giannakopoulos, Midfielder, Bolton Wanderers (England)

Vassilis Tsiartas, Midfielder, AEK Athens

Christos Patsatzoglou, Defender, Olympiacos

Dimitrios Papadopoulos, Forward, Panathinaikos

🧠 COACH: Otto Rehhagel (Germany)

A master tactician who emphasized defensive discipline, teamwork, and opportunistic scoring

🎖️ LEGACY:

Greece went from 150–1 outsiders to champions of Europe

Won all knockout matches 1–0

Built success on defense, set pieces, and unity

Sparked national pride and inspired a generation of Greek athletes

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP GOALKEEPER IN SOCCER

To be a top goalkeeper in soccer, especially at the elite level like Antonis Nikopolidis, it takes a unique blend of physical skills, mental strength, leadership, and constant discipline. Here’s what separates great goalkeepers from the rest:

🧠 1. Mental Toughness & Focus

Stay calm under pressure

Maintain concentration for 90+ minutes—even with little action

Bounce back quickly from mistakes or goals conceded

🧤 2. Exceptional Reflexes & Agility

Lightning-fast reactions for close-range shots

Agile footwork for shifting across the goal line and diving at full stretch

👁️ 3. Outstanding Positioning & Game Reading

Knowing where to be before the ball is struck

Reading the play and anticipating crosses, through balls, and rebounds

🗣️ 4. Leadership & Communication

Commanding the back line, organizing defenders

Constantly talking, directing positioning and marking

Instilling confidence in the defense

🦵 5. Elite Distribution & Footwork

Playing like a “sweeper-keeper” when needed

Delivering accurate throws, punts, and goal kicks to launch attacks

Comfortable with the ball at their feet under pressure

💪 6. Physical Strength & Courage

Brave in one-on-one situations

Strong enough to claim high balls in a crowded box

Willing to dive at attackers’ feet without hesitation

📈 7. Commitment to Improvement

Continuous training on technique, fitness, and mindset

Studying opponents’ penalty habits and team tendencies

Working closely with goalkeeper coaches

Top goalkeepers don’t just react—they predict, command, and lead.

They are mentally unshakable, physically fearless, and technically elite.

🎙️ Invigorate Your Business με τον Γιώργο Στρουμπούλη
📍 Επεισόδιο E055: Ο Καλύτερος Τερματοφύλακας της Ελλάδας – Αντώνης Νικοπολίδης
🔗 https://www.stroumboulis.com/podcast/greeces-top-goalkeeper-with-antonis-nikopolidis-e055-podcast

🎧 ΚΑΛΕΣΜΕΝΟΣ: Ο Αντώνης Νικοπολίδης, ένας από τους κορυφαίους Έλληνες τερματοφύλακες όλων των εποχών, μιλάει για την εντυπωσιακή καριέρα του, τις στιγμές δόξας με την Εθνική Ελλάδος στο Euro 2004, και τον ρόλο του στο μέλλον του ελληνικού ποδοσφαίρου.

Με πάνω από 90 συμμετοχές στην Εθνική και καθοριστική παρουσία στην πορεία προς το θαύμα του Euro 2004, κράτησε ανέπαφη την εστία στα νοκ άουτ παιχνίδια και επελέγη στην κορυφαία ενδεκάδα της διοργάνωσης.

Έχοντας αγωνιστεί σε Παναθηναϊκό και Ολυμπιακό, πέτυχε μοναδικό ρεκόρ με τριπλά νταμπλ σε δύο αντίπαλες ομάδες. Σήμερα συνεχίζει να προσφέρει στο άθλημα ως προπονητής και μέντορας της νέας γενιάς.

📲 Instagram Αντώνη: https://www.instagram.com/nikopolidisa71/
📚 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonios_Nikopolidis

🧠 ΤΙ ΘΑ ΑΚΟΥΣΕΙΣ ΣΤΟ ΕΠΕΙΣΟΔΙΟ:

  • Πώς ξεκίνησε ο Νικοπολίδης το ποδόσφαιρο

  • Η μετάβαση από Παναθηναϊκό σε Ολυμπιακό

  • Η εμπειρία του Euro 2004 και οι προκλήσεις στα αποδυτήρια

  • Πώς κρατούσε ισορροπία ως γονιός και επαγγελματίας

  • Το μέλλον του ελληνικού ποδοσφαίρου και της γυναικείας ομάδας

  • Η άποψή του για την πίεση στα παιδιά στον αθλητισμό

  • Ποιος είναι ο επόμενος του στόχος

🎙️ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ PODCAST: Το Invigorate Your Business με τον Γιώργο Στρουμπούλη φιλοξενεί πρόσωπα που ξεχωρίζουν στον χώρο τους, από τον επιχειρηματικό κόσμο μέχρι τον αθλητισμό και τη δημιουργία. Μία αυθεντική συζήτηση για το ταξίδι τους προς την επιτυχία.

👨‍💼 ΓΙΑ ΤΟΝ HOST – Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: Ελληνοκαναδός επιχειρηματίας με δράση σε ΗΠΑ, Ευρώπη και Ασία, ο Γιώργος έχει δημιουργήσει και αναπτύξει πολλές επιτυχημένες εταιρείες σε διεθνές επίπεδο.

FULL SHOW TRANSCRIPT - ENGLISH

1 00:00:00,833 --> 00:00:02,517 [Interviewer] And we begin.  2 00:00:02,567 --> 00:00:03,383 We begin.  3 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:05,417 I am...  4 00:00:05,617 --> 00:00:06,617 I'm excited for this one,  5 00:00:07,017 --> 00:00:08,767 very excited we get to sit down.  6 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:11,817 We met downstairs at a café  7 00:00:12,483 --> 00:00:13,483 just before this  8 00:00:14,350 --> 00:00:16,367 and instantly seeing you, I was like,  9 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:17,360 I got the chills,  10 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:18,560 which is crazy.  11 00:00:19,783 --> 00:00:21,417 I'm sure you hear this all the time, right?  12 00:00:21,833 --> 00:00:23,967 The impact you have on people,  13 00:00:25,317 --> 00:00:26,883 seeing you in their memories,  14 00:00:26,908 --> 00:00:28,767 you and your team and what you guys brought to this country.  15 00:00:28,967 --> 00:00:29,967 But for me, as a kid,  16 00:00:30,167 --> 00:00:32,967 growing up it was Wayne Gretzky for hockey, ok?  17 00:00:33,717 --> 00:00:36,200 It was like, for me, that was the dream.  18 00:00:36,833 --> 00:00:37,767 Michael Jordan  19 00:00:37,967 --> 00:00:39,217 for basketball, right?  20 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,733 And as a group, the Greek national team for Euro 2004.  21 00:00:43,758 --> 00:00:44,750 For me as a kid, like those are,  22 00:00:44,917 --> 00:00:46,400 so to see,  23 00:00:46,917 --> 00:00:48,883 like you and to be sitting down and talking and  24 00:00:49,117 --> 00:00:52,383 to go back to what you guys did for the country  25 00:00:52,583 --> 00:00:53,583 and that feeling that you gave us?  26 00:00:53,667 --> 00:00:54,667 On another level.  27 00:00:55,083 --> 00:00:58,017 So, today I'm sitting down with Mr. Antonis Nikopolides.  28 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:00,150 Thank you for sitting down with us.  29 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:02,000 [Nikopolides] First of all, let me apologize.  30 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:05,360 So I will try. I can't -   31 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:09,440 To make the conversation much nicer and easier to understand, it will be difficult to  32 00:01:09,465 --> 00:01:13,520 do it in English for me, so I apologize to your listeners.  33 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:14,280 I will do it myself.  34 00:01:14,305 --> 00:01:17,935 I will answer in Greek so that we can manage, because if I start in  35 00:01:17,960 --> 00:01:20,480 English it will be a tough interview.  36 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:21,880 I will struggle quite a bit.  37 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:25,600 So it's better, more natural and nicer for us to speak.  38 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:28,815 I will speak, I will answer in Greek.  39 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:30,200 I am happy to be here with you.  40 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:37,400 America is a very big community.  41 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:41,000 I was lucky for many years to have visited  42 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:47,800 both Chicago and New York and we will talk about that later of course, but  43 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:53,840 I am always impressed every time I visit America.  44 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:56,483 [Interviewer] For sure. Thank you! And, for the listeners,  45 00:01:56,783 --> 00:01:59,867 We will also put subtitles so they know what we’re saying.  46 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:01,895 Look, for the listener  47 00:02:02,100 --> 00:02:04,027 to understand who I'm sitting with today.  48 00:02:04,227 --> 00:02:05,386 Whether you follow soccer or not,  49 00:02:05,614 --> 00:02:07,386 I think it's gonna be good to do a quick biography  50 00:02:07,586 --> 00:02:09,771 just on who I'm sitting with today.  51 00:02:10,543 --> 00:02:14,371 So, today's guest is a true legend of European football  52 00:02:14,571 --> 00:02:16,557 and one of Greece's most iconic athletes.  53 00:02:16,757 --> 00:02:18,457 Antonis Nikopolides  54 00:02:18,583 --> 00:02:23,067 is widely regarded as one of the greatest Greek goalkeepers of all time, for sure.  55 00:02:23,567 --> 00:02:25,683 Holding the record for the most goalkeeper appearances  56 00:02:25,776 --> 00:02:27,333 for the Greek national soccer team  57 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:30,183 and playing a pivotal role in Greece's historic  58 00:02:30,217 --> 00:02:32,467 UEFA Euro 2004 championship victory,  59 00:02:32,667 --> 00:02:35,867 where he kept clean sheets throughout the knockout rounds  60 00:02:36,450 --> 00:02:38,850 and was named to the tournament's all-star team,  61 00:02:38,883 --> 00:02:40,733 which is incredible. No goal scored on you  62 00:02:41,033 --> 00:02:42,450 during the knockout rounds.  63 00:02:42,483 --> 00:02:43,367 Insane, right?  64 00:02:43,517 --> 00:02:47,133 His club career is a saga of elite consistency and drama,  65 00:02:47,158 --> 00:02:48,883 starting at Panathinaikos,  66 00:02:48,933 --> 00:02:50,783 where he became a fan favorite  67 00:02:50,808 --> 00:02:52,650 and Champions League quarter-finalist  68 00:02:52,683 --> 00:02:55,983 and later controversially transferring to the rivals, Olympiakos.  69 00:02:56,183 --> 00:02:57,183 Right? Crazy  70 00:02:57,208 --> 00:02:58,783 we're gonna get into that  71 00:02:58,883 --> 00:03:00,650 where he won multiple league doubles,  72 00:03:00,717 --> 00:03:02,700 made game-winning penalty saves in Europe,  73 00:03:02,703 --> 00:03:05,183 and ended his playing career as captain and champion.  74 00:03:05,817 --> 00:03:08,717 After hanging up his gloves, Antonis transitioned into coaching,  75 00:03:09,433 --> 00:03:12,725 first as assistant and interim manager of Olympiakos  76 00:03:12,750 --> 00:03:17,050 and later as head coach of Greece's U21 national team,  77 00:03:17,250 --> 00:03:18,250 continuing to influence the game  78 00:03:18,450 --> 00:03:20,533 by developing the next generation of Greek talent.  79 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,833 His career is defined by discipline, resilience, and leadership,  80 00:03:24,533 --> 00:03:25,767 both on and off the pitch.  81 00:03:26,433 --> 00:03:27,917 Today, we're going to talk with Antonis,  82 00:03:28,117 --> 00:03:30,217 and I am super excited to be sitting with you.  83 00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:33,400 So, does that cover a part of your career?  84 00:03:33,917 --> 00:03:34,917 [Nikopolides] I got a bit anxious  85 00:03:35,850 --> 00:03:37,833 I heard all that together, I got a bit anxious  86 00:03:38,033 --> 00:03:40,683 but I think that very quickly and very briefly  87 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:45,160 you told my story, my football story up to now.  88 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,950 [Interviewer] And your soccer story, for football, right?  89 00:03:49,550 --> 00:03:52,917 I remember now, 2004, ok?  90 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:54,814 You had a cool,  91 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:56,657 You had this style,  92 00:03:57,043 --> 00:03:57,643 this demeanor,  93 00:03:57,671 --> 00:03:58,243 where it's like...  94 00:03:58,280 --> 00:03:58,761 eeep...!  95 00:03:58,900 --> 00:04:00,886 to me, it's like the Greek,  96 00:04:00,914 --> 00:04:02,271 like always I got this  97 00:04:03,786 --> 00:04:05,086 I felt like you were the pillar,  98 00:04:05,214 --> 00:04:07,386 the strong, you're on the field,  99 00:04:07,529 --> 00:04:08,986 I don't know if it's your face,  100 00:04:09,286 --> 00:04:10,486 how you give it,  101 00:04:10,786 --> 00:04:13,014 but is that how you are in real life as well?  102 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:17,386 [Nikopolides] I think in my life too I’m quite calm,  because I believe that always when  103 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:25,080 you try to find the right decision,  you have to be ready.  104 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:31,015 I certainly had a lot of trust in my teammates, so that  105 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:32,760 always calmed me.  106 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:37,560 I knew they would do their job well, but I always tried to  107 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:43,720 make the right choice, having assessed all my  108 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:46,560 decisions better.  109 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,560 The truth is I was quite well prepared.  110 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:55,280 You reached 2004, but there was a decade before that  111 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:57,760 that came with many big challenges.  112 00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:01,720 So those challenges gave me the foundation so that I could  113 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:03,840 in the tough moment, in the critical moment,  114 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,000 always make the right decision.  115 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,880 [Interviewer] That's it, yeah. What you said right now...  116 00:05:09,814 --> 00:05:12,929 we knew you abroad from 2004,  117 00:05:13,014 --> 00:05:16,071 but you had a career on the biggest club,  118 00:05:16,114 --> 00:05:18,843 one of the two biggest clubs in this country, right? And just doing that.  119 00:05:19,057 --> 00:05:20,914 Let's go back a bit. Talk soccer.  120 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,557 When did soccer become something important in your life?  121 00:05:23,914 --> 00:05:25,957 [Nikopolides] Football always was  122 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:28,920 was in my life. I remember it  123 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:33,680 from when I was five years old. I was lucky in the village where I lived in -  124 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:35,160 I’m from Arta.  125 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,040 I come from, first of all, a refugee family, Pontic  126 00:05:38,280 --> 00:05:39,480 refugee family.  127 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:44,040 My parents came from the then Soviet Union in the 1950s.  128 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:47,400 So I was lucky.  129 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,460 The village football pitch was right next to my house,  130 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:58,295 and I was unlucky at the same time, because every time I heard a ball being kicked or  131 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:02,320 anything about the kids, I’d immediately run straight to the pitch.  132 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:06,280 And you know, when you start as a kid playing from three years old,  133 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:10,240 three in the afternoon, when you come back from school,  134 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:14,280 you stop when it gets dark and you can’t see the ball anymore.  135 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:16,600 It was a great love.  136 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:21,040 No one ever knows how it will turn out, but the game is what  137 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:27,280 creates you. You bond with the game.  138 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:32,440 The truth is that quite a few times after the 1980s, when basketball  139 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:39,295 with the success of ‘87, became the national sport in the sense that they were the  140 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:40,840 heroes and everyone wanted to play basketball etc.,  141 00:06:40,865 --> 00:06:42,320 for a while I thought,  142 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:44,040 maybe I should play basketball too etc.  143 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,495 But I think football was, is and remains  144 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:48,160 my great love.  145 00:06:48,185 --> 00:06:51,680 Because through it, through football I learned the  146 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:53,571 most important things in life, right?  147 00:06:54,514 --> 00:06:56,695 You learn to fight, you learn to  148 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:00,535 share, to cooperate, to lose, to fall down, to  149 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:02,815 get back up, to become stronger.  150 00:07:02,840 --> 00:07:07,480 I learned all these things through football and I’m grateful for that.  151 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,900 [Interviewer] What did you have though, like, as kids,  152 00:07:11,129 --> 00:07:12,929 we all play the sports, right?  153 00:07:13,029 --> 00:07:14,314 I wanted to do this and that.  154 00:07:15,186 --> 00:07:16,286 At some point,  155 00:07:16,971 --> 00:07:18,971 everyone falls off and those who are super good  156 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:20,986 keep going on and keep climbing and climbing.  157 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:23,729 When you were playing as a young boy though,  158 00:07:23,814 --> 00:07:25,443 like what was it that you knew,  159 00:07:25,551 --> 00:07:26,843 'hey I'm going'?  160 00:07:27,014 --> 00:07:29,071 Like what was different from you playing  161 00:07:29,186 --> 00:07:30,395 with all the other kids?  162 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,600 [Nikopolides] Look, this is— it still exists today.  163 00:07:32,686 --> 00:07:37,655 Beyond the talent you need to have,  164 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:39,240 you must have determination and willpower.  165 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,000 And at the same time you have to be very strong.  166 00:07:44,025 --> 00:07:50,960 Strong meaning, because in life we all look,  at the iceberg, we look  167 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:52,840 at the successes on it etc.  168 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:57,080 We never look beneath, how that developed and grew.  169 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,600 It grew through failures and through difficult moments.  170 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:06,640 Then there are kids who, like me, there are kids who  171 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:09,080 give up because they can't handle it.  172 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:11,760 And there are kids who continue.  173 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:16,935 And that's basically where the separation happens between those who  174 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:20,720 reach the goal, who can endure to reach the goal and  175 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,160 those who ultimately don't manage to get high.  176 00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:26,180 Even though they had the same talent.  177 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:30,286 [Interviewer] Did you always have support from your parents?  178 00:08:30,486 --> 00:08:32,143 Like, they knew at some point,  179 00:08:32,171 --> 00:08:34,271 'My child, it's a game. Come back.'  180 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:38,520 [Nikopolides] No, we didn’t have that kind of guidance because my parents were farmers.  181 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:41,060 They worked from morning till night.  182 00:08:41,085 --> 00:08:42,840 They didn’t have that—  183 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:46,480 we didn’t have that guidance that we give our kids now.  184 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,095 Like saying ‘child, it's normal to lose.’  185 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:51,040 And also to win, it means nothing.  186 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:53,140 The next day is always the most important.  187 00:08:53,165 --> 00:08:57,135 We didn’t have such guidance back then and we also didn’t have guidance from  188 00:08:57,160 --> 00:08:59,935 coaches who were totally inexperienced.  189 00:08:59,960 --> 00:09:03,655 They didn’t help you, at least not psychologically, because we have  190 00:09:03,680 --> 00:09:08,400 reached an era now where even top-level teams have  191 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:12,455 a psychologist who intervenes in tough moments and  192 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:16,560 tries to help footballers to support them.  193 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:19,280 These things happen now and thankfully so.  194 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:20,120 Back then there weren’t any.  195 00:09:20,145 --> 00:09:24,880 You had to find the strength yourself, find the motivation  196 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:27,200 every time something went wrong.  197 00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:31,455 Also when things go well, because often managing  198 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:33,440 success is much harder than failure.  199 00:09:33,465 --> 00:09:37,855 Because with failure you pull yourself together, become more focused,  200 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:41,815 you look at your mistakes, try to fix them while success, because it has  201 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:45,240 that sweetness of success, you start losing it.  202 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:48,680 You don’t know what you’re doing, you think you’re God,  you think you do everything right.  203 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:50,720 And I think that’s where the mistake is.  204 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:55,320 [Interviewer] And then you have people around you who are always like, ‘Oh Antonis, oh look!’  205 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:57,960 And it becomes a bubble.  206 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,800 [Nikopolides] The circles around successful people  207 00:10:01,486 --> 00:10:04,257 never really function well.  208 00:10:04,286 --> 00:10:07,357 [Interviewer] Exactly. How did you manage to stay grounded?  209 00:10:07,486 --> 00:10:11,129 From the outside, now that I know you a little bit,  210 00:10:11,771 --> 00:10:13,171 you seem like a simple person, right?  211 00:10:13,371 --> 00:10:14,414 You seem like...  212 00:10:15,386 --> 00:10:16,386 No labels.  213 00:10:16,586 --> 00:10:19,500 You seem like a simple man of the people, who likes talking...  214 00:10:20,214 --> 00:10:21,829 [Nikopolides] I’ve always been like that, as a person.  215 00:10:22,029 --> 00:10:23,029 I didn’t grow up—  216 00:10:23,229 --> 00:10:25,086 Let’s say, I wasn’t a super talent from a young age.  217 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:30,615 That’s what everyone shows.  218 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:35,480 You know, when you start playing football and at 18 you play once  219 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:41,160 I don’t know, for PAO [Panathinaikos] or any team or a big team or you score a goal, suddenly  220 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:43,760 everything around you is different.  221 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:51,080 Usually I built my story very slowly, steadily and with difficulty.  222 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,360 So anyway, I am a very simple person.  223 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:58,695 I want to live my life without people around me telling me how good a goalkeeper I am.  224 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:01,840 I know that myself, whether I am or not.  225 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:05,200 I don’t need people next to me to tell me what do I do.  226 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:10,375 I know, I decide myself, I know, I have the “know thyself,” who  227 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:11,640 I am and what I can do.  228 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:14,720 So I never needed people  229 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,440 around me to feel good.  230 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:25,600 I like to be with friends and I was lucky during  231 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:29,840 my career and after, to meet very important people outside football  232 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:34,160 who really helped me a lot unintentionally, with  233 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:40,815 things they said, which I agreed with and, without any  234 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,095 plan, I just continue my life simply.  235 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:45,160 I take the metro, I move around.  236 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,760 I like that a lot because it’s a completely different life from what I had  237 00:11:48,785 --> 00:11:53,920 to learn. Being driven, brought around, the bus and making way on the roads.  238 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,440 I don’t like it. I want to be among people.  239 00:11:56,465 --> 00:12:00,600 Because I want to live my life and when your career ends  240 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:01,720 [live] as a normal person.  241 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:06,000 [Interviewer] But people in Greece generally, wherever you go, do they leave you alone?  242 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:10,520 How is it, for example, that you got on the metro today to come here?  243 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:14,320 [Nikopolides] Look, since I stopped,  244 00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:15,840 it’s been 15 years.  245 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:19,760 Well, it’s not certain if most people recognize me.  246 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,720 Most know that I’m a bit distant.  247 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:28,200 So they don’t approach me. Some approach me very politely.  248 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,735 No, it’s normal, I think.  249 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:35,720 Okay, it’s not the times when I played, when even when I had  250 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:42,520 finished, it was hard to use the metro or to walk etc.  251 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:45,520 'Antonis, stop, photo!' You’re not having a good time.  252 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:46,529 You know.  253 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:48,729 [Interviewer] You’re not having a good time when it’s every moment.  254 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:51,260 [Nikopolides] You’re not having a good time because those are the moments when you go out with your wife  255 00:12:51,285 --> 00:12:52,240 and your child.  256 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,640 You want to devote yourself to them because you basically devote yourself  257 00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:00,120 all day to the team and you want to spend one or two hours with them.  258 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,760 Yes, at those one or two hours,  259 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:07,000 if someone comes and takes one photo or a second and third and fourth,  260 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:11,880 it ruins all that harmony and my family life is...  261 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:14,740 my family, is  262 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:16,880 above all.  263 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:19,940 Football is not above all. My family is above all.  264 00:13:19,965 --> 00:13:23,120 [Interviewer] I can’t imagine that stress. Okay, we talk about  265 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:25,814 trophys, those things. Fame, right?  266 00:13:25,843 --> 00:13:26,843 All this fame.  267 00:13:27,043 --> 00:13:28,043 I couldn’t imagine  268 00:13:28,243 --> 00:13:29,500 going out with my kids.  269 00:13:30,271 --> 00:13:31,914 Picture this, that. I couldn’t imagine –  270 00:13:31,943 --> 00:13:32,814 [Nikopolides] Yes.  271 00:13:33,014 --> 00:13:34,829 [Interviewer] – the trade-off, right? Just having to deal with that.  272 00:13:35,786 --> 00:13:36,471 Tell me.  273 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:40,040 [Nikopolides] Look, there are people who protect their life.  274 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:44,735 That is, they will go to places where others will not go,  275 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:46,840 they protect – I don’t want that.  276 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,000 I want us to go downtown.  277 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:53,160 I wanted my kids to walk in Plaka, at the Acropolis,  278 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:56,255 to go to different places or the zoo when they were small, etc.  279 00:13:56,280 --> 00:14:00,440 and now they have grown up. I didn’t try to be sterilized.  280 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:04,840 I wanted my kids to live, to see life as it is.  281 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:09,280 There were difficult moments because, for example, when you go to a zoo  282 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:16,015 in Spata, when it comes – I’m with my kids, we laugh, play, etc.  283 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:19,655 When a kid comes to take a photo, if I take a photo  284 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:21,580 with one kid, I have to take with all. Yes.  285 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:23,455 That moment is a difficult moment for me.  286 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:24,560 It was a difficult moment.  287 00:14:24,585 --> 00:14:30,055 Now it’s not like I wanted to refuse and I know I upset the kid.  288 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:34,495 And I am upset when I do it, but I wanted, you know, for one hour to be with my  289 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:38,175 kids, to have a good time because you’re basically with national  290 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,240 teams, Europe, championship, etc.  291 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:45,000 You’re always away from home and the kids want their father,  292 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:46,214 they want their family.  293 00:14:46,239 --> 00:14:47,400 [Interviewer] And how did you say no though?  294 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:48,820 Imagine now the kid comes –  295 00:14:48,845 --> 00:14:51,495 [Nikopolides] Politely. I tried to politely say that I’m with my kids.  296 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:53,680 I want to spend an hour with them.  297 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:58,040 It’s what I told you, if  they want to take a photo together, I have to  298 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,840 include the rest of the kids, because it’s unfair for everyone.  299 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:03,600 So I prefer not to take with anyone than to take with some of them.  300 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:04,740 Okay, it’s unfair.  301 00:15:04,765 --> 00:15:09,000 It saddens me, it used to sadden me, I had it like an anxiety etc. because generally I am  302 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,895 a person who will take photos, sign autographs, do things.  303 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:16,935 I don’t have such an issue, but mainly when I’m alone, I have the  304 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:18,720 time and the patience to do it.  305 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:20,040 It’s polite.  306 00:15:20,164 --> 00:15:21,156 [Interviewer] That's amazing.  307 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:23,560 Before we go to football, let’s talk about family.  308 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:23,920 OK?  309 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:26,680 How many children do you have?  310 00:15:27,264 --> 00:15:28,055 [Nikopolides] I have three children.  311 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:33,400 My oldest son is 24 and the twins, a boy and a girl, are 18 now.  312 00:15:33,452 --> 00:15:34,525 [Interviewer] Amazing.  313 00:15:34,550 --> 00:15:35,800 And you're involved, right?  314 00:15:35,825 --> 00:15:39,393 So when you were playing soccer 15 plus years ago, right?  315 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:42,686 You were involved with your kids as much as you can after training everything  316 00:15:43,557 --> 00:15:45,214 and to see your kids now on a good path.  317 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:50,600 Your son played D1 Soccer in the United States for Georgetown, correct?  318 00:15:50,721 --> 00:15:51,650 [Nikopolides] Yes.  319 00:15:51,707 --> 00:15:53,121 [Interviewer] Won a national championship.  320 00:15:53,146 --> 00:15:54,675 Talk to me just about the kids  321 00:15:54,700 --> 00:15:57,579 and how important it is and the path that they're on.  322 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:06,655 [Nikopolides] Yiannis, my oldest son, when I was at my peak in 2004,  323 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:07,518 he was 4 years old.  324 00:16:07,543 --> 00:16:10,280 He was still very young, so he didn’t experience it.  325 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:13,735 He mostly lived through the time when I was at Olympiacos.  326 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:17,695 That is, when I ended my career he was 8 years old,  327 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,160 9 years old, 10 years old. He experienced more.  328 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:21,640 The twins not.  329 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:24,720 So Yiannis, because he was a child of the Olympiacos Academy, had played  330 00:16:24,745 --> 00:16:26,880 at the Olympiacos Academy and the National team.  331 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,200 He was offered a very big opportunity.  332 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:35,520 A scholarship at Georgetown University in DC.  333 00:16:35,693 --> 00:16:36,829 [Interviewer] Huge! That's huge.  334 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:44,600 [Nikopolides] He decided himself because we... We tried to guide him.  335 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,840 Telling him that he must make the decision to weigh  336 00:16:49,865 --> 00:16:51,400 the positives, the negatives etc.  337 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:56,615 It’s a new continent, a new life, because basically he would be alone.  338 00:16:56,640 --> 00:17:02,520 Greece is very far from DC. He would experience new things.  339 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:04,840 He decided to go for it.  340 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:09,015 He lived four wonderful years in DC and we with him, meaning  341 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:10,920 that we visited him.  342 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:16,200 I had been to New York, Chicago etc. but I had...  343 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,200 Never been to Washington. And it was really very beautiful.  344 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:24,360 Georgetown, the neighborhood is very beautiful.  345 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:27,440 Yiannis had a wonderful time.  346 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,120 Beyond his studies, beyond the degree he earned,  347 00:17:31,360 --> 00:17:35,080 he got to know the whole of America, like starting to go to California,  348 00:17:36,360 --> 00:17:41,295 going to Chicago, he got to know all of America and  349 00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:42,500 that is a very big experience.  350 00:17:42,525 --> 00:17:46,775 A great experience for him. Yiannis basically stayed 5 years  351 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:53,560 because he also played one year for the New York Red Bulls, he played one year, he played USL.  352 00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:58,920 He was in the first team, he played in the USL and then he also returned as a goalkeeper.  353 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:03,560 Now he plays for a team in Kifisia, which this year will again play  354 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:09,240 in the First National division, so he continues his path as well.  355 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,695 The kids now, the twins have grown up and the younger one  356 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:19,560 plays goalkeeper in a team that this year also got promoted. He plays in the third national division.  357 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:21,895 The girl did gymnastics but she left.  358 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,840 Now she has gone to Italy and is studying economics.  359 00:18:25,114 --> 00:18:25,657 [Interviewer] Well done.  360 00:18:25,900 --> 00:18:26,271 [Nikopolides] Yes.  361 00:18:26,471 --> 00:18:29,786 [Interviewer] So you and your wife did a great job putting on this path?  362 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:34,215 [Nikopolides] Yes, we always tried to combine sports because  363 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:35,600 the girl also did gymnastics.  364 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:40,560 Sports as expression, as  365 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:42,480 as a way of life.  366 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:46,200 Sports is something very important.  367 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:52,815 You make acquaintances, socialize, go to different places, play  368 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,800 tournaments, compete with yourself, see your limits.  369 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,080 [Interviewer] Perfect.  370 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:03,000 [Nikopolides] So... But at the same time, studies are very important.  371 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:04,295 Both kids.  372 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:08,335 And George is studying, of course, but John made the big step because  373 00:19:08,360 --> 00:19:13,920 it was hard to leave here at 18 years old, to go to a university 10 hours away.  374 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:18,535 It wasn’t something you can just pop off and go and live a different life.  375 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:21,295 But we met people, we lived with the  376 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,840 coaches, we met the people there at the university.  377 00:19:24,120 --> 00:19:28,329 It was a special experience for us as well. It was for him too.  378 00:19:28,529 --> 00:19:31,521 [Interviewer] How do you have two sons, though, goalies? Did they see...  379 00:19:31,550 --> 00:19:35,179 I imagine now when you were playing Olympiakos and you were at the top,  380 00:19:35,836 --> 00:19:41,793 your son was old enough to understand like, 'wow, my dad is the best at doing this'.  381 00:19:41,821 --> 00:19:44,829 That's what motivated him? Or did you say, 'hey, you should be a goalie'? This is why.  382 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:48,640 [Nikopolides] No, I never encouraged them to play as goalkeepers.  383 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:50,455 I didn’t like it either. They didn’t want to.  384 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:54,200 I didn’t want it because it’s a very stressful position.  385 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,135 [Interviewer] Sorry, what do you mean you didn’t want?  386 00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:57,640 [Nikopolides] I didn’t want, I wanted to –  387 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:01,440 When they started playing at the Academy, I didn’t want them to be goalkeepers.  388 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:02,560 I didn’t want...  389 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,760 I didn’t tell the coach 'don’t put them as goalkeepers', but  390 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,295 inside myself, I was saying I wish they play another position, do something  391 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:11,200 different from me.  392 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,295 Because I knew that at some point, when I reach this  393 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:19,440 point there will have to be – there will be the comparison.  394 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:25,295 And it’s not nice to compare because Antonis is one thing,  395 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:27,440 John is another, George is another.  396 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:30,975 We are completely different people, but people like to compare  397 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:32,160 and judge.  398 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:37,160 And it’s not because the kid, you don’t know if he can handle it or if he will be able or  399 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:39,960 if he will hate all of that and get totally disappointed and  400 00:20:39,985 --> 00:20:42,880 say 'I’m not doing this'. Thank God, my kids can handle it.  401 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:47,295 They are strong characters and they don’t understand comparisons, etc.  402 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:49,240 They live their life. They say, 'this is who we are'.  403 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,600 Everyone has their own personality, their own talent.  404 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:54,280 They follow their own path.  405 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:55,320 Bigger, smaller.  406 00:20:55,360 --> 00:20:56,720 That will show.  407 00:20:57,720 --> 00:20:59,080 Life and time will show.  408 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:01,760 [Interviewer] Even Lebron James says that,  409 00:21:02,179 --> 00:21:03,179 says it about his son.  410 00:21:04,079 --> 00:21:05,879 He regrets naming him the same name.  411 00:21:06,407 --> 00:21:08,279 He goes, it's just, it's just different, right?  412 00:21:08,936 --> 00:21:10,129 You had a different ehm...  413 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:12,257 hunger  414 00:21:12,457 --> 00:21:14,500 It's just different at your time, right?  415 00:21:14,582 --> 00:21:17,207 Versus our kids and the kids.  416 00:21:17,371 --> 00:21:18,493 It's incredible.  417 00:21:18,620 --> 00:21:22,621 Walk us through Panathinaikos transitioning to Olympiakos.  418 00:21:23,164 --> 00:21:25,971 So for the listeners who don't know anything about Greek soccer,  419 00:21:26,743 --> 00:21:31,014 these are major teams, big rivalries in this country, right?  420 00:21:31,039 --> 00:21:32,036 The two teams.  421 00:21:32,236 --> 00:21:36,229 Is it true during 2004 you were with Panathinaikos  422 00:21:36,257 --> 00:21:38,921 and then you transferred to Olympiakos  423 00:21:38,950 --> 00:21:40,450 during the tournament or before?  424 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:44,040 [Nikopolides] It is a...  425 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:48,775 It is a very difficult story and the truth is that even there I didn’t have a good time.  427 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:50,175 I mean, this transition was difficult for me because  428 00:21:56,680 --> 00:21:59,040 I was at Panathinaikos for 15 years.  429 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,640 It was a very big story for me at Panathinaikos.  430 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:05,680 Without going into details now.  431 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:09,880 It was really a negotiation that basically,  432 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,000 in short, I tried.  433 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:16,815 I wanted to stay at Panathinaikos, of course on my own terms, but the team  434 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:20,055 decided that 15 years had passed.  435 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:22,815 That you are 33 years old.  436 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:26,695 You are at an advanced age, we will look to find a younger player to  437 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:28,560 build upon, etc. etc.  438 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:33,455 And their side is professional but also for  439 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:35,360 me I couldn’t stay  440 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:39,480 the way they wanted me to stay.  441 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:45,920 So I decided, in a difficult moment, to make this transition.  442 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:52,295 Many say that I had agreed and had talked etc.  443 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:54,180 I hadn’t talked, I had never agreed.  444 00:22:54,360 --> 00:22:57,855 I went to negotiate my contract with the team.  445 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:02,080 The team had normally decided not to do it.  446 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:04,360 They had decided to make the change.  447 00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:10,360 After our disagreement, it started  448 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:15,640 let’s say that I didn’t play in the team.  449 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:16,840 This created a problem for me.  450 00:23:16,865 --> 00:23:21,080 Mainly it has to do with finding my next team.  451 00:23:21,120 --> 00:23:26,655 That is, my career was at risk, because when you don’t play for three months,  452 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:29,895 four months, and you’re at the age of 33,  453 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:32,160 it’s not easy afterwards to find your next stop.  454 00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:35,880 And the same goes for the National Team.  455 00:23:36,360 --> 00:23:41,775 I mean, it would have been difficult to play for the National Team because  456 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:44,760 the national team coach would have preferred a goalkeeper who had match  457 00:23:44,785 --> 00:23:46,695 fitness so he’d be much more ready.  458 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:49,080 The truth is that in both parts I was  459 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:54,160 lucky, in the sense that the coach trusted me and  460 00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:57,080 the National Team did very well.  461 00:23:57,120 --> 00:24:01,735 So a little after May, when the  462 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:04,600 championship ended, I made  463 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:09,880 contact with Olympiacos.  464 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:12,080 Olympiacos wanted me and I decided to make that move.  465 00:24:12,120 --> 00:24:13,335 I had nothing. I had no team.  466 00:24:13,360 --> 00:24:15,840 Olympiacos, at that moment -  467 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:20,400 Olympiacos at that moment offered me a contract.  468 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:26,480 I believed that I could make it.  469 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:29,760 At Olympiacos I could make a difference and in the end  470 00:24:29,871 --> 00:24:31,179 for me things turned out very well.  470 00:24:29,871 --> 00:24:31,179 [Interviewer] Very good. You couldn't ask for better.  471 00:24:31,650 --> 00:24:34,468 Did you doubt yourself at 33 years old?  472 00:24:34,493 --> 00:24:38,479 Were you like, 'oh man, 15 years they want to trade me?'  473 00:24:38,507 --> 00:24:40,936 Like psychologically, where were you at?  474 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:45,160 Look, it would have been  475 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:50,040 I think that looking back at my career etc.  476 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,375 I think that in the end it’s not the best to stay at one  477 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:55,680 team for too many years.  478 00:24:56,400 --> 00:25:02,255 I think that the changes you need to make, say every five years, every  479 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:05,080 four years or so, changes to teams,  480 00:25:05,120 --> 00:25:09,480 meaning moving to other teams, gives you a different motivation to  481 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:12,815 constantly prove that you’re the best. I mean,  482 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:18,520 when you’re in a team for 5 years and you’re at the top, at some point decline begins.  483 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:22,095 You’re looking for motivation to do  484 00:25:22,120 --> 00:25:28,295 something, whereas when you leave and go to another team, of course one that has the same  485 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:30,480 goals, meaning to be a contender or so on.  486 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:35,295 Because when you’ve learned all these years to be number one and to compete for the  487 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:38,240 championship or to compete, to be top, to play in the Champions League,  488 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,900 you’re looking for such a team and it’s not so easy.  489 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:46,040 So you look — it’s better to change so you can have a new motivation.  490 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:48,960 New team, new people.  491 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:50,280 You can become better.  492 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:51,960 I mean it’s nice.  493 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:54,935 Although changes in general scare me.  494 00:25:54,960 --> 00:25:57,380 I’m not one of those people who change very easily.  495 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:01,160 No. And I’m not saying that’s right.  496 00:26:01,221 --> 00:26:01,764 [Interviewer] Sure.  497 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:03,620 [Nikopolides] Right? No one knows.  498 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:07,575 Usually changes scare me or I find it hard to make changes even  499 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,440 with people I work with.  500 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:17,735 I think that when you make the right change you can  501 00:26:17,760 --> 00:26:20,440 become better and learn many more things than staying  502 00:26:20,465 --> 00:26:23,640 in the same job.  503 00:26:23,764 --> 00:26:24,756 [Interviewer] Absolutely!  504 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:26,400 Panathinaikos - Olympiakos.  505 00:26:26,771 --> 00:26:29,340 What was the one top thing you were most proud of  506 00:26:29,365 --> 00:26:31,036 while you were playing at Panathinaiko  507 00:26:31,064 --> 00:26:34,614 and what was the number one thing you were most proud of at Olympiako,  508 00:26:34,639 --> 00:26:36,093 if you had to pick one?  509 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:44,535 [Nikopolides] For me, Panathinaikos, because it was at the start of my career.  510 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:48,895 It was what shaped me as a person, as a  511 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:50,360 professional and as a character.  512 00:26:52,120 --> 00:26:53,680 It was like a school for me.  513 00:26:53,960 --> 00:26:57,120 Like going to elementary, high school, university and then  514 00:26:57,160 --> 00:26:58,720 graduating after 15 years.  515 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:01,335 It was truly a very big university.  516 00:27:01,360 --> 00:27:03,840 [Interviewer] You joined at 15, 18...  517 00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:05,720 [Nikopolides] I was 18 years old. And I left at 33.  518 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:07,840 It was a very big university.  519 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,935 It’s a really big club that plays for championships  520 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:14,200 in its hard times, in its good times.  521 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:17,320 It really was a school.  522 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:22,695 At Olympiakos I lived the life that any professional footballer  523 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:25,480 would dream of.  524 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:32,815 With lots of love, with lots of respect towards me, with many, many big  525 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:37,880 successes at Olympiakos from the first day I went there.  526 00:27:38,840 --> 00:27:40,240 They even made me their captain.  527 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:46,520 Of course, the Euro in 2004 helped too, but even today  528 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:53,080 they love me and respect me even more and that’s  529 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:56,680 That’s the reward I have in my career.  530 00:27:56,880 --> 00:28:00,164 [Interviewer] That's incredible! And you were the captain when you went there?  531 00:28:00,379 --> 00:28:02,614 [Nikopolides] When I went, within a year I was captain.  532 00:28:02,814 --> 00:28:04,936 [Interviewer] That's incredible, right?  533 00:28:04,979 --> 00:28:05,829 Coming off that.  534 00:28:05,942 --> 00:28:07,314 Ok,so. As of fans now...  535 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:10,079 Can you say which fans,  536 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:11,920 the supporters,   537 00:28:12,120 --> 00:28:17,543 Which ones have the most respect, craziness? How would you...  538 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:20,321 They will roast us in comments if we...[laughs]  539 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:21,379 [Nikopolides] They’re...  540 00:28:23,120 --> 00:28:26,920 Both teams are really big and the fans of both  541 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:29,720 teams are really many.  542 00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:32,360 They love their team very much. They...  543 00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:36,920 worship it very much. I mean,  544 00:28:39,040 --> 00:28:43,320 all the years I remember being at Karaiskaki,  545 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:47,975 I don’t remember it being empty, not once did I play in an empty stadium or  546 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:52,040 the people’s support and the love, many times beyond average.  547 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:53,960 That’s the bad side for me.  548 00:28:54,160 --> 00:28:58,375 Same at the Olympic Stadium, I’ve experienced moments when we  549 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:01,640 played at the Olympic Stadium, there were 40 and 50 thousand people.  550 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:07,055 People love, they stand behind their team, they want the best, but many  551 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:10,775 times we cross the line, especially when these  552 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:12,120 riots happen and so on.  553 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:16,800 I think that   the love of a fan for the team  554 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:21,055 is to protect the team, to follow it in the good times, in the  555 00:29:21,080 --> 00:29:25,920 difficult times as well as in the successes,   but mainly to protect it and to  556 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:28,320 stand by its side.  557 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:32,255 That’s what it is, but   I think both sides,  558 00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:37,520 both have an immense love for   their team,  559 00:29:37,680 --> 00:29:41,560 both sets of fans. They are eternal rivals.  560 00:29:41,840 --> 00:29:45,215 They have a big rivalry   which many times, as I said  561 00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:50,775 before, unfortunately we reach extremes   and that is the — although it has  562 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:52,800 been quite reduced in recent years.  563 00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:56,040 It’s always dangerous.  564 00:29:56,240 --> 00:29:57,240 [Interviewer] Absolutely.  565 00:29:58,379 --> 00:30:00,861 Towards the end of your carreer at Olympiakos,  566 00:30:00,886 --> 00:30:05,329 when did you know like, 'I'm not going to be that guy anymore'?  567 00:30:05,357 --> 00:30:06,536 'I'm not going to be the starter'.  568 00:30:07,071 --> 00:30:08,071 'My time is coming'.  569 00:30:08,436 --> 00:30:12,100 Is it one moment or is it several games?  570 00:30:12,129 --> 00:30:14,243 Is it how you feel? Like, how did you...?  571 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:18,793 [Nikopolides] Umm...  572 00:30:19,850 --> 00:30:20,871 I wanted...  573 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:23,600 I had reached 40.  574 00:30:23,640 --> 00:30:26,400 I stopped at 40, almost 41 when I stopped.  575 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:27,600 [Interviewer] It's a long carreer.  576 00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:33,095 [Nikopolides] Even though   the last six months I wasn’t playing,  577 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:36,695 I was still with the team. You know, I was a substitute, etc., which  578 00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:37,960 is important as well.  579 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:40,720 So maybe you’re not on the front line, but when you’re on a  580 00:30:40,745 --> 00:30:42,240 team and you’re a substitute  581 00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:46,280 you’re still part of the team.  582 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:53,640 The truth is that   I could have played for another two years.  583 00:30:53,644 --> 00:30:54,411 [Interviewer] Another two?  584 00:30:54,436 --> 00:30:56,193 [Nikopolides] Yes, I could have played for another two years.  585 00:30:57,880 --> 00:31:03,920 Because I had the will and the strength   to do it.  586 00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:10,680 And I was in very good shape, but   at that moment I wanted to stop,  587 00:31:12,080 --> 00:31:12,960 to finish  588 00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:17,480 as a champion, at the highest   point and in the way I finished.  589 00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:20,120 I mean, I said I don’t want everything for myself.  590 00:31:22,407 --> 00:31:24,771 Let’s not push it too far.  591 00:31:25,680 --> 00:31:28,240 I had reached my limit.   I think at 40  592 00:31:28,280 --> 00:31:29,815 it was enough.   At 41  593 00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:34,295 it was an age that is respectable.  594 00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:37,440 It’s at the limits for an athlete who   can play at a high level.  595 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:43,175 I think that, well, I also had some   issues with my back that despite  596 00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:46,080 everything, I could control.  597 00:31:49,000 --> 00:31:56,855 But seeing now in recent years   Buffon who is 44-45, I say how could I  598 00:31:56,880 --> 00:31:59,200 have done it?  599 00:31:59,400 --> 00:32:03,120 If Buffon had been ahead of me   and had reached 43-44,  600 00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:04,295 I would have thought about it,  601 00:32:04,321 --> 00:32:05,579 to tell you the truth.  602 00:32:05,607 --> 00:32:08,375 [Interviewer] You would think about it. But you had to finish with Olympiakos?  603 00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:10,655 If they put you on another team or abroad.  604 00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:11,779 [Nikopolides] Yes, I wouldn’t go, no.  605 00:32:11,807 --> 00:32:13,775 [Interviewer] You wanted to finish on top there, where it’s...  606 00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:15,360 [Nikopolides] After Olympiakos  607 00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:21,971 a gentleman approached me and said, ‘Do you want to try to go to the MLS?’  608 00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:26,295 I told him, ‘Look, in my life I’ve never played for teams abroad,  609 00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:27,680 I’ve never done that,’ I told him.  610 00:32:28,520 --> 00:32:33,535 I said, ‘If you find a team in the MLS,’ I told him, ‘I would go,’  611 00:32:33,560 --> 00:32:35,572 I told him. I’d go even for a year.  612 00:32:35,772 --> 00:32:37,638 Football-wise. I’d do it, I told him.  613 00:32:37,838 --> 00:32:41,255 Mostly for the experience, to get to know America better too, because  614 00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:45,120 you know, you travel, you see different places, etc., mostly for the experience  615 00:32:45,160 --> 00:32:47,455 I’d do it. If you find me a team I’ll come, I told him.  616 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:49,120 And money wasn’t the issue.  617 00:32:49,400 --> 00:32:52,640 I’d come even just for the experience.  618 00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:56,179 I wanted to get involved a bit, to get to know  619 00:32:56,379 --> 00:33:02,695 the MLS, because now we see the MLS in this decade— we’re now seven years in, where really  620 00:33:02,720 --> 00:33:05,760 it has grown in stature and has become really big.  621 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:13,335 Back in 2010 it was a closed Anglo-Saxon league with some  622 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:14,920 good moments like Beckham.  623 00:33:16,080 --> 00:33:18,440 Like [incomprehensible] who came later.  624 00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:19,640 [Interviewer] Thierry Henry.  625 00:33:20,880 --> 00:33:24,240 [Nikopolides] Some stars on some teams, but mainly in a  626 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:28,240 league with Anglo-Saxon coaches, etc.  627 00:33:28,280 --> 00:33:30,360 A bit behind.  628 00:33:30,600 --> 00:33:31,855 Now it has changed.  629 00:33:31,880 --> 00:33:36,215 It really is a very big league that attracts a lot of players who  630 00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:40,760 want to be involved and the top player has gone there, Messi.  631 00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:44,535 And yes, to finish the conversation, yes, I wanted to. If, let’s say,  632 00:33:44,560 --> 00:33:47,014 I’d gotten an offer, I’d have gone.  633 00:33:47,039 --> 00:33:48,036 [Interviewer] And I find it crazy that...  634 00:33:48,436 --> 00:33:50,407 the resume that you have,  635 00:33:50,686 --> 00:33:52,161 what you have achieved...  636 00:33:52,181 --> 00:33:54,136 There are so many teams in the MLS.  637 00:33:54,164 --> 00:33:55,993 [Nikopolides] I was 41. Whatever you say, I was  638 00:33:56,800 --> 00:34:00,240 41. If I was 33 I could have done it. At 41  639 00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:01,720 it was a bit difficult.  640 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:05,829 [Interviewer] When you were 33, at the peak of your age, 35,  641 00:34:06,264 --> 00:34:09,129 did you ever think of European teams going out to Europe  642 00:34:09,157 --> 00:34:11,507 or everything you wanted was here in Greece?  643 00:34:12,200 --> 00:34:16,489 [Nikopolides] Look, even at 31 and 32 I had  644 00:34:16,689 --> 00:34:17,689 I had offers.  645 00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:21,600 England actually, I remember the most serious offer which was also official.  646 00:34:21,640 --> 00:34:25,680 Let’s not talk about rumors.  647 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:33,320 I had an offer from Bolton, which that year was being promoted to the  648 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:35,340 Premier League.  649 00:34:35,600 --> 00:34:40,920 Their goalkeeper had broken his arm, they were going to the playoffs  650 00:34:41,880 --> 00:34:44,760 and they came and made me an official offer, to Panathinaikos too and  651 00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:50,335 with enough money so I could go, and they were also giving me a three-year  652 00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:54,175 contract, so I wouldn’t just be replacing a goalkeeper for a short while.  653 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:55,360 They were offering me a three-year contract.  654 00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:59,280 The truth is I pushed quite a lot to go, to leave.  655 00:34:59,840 --> 00:35:03,575 It was maybe the first time I pushed to leave, to go to England.  656 00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:04,994 And Panathinaikos didn’t let me.  657 00:35:05,194 --> 00:35:06,194 [Interviewer] They didn't let you, on a contract...  658 00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:11,880 [Nikopolides] No. And after the Euro, same thing again.  659 00:35:12,480 --> 00:35:14,295 After the Euro there were rumors.  660 00:35:14,320 --> 00:35:19,455 I mean, my agent came to me and told me this and that etc.  661 00:35:19,480 --> 00:35:24,375 I told him we’ve signed, I told him we signed on May 30th with  662 00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:27,695 Olympiakos, I can’t, I told him, I can’t take back my signature  663 00:35:27,720 --> 00:35:29,460 I told him, because that’s the kind of person I am.  664 00:35:29,485 --> 00:35:32,480 When we give our word, we give our word.  665 00:35:32,880 --> 00:35:34,800 [Interviewer] Jeez. That's...  666 00:35:35,643 --> 00:35:38,679 That's crazy that you had those options to even go there.  667 00:35:38,879 --> 00:35:40,500 You know, to be in that position.  668 00:35:41,400 --> 00:35:43,971 Actually, before - just really quick  669 00:35:44,164 --> 00:35:45,736 What was one of the best players that  670 00:35:45,829 --> 00:35:47,379 you've played against during your career?  671 00:35:48,121 --> 00:35:50,886 Were you, like, a fan too. Not just 'I gotta stop this guy'  672 00:35:50,914 --> 00:35:53,829 but you were like 'Οh my God! This guy is trying to score on me'.  673 00:35:54,379 --> 00:35:54,907 [Nikopolides] Zidane.  674 00:35:55,436 --> 00:35:58,600 [Interviewer] Zidane. And who was he playing for at the time?  675 00:35:58,629 --> 00:36:02,107 [Nikopolides] Real Madrid and national team.  676 00:36:02,320 --> 00:36:09,280 He was one of the best football players in the world of all time.  677 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:13,000 So when we came up against him — I must have faced him with Juventus too.  678 00:36:13,080 --> 00:36:15,200 We had played with Panathinaikos, against  679 00:36:15,225 --> 00:36:16,280 Juventus in Turin.  680 00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:17,920 Yes, yes, Turin.  681 00:36:17,960 --> 00:36:22,600 Later we played against Real Madrid and the national team.  682 00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:23,720 Very big decision.  683 00:36:23,745 --> 00:36:27,695 I mean, the year we played Panathinaikos against Real Madrid was the time  684 00:36:27,720 --> 00:36:31,280 when everyone was saying 'galacticos', 'galacticos'.  685 00:36:31,920 --> 00:36:33,360 A team of the galaxy.  686 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:34,880 Yes, an amazing team.  687 00:36:34,920 --> 00:36:38,280 With Beckham, with Roberto Carlos. They were amazing,  688 00:36:38,520 --> 00:36:40,840 amazing Champions League times.  689 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:46,640 Those years were incredible experiences to play at Old Trafford, at the Nou Camp.  690 00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:50,080 At the Bernabeu.  691 00:36:52,440 --> 00:36:53,015 At Schalke.  692 00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:56,520 In the fantastic stadium that was built back then.  693 00:36:57,360 --> 00:36:59,200 To play against top teams.  694 00:36:59,800 --> 00:37:00,840 It definitely helps you too.  695 00:37:00,865 --> 00:37:03,320 You become much better. And it helped us.  696 00:37:03,729 --> 00:37:05,543 [Interviewer] How do you go into the game?  697 00:37:05,571 --> 00:37:07,686 When you're playing in the Bernabeu or you're playing these games,  698 00:37:07,921 --> 00:37:11,357 how do you get your mind right going into there?  699 00:37:11,636 --> 00:37:12,800 Cause you're the goalie.  700 00:37:12,829 --> 00:37:18,436 Goalie in any sport is the first one to get like claps or the first one to blame.  701 00:37:18,464 --> 00:37:20,072 How do you deal with that?  702 00:37:20,120 --> 00:37:23,360 [Nikopolides] You always have the anxiety that things might go wrong  703 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:27,160 and we might start and receive five goals, six goals.  704 00:37:28,086 --> 00:37:28,921 Umm...  705 00:37:30,920 --> 00:37:33,615 That always crosses your mind, always the negative thoughts.  706 00:37:33,640 --> 00:37:35,840 You know, when the game is getting closer, but when  707 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:40,520 you get inside, when you go, when  708 00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:45,200 you’re on the pitch and warming up, all that goes away.  709 00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:49,280 And you try to focus to do the best you can.  710 00:37:53,360 --> 00:37:56,220 In your first games - this happens to all footballers  711 00:37:56,520 --> 00:37:57,720 in European games -  712 00:37:57,760 --> 00:38:01,575 you always have the fear that you’re inexperienced, you  713 00:38:01,600 --> 00:38:04,140 can’t handle yourself on the pitch. But when you’ve played -  714 00:38:04,480 --> 00:38:09,560 I’ve played 105 European games and I’ve played  715 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:11,440 70-75 Champions League games.  716 00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:14,920 When you have such a big number, it doesn’t faze you anymore.  717 00:38:15,160 --> 00:38:19,775 But if, for example, you start out and play your first  718 00:38:19,800 --> 00:38:20,560 Champions League game  719 00:38:20,585 --> 00:38:23,753 Even for me, my first Champions League games weren’t good because  720 00:38:23,953 --> 00:38:25,314 it’s a different competition.  721 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:27,871 Different players, different quality.  722 00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:32,600 It’s very difficult, but when you keep playing at that level, you start  723 00:38:32,625 --> 00:38:35,055 to become just as good yourself. That’s it.  724 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:39,840 It takes time to build that and then when you step in you fear no one.  725 00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:42,400 You play, you’ve beaten them before.  726 00:38:42,800 --> 00:38:46,040 You say, ‘I can get a result. I’ll do the best I can.’  727 00:38:46,760 --> 00:38:50,120 Okay, it’s Real Madrid. Even if we lose, it’s no big deal if we lose.  728 00:38:50,320 --> 00:38:52,357 [Interviewer] Just playing there is good enough.  729 00:38:53,893 --> 00:38:57,814 Listen, that story and the build-up and understanding is incredible.  730 00:38:57,839 --> 00:38:59,821 We have to talk about 2004, ok?  731 00:39:00,021 --> 00:39:02,943 I know you've talked about it a thousand different times, right?  732 00:39:03,907 --> 00:39:06,179 I just kinda wanna walk through the tournament, right?  733 00:39:06,371 --> 00:39:08,071 So, we know from your professional club  734 00:39:08,271 --> 00:39:09,886 what was going on behind the scenes with  735 00:39:10,280 --> 00:39:13,421 Panathinaikos, finding a new team  736 00:39:13,621 --> 00:39:14,971 and then you make it to the national team roaster.  737 00:39:15,171 --> 00:39:18,421 Was there ever a point where you thought you wouldn't be on the national team  738 00:39:18,446 --> 00:39:20,229 as the starting goalie in 2004?  739 00:39:20,257 --> 00:39:21,255 [Nikopolides] Yes.  740 00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:26,600 I had said this, I had said it just a little while ago, that  741 00:39:27,080 --> 00:39:29,680 when you haven’t played for three months  742 00:39:30,564 --> 00:39:31,964 umm...  743 00:39:32,880 --> 00:39:37,400 the coach can very easily decide to put in  744 00:39:37,960 --> 00:39:39,320 the next one in line.  745 00:39:40,120 --> 00:39:41,880 And in this case, I mean  746 00:39:42,743 --> 00:39:43,743 uhh  747 00:39:44,600 --> 00:39:47,360 I was the starter for Panathinaikos and the national team and the substitute  748 00:39:47,385 --> 00:39:48,600 was Kostas Chalkias  749 00:39:48,720 --> 00:39:52,840 who was on the same team, but he was also the substitute for the national team.  750 00:39:53,800 --> 00:39:54,780 So there was a...  751 00:39:54,805 --> 00:40:01,960 Yes, yes, very logically a coach would think you know something and you don't...  752 00:40:01,960 --> 00:40:04,080 I couldn't say anything. He tells you, you're not playing.  753 00:40:04,280 --> 00:40:05,400 I don't know the reason.  754 00:40:05,960 --> 00:40:07,080 It's not my concern.  755 00:40:07,480 --> 00:40:08,735 I can't do anything about it.  756 00:40:08,760 --> 00:40:10,460 It's not in my hands to do anything about it.  757 00:40:10,485 --> 00:40:12,160 The coach says — I'm talking about Otto Rehhagel  758 00:40:12,600 --> 00:40:15,375 This is how things are. Kostas has match fitness.  759 00:40:15,400 --> 00:40:17,460 Kostas has to play. I couldn't say anything.  760 00:40:17,485 --> 00:40:21,535 I could tell him, 'you know, you're wrong too,' but it's the moment when  761 00:40:21,560 --> 00:40:26,535 the coach, Rehhagel, decides that, no  762 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:28,440 we're going to give Antonis the chance.  763 00:40:28,800 --> 00:40:31,320 We also played 4-5 friendlies, I mean  764 00:40:31,600 --> 00:40:35,880 before going to Portugal, so  765 00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:39,720 those friendlies helped me a bit to find some match fitness.  766 00:40:40,240 --> 00:40:43,946 [Interviewer] Did you have any relationship with Otto Rehhagel before the tournament?  767 00:40:44,146 --> 00:40:45,146 Did you know him? Did you...?  768 00:40:45,760 --> 00:40:48,200 [Nikopolides] We had worked together for two years.  769 00:40:48,240 --> 00:40:54,960 When Rehhagel came, in the second game I was a starter,  770 00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:56,580 when we played at Old Trafford  771 00:40:57,920 --> 00:41:02,160 the 2-2 game, I had done two years.  772 00:41:02,680 --> 00:41:03,920 I was always a starter.  773 00:41:03,960 --> 00:41:05,720 For two years the starter. I mean  774 00:41:06,040 --> 00:41:09,960 we had played 20 games and in all 20 games I was there.  775 00:41:11,040 --> 00:41:15,040 I was the starter both in the team and when we played the qualifiers because  776 00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:19,720 many think, like you, that it’s the Euro etc.  777 00:41:20,200 --> 00:41:24,735 There was a qualifying stage in which our group had  778 00:41:24,760 --> 00:41:27,280 Spain and Ukraine and us.  779 00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:31,720 And only one team would go through, the other went to playoffs, and we finished first.  780 00:41:31,840 --> 00:41:35,720 And that alone is a very big success.  781 00:41:36,240 --> 00:41:39,200 The Spaniards have never in their life played playoffs  782 00:41:39,840 --> 00:41:43,615 and we were the only team that made them play playoffs  783 00:41:43,640 --> 00:41:44,560 to go to the Euro.  784 00:41:45,880 --> 00:41:50,575 We're talking about an incredible country with incredible football and we  785 00:41:50,600 --> 00:41:51,920 beat them even in Spain.  786 00:41:52,720 --> 00:41:56,140 What I mean is that all those years, all that time, I was  787 00:41:56,520 --> 00:41:57,400 the starter for two years.  788 00:41:57,425 --> 00:42:00,200 We knew each other very well because we had played quite a few friendlies and the  789 00:42:00,225 --> 00:42:04,120 official games, but what I want to say is that  790 00:42:05,000 --> 00:42:09,640 rightfully, if the coach had decided to say that Kostas would play  791 00:42:09,920 --> 00:42:11,840 because 'Antonis, you don't have performing tempo' etc.  792 00:42:11,880 --> 00:42:14,415 to help the team, he would be absolutely right and I wouldn't  793 00:42:14,440 --> 00:42:15,360 be able to say anything.  794 00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:19,695 Even the games I had played, that I was the starter etc.  795 00:42:19,720 --> 00:42:20,840 don’t matter.  796 00:42:20,920 --> 00:42:22,320 What matters is what we do now.  797 00:42:23,600 --> 00:42:27,400 I support you, you’re with the team with us, but we have to move forward like this.  798 00:42:27,960 --> 00:42:28,700 Okay.  799 00:42:28,817 --> 00:42:31,831 [Interviewer] So when you - the first game of Portugal,  800 00:42:31,860 --> 00:42:35,244 I was vacationing from Canada,  801 00:42:35,360 --> 00:42:38,431 and I'm sitting at my thia's[auntie's] kitchen in Evoia, in the village.  802 00:42:38,460 --> 00:42:40,603 And the first game's on, against Portugal.  803 00:42:40,789 --> 00:42:44,040 Before it started, good thing, we made it.  804 00:42:44,240 --> 00:42:45,240 At least Greece is there, right?  805 00:42:45,440 --> 00:42:48,917 In 1994, I went and saw Greece play in the World Cup  806 00:42:50,060 --> 00:42:52,774 in Boston, against Nigeria.  807 00:42:52,800 --> 00:42:55,240 And I think, 2-0 we lost?  808 00:42:55,417 --> 00:42:57,560 [Nikopolides] Nigeria...against Argentina.  809 00:42:57,589 --> 00:42:59,389 and Bulgaria.  810 00:42:59,589 --> 00:43:00,760 [Interviewer] And Bulgaria, yeah.  811 00:43:00,789 --> 00:43:02,146 Four-nothing, four-nothing and two.  812 00:43:02,346 --> 00:43:05,146 So I was there, we got to meet the team before,  813 00:43:06,103 --> 00:43:08,174 and we were just happy Greece was there.  814 00:43:08,203 --> 00:43:12,160 So when the Euro 2004 came, again we were like hey, at least they came.  815 00:43:12,189 --> 00:43:15,017 Those were the expectations, right, that I feel a lot of people.  816 00:43:15,046 --> 00:43:18,946 And then we were watching the game, and then you see Greece score,  817 00:43:18,974 --> 00:43:20,259 and then they win  818 00:43:20,289 --> 00:43:23,003 and you're like, huh, amazing. Bravo! Good thing.  819 00:43:23,031 --> 00:43:24,274 We got one game.  820 00:43:24,303 --> 00:43:26,203 And then throughout the tournament, I go back to Canada  821 00:43:26,231 --> 00:43:28,117 and I watch the first game in the village,  822 00:43:28,146 --> 00:43:30,789 the last game in Niagara Falls, Canada,  823 00:43:31,260 --> 00:43:33,317 and just how you guys progressed,  824 00:43:33,517 --> 00:43:37,160 like I remember every shot, everything, and so do a lot of us abroad.  825 00:43:37,360 --> 00:43:40,789 Walk us through that first game, what were your expectations,  826 00:43:40,817 --> 00:43:42,560 what was the team.  827 00:43:42,589 --> 00:43:45,374 Clearly you guys didn't think you were going to win the Euro.  828 00:43:45,403 --> 00:43:47,131 [Nikopolides] Oh no. Yes, for sure.  829 00:43:47,160 --> 00:43:48,160 [Interviewer] You thought you would?  830 00:43:48,360 --> 00:43:49,360 [Nikopolides] No, no.  831 00:43:51,480 --> 00:43:53,280 We went there with the  832 00:43:54,440 --> 00:43:58,440 with the expectation that — first of all, with the confidence  833 00:43:58,640 --> 00:44:00,300 that we were a very good team.  834 00:44:00,560 --> 00:44:01,220 We knew that.  835 00:44:01,245 --> 00:44:04,495 We were a good team that no one could beat easily. Maybe  836 00:44:04,520 --> 00:44:07,780 we wouldn’t win easily, but no one could beat us easily.  837 00:44:08,800 --> 00:44:14,240 In a very tough group, maybe the most difficult group: Portugal, Spain,  838 00:44:14,720 --> 00:44:18,160 Russia — so two teams from the Iberian Peninsula, meaning  839 00:44:19,160 --> 00:44:21,280 it was basically happening in their home.  840 00:44:21,320 --> 00:44:25,560 Like when we played Spain there were 30,000 Spaniards because it was on the border.  841 00:44:25,920 --> 00:44:28,560 So basically it was like a home game for them.  842 00:44:29,480 --> 00:44:33,760 So our goal was to say, let’s win one game,  843 00:44:35,240 --> 00:44:39,200 to overturn all this bad history the National Team had,  844 00:44:39,400 --> 00:44:44,600 especially with ‘94 — and let me open a parenthesis. In ‘94  845 00:44:44,640 --> 00:44:49,480 there was a really great generation of players who, even though  846 00:44:50,720 --> 00:44:55,320 the results didn’t make them justice, they were players of great quality.  847 00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:02,220 Very important players who didn’t deserve what happened to them.  848 00:45:03,760 --> 00:45:07,800 Closing the parenthesis. Of course, people were disappointed.  849 00:45:08,200 --> 00:45:09,240 They had it in mind.  850 00:45:10,040 --> 00:45:13,735 They’d say the same thing will happen again, the National Team will go there…  851 00:45:13,760 --> 00:45:16,520 But I said,  852 00:45:16,800 --> 00:45:19,935 that we got through Spain, we got through  853 00:45:19,960 --> 00:45:22,360 first in our group. We were a really good team.  854 00:45:22,520 --> 00:45:24,280 Maybe we were the only ones who believed that.  855 00:45:24,320 --> 00:45:26,880 Meaning the team, the players.  856 00:45:27,080 --> 00:45:29,120 Maybe we were the only ones who believed we were good.  857 00:45:29,560 --> 00:45:33,535 Everyone else came along later to believe that, truly,  858 00:45:33,560 --> 00:45:34,900 this team was really good.  859 00:45:34,925 --> 00:45:37,855 So when we went there we said 'let's win one  860 00:45:37,880 --> 00:45:42,160 game'. As the first game unfolded,  861 00:45:42,200 --> 00:45:46,840 when you win your first game, right away we thought  862 00:45:47,120 --> 00:45:49,680 ‘let’s qualify’ and for us if we qualified, that was success.  863 00:45:49,720 --> 00:45:51,440 Meaning to get to the next stage.  864 00:45:51,800 --> 00:45:55,020 It was a huge success! Winning your first game,  865 00:45:55,045 --> 00:45:57,840 you think you have a 50% chance to qualify.  866 00:45:58,520 --> 00:46:02,440 So every time we got the chance to win something,  867 00:46:04,400 --> 00:46:08,895 we always had the motivation and we said we were hungry, hungry for  868 00:46:08,920 --> 00:46:11,450 success and in front of us something big was coming.  869 00:46:11,650 --> 00:46:13,080 Every time we grabbed onto that.  870 00:46:15,800 --> 00:46:19,680 And that’s why winning one game or  871 00:46:19,720 --> 00:46:25,375 suddenly qualifying for the next round, that alone made us successful.  872 00:46:25,400 --> 00:46:28,080 But when we got to the next round we played France.  873 00:46:28,120 --> 00:46:30,960 We said, why not? Whatever it may come, let it come.  874 00:46:31,240 --> 00:46:33,000 [Interviewer] Mindset changed,it shifted.  875 00:46:33,080 --> 00:46:35,335 [Nikopolides] Whatever has happened, whatever will happen, let it happen.  876 00:46:35,360 --> 00:46:39,720 Because France I think was the most complete France I’d ever seen  877 00:46:39,760 --> 00:46:41,840 in those years. They were world champions.  878 00:46:44,560 --> 00:46:48,960 So when we beat France, straight away we said let’s win the Cup.  879 00:46:49,517 --> 00:46:51,360 [Interviewer] That's it! Nothing's stopping you.  880 00:46:51,480 --> 00:46:55,455 Next up was Czech, but once we got past France we said  881 00:46:55,480 --> 00:46:56,935 we’re going to win the Cup.  882 00:46:59,000 --> 00:47:00,295 We needed two more games.  883 00:47:00,320 --> 00:47:03,815 180 minutes ahead of us, two teams  884 00:47:03,840 --> 00:47:06,695 who would have qualified. But we said no.  885 00:47:06,720 --> 00:47:08,740 Since we got past France, we’re going to win it.  886 00:47:10,360 --> 00:47:12,989 [Interviewer] Czech Republic, I think, when you played Czech Republic  887 00:47:13,017 --> 00:47:15,289 that was the game where I had the most stress watching it.  888 00:47:16,403 --> 00:47:17,760 Ah, who was the tall striker on the team?  889 00:47:18,720 --> 00:47:20,674 [Nikopolides] Yes, the tall guy. Yes, I don’t remember [<i>they mean Koller</i>].  890 00:47:20,874 --> 00:47:22,503 [Interviewer] Oh, my God. This guy, kicking all around...  891 00:47:22,531 --> 00:47:27,289 That was the one where I thought they were going to destroy us on that.  892 00:47:27,489 --> 00:47:28,489 It was incredible.  893 00:47:28,689 --> 00:47:30,174 Who in the locker room  894 00:47:31,117 --> 00:47:35,346 was one of the strongest players, mentally, emotionally?  895 00:47:35,546 --> 00:47:38,560 Was there any one type of player, teammate,  896 00:47:38,589 --> 00:47:41,031 or was it, as a group, everyone fed off each other?  897 00:47:41,280 --> 00:47:46,680 [Nikopolides] We were a group of players who spoke the same language  898 00:47:47,360 --> 00:47:48,600 as the coach too.  899 00:47:52,160 --> 00:47:53,200 We knew what we wanted.  900 00:47:53,360 --> 00:47:55,320 We left our differences aside because we did have differences.  901 00:47:55,400 --> 00:47:56,640 We had differences among ourselves.  902 00:47:58,000 --> 00:48:00,480 In general, I speak like— not like individuals.  903 00:48:00,520 --> 00:48:01,920 Mainly the teams, you know.  904 00:48:05,760 --> 00:48:07,095 But the main thing for me was  905 00:48:07,120 --> 00:48:10,535 we spoke the same language and we had decided that the strategy we would  906 00:48:10,560 --> 00:48:12,080 follow would be specific.  907 00:48:12,640 --> 00:48:15,880 What we do is what we do, and it leads us to success.  908 00:48:17,800 --> 00:48:19,320 Whether we play well or not.  909 00:48:20,280 --> 00:48:22,460 We go to win this game the way we know.  910 00:48:23,117 --> 00:48:24,189 Umm  911 00:48:26,560 --> 00:48:28,080 There were certain guys...  912 00:48:28,120 --> 00:48:30,975 I don’t want to talk about myself and other guys who do this,  913 00:48:31,000 --> 00:48:32,320 do that.  914 00:48:32,560 --> 00:48:34,215 We had to be careful — meaning among ourselves,  915 00:48:34,240 --> 00:48:39,055 we talked like in a group about the small details,  916 00:48:39,080 --> 00:48:40,360 not about the general strategy.  917 00:48:40,385 --> 00:48:44,175 Because the strategy belongs to the coach, but there are details for each  918 00:48:44,200 --> 00:48:48,800 player that we faced, phases, etc., which, you know, we can  919 00:48:49,320 --> 00:48:52,200 solve, find each other better on the field.  920 00:48:52,240 --> 00:48:53,920 So we had  921 00:48:54,080 --> 00:48:59,200 very good communication among us, even in difficult moments.  922 00:48:59,240 --> 00:49:04,295 That means even if someone had lost it and said one word too many because these  923 00:49:04,320 --> 00:49:08,480 things happen in the game, the other didn’t get offended.  924 00:49:09,040 --> 00:49:11,840 Sorry, I didn’t mean it, it slipped, etc.  925 00:49:11,880 --> 00:49:15,535 We had reached a point that even if we said something more, the other  926 00:49:15,560 --> 00:49:17,680 didn’t take offense, so that was it.  927 00:49:18,040 --> 00:49:21,080 It was like a family where everyone respected each other,  928 00:49:21,560 --> 00:49:24,855 understood that inside the game and the intensity; someone  929 00:49:24,880 --> 00:49:26,120 might lose it and say something more.  930 00:49:26,720 --> 00:49:32,575 We knew some grumbled, others might talk more harshly, etc., but we  931 00:49:32,600 --> 00:49:35,880 knew them, so it didn’t make a difference because we had been together many years.  932 00:49:36,360 --> 00:49:40,415 Over two and a half years, so it didn’t matter and we knew that the  933 00:49:40,440 --> 00:49:43,975 next day we would drink coffee again without someone having offended me  934 00:49:44,000 --> 00:49:45,280 by saying something.  935 00:49:45,440 --> 00:49:46,592 [Interviewer] Yes, yes.  936 00:49:46,792 --> 00:49:48,274 [Nikopolides] It’s family.  937 00:49:48,303 --> 00:49:50,846 [Interviewer] And it shows now, 20 plus years later  938 00:49:51,046 --> 00:49:54,131 I see, you know, the legends. You guys are brothers.  939 00:49:54,303 --> 00:49:57,446 Like, it's like a brotherhood that you guys have here. It's incredible.  940 00:49:58,520 --> 00:50:03,520 [Nikopolides] It is the most important generation of footballers of all time in Greece.  941 00:50:05,560 --> 00:50:09,680 We have created a non-profit organization which  942 00:50:11,320 --> 00:50:13,640 through it, they do various actions.  943 00:50:13,680 --> 00:50:17,335 We have done many actions in Greece, even helping  944 00:50:17,360 --> 00:50:18,520 during the coronavirus period.  945 00:50:18,600 --> 00:50:22,680 We have given - not us, but the friends who are close to us,  946 00:50:23,280 --> 00:50:28,335 who support us, we have given masks, oxygen and such things.  947 00:50:28,360 --> 00:50:32,000 We did many things, blood donations, matches for people  948 00:50:32,040 --> 00:50:33,560 who are in great need.  949 00:50:34,120 --> 00:50:38,880 We do it and it’s nice to keep alive the  950 00:50:40,440 --> 00:50:45,655 the legend, of a very important team  951 00:50:45,680 --> 00:50:47,040 that the whole world loved.  952 00:50:48,240 --> 00:50:51,880 But the day before yesterday we played the game, we have played other games too.  953 00:50:53,760 --> 00:50:58,360 The good thing is that this success gives us the ability to bring  954 00:50:58,720 --> 00:51:00,800 very big football players here.  955 00:51:00,840 --> 00:51:03,680 I mean, the day before yesterday at the game, there were world-class footballers,  956 00:51:03,760 --> 00:51:05,440 world champions.  957 00:51:05,680 --> 00:51:10,600 At the games alone, Kristo Stoichkov came, a very great personality,  958 00:51:10,720 --> 00:51:12,000 a very big name. He is...  959 00:51:13,600 --> 00:51:19,920 Or two years ago at the European Championship, when we went and played in  960 00:51:21,160 --> 00:51:23,120 Germany for Otto Rehhagel.  961 00:51:23,560 --> 00:51:25,440 World-class players came,  962 00:51:26,880 --> 00:51:31,160 Figo, Seedorf, very big names.  963 00:51:31,360 --> 00:51:34,520 They honor us like this because they recognize and respect that  964 00:51:34,720 --> 00:51:37,040 this is a very big and important team.  965 00:51:38,040 --> 00:51:43,120 A team which is considered the biggest surprise of all time.  966 00:51:43,160 --> 00:51:46,240 Not in European football, in world football and  967 00:51:47,240 --> 00:51:52,840 they respect it and come to play with us and we thank them for that,  968 00:51:54,360 --> 00:51:55,440 for what they do for us.  969 00:51:55,465 --> 00:51:59,055 Because by coming to play in Greece  970 00:51:59,080 --> 00:52:02,280 and being recognized by the people etc., it gives a different identity.  971 00:52:03,560 --> 00:52:04,840 We continue our work.  972 00:52:04,920 --> 00:52:06,200 We are just as beloved.  973 00:52:06,280 --> 00:52:10,640 Our nagging in the field remains nagging [laughs], this doesn’t change.  974 00:52:10,720 --> 00:52:12,320 We have fun even with that.  975 00:52:12,360 --> 00:52:13,980 Because if we don’t have it, it’s not the same.  976 00:52:14,005 --> 00:52:17,200 So thank God and our coach is still doing fine.  977 00:52:17,520 --> 00:52:18,040 He’s holding up.  978 00:52:18,065 --> 00:52:23,040 He’s young but physically he looks like nothing has changed.  979 00:52:23,160 --> 00:52:27,735 So we get together once or twice a year, we tell 5-10 stories.  980 00:52:27,760 --> 00:52:32,960 Nice to meet once or twice during the year, and  981 00:52:34,120 --> 00:52:35,400 remember and move on.  982 00:52:35,560 --> 00:52:38,200 [Interviewer] Remember and move on.  983 00:52:39,174 --> 00:52:42,689 Uh, talk to me, social media 2004,  984 00:52:42,717 --> 00:52:44,303 okay, there was some...  985 00:52:44,503 --> 00:52:46,974 But it's not like we have the social media today, the Instagram, the Facebook.  986 00:52:47,431 --> 00:52:51,800 So, every time you guys were winning and advancing in the Euro 2004  987 00:52:52,431 --> 00:52:55,480 did you really understand what was going on back home  988 00:52:55,646 --> 00:52:59,803 with the fans in Greek town in Toronto, Chicago, Austra-  989 00:52:59,831 --> 00:53:01,960 Did you guys really know in real time  990 00:53:01,989 --> 00:53:04,756 or did you just assume they're happy?  991 00:53:04,840 --> 00:53:06,280 [Nikopolides] I’ll tell you, believe it or not,  992 00:53:06,305 --> 00:53:08,460 we didn’t have a TV, we didn’t know what was going on.  993 00:53:08,680 --> 00:53:09,331 [Interviewer] Come on!  994 00:53:10,600 --> 00:53:13,920 We stayed at the beginning of— when we went to Portugal  995 00:53:14,120 --> 00:53:15,880 we stayed in a village, we didn’t watch anything.  996 00:53:15,920 --> 00:53:17,160 Only Portu-  997 00:53:19,240 --> 00:53:20,640 Portuguese TV.  998 00:53:22,600 --> 00:53:23,320 There was nothing else.  999 00:53:23,680 --> 00:53:28,320 I think if some of the guys had a computer, Internet.  1000 00:53:28,360 --> 00:53:30,140 I didn’t even know what that was... 'Computer', 'internet'.  1001 00:53:30,165 --> 00:53:35,975 Yes, yes, in 2004 they were also checking out the sites a bit, you know, kids and all that.  1002 00:53:36,000 --> 00:53:39,960 After every win, etc., we didn't know anything.  1003 00:53:40,200 --> 00:53:43,615 That’s when we started to hear that the people, this and that.  1004 00:53:43,640 --> 00:53:46,960 But these things existed even in previous years.  1005 00:53:48,560 --> 00:53:50,880 Always with every success, even of the National team,  1006 00:53:51,080 --> 00:53:57,175 I mean, when in ’94 the National team qualified for the World Cup, in Omonoia, people, those things.  1007 00:53:57,200 --> 00:54:01,680 They existed. Or in ’87 when the national basketball team won, people went outside, etc.  1008 00:54:01,720 --> 00:54:05,575 So they would tell us the people went outside, etc.  1009 00:54:05,600 --> 00:54:09,880 You know, we beat France and so on, without really realizing it.  1010 00:54:09,920 --> 00:54:13,960 But images came from the past and we said okay… Omonoia, you know,  1011 00:54:14,520 --> 00:54:18,520 the typical Greek thing. Yes, but this now was a  1012 00:54:20,600 --> 00:54:21,775 very big event.  1013 00:54:21,800 --> 00:54:27,560 I mean, not so much for Greece because besides helping in general  1014 00:54:28,200 --> 00:54:32,600 with the promotion of the Olympic Games, it was a very big promotion that took place  1015 00:54:33,280 --> 00:54:38,815 before 2004, I mean before the 2004 Olympics to  1016 00:54:38,840 --> 00:54:40,240 have such a big event.  1017 00:54:40,265 --> 00:54:43,455 It raised a lot both morale and pride and  1018 00:54:43,480 --> 00:54:47,015 at the same time the Olympic Games came, which were really very big and  1019 00:54:47,040 --> 00:54:48,775 amazing, although they were very expensive.  1020 00:54:48,800 --> 00:54:50,272 [Interviewer] Oh yeah!  1021 00:54:50,472 --> 00:54:52,280 And then what happened in Greece, forget it.  1022 00:54:52,320 --> 00:54:56,840 [Nikopolides] But it was a very big and successful Olympics  1023 00:54:57,320 --> 00:55:00,935 that such a country, a very small country like ours managed to bring it  1024 00:55:00,960 --> 00:55:03,320 to completion despite the cost.  1025 00:55:04,174 --> 00:55:05,817 Ehh...  1026 00:55:07,280 --> 00:55:09,060 What was very important...  1027 00:55:11,560 --> 00:55:13,620 The Greeks living abroad.  1028 00:55:13,840 --> 00:55:18,920 That greatness, I mean, to see people in Melbourne, to see  1029 00:55:20,240 --> 00:55:25,480 in London, New York, Chicago, everywhere, throughout the Greek diaspora,  1030 00:55:26,840 --> 00:55:30,775 to feel proud as a Greek and to go out and say that I am  1031 00:55:30,800 --> 00:55:32,980 the European champion. Yes, it’s very big.  1032 00:55:33,005 --> 00:55:36,400 Even if just for a little while,  1033 00:55:37,760 --> 00:55:40,960 to go out and be proud, stand tall and say that I am  1034 00:55:41,000 --> 00:55:42,200 Greek and I am this, etc.  1035 00:55:42,560 --> 00:55:47,680 What we achieved I think, I think it lasts and is something important for  1036 00:55:48,960 --> 00:55:53,400 the pride of Greeks abroad.  1037 00:55:53,903 --> 00:55:55,880 [Interviewer] Are you kidding me? And you said, it lasted for a little while.  1038 00:55:56,846 --> 00:56:00,460 No, like there's people that were born after 2004  1039 00:56:00,880 --> 00:56:02,560 My nephew, Giannis.  1040 00:56:02,760 --> 00:56:04,589 He wasn't born in 2004  1041 00:56:05,374 --> 00:56:08,280 and he sees this and he's like 'Οh my God, Nikopolides?'  1042 00:56:08,480 --> 00:56:12,917 It's changed the generation on that. It's changed, like  1043 00:56:12,946 --> 00:56:14,752 I remember in Toronto.  1044 00:56:14,803 --> 00:56:16,989 We won, then we won - I say 'we' but you guys were playing.  1045 00:56:17,403 --> 00:56:20,274 Everyone on the street. Tens of thousands  1046 00:56:20,474 --> 00:56:23,274 All over the world! I couldn't imagine...  1047 00:56:23,346 --> 00:56:26,246 And then, the biggest thing is you guys win and then you come back to Greece  1048 00:56:26,803 --> 00:56:29,800 and from the airport, all the way to Kallimarmaro...  1049 00:56:30,417 --> 00:56:33,917 Can you imagine? Did you ever expect that type of ...  1050 00:56:34,440 --> 00:56:35,975 [Nikopolides] Yes, no, not to that extent.  1051 00:56:36,000 --> 00:56:37,200 But I will tell you a story.  1052 00:56:37,600 --> 00:56:39,215 I am more interested in -   1053 00:56:39,240 --> 00:56:42,280 Okay, we experienced it in Greece because we came here too, etc.  1054 00:56:42,600 --> 00:56:44,280 I will tell you a story about what you say.  1055 00:56:45,240 --> 00:56:46,040 Very important.  1056 00:56:46,080 --> 00:56:49,920 We had been to Melbourne two years after '04.  1057 00:56:50,640 --> 00:56:54,040 We had played a friendly with the Australian national team.  1058 00:56:54,880 --> 00:56:55,320 They were inside [the stadium] -   1059 00:56:56,280 --> 00:56:57,935 It was a stadium with 70,000 seats.  1060 00:56:57,960 --> 00:56:59,040 40,000 Greeks filled it.  1061 00:57:00,200 --> 00:57:01,640 Yes, it is a very important event.  1062 00:57:02,840 --> 00:57:04,080 So we went one day  1063 00:57:06,120 --> 00:57:09,600 to the zoo in Melbourne which is very big and impressive, etc., and  1064 00:57:09,640 --> 00:57:11,560 and we went as a team.  1065 00:57:12,200 --> 00:57:17,640 So when we were going there was a group of kids who were wearing-  1066 00:57:17,880 --> 00:57:20,000 Probably, it was a school all together  1067 00:57:20,760 --> 00:57:25,175 and they were 10-12 years old and a kid jumps out and says,  1068 00:57:25,200 --> 00:57:27,320 to his classmates, he says 'This team is the National team.'  1069 00:57:29,560 --> 00:57:33,735 'I am Greek. This is the National team.'  1070 00:57:33,760 --> 00:57:35,560 'and I am proud of that, etc.'  1071 00:57:36,080 --> 00:57:37,760 And 'come take a picture with us.'  1072 00:57:37,880 --> 00:57:39,855 How important a role this victory played,  1073 00:57:39,880 --> 00:57:45,455 how deep it was,  1074 00:57:45,480 --> 00:57:48,815 how important, how proud it made the Greek.  1075 00:57:48,840 --> 00:57:51,520 Even the kids who would go to their school and would  1076 00:57:51,545 --> 00:57:57,015 feel like, you know, I am Greek and I am worthy and  1077 00:57:57,040 --> 00:57:59,560 proud of that thing. This is very big-  1078 00:57:59,600 --> 00:58:06,280 Yes, there you feel that you really did your duty and made proud  1079 00:58:07,160 --> 00:58:09,290 the Greek everywhere in Greece, not only in Greece.  1080 00:58:09,320 --> 00:58:11,674 [Interviewer] Exactly! Yeah, absolutely.  1081 00:58:12,074 --> 00:58:15,003 We feel it now, it's on another level.  1082 00:58:15,317 --> 00:58:19,731 Final game, you are in the final game, you are playing the same team that you guys beat in the first,  1083 00:58:20,003 --> 00:58:21,289 Christiano Ronaldo.  1084 00:58:21,489 --> 00:58:24,003 Going into that game, just walk us through.  1085 00:58:24,089 --> 00:58:26,903 Did you know you were going to win that game? Did you feel it?  1086 00:58:27,680 --> 00:58:30,100 [Nikopolides] The only game I was sure we would win was this one.  1087 00:58:30,125 --> 00:58:31,389 No other.  1088 00:58:31,417 --> 00:58:32,060 [Interviewer] Really?  1089 00:58:32,131 --> 00:58:38,680 [Nikopolides] We had played within six months, we were going to play with the  1090 00:58:39,280 --> 00:58:40,760 Portuguese the third game.  1091 00:58:40,960 --> 00:58:45,560 We had played a friendly in December, November in Rio Ave.  1092 00:58:46,680 --> 00:58:51,000 They had a new stadium. Before the Euro draw  1093 00:58:51,680 --> 00:58:53,935 we played a friendly. We had a 1-1.  1094 00:58:53,960 --> 00:58:57,975 We played from the 25th minute with ten players because of the sending off of Karas.  1095 00:58:58,000 --> 00:59:00,760 He had a hand [foul] and Karagounis was sent off.  1096 00:59:01,200 --> 00:59:03,320 They equalized 1-1 around the 80th minute.  1097 00:59:04,760 --> 00:59:08,600 In the next game when we played them at Dragão, we won 2-1.  1098 00:59:09,720 --> 00:59:12,640 I was absolutely sure we would win that game.  1099 00:59:13,320 --> 00:59:17,640 Firstly because we had beaten them, and we knew how they play.  1100 00:59:18,320 --> 00:59:19,520 We didn't have to do many things.  1101 00:59:19,545 --> 00:59:24,240 We knew that, no, it wouldn’t be easy, right? They may were a very big team,  1102 00:59:25,400 --> 00:59:28,520 but we saw them very nervous as well.  1103 00:59:28,720 --> 00:59:34,255 It’s hard to play in a — to be in your own country, to be the big  1104 00:59:34,280 --> 00:59:39,080 favorite, to go to the final to play and Greece is your opponent.  1105 00:59:39,120 --> 00:59:40,000 I mean, it’s not France you are facing  1106 00:59:40,025 --> 00:59:42,800 where you say 'it’s France, man'.  1107 00:59:42,840 --> 00:59:45,760 I might also lose. I mean, you’re not the absolute favorite.  1108 00:59:46,120 --> 00:59:48,015 Suddenly, you have to win.  1109 00:59:48,040 --> 00:59:50,400 There’s no other result. The other is failure.  1110 00:59:50,480 --> 00:59:52,680 100%. They were very nervous.  1111 00:59:53,360 --> 00:59:56,960 They didn’t have a clear mind.  1112 00:59:57,200 --> 00:59:58,920 All decisions were wrong.  1113 00:59:59,960 --> 01:00:01,080 We even took the lead.  1114 01:00:01,120 --> 01:00:03,920 If they had taken the lead, it would have been very difficult.  1115 01:00:04,000 --> 01:00:05,490 We could never have turned it around.  1116 01:00:05,520 --> 01:00:06,760 I believe.  1117 01:00:06,840 --> 01:00:11,815 But from the moment we took the lead and then, as I remember the game, just  1118 01:00:11,840 --> 01:00:17,640 after we took the lead, 15 minutes passed and they must not have had a chance.  1119 01:00:17,680 --> 01:00:19,440 They didn’t even get close to the penalty area.  1120 01:00:19,480 --> 01:00:21,640 They were in such shock.  1121 01:00:22,280 --> 01:00:27,455 They didn’t believe it and then, they started again to find their tempo and try  1122 01:00:27,480 --> 01:00:29,655 to equalize for 10, 15 minutes.  1123 01:00:29,680 --> 01:00:32,880 They couldn’t even keep control, I mean, they were shocked.  1124 01:00:33,520 --> 01:00:34,935 In the sense that, you know, something like this—  1125 01:00:34,960 --> 01:00:37,940 They scored a goal on us, we can’t score on them, we will lose the game.  1126 01:00:37,965 --> 01:00:42,000 You know, at some point this crosses a player’s mind.  1127 01:00:42,520 --> 01:00:45,640 Until the shock passes a little and you say 'I’m going to equalize',  1128 01:00:46,120 --> 01:00:47,440 but by then it was too late.  1129 01:00:48,389 --> 01:00:51,731 [Interviewer] When you're sitting there and you're in the goalpost  1130 01:00:51,760 --> 01:00:53,574 and you're watching the whole arena  1131 01:00:53,774 --> 01:00:55,517 the people on the field,  1132 01:00:56,203 --> 01:00:59,003 you know you're in the 90', you know they're gonna blow the whistle  1133 01:00:59,689 --> 01:01:02,060 Like, what are you feeling at that point?  1134 01:01:02,260 --> 01:01:04,474 What's going through your head when you know like 'oh my God!'  1135 01:01:04,640 --> 01:01:06,400 'We won this.'  1136 01:01:06,431 --> 01:01:09,003 Before they blew the whistle, what's going through your...  1137 01:01:09,200 --> 01:01:12,240 [Nikopolides] I told you that of all the games, the most certain  1138 01:01:12,280 --> 01:01:15,280 game that — well, certain... There’s nothing certain in life —  1139 01:01:15,760 --> 01:01:19,040 but the game I believed we had the highest chance to win was this one,   1140 01:01:19,065 --> 01:01:21,000 the last one. I wasn’t scared at all.  1141 01:01:23,320 --> 01:01:27,935 But when the game ended, I looked at myself and said I can’t believe  1142 01:01:27,960 --> 01:01:31,680 I’m living this and that I’m part of this  1143 01:01:32,520 --> 01:01:36,120 this miracle. I say it in the sense that when you have grown up  1144 01:01:37,240 --> 01:01:42,360 watching World Cups, Euros, you see people that constitute something very important to you  1145 01:01:43,000 --> 01:01:47,975 as a child and you see the champions going up and  1146 01:01:48,000 --> 01:01:49,700 celebrating even now.  1147 01:01:49,800 --> 01:01:50,120 And you say  1148 01:01:52,120 --> 01:01:57,335 What a wonderful thing it is. I will never make it. You know, that’s how  1149 01:01:57,360 --> 01:02:02,015 you see it. I mean, when you see Maradona in 1980 lifting the cup...You see let’s  1150 01:02:02,040 --> 01:02:06,480 say, the Netherlands of Van Basten and Gullit,  1151 01:02:06,880 --> 01:02:08,680 you say 'how am I going to beat them', etc.  1152 01:02:08,720 --> 01:02:12,160 And suddenly you are there, one minute before the game ends and you look at them and  1153 01:02:12,185 --> 01:02:16,935 you say, is this really happening? I mean, all of this brings back your childhood  1154 01:02:16,960 --> 01:02:21,954 all of what you dreamed of. And you didn’t even dare to dream.  1155 01:02:22,154 --> 01:02:26,575 You didn’t even dare to dream that in one minute I will be there  1156 01:02:26,600 --> 01:02:29,295 where you always wanted and you will lift that cup?  1157 01:02:29,320 --> 01:02:30,720 You say  1158 01:02:32,000 --> 01:02:37,375 I am living a miracle, a lie, I don’t know. Better leave me here, don’t wake me up, I don’t know.  1159 01:02:37,400 --> 01:02:38,240 Something like that.  1160 01:02:38,280 --> 01:02:39,240 Don’t wake me up from the dream.  1161 01:02:39,600 --> 01:02:45,055 It was really an amazing event and mostly these thoughts  1162 01:02:45,080 --> 01:02:46,520 come only when you calm down.  1163 01:02:46,880 --> 01:02:51,120 The next day, that is, you go home and say I don’t know how it happened.  1164 01:02:51,160 --> 01:02:52,200 I try to explain it.  1165 01:02:52,320 --> 01:02:54,080 Many people explain many things.  1166 01:02:54,105 --> 01:02:55,280 They try to study me.  1167 01:02:58,360 --> 01:03:01,080 What were those factors that could lead  1168 01:03:01,640 --> 01:03:03,760 to the psyche of people etc.  1169 01:03:03,880 --> 01:03:08,575 Most were talking, people talk, experts about the psyche of  1170 01:03:08,600 --> 01:03:11,800 individuals, that is the players were the ones - basically neither  1171 01:03:11,840 --> 01:03:16,880 the plan, nor anything else. It was the players who really made this  1172 01:03:17,920 --> 01:03:18,880 this miracle.  1173 01:03:18,905 --> 01:03:23,935 And I think that we also set an example, in the sense  1174 01:03:23,960 --> 01:03:29,975 that many times, even in previous years, in interviews of various teams that  1175 01:03:30,000 --> 01:03:36,255 go to the Euro or to World Cups someone says 'Greece took it,  1176 01:03:36,280 --> 01:03:38,580 why can’t we take it too?' I mean  1177 01:03:39,640 --> 01:03:43,400 he says, 'since the Greek National team took it, why can’t we have the  1178 01:03:43,440 --> 01:03:48,640 ability to take it?' And then there was France, France with Zidane, with Henry,  1179 01:03:49,120 --> 01:03:51,000 with everyone.  1180 01:03:51,400 --> 01:03:55,600 And Portugal for example with Ronaldo, with Figo, with Ruis Costa.  1181 01:03:55,720 --> 01:03:56,560 Very strong teams.  1182 01:03:57,160 --> 01:03:58,120 And England the same.  1183 01:03:58,145 --> 01:04:00,520 I won’t analyze the teams, but they still exist.  1184 01:04:00,560 --> 01:04:05,480 But it happened then. Because a team like Hungary for example...  1185 01:04:07,000 --> 01:04:10,140 Which other team could I say? Belgium is a big team.  1186 01:04:10,165 --> 01:04:12,680 I don’t consider it a small country. It is a big team.  1187 01:04:12,720 --> 01:04:14,680 Let's say Turkey, why can’t they take it?  1188 01:04:14,705 --> 01:04:17,080 Shouldn’t they take it? Romania, let's say...  1189 01:04:17,440 --> 01:04:19,840 The Greeks themselves set an example.  1190 01:04:20,320 --> 01:04:23,640 A team goes in and says 'I will compete... wherever I go'.  1191 01:04:23,920 --> 01:04:26,409 It’s nice. It’s like  1192 01:04:26,609 --> 01:04:27,880 like a fairy tale.  1193 01:04:28,080 --> 01:04:30,303 [Interviewer] Are you kidding me? And the kids today,  1194 01:04:30,774 --> 01:04:33,403 when you guys won, what did your parents -  1195 01:04:33,817 --> 01:04:34,989 Were your parents alive?  1196 01:04:35,260 --> 01:04:36,231 [Nikopolides] Only my mother.  1197 01:04:36,431 --> 01:04:37,431 [Interviewer] Only your mother, ok.  1198 01:04:39,240 --> 01:04:41,120 Your mother experienced it.  1199 01:04:41,440 --> 01:04:42,760 [Nikopolides] My mother experienced it.  1200 01:04:42,803 --> 01:04:45,200 [Interviewer] So what did she say to you the first time you saw her after?  1201 01:04:46,280 --> 01:04:47,560 [Nikopolides] Look, my mother definitely...  1202 01:04:49,840 --> 01:04:54,800 My mother used to say that she couldn’t watch the game, that  1203 01:04:54,840 --> 01:04:56,640 she used to make the sign the cross every hour while watching TV. [laughs]  1204 01:04:56,760 --> 01:05:00,080 [Interviewer] Come on dude! Typical Greek mother, bravo!  1205 01:05:00,840 --> 01:05:02,080 It worked, it worked.  1206 01:05:03,040 --> 01:05:05,120 [Nikopolides] It worked, yeah, okay, it worked.  1207 01:05:08,200 --> 01:05:09,360 She was very anxious.  1208 01:05:10,080 --> 01:05:13,200 Definitely, even now she still gets anxious and even the team that  1209 01:05:13,600 --> 01:05:15,880 I coach, etc., when she watches, she gets anxious.  1210 01:05:16,040 --> 01:05:18,880 I tell her about the game, I try to educate her because  1211 01:05:19,760 --> 01:05:20,760 that’s how the game is.  1212 01:05:21,240 --> 01:05:25,895 That, during a season,  1213 01:05:25,920 --> 01:05:28,677 we will win and we will lose. That’s how the game is.  1214 01:05:28,877 --> 01:05:31,140 You cannot win all the games.  1215 01:05:31,165 --> 01:05:37,800 [Interviewer] That's right. And your father...What was the  highest point of you he experienced?  1216 01:05:37,880 --> 01:05:38,720 [Nikopolides] My father...  1217 01:05:38,920 --> 01:05:44,080 I was at Panathinaikos that year, just before renewing my first contract.  1218 01:05:45,400 --> 01:05:50,080 When I signed, renewed my contract, he had passed away.  1219 01:05:51,000 --> 01:05:53,760 It was '92, '92-'93.  1220 01:05:55,400 --> 01:05:57,935 He had seen me play in the first championship.  1221 01:05:57,960 --> 01:06:01,080 When I went to Panathinaikos in 89-90.  1222 01:06:01,560 --> 01:06:05,040 In the last five games of the championship, I played and we won  1223 01:06:05,240 --> 01:06:08,200 the championship with Panathinaikos that year. So  1224 01:06:08,640 --> 01:06:12,680 he lived through a championship in which I played. Okay, to -  1225 01:06:13,320 --> 01:06:16,975 back then to leave a very small team, Anagennisi  1226 01:06:17,000 --> 01:06:18,840 Artas, third division, to  1227 01:06:19,520 --> 01:06:23,600 go to a team, not just in the first division, but directly to Panathinaikos  1228 01:06:24,080 --> 01:06:26,640 one of the big teams, and to play the last five games  1229 01:06:26,840 --> 01:06:27,840 and to win the championship.  1230 01:06:27,865 --> 01:06:34,655 I think I managed to give him some joy just before he left, that the championship and  1231 01:06:34,680 --> 01:06:37,415 'my son played in our team'. In fact, he was also a Panathinaikos supporter,  1232 01:06:37,440 --> 01:06:37,800 my father.  1233 01:06:38,520 --> 01:06:42,560 [Interviewer] Oh my God, dude, I couldn't imagine that.  1234 01:06:43,760 --> 01:06:49,135 [Nikopolides] He experienced a moment. Definitely, he didn't experience all the years that were the most important for me.  1235 01:06:49,160 --> 01:06:50,480 But okay.  1236 01:06:51,560 --> 01:06:54,574 [Interviewer] It's uhm...At least he got to see a chapter.  1237 01:06:55,774 --> 01:06:57,617 Thank you for walking us through that.  1238 01:06:57,646 --> 01:06:59,103 Talk to me now...Coaching, ok?  1239 01:06:59,131 --> 01:07:02,917 A few more topics. I know you're busy. You've been amazing, man.  1240 01:07:03,000 --> 01:07:03,680 [Nikopolides] I'm comfortable.  1241 01:07:03,880 --> 01:07:04,880 [Interviewer] Yeah, you're amazing.  1242 01:07:06,346 --> 01:07:10,289 You got into coaching, okay? But I want to know, like, what really changed  1243 01:07:10,489 --> 01:07:11,931 after the success with the Euro.  1244 01:07:11,960 --> 01:07:14,400 I know Olympiakos and you renewed contract.  1245 01:07:16,317 --> 01:07:19,120 Financially, what changed because of the Euros?  1246 01:07:19,889 --> 01:07:23,160 Like your marketability, like what really changed from a business sense.  1247 01:07:23,617 --> 01:07:27,903 More opportunities? I'm just curious, as a player to experience that.  1248 01:07:28,400 --> 01:07:30,674 You know, what changed after that for you?  1249 01:07:34,600 --> 01:07:37,440 [Nikopolides] Not much changed because unfortunately...  1250 01:07:41,480 --> 01:07:45,800 Usually I manage my finances in a way more...  1251 01:07:46,280 --> 01:07:50,040 Not so much investment-wise, more like savings-wise.  1252 01:07:54,600 --> 01:07:57,360 Maybe I should have – I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, that I should have  1253 01:07:57,385 --> 01:07:58,600 done various things.  1254 01:08:01,080 --> 01:08:05,840 That later on, when I finish football, I could continue  1255 01:08:06,200 --> 01:08:08,040 doing other things as well.  1256 01:08:08,240 --> 01:08:11,160 I always saw myself in football.  1257 01:08:13,360 --> 01:08:17,200 That’s always good because you are dedicated and you always  1258 01:08:17,680 --> 01:08:21,535 want to improve and see yourself getting better. When you love something  1259 01:08:21,560 --> 01:08:23,935 and you’re dedicated, you definitely get better.  1260 01:08:23,960 --> 01:08:26,020 If you want to get better, you get better.  1261 01:08:27,160 --> 01:08:29,360 But things aren’t always like that.  1262 01:08:32,720 --> 01:08:37,160 I didn’t have proposals for different things to do, although  1263 01:08:37,800 --> 01:08:40,895 I was always suspicious of people approaching you to  1264 01:08:40,920 --> 01:08:42,480 invest and such.  1265 01:08:42,520 --> 01:08:46,840 I’m more steady in what I want to do, and when I do something I do it myself  1266 01:08:48,440 --> 01:08:52,975 Because… From time to time we heard about various  1267 01:08:53,000 --> 01:08:57,335 footballers who invested their money, did something and suddenly the  1268 01:08:57,360 --> 01:08:58,975 business closed, they lost their money.  1269 01:08:59,000 --> 01:09:01,840 Meaning it’s better to do something yourself and fail and say, 'I did it  1270 01:09:01,865 --> 01:09:03,920 alone and failed' rather than—  1271 01:09:03,960 --> 01:09:08,975 of course you need support, but not people to whom you entrust your money  1272 01:09:09,000 --> 01:09:10,520 and who manage it for you.  1273 01:09:13,640 --> 01:09:14,400 I decided that…  1274 01:09:16,560 --> 01:09:19,160 I will continue in the football sector in the sense that  125275 01:09:20,360 --> 01:09:26,160 I will do what I have to do and, you know, as a coach and because  1276 01:09:26,920 --> 01:09:28,000 I like the lifestyle too.  1277 01:09:28,025 --> 01:09:31,880 I also like life in general, because  1278 01:09:32,480 --> 01:09:35,375 I believe that, looking from another perspective...  1279 01:09:35,400 --> 01:09:38,120 I mean, being a player is different, being a coach is different.  1280 01:09:38,240 --> 01:09:41,335 So I went to a different perspective.  1281 01:09:41,360 --> 01:09:46,015 How a person from outside who has to make important decisions for those who  1282 01:09:46,040 --> 01:09:50,440 play inside, how he has to function and how he has to be.  1283 01:09:50,480 --> 01:09:54,160 And I started learning little by little.  1284 01:09:55,040 --> 01:10:01,400 Four, five years passed in various coaching schools and UEFA etc.  1285 01:10:01,920 --> 01:10:05,775 I did 2 years as assistant coach of Olympiacos with Mitchel and with  1286 01:10:05,800 --> 01:10:10,175 Jardim which, for me, was a great school.  1287 01:10:10,200 --> 01:10:11,680 About how…  1288 01:10:13,800 --> 01:10:18,000 How you should present things and what you should do  1289 01:10:18,480 --> 01:10:19,535 on technical issues.  1290 01:10:19,560 --> 01:10:23,255 Basically, topics not only football-related but generally, how  1291 01:10:23,280 --> 01:10:24,720 you should make presentations.  1292 01:10:24,920 --> 01:10:26,160 [Interviewer] Communication and all that, ah okay.  1293 01:10:27,240 --> 01:10:32,120 [Nikopolides] How you should speak individually, in groups, sub-groups.  1294 01:10:32,720 --> 01:10:35,400 There are many things that a coach does  1295 01:10:35,960 --> 01:10:38,680 which I think are much more interesting than being a player.  1296 01:10:38,720 --> 01:10:42,455 Because as a player you go, do your training and leave, whereas the  1297 01:10:42,480 --> 01:10:45,480 coach has a much wider range of things to handle.  1298 01:10:45,680 --> 01:10:48,040 Meaning, he has to act as a psychologist  1299 01:10:51,400 --> 01:10:54,360 as coach, even as carer.  1300 01:10:54,480 --> 01:10:58,255 So the tools he needs to use are many things  1301 01:10:58,280 --> 01:10:59,080 that you can do.  1302 01:10:59,105 --> 01:11:03,200 It is much more interesting than how we are as football players.  1303 01:11:03,800 --> 01:11:07,000 We go, we play for about an hour, an hour and a half, we train and then leave.  1304 01:11:08,200 --> 01:11:13,760 I was definitely very much influenced by my contact with Ernesto Valverde.  1305 01:11:14,200 --> 01:11:18,760 I mean, those two years I was in training, Ernesto  1306 01:11:19,880 --> 01:11:22,335 changed my overall philosophy about football and how  1307 01:11:22,360 --> 01:11:23,560 we see football etc.  1308 01:11:24,840 --> 01:11:26,000 [Interviewer] This was after Olympiakos?  1309 01:11:26,040 --> 01:11:30,240 [Nikopolides] In '08. No, it was at Olympiakos and my last year at Olympiakos.  1310 01:11:30,280 --> 01:11:34,215 When Ernesto Valverde came to Olympiakos in '08, he left and came  1311 01:11:34,240 --> 01:11:37,640 the last year of mine, in 2010-2011.  1312 01:11:38,560 --> 01:11:42,080 He was a person who influenced me in general and I believe many others  1313 01:11:43,200 --> 01:11:46,320 on how we see football and how football should be.  1314 01:11:46,440 --> 01:11:49,640 Even in the way of training, I mean, it's not just what you see, it is  1315 01:11:50,240 --> 01:11:51,080 also how you do it.  1316 01:11:51,680 --> 01:11:56,200 I mean, someone sees, they do this... Yeah, but how do you do it? Underneath it is a  1317 01:11:57,320 --> 01:11:58,280 very big  1318 01:11:59,374 --> 01:12:01,574 [...]  1319 01:12:02,360 --> 01:12:07,415 coaching philosophy that he has, because I have had many  1320 01:12:07,440 --> 01:12:09,560 coaches from time to time who, even as a player,  1321 01:12:10,240 --> 01:12:12,760 I tried to judge them, not in the sense of judging if they are  1322 01:12:12,785 --> 01:12:15,600 good or bad, but how [they do things].  1323 01:12:16,480 --> 01:12:20,000 What is their philosophy and in what way do they try to create  1324 01:12:20,520 --> 01:12:22,440 the competitive plan.  1325 01:12:22,640 --> 01:12:26,215 So he had – that was what really impressed me  1326 01:12:26,240 --> 01:12:30,200 and I really want to be able to do it too and at the same time,  1327 01:12:32,360 --> 01:12:37,040 I saw the technical parts and especially with Mitchell, who in the way he  1328 01:12:37,080 --> 01:12:39,175 worked inside and of course I was like an assistant and  1329 01:12:39,200 --> 01:12:44,000 I was watching him how he talks to players individually, in groups,  1330 01:12:44,640 --> 01:12:48,360 generally and he is like a guide for me, for the...  1331 01:12:50,400 --> 01:12:51,180 For coaching.  1332 01:12:51,205 --> 01:12:53,760 That really fascinated me a lot and I said...  1333 01:12:55,880 --> 01:12:59,800 I will try my strength, so no one knows.  1334 01:13:00,680 --> 01:13:01,460 We will see.  1335 01:13:01,831 --> 01:13:04,517 [Interviewer] Can a coach  1336 01:13:04,589 --> 01:13:07,546 be a coach without having played as a player?  1337 01:13:07,717 --> 01:13:10,274 Can a coach be really good without being a player?  1338 01:13:10,631 --> 01:13:13,303 And you see examples in the NBA, there's coaches that  1339 01:13:13,646 --> 01:13:15,960 have barely touched a basketball, and they're a coach.  1340 01:13:16,260 --> 01:13:20,203 But do you think in soccer, if you haven't played the game and been on the pitch?  1341 01:13:21,480 --> 01:13:27,240 [Nikopolides] I won’t tell you yes or no, but I think the ideal is to have played in...  1342 01:13:29,520 --> 01:13:31,640 To have played basketball at a very high level.  1343 01:13:31,840 --> 01:13:33,975 To have played basketball and become a coach.  1344 01:13:34,000 --> 01:13:36,200 I think that is for football.  1345 01:13:36,240 --> 01:13:37,280 That is the ideal.  1346 01:13:37,560 --> 01:13:41,775 It doesn’t mean it can’t happen otherwise, that is, not having played  1347 01:13:41,800 --> 01:13:44,161 football and becoming a coach.  1348 01:13:44,361 --> 01:13:47,375 I say it can happen too, but I think  1349 01:13:47,400 --> 01:13:51,095 the ideal is to have played football or basketball, whether you are a  1350 01:13:51,120 --> 01:13:55,120 professional at a very high level or just a professional.  1351 01:13:55,400 --> 01:13:58,120 At least you should have been in a locker room, that is.  1352 01:13:58,480 --> 01:14:00,820 But you also need to have knowledge. I mean, you can’t stay only with that.  1353 01:14:00,845 --> 01:14:03,815 You need to acquire knowledge and constantly learn  1354 01:14:03,840 --> 01:14:05,375 and become better.  1355 01:14:05,400 --> 01:14:09,440 You can’t just be, I don’t know, Zidane and be kind of  1356 01:14:10,440 --> 01:14:13,680 a coach? No, definitely he also stayed 3 or 4 years.  1357 01:14:13,720 --> 01:14:19,095 I think he was with Ancelotti as an assistant, he went through the process  1358 01:14:19,120 --> 01:14:21,600 and then he became - But he had  1359 01:14:21,800 --> 01:14:24,131 the football experience.  1360 01:14:24,160 --> 01:14:24,731 [Interviewer] Exactly.  1361 01:14:25,417 --> 01:14:29,960 Do you think, like, when you started coaching U21, Under 21 National Team.  1362 01:14:30,846 --> 01:14:34,331 That generation, those kids weren't born during 2004  1363 01:14:34,360 --> 01:14:36,040 to see this.  1364 01:14:36,065 --> 01:14:40,080 Was there a level of respect from the kids in general? Like, did they understand  1365 01:14:40,631 --> 01:14:42,860 when you're talking or do they look at it like  1366 01:14:42,950 --> 01:14:44,889 'Come on man! That's old generation.'  1367 01:14:45,189 --> 01:14:46,746 Was there respect from the youth?  1368 01:14:50,760 --> 01:14:51,780 [Nikopolides] The important thing...  1369 01:14:52,560 --> 01:14:54,560 uh, let me open a parenthesis.  1370 01:14:55,840 --> 01:14:58,280 This generation of Greek footballers that I am part of, this  1371 01:14:58,720 --> 01:15:01,880 that exists now, which is a very big generation and  1372 01:15:03,160 --> 01:15:05,360 one of the most important for me. I believe they can do  1373 01:15:05,385 --> 01:15:06,560 many important things.  1374 01:15:07,080 --> 01:15:10,480 And for me it’s not important to win a Euro or World Cup trophy.  1375 01:15:10,520 --> 01:15:15,615 The important is to pass, to have a team, to win  1376 01:15:15,640 --> 01:15:16,960 in a World Cup.  1377 01:15:17,120 --> 01:15:18,680 It doesn’t mean that if you win the Cup  1378 01:15:18,920 --> 01:15:20,130 that’s success. For me  1379 01:15:20,160 --> 01:15:23,480 there are other things that are success and hopefully this generation will be able  1380 01:15:23,680 --> 01:15:24,560 to go to America.  1381 01:15:26,760 --> 01:15:30,455 and overturn all that negative that the previous generation left  1382 01:15:30,480 --> 01:15:32,375 and they carry that burden.  1383 01:15:32,400 --> 01:15:38,840 That is to achieve success, meaning to play matches, to win etc.  1384 01:15:39,240 --> 01:15:41,880 They have the ability and hopefully they will qualify as well.  1385 01:15:43,720 --> 01:15:47,720 I had many of these kids in the Under 21 National Team.  1386 01:15:50,040 --> 01:15:54,320 Now... Surely they respect, they all respect.  1387 01:15:54,800 --> 01:15:56,420 That’s the reality.  1388 01:15:56,480 --> 01:15:59,200 Now as a coach though, you have to earn it.  1389 01:15:59,240 --> 01:16:03,535 I mean, you have to. With what you say, with the way you coach,  1390 01:16:03,560 --> 01:16:07,120 with the way you behave.  1391 01:16:07,920 --> 01:16:11,440 They have respect, but they also have to respect you as a coach.  1392 01:16:11,480 --> 01:16:13,015 That alone is not enough.  1393 01:16:13,040 --> 01:16:17,520 When we reach the professional level,  1394 01:16:18,080 --> 01:16:22,880 they expect you to help them so that they too  1395 01:16:22,920 --> 01:16:24,560 can make their career.  1396 01:16:24,600 --> 01:16:31,095 So there is definitely respect, but you have to prove that you deserve this  1397 01:16:31,120 --> 01:16:33,120 honor you have as a coach and that  1398 01:16:35,120 --> 01:16:38,680 you can help them to make a better future.  1399 01:16:39,417 --> 01:16:41,660 [Interviewer] Are you still learning to be a coach?  1400 01:16:41,860 --> 01:16:45,274 Like, do you look at videos? Do you look at other peers or are you...?  1401 01:16:46,200 --> 01:16:46,774 [Nikopolides] Every day, yeah.  1402 01:16:46,880 --> 01:16:52,000 Every day. And I try and change my philosophies and I change –  1403 01:16:53,320 --> 01:16:57,375 I don’t change my plan or my strategy, but some things, especially like  1404 01:16:57,400 --> 01:17:00,960 what you said about the youth because they are young people who are coming.  1405 01:17:03,160 --> 01:17:05,200 We also have to be close to them.  1406 01:17:05,240 --> 01:17:05,560 I mean,  1407 01:17:07,680 --> 01:17:09,560 I have a different way of thinking.  1408 01:17:09,760 --> 01:17:12,880 Nowadays they think and behave, for example, through the media.  1409 01:17:15,640 --> 01:17:17,200 You also have to  1410 01:17:18,120 --> 01:17:21,140 not just be there, but use them the way they use them,  1411 01:17:21,320 --> 01:17:25,480 but to, for example, warn them about the dangers that may exist.  1412 01:17:25,520 --> 01:17:28,535 For example, playing a game, a bad  1413 01:17:28,560 --> 01:17:31,480 game and sitting down to read the comments below.  1414 01:17:31,560 --> 01:17:35,320 You have to tell them that they don’t need to pay attention to the comments  1415 01:17:35,640 --> 01:17:38,120 about them, etc., because it’s a game.  1416 01:17:38,240 --> 01:17:42,895 Today you play well, tomorrow you don’t, you play better, the day after tomorrow you might  1417 01:17:42,920 --> 01:17:45,600 score three goals, just like when you win.  1418 01:17:46,240 --> 01:17:51,575 So don’t think that because you played a game well and won that you have built  1419 01:17:51,600 --> 01:17:55,600 a legacy and that because people write about you, I know, don’t pay attention to the comments.  1420 01:17:55,640 --> 01:17:58,180 There will always be comments, there will always be people who  1421 01:17:58,880 --> 01:18:01,840 love you, appreciate you, hate you.  1422 01:18:04,000 --> 01:18:05,880 They like to speak badly, etc.  1423 01:18:05,920 --> 01:18:09,120 Maybe mostly disappointed people, who wanted to play  1424 01:18:09,160 --> 01:18:10,560 football or make a career.  1425 01:18:10,585 --> 01:18:14,160 They never managed to do it and feel that someone wronged them and  1426 01:18:14,640 --> 01:18:16,200 they feel hostility and hatred, etc.  1427 01:18:16,240 --> 01:18:18,855 These things always exist. You must not be influenced.  1428 01:18:18,880 --> 01:18:22,000 You shouldn’t even read what – I mean, you have to enter their world  1429 01:18:22,400 --> 01:18:23,880 and speak their language.  1430 01:18:24,240 --> 01:18:27,935 You can’t be – stand behind and be strict –  1431 01:18:27,960 --> 01:18:31,560 in the 90s I used to do that and we were like that anyway. No.  1432 01:18:31,880 --> 01:18:36,200 You have to evolve too,   1433 01:18:36,400 --> 01:18:40,600 to be able to guide them so that you support them.  1434 01:18:41,440 --> 01:18:44,255 [Interviewer] And the comments especially in Greece, always  1435 01:18:44,280 --> 01:18:47,646 someone will write something, right?  1436 01:18:48,303 --> 01:18:51,417 I will say: "If I can't say it to your face, don't type it  1437 01:18:51,617 --> 01:18:56,131 if I can't say it in person", cause it's easy to write stuff like that and negativity and...  1438 01:18:57,746 --> 01:18:59,017 So, the youth. Now.  1439 01:18:59,403 --> 01:19:03,231 The generation now of the Greek professional soccer players.  1440 01:19:04,246 --> 01:19:07,240 Talk to me. Even specific players that you like,  1441 01:19:07,440 --> 01:19:09,660 in general, on the national team.  1442 01:19:10,174 --> 01:19:12,760 Where's the state of Greek soccer from your eyes?  1443 01:19:14,560 --> 01:19:19,480 [Nikopolides] Right now we probably have the greatest generation of footballers,  1444 01:19:19,680 --> 01:19:24,280 including kids who have a lot of experience.  1445 01:19:24,320 --> 01:19:26,460 They are starting to gain a lot of experience.  1446 01:19:26,640 --> 01:19:28,260 For example, we will take Tsimikas who plays for...  1447 01:19:31,000 --> 01:19:32,060 ...Liverpool.  1448 01:19:32,160 --> 01:19:35,280 Those are the biggest experiences you can have.  1449 01:19:35,320 --> 01:19:36,480 Champions League, national league.  1450 01:19:38,800 --> 01:19:40,560 We have Mavropanos who plays for West Ham.  1451 01:19:40,600 --> 01:19:42,120 Very high level.  1452 01:19:42,560 --> 01:19:46,240 We have players like Karetsas who is coming out now.  1453 01:19:47,080 --> 01:19:50,815 Like Pavlidis. There are so many.  1454 01:19:50,840 --> 01:19:51,900 I don’t need to name them one by one.  1455 01:19:51,925 --> 01:19:55,815 They are very important, very important footballers, who  1456 01:19:55,840 --> 01:19:59,255 have – it seems that they stand out and kids come up from behind,  1457 01:19:59,280 --> 01:20:01,960 but mainly these can make  1458 01:20:02,280 --> 01:20:05,040 the difference and they proved it in many games.  1459 01:20:05,960 --> 01:20:09,280 The win we had in England was fantastic. Because it’s not just that they won,  1460 01:20:09,320 --> 01:20:16,015 they played a tremendous game and we all put our hopes on  1461 01:20:16,040 --> 01:20:20,175 them that, after ten years the National Team will  1462 01:20:20,200 --> 01:20:25,015 go back to a World Cup, go to a European Championship and as I said  1463 01:20:25,040 --> 01:20:28,680 before, it’s a very good opportunity for all these kids to go  1464 01:20:29,080 --> 01:20:33,615 to America, because I believe they will go and have the chance to avenge  1465 01:20:33,640 --> 01:20:37,520 that generation of footballers [1994] who went  1466 01:20:38,040 --> 01:20:40,975 and I repeat they were very great footballers   1467 01:20:41,000 --> 01:20:45,840 and they didn't make it and they carry a heavy  1468 01:20:47,280 --> 01:20:48,375 burden on them.  1469 01:20:48,400 --> 01:20:50,655 And when we talk about ’94 we think negatively.  1470 01:20:50,680 --> 01:20:53,280 And the National Team that failed and  1471 01:20:55,640 --> 01:20:59,904 the fans in America, the Greeks were sad, etc.,  1472 01:21:00,104 --> 01:21:01,280 Well, these things happen.  1473 01:21:01,372 --> 01:21:02,108 [Interviewer] That’s right.  1474 01:21:02,200 --> 01:21:05,960 But do you believe in our life [that] we will see again, Greece going to  1475 01:21:07,040 --> 01:21:08,920 [Nikopolides] To win a cup.  1476 01:21:09,200 --> 01:21:11,215 [Interviewer] European, cup, as a country?  1477 01:21:11,240 --> 01:21:15,560 [Nikopolides] Look, life has shown me that never say never.  1478 01:21:15,840 --> 01:21:19,480 Yes, but it’s very difficult to achieve it.  1479 01:21:19,760 --> 01:21:20,720 To win.  1480 01:21:21,120 --> 01:21:24,400 Although, as I told you before, I’m not interested in winning,  1481 01:21:24,440 --> 01:21:28,255 I care about and I’m happy when I see the National Team like now  1482 01:21:28,280 --> 01:21:33,000 because I really enjoy it. And I would also be very happy  1483 01:21:33,400 --> 01:21:38,440 for many of these kids, who were kids that I had  1484 01:21:39,760 --> 01:21:43,560 in the U21 National Team, because I know that the other kids also give their –  1485 01:21:44,040 --> 01:21:47,800 they love the National Team and will give their best and go  1486 01:21:49,000 --> 01:21:52,280 to the World Cup to make a very good appearance.  1487 01:21:52,480 --> 01:21:53,920 That for me is success.  1488 01:21:54,043 --> 01:21:55,023 [Interviewer] Certainly.  1489 01:21:55,146 --> 01:21:59,600 [Nikopolides] What we did is like a miracle  1490 01:22:00,280 --> 01:22:05,200 which is difficult because in the following years, like in ’08, we didn’t do well.  1491 01:22:05,240 --> 01:22:07,080 In ’10 we did very well.  1492 01:22:07,280 --> 01:22:08,560 In ’12 the same.  1493 01:22:08,600 --> 01:22:12,095 In ’14 we reached to the final 8 of the World Cup.  1494 01:22:12,120 --> 01:22:17,415 So there were times when the National Team, from ’10 until  1495 01:22:17,440 --> 01:22:20,240 ’14, had a very strong presence  1496 01:22:20,880 --> 01:22:24,855 in all – both World and European  1497 01:22:24,880 --> 01:22:26,775 and it even did quite well.  1498 01:22:26,800 --> 01:22:32,000 So for me, I considered it the legacy of our National Team of ’04,  1499 01:22:32,560 --> 01:22:35,080 without imposing the burden that they had to go and win  1500 01:22:35,440 --> 01:22:36,760 a cup like ’04 did.  1501 01:22:37,480 --> 01:22:39,975 Let’s be realistic, I mean let’s see things clearly.  1502 01:22:40,000 --> 01:22:40,720 Let’s say them clearly.  1503 01:22:40,760 --> 01:22:44,680 There are much bigger teams with huge momentum, for years now,  1504 01:22:44,760 --> 01:22:45,920 France, Spain.  1505 01:22:45,960 --> 01:22:48,655 Teams that obviously you can’t beat easily.  1506 01:22:48,680 --> 01:22:49,946 That you can’t beat easily.  1507 01:22:49,974 --> 01:22:54,089 [Interviewer] Exactly. Το - when wasit? '12 or '16 that we reached with Costa Rica?  1508 01:22:54,117 --> 01:22:55,117 [Nikopolides] '14.  1509 01:22:55,146 --> 01:22:58,946 [Interviewer] Οk. That goalkeeper - he came off the line!  1510 01:23:00,717 --> 01:23:03,800 I remember that οn the penalty shots. They went to PKs,  1511 01:23:04,000 --> 01:23:07,580 He came off the line. They should have called it. Anyways.  1512 01:23:07,780 --> 01:23:09,400 [Nikopolides] The rule didn’t exist back then.  1513 01:23:09,640 --> 01:23:10,731 [Interviewer] It didn't exist, yeah.  1514 01:23:10,960 --> 01:23:12,840 Listen. We reached that point, we're still good.  1515 01:23:13,474 --> 01:23:16,431 So you have sons who play soccer. What about...  1516 01:23:17,531 --> 01:23:19,146 Clearly there's good genetics,  1517 01:23:19,517 --> 01:23:24,489 DNA and coaching that your sons are goalies and they're doing great on their path.  1518 01:23:25,346 --> 01:23:26,974 I see it in sports all over the world  1519 01:23:27,003 --> 01:23:29,603 whether it's hockey, basketball, soccer.  1520 01:23:30,374 --> 01:23:32,046 The parents want it more  1521 01:23:32,574 --> 01:23:34,774 for their kids than sometimes the kids want it for them.  1522 01:23:34,974 --> 01:23:35,974 Right? So,  1523 01:23:36,160 --> 01:23:39,560 what advice do you have for parents in general?  1524 01:23:39,974 --> 01:23:44,103 Like, slow down. Let your kid love the sport. Like, stop with the pressure.  1525 01:23:44,131 --> 01:23:46,703 There's so much pressure when it comes to youth sports.  1526 01:23:47,017 --> 01:23:49,846 Like they got to go professional. Got to do this training. Got to do that.  1527 01:23:50,046 --> 01:23:51,746 You started playing in a village.  1528 01:23:52,274 --> 01:23:52,846 Right?  1529 01:23:52,874 --> 01:23:56,474 And built your path. I don't think, you had a contact or connections.  1530 01:23:56,589 --> 01:23:58,560 You built your career, right?  1531 01:24:01,120 --> 01:24:03,985 [Nikopolides] In the end it happens everywhere, all over the world. That’s how it is.  1532 01:24:04,185 --> 01:24:04,840 All over the world.  1533 01:24:05,040 --> 01:24:06,600 It’s not just in Greece. Parents  1534 01:24:10,200 --> 01:24:10,831 are  1535 01:24:13,440 --> 01:24:16,040 taking their kids to learn football.  1536 01:24:16,440 --> 01:24:19,775 Some believe their son is the best, that their son  1537 01:24:19,800 --> 01:24:22,080 is the new Messi, etc.  1538 01:24:25,320 --> 01:24:26,320 Many times  1539 01:24:28,440 --> 01:24:33,440 they speak badly about their teammates which isn’t nice, or about the coaches.  1540 01:24:34,040 --> 01:24:35,120 Which again isn’t nice.  1541 01:24:36,440 --> 01:24:37,760 'It’s not your fault, it’s the other’s.'  1542 01:24:38,960 --> 01:24:42,760 And it’s a game where there’s nothing substantial to gain. I mean  1543 01:24:42,960 --> 01:24:47,695 when we’re talking about games for kids aged 10, 12 - the championship doesn’t  1544 01:24:47,720 --> 01:24:49,680 mean anything or whatever.  1545 01:24:50,480 --> 01:24:55,135 They can’t understand that the first thing a parent must  1546 01:24:55,160 --> 01:25:01,200 do is find the right academy,  1547 01:25:02,880 --> 01:25:05,095 the right coach  1548 01:25:05,120 --> 01:25:06,280 who can evaluate them.  1549 01:25:06,320 --> 01:25:10,855 I mean, there are coaches who truly are educators and shape the child  1550 01:25:10,880 --> 01:25:15,015 and all the kids into proper personalities and the  1551 01:25:15,040 --> 01:25:17,200 kids have fun and play, etc.  1552 01:25:17,440 --> 01:25:21,055 And there are other coaches who are very strict, result-oriented, who  1553 01:25:21,080 --> 01:25:24,080 talk to you badly or put a lot of pressure on you.  1554 01:25:24,480 --> 01:25:27,480 Parents must stand by, watch, see how  1555 01:25:27,920 --> 01:25:33,175 the coach, in general, how the Academy behaves, whether the Academy helps  1556 01:25:33,200 --> 01:25:39,895 the child to develop and if the child is given opportunities,  1557 01:25:39,920 --> 01:25:44,135 even if they’re not a top player, but at least to go, to play and  1558 01:25:44,160 --> 01:25:45,289 for the child to have fun.  1559 01:25:45,317 --> 01:25:45,889 [Interviewer] To have fun, yeah.  1560 01:25:45,917 --> 01:25:49,720 [Nikopolides] Yes. That’s the parents’ job.  1561 01:25:49,760 --> 01:25:54,920 That’s where parents must assess what they should do and not whether  1562 01:25:56,720 --> 01:25:59,895 someone didn’t pass you the ball so you could score and start  1563 01:25:59,920 --> 01:26:02,400 creating intrigue among the kids and talking badly about other kids.  1564 01:26:02,840 --> 01:26:08,360 Nor about the coaches. It’s difficult because every parent stands right there, etc.  1565 01:26:08,400 --> 01:26:12,800 I’ve seen cases because, due to my kids,  1566 01:26:12,840 --> 01:26:18,120 I’ve gone to so many of these games, and I’ve even seen clashes between  1567 01:26:18,400 --> 01:26:23,760 parents, at youth games for 10 and 12-year-olds.  1568 01:26:23,800 --> 01:26:25,520 I mean, it’s tragic.  1569 01:26:26,240 --> 01:26:27,320 It’s really tragic.  1570 01:26:31,400 --> 01:26:34,400 This has to change. That’s the parents’ responsibility.  1571 01:26:34,760 --> 01:26:38,360 The right Academy must be chosen.  1572 01:26:40,240 --> 01:26:44,480 If they can evaluate the coach  1573 01:26:44,600 --> 01:26:51,095 by asking the child, ‘Are you happy?’, ‘Do you like where you’re going?’, ‘Are you having fun  1574 01:26:51,120 --> 01:26:53,815 with the other kids?’ The child’s mental well-being  1575 01:26:53,840 --> 01:26:58,400 matters, and that the child has a good time. Basically, because no matter what, out of 100 kids  1576 01:27:00,480 --> 01:27:02,606 only one or two will make it to a high level.  1577 01:27:02,806 --> 01:27:05,020 It’s not me saying this, the statistics say it.  1578 01:27:05,360 --> 01:27:08,600 Right? So what’s your child’s goal? To have a good time,  1579 01:27:08,640 --> 01:27:15,000 to make friends, to feel sad, to lose, to win,  1580 01:27:16,440 --> 01:27:23,120 to take a kick, to give a kick. I’m speaking generally, of course. And to  1581 01:27:23,840 --> 01:27:24,800 be happy.  1582 01:27:24,825 --> 01:27:30,175 If that’s the case, the child is fine, and if the Academy can also  1583 01:27:30,200 --> 01:27:34,920 help them develop with technical skills that can help them.  1584 01:27:35,520 --> 01:27:37,909 If there’s such a coach, even better.  1585 01:27:38,109 --> 01:27:41,200 They’ll reach a level where there will be a clear distinction,  1586 01:27:41,440 --> 01:27:45,575 whether they can keep doing it professionally or  1587 01:27:45,600 --> 01:27:49,520 if not, to just play for fun with their friends, etc.  1588 01:27:50,280 --> 01:27:51,515 That’s the whole story.  1589 01:27:51,715 --> 01:27:52,560 [Interviewer] Exactly that.  1590 01:27:52,760 --> 01:27:58,800 I have three daughters, 10, 7 and 4, and Dimitra, who’s 10 years old,  1591 01:27:58,840 --> 01:28:01,840 plays football on a club team there and she loves it, she’s crazy about it.  1592 01:28:02,600 --> 01:28:03,760 And from ten years old,  1593 01:28:03,803 --> 01:28:10,074 what I see from the parents there, how they do extra training. From now, we’re starting  1594 01:28:10,840 --> 01:28:14,200 soccer for girls. But I like it.  1595 01:28:14,400 --> 01:28:16,000 They cry, they lose, they do it all.  1596 01:28:16,520 --> 01:28:20,003 You need to experience these emotions, right? I love it.  1597 01:28:20,520 --> 01:28:26,280 [Nikopolides] In America sometimes I watch some games, you’d see women’s football on a  1598 01:28:29,160 --> 01:28:30,120 college level.  1599 01:28:30,200 --> 01:28:33,360 You’d see 5,000 people at women’s football and  1600 01:28:34,360 --> 01:28:37,289 the men would be playing and there’d be 1,500 people.  1601 01:28:37,489 --> 01:28:39,639 While in the women's... 5000 [people], full!  1602 01:28:39,839 --> 01:28:40,839 [Interviewer] It's top level.  1603 01:28:41,200 --> 01:28:45,440 Especially in America for women's sports it is - but it's...  1604 01:28:45,680 --> 01:28:50,855 Look, if you tell me to watch the WNBA where women play basketball, for me  1605 01:28:50,880 --> 01:28:54,160 I won't say no. Even if you give me tickets to sit front row,  1606 01:28:54,840 --> 01:28:58,535 I'm not interested. But women's football, they have technique.  1607 01:28:58,560 --> 01:28:59,760 It's - I like it.  1608 01:29:00,240 --> 01:29:04,960 You know, it's a sport and since I have daughters, I don't have sons, I have to play.  1609 01:29:05,480 --> 01:29:07,895 [Nikopolides] Two years ago I went - or four years ago? Three?  1610 01:29:07,920 --> 01:29:09,880 It was at a European championship in England.  1611 01:29:11,120 --> 01:29:14,040 England-Germany final, Wembley.  1612 01:29:16,360 --> 01:29:21,775 It broke the ticket sales record, it was 87? A ticket sales record, meaning even more than the  1613 01:29:21,800 --> 01:29:26,840 men's Euro final that took place before in England.  1614 01:29:26,960 --> 01:29:32,855 This one had more tickets sold. They had an average attendance in England,  1615 01:29:32,880 --> 01:29:35,855 I'm telling you statistically, at every level, around 30 thousand  1616 01:29:35,880 --> 01:29:39,560 people went to every game, whether it was England or England [?].  1617 01:29:40,080 --> 01:29:41,840 And they say there was an increase  1618 01:29:42,960 --> 01:29:47,280 of 40% in the registration of girls in teams  1619 01:29:47,760 --> 01:29:49,760 in football academies.  1620 01:29:50,160 --> 01:29:51,552 Just from that tournament.  1621 01:29:51,752 --> 01:29:52,480 [Interviewer] Imagine that.  1622 01:29:52,680 --> 01:29:56,255 Imagine what it does. I took my daughter to Los Angeles where  1623 01:29:56,280 --> 01:30:00,214 they play at The Galaxy Stadium, women's team.  1624 01:30:00,414 --> 01:30:01,414 Full, 50,000 seats stadium.  1625 01:30:02,520 --> 01:30:07,440 Full. And the kid sees it up there like every kid and it gives them hope.  1626 01:30:07,840 --> 01:30:09,120 That's our job now.  1627 01:30:09,200 --> 01:30:12,175 [Nikopolides] Look, if you like it, we keep going. Here  1628 01:30:12,200 --> 01:30:13,880 women's football in Greece.  1629 01:30:14,360 --> 01:30:20,040 I know, here in Greece there's Thomai, that's her name, who plays, she's one of the best players here.  1630 01:30:20,800 --> 01:30:23,827 [Interviewer] Generally, as academies for women here,  1631 01:30:24,027 --> 01:30:28,080 girls aren't at the same level as the boys, but...  1632 01:30:28,120 --> 01:30:29,373 [Nikopolides] No. But it’s growing.  1633 01:30:29,573 --> 01:30:30,560 [Interviewer] It's growing.  1634 01:30:30,760 --> 01:30:33,640 [Nikopolides] It’s been the last 3, 4 years.  1635 01:30:35,080 --> 01:30:38,160 It's growing and it's growing well.  1636 01:30:38,360 --> 01:30:41,655 The problem in our country is the infrastructure. We don’t have infrastructure.  1637 01:30:41,680 --> 01:30:45,400 Meaning the girls can’t find a field to train.  1638 01:30:45,680 --> 01:30:49,215 If they do train, they train at 11 at night, after everyone else is done  1639 01:30:49,240 --> 01:30:51,020 and they go last. So -  1640 01:30:51,680 --> 01:30:56,280 but generally the issue of infrastructure is the biggest problem that exists.  1641 01:30:56,600 --> 01:31:00,640 The braver thing is that nowadays the girls don’t care  1642 01:31:02,000 --> 01:31:03,040 because they’ve moved past this  1643 01:31:03,065 --> 01:31:06,400 thing where, they even say it in villages, that football  1644 01:31:06,440 --> 01:31:07,960 is for boys, not girls.  1645 01:31:08,960 --> 01:31:09,520 [Interviewer] But that's changing now.  1646 01:31:09,720 --> 01:31:10,360 [Nikopolides] That’s over.  1647 01:31:10,520 --> 01:31:11,460 [Interviewer] Oh, it’s over? Ok.  1648 01:31:11,485 --> 01:31:14,159 [Nikopolides] It's over. Whereas back then, they’d say, ‘What are you going to do?’  1649 01:31:14,189 --> 01:31:15,640 ‘I’m going to play football,’ you know? And the parents  1650 01:31:15,760 --> 01:31:17,775 would say, ‘Football is for boys, not for girls.’  1651 01:31:17,800 --> 01:31:18,880 You know, it's for men.  1652 01:31:19,000 --> 01:31:20,175 Yeah, it's over.  1653 01:31:20,200 --> 01:31:24,520 Girls are brave, they come, they train, they play games.  1654 01:31:25,480 --> 01:31:30,120 A channel in Greece also shows some games.  1655 01:31:32,200 --> 01:31:34,120 The big clubs are starting to participate too.  1656 01:31:34,160 --> 01:31:36,615 They’re forming teams, European matches,  1657 01:31:36,640 --> 01:31:39,120 step by step, national teams are playing their games.  1658 01:31:39,520 --> 01:31:42,760 It's growing — slowly but steadily.  1659 01:31:43,000 --> 01:31:44,625 [Interviewer] That's good for the sport.  1660 01:31:44,825 --> 01:31:45,400 [Nikopolides] It’s very good.  1661 01:31:45,480 --> 01:31:48,400 When there are girls who want to play football, why shouldn’t they?  1662 01:31:48,425 --> 01:31:50,760 Even my own daughter wanted to play.  1663 01:31:50,920 --> 01:31:53,660 What would I tell her? Don’t go play football because it’s a men’s sport?  1664 01:31:53,685 --> 01:31:55,215 [Interviewer] Did she ever want to? She did track and field.  1665 01:31:55,240 --> 01:31:57,040 Did she play football at all?  1666 01:31:57,080 --> 01:31:58,760 [Nikopolides] No, just track and field.  1667 01:31:58,789 --> 01:32:00,320 [Interviewer] Track and field. Very nice.  1668 01:32:00,520 --> 01:32:03,640 You’ve now hit your career goals, you’ve achieved everything.  1669 01:32:03,840 --> 01:32:06,376 You've hit your career goals, right? From soccer.  1670 01:32:06,576 --> 01:32:07,576 [Nikopolides] As a footballer.  1671 01:32:07,674 --> 01:32:10,446 [Interviewer] As a soccer player, yeah. Personal, we all have goals.  1672 01:32:10,646 --> 01:32:13,060 As a soccer professional,  1673 01:32:13,517 --> 01:32:15,303 what's the next goal?  1674 01:32:15,717 --> 01:32:18,003 Do you have any goals for when it comes to soccer from  1675 01:32:18,574 --> 01:32:21,889 'I want to be the coach of this team' or...? What's next for you?  1676 01:32:24,000 --> 01:32:26,160 [Nikopolides] Yes, I want to coach at the highest level.  1677 01:32:28,360 --> 01:32:31,655 Whether that means a top club, or  1678 01:32:31,680 --> 01:32:33,040 playing in the Champions League.  1679 01:32:33,860 --> 01:32:35,046 Uh...  1680 01:32:35,680 --> 01:32:36,720 Or the National Team.  1681 01:32:36,960 --> 01:32:40,640 I want to be able to coach at the top level.  1682 01:32:40,680 --> 01:32:43,353 That’s my ambition, my goals.  1683 01:32:43,553 --> 01:32:45,903 [Interviewer] In Greece or anywhere in the world?  1684 01:32:45,931 --> 01:32:47,460 [Nikopolides] Anywhere. I don’t mind.  1685 01:32:47,660 --> 01:32:50,803 [Interviewer] And I feel like, in coaching you can only get better with age.  1686 01:32:51,003 --> 01:32:54,317 Right? Like, you have the experiences, you're learning every day.  1687 01:32:54,517 --> 01:32:56,717 There's so much opportunity out there.  1688 01:32:56,760 --> 01:33:00,520 [Nikopolides] Look. In Greece it’s a bit difficult.  1689 01:33:00,560 --> 01:33:06,575 Coaching is a bit challenging, in the sense that you’re judged very harshly and also  1690 01:33:06,600 --> 01:33:11,160 there aren’t many clubs that have the requirements, meaning  1691 01:33:11,800 --> 01:33:12,720 they don’t have the facilities.  1692 01:33:12,760 --> 01:33:16,280 You find clubs where you can’t, you can’t go train properly.  1693 01:33:16,320 --> 01:33:23,040 I mean, I’ve worked with two or three clubs — at Panathinaikos and  1694 01:33:23,080 --> 01:33:26,000 Olympiacos — we had training centers and very good sports facilities.  1695 01:33:26,320 --> 01:33:27,760 You didn’t have to worry about the time and all that.  1696 01:33:27,800 --> 01:33:31,480 With gyms, with everything as all clubs should have.  1697 01:33:32,200 --> 01:33:32,860 That should be taken for granted.  1698 01:33:32,885 --> 01:33:35,600 Meaning, when you’re a professional club you should have  1699 01:33:36,680 --> 01:33:38,695 your sports center, your stadium.  1700 01:33:38,720 --> 01:33:42,560 Your sports center properly equipped, where the team should train and not have to  1701 01:33:43,200 --> 01:33:44,080 say ‘it’s raining today’.  1702 01:33:44,240 --> 01:33:48,600 'Let's go to the other pitch, the plastic one, so we can train.'  1703 01:33:48,640 --> 01:33:50,620 That's not professionalism, that's something else.  1704 01:33:50,645 --> 01:33:54,240 But you also adapt to every situation, etc.  1705 01:33:56,520 --> 01:33:58,815 That's the main problem in Greece.  1706 01:33:58,840 --> 01:34:00,520 It's the infrastructure. Even for the teams themselves  1707 01:34:01,600 --> 01:34:02,080 it's a problem.  1708 01:34:02,105 --> 01:34:05,440 Even in the provinces, teams struggle with infrastructure.  1709 01:34:05,480 --> 01:34:08,840 I mean, they prefer to sign a player, to spend, say, 100 thousand, to sign  1710 01:34:09,040 --> 01:34:13,040 a foreign player — we're talking about top league teams — instead of  1711 01:34:14,560 --> 01:34:18,000 having a doctor and a physical center  1712 01:34:18,040 --> 01:34:20,320 with 100 thousand so that the footballers can  1713 01:34:21,120 --> 01:34:25,135 try, you know, to help them  1714 01:34:25,160 --> 01:34:26,200 avoid injuries.  1715 01:34:26,225 --> 01:34:28,760 Everything is about  1716 01:34:28,800 --> 01:34:31,963 the players. Meanwhile, you need to have behind you —  1717 01:34:32,162 --> 01:34:33,170 America works like that.  1718 01:34:33,200 --> 01:34:39,975 They have the support, staffs, medical, everything you need and step by step  1719 01:34:40,000 --> 01:34:43,495 they'll bring in players who are big players and good  1720 01:34:43,520 --> 01:34:46,103 players who'll help you grow as a club.  1721 01:34:46,303 --> 01:34:47,840 You don't go backwards. It's like a house.  1722 01:34:47,960 --> 01:34:50,575 You don't start building a house by buying the  1723 01:34:50,600 --> 01:34:52,420 frames you'll hang on the wall. [laughs]  1724 01:34:52,760 --> 01:34:54,000 Isn't that right?  1725 01:34:54,520 --> 01:34:56,520 First you lay the foundations and slowly build it up.  1726 01:34:56,960 --> 01:35:02,600 [Interviewer] In America you see schools, high schools, the teams and they have  1727 01:35:03,320 --> 01:35:08,280 what do we call them? Facilities that — you go crazy when you see —  1728 01:35:09,440 --> 01:35:11,480 not even professional teams here don't have. It's crazy.  1729 01:35:11,600 --> 01:35:13,720 [Nikopolides] When I went to Georgetown and saw the — I said  1730 01:35:14,320 --> 01:35:16,000 [incomprehensible] university.  1731 01:35:16,400 --> 01:35:17,520 My eyes popped out.  1732 01:35:18,080 --> 01:35:18,640 I was shocked.  1733 01:35:18,665 --> 01:35:23,720 I said, what's going on, and my second son had gone to Indiana.  1734 01:35:24,320 --> 01:35:28,720 Indiana is a very big university, but it's especially shocking.  1735 01:35:29,920 --> 01:35:31,600 And he was shocked, he told me. It had 10 fields.  1736 01:35:31,625 --> 01:35:33,660 He said, they didn't even know where they'd train. [laughs]  1737 01:35:34,720 --> 01:35:40,509 [Interviewer] Tell me, when your son went to Georgetown... The process from here, did he go to high school here?  1738 01:35:40,709 --> 01:35:41,840 [Nikopolides] He finished high school here.  1739 01:35:41,880 --> 01:35:45,017 [Interviewer] And how? Did he have an agent there to find a school?  1740 01:35:45,042 --> 01:35:45,520 [Nikopolides] We had one here.  1741 01:35:45,560 --> 01:35:47,840 [Interviewer] You had one here. And he went to the schools... How?  1742 01:35:48,680 --> 01:35:51,360 [Nikopolides] He was here.  1743 01:35:52,160 --> 01:35:54,375 There's a guy — his name is Aris Zafeiratos.  1744 01:35:54,400 --> 01:35:58,335 Zafeiratos himself had also left Greece on a scholarship,  1745 01:35:58,360 --> 01:36:02,560 went to a university, went to Indiana and graduated from there.  1746 01:36:02,600 --> 01:36:07,455 He has a company here, which does what? It prepares kids who want  1747 01:36:07,480 --> 01:36:11,733 to get scholarships in America.  1748 01:36:11,933 --> 01:36:12,560 [Interviewer] Bravo.  1749 01:36:12,680 --> 01:36:12,880 [Nikopolides] Yes.  1750 01:36:14,920 --> 01:36:21,320 He finds footballers, track athletes, everything, depending on  1751 01:36:21,760 --> 01:36:23,680 what he does — he makes a profile of the player.  1752 01:36:24,040 --> 01:36:30,760 They made a profile for Giannis and told him — and we had specific teams.  1753 01:36:31,120 --> 01:36:34,935 You get in contact with these teams, they watch the videos and the  1754 01:36:34,960 --> 01:36:36,015 player’s profile etc.  1755 01:36:36,040 --> 01:36:37,200 It plays an important role  1756 01:36:37,240 --> 01:36:38,655 of course. For example, for Giannis  1757 01:36:38,680 --> 01:36:45,455 it mattered that he was with Olympiacos, he played in Europe, in the youth teams, in the leagues.  1758 01:36:45,480 --> 01:36:46,600 He was on the National Team.  1759 01:36:48,400 --> 01:36:50,240 [Interviewer] The U21, did he play for the national team?  1760 01:36:50,274 --> 01:36:54,480 [Nikopolides] No, then it was Under 19.  1761 01:36:54,600 --> 01:36:58,360 He was 19. He had national teams, Olympiacos etc.  1762 01:36:59,760 --> 01:37:02,008 And suddenly they appear —  1763 01:37:02,208 --> 01:37:08,320 I think Giannis personally talked to about 15, 16 universities.  1764 01:37:08,600 --> 01:37:08,920 [Interviewer] Wow!  1765 01:37:09,520 --> 01:37:11,532 [Nikopolides] Yes, because they saw [him with] Olympiacos.  1766 01:37:11,732 --> 01:37:15,015 I mean, if you have a track female athlete who’s had a really good year,  1767 01:37:15,040 --> 01:37:18,760 you’ll go. They’ll take her immediately.  1768 01:37:18,800 --> 01:37:19,840 These things matter.  1769 01:37:20,840 --> 01:37:22,960 He talked to 10 and for example he rejected some. For example,  1770 01:37:23,840 --> 01:37:26,640 he got an offer from Harvard and he turned it down. 'I’m not going to Harvard', he said.  1771 01:37:27,160 --> 01:37:27,520 [Interviewer] No way.  1772 01:37:27,720 --> 01:37:30,400 [Nikopolides] Because they didn’t have a good soccer team.  1773 01:37:30,880 --> 01:37:34,280 Indiana, for example, was a good team.  1774 01:37:35,280 --> 01:37:36,840 It’s always competitive.  1775 01:37:38,280 --> 01:37:40,360 Georgetown always has good soccer.  1776 01:37:40,560 --> 01:37:41,920 [Interviewer] Good name plus you’re there.  1777 01:37:42,160 --> 01:37:48,495 [Nikopolides] And when Georgetown called him, he talked and said ‘I’m going there.’  1778 01:37:48,520 --> 01:37:50,920 He said it’s a very good team, a good soccer team.  1779 01:37:51,160 --> 01:37:54,160 He did his research and saw what Georgetown is.  1780 01:37:54,240 --> 01:37:55,600 Not only  1781 01:37:57,840 --> 01:38:00,160 — how do you say it — academically but also soccer-wise.  1782 01:38:00,440 --> 01:38:02,640 It’s a very good team, it plays.  1783 01:38:02,680 --> 01:38:04,960 Division One etc.  1784 01:38:05,000 --> 01:38:09,640 And he made a really good choice and that’s how he went.  1785 01:38:09,680 --> 01:38:13,920 So there’s also the person here who creates the profile.  1786 01:38:14,280 --> 01:38:17,440 Because he’s grown up in America in the sense that he studied in  1787 01:38:17,465 --> 01:38:22,455 America, he has contacts with various universities and when  1788 01:38:22,480 --> 01:38:27,815 he sees that there’s really a case of kids who want to go  1789 01:38:27,840 --> 01:38:29,340 because the kids have to want to go too.  1790 01:38:29,365 --> 01:38:33,495 I mean, when you’re a footballer at Panathinaikos at 18 or at  1791 01:38:33,520 --> 01:38:38,680 Olympiacos you say 'I’ll play for the leading team'. That’s it, 'I’ll play and I won’t leave' etc.  1792 01:38:39,800 --> 01:38:41,360 You have to weigh things a bit better.  1793 01:38:41,600 --> 01:38:46,760 And you know America opens up, it’s different, soccer is growing too.  1794 01:38:47,160 --> 01:38:48,520 He even entered the draft, let’s say.  1795 01:38:48,560 --> 01:38:51,320 He did the process, even the draft process.  1796 01:38:51,440 --> 01:38:52,333 [Interviewer] Oh yeah?  1797 01:38:52,360 --> 01:38:52,878 [Nikopolides] Yes.  1798 01:38:52,903 --> 01:38:53,503 [Interviewer] In the MLS?  1799 01:38:54,400 --> 01:39:01,360 In the MLS. He got into the RedBulls through the draft. He got into the draft.  1800 01:39:02,080 --> 01:39:06,760 They had 4 kids from the university, Georgetown. Georgetown University produced  1801 01:39:07,120 --> 01:39:11,120 3, 4 very good footballers.  1802 01:39:11,320 --> 01:39:14,120 And he entered with a draft.  1803 01:39:14,680 --> 01:39:16,600 It’s the same as basketball.  1804 01:39:16,800 --> 01:39:22,210 [Interviewer] Getting a D1 scholarship, just that alone is an accomplishment.  1805 01:39:22,410 --> 01:39:24,180 It's a 400.000 dollars education.  1806 01:39:24,680 --> 01:39:27,480 He went to play ball, did he get a degree? What did he study?  1807 01:39:28,120 --> 01:39:31,360 [Nikopolides] He studied Classical Studies at the university.  1808 01:39:32,320 --> 01:39:34,560 [Interviewer] Ok, he got a degree. That's amazing.  1809 01:39:36,945 --> 01:39:41,440 [Nikopolides] And he came back at 22 years old, 21, 22, and is making his career as a  1810 01:39:42,440 --> 01:39:43,640 professional football player.  1811 01:39:43,840 --> 01:39:44,379 [Interviewer] Exactly!  1812 01:39:44,579 --> 01:39:45,579 That's incredible!  1813 01:39:48,750 --> 01:39:49,575 One last question  1814 01:39:49,600 --> 01:39:54,280 on Olympiako. When you're playing Olympiakos and it’s a beautiful stadium.  1815 01:39:54,760 --> 01:39:59,295 Top team, everyone knows it in Europe, worldwide. And then you go  1816 01:39:59,320 --> 01:40:00,855 to another team here in Greece.  1817 01:40:00,880 --> 01:40:03,800 We won’t say names to blame them, but you go to one that just  1818 01:40:04,400 --> 01:40:08,935 just entered first division and you go there.  1819 01:40:08,960 --> 01:40:10,920 There must be some pride as a team.  1820 01:40:11,440 --> 01:40:14,240 Today we play in Corfu where they don’t even have a stadium.  1821 01:40:15,090 --> 01:40:17,750 You still get motivated playing teams like that  1822 01:40:17,910 --> 01:40:19,960 when you're also playing in Europe  1823 01:40:20,160 --> 01:40:21,890 and against other competitions?  1824 01:40:24,120 --> 01:40:25,960 [Nikopolides] It’s different. It’s different.  1825 01:40:26,680 --> 01:40:29,160 [Interviewer] I used to live in Corfu, I was 19 years old.  1826 01:40:29,400 --> 01:40:30,760 And I remember back then I said, this is -  1827 01:40:31,640 --> 01:40:34,000 this is a stadium? Professional soccer? And the  1828 01:40:34,280 --> 01:40:36,160 big teams come here to play?  1829 01:40:36,480 --> 01:40:37,720 It’s a bit crazy, isn’t it?  1830 01:40:37,960 --> 01:40:41,815 [Nikopolides] Look, Greek football players like me who  1831 01:40:41,840 --> 01:40:43,880 played back then, we went to various stadiums.  1832 01:40:44,480 --> 01:40:45,840 I could understand it. I mean  1833 01:40:46,480 --> 01:40:48,495 I’d say, I’ve lived in this country.  1834 01:40:48,520 --> 01:40:52,000 That’s how football is, that’s how it is, man. A foreign player now  1835 01:40:52,120 --> 01:40:56,480 for example we’d go with Rivaldo  1836 01:40:56,520 --> 01:40:59,440 and he’d go to some stadiums let’s say.  1837 01:40:59,640 --> 01:41:01,480 Yeah, like you said, let’s not name names.  1838 01:41:03,080 --> 01:41:07,455 If you’d see for example the toilets and the showers how they were. And you’d say to yourself,  1839 01:41:07,480 --> 01:41:11,640 you’d look at him, you’d think: 'What is this guy thinking now?' Well, yes, yes.  1840 01:41:12,000 --> 01:41:13,200 You’re a professional team.  1841 01:41:14,680 --> 01:41:16,800 You can’t just - you’re playing in the First Division.  1842 01:41:16,840 --> 01:41:19,860 Players will come from Panathinaikos, Olympiakos, PAOK who  1843 01:41:19,885 --> 01:41:22,800 have played in Europe. They are big players. Rivaldo.  1844 01:41:22,960 --> 01:41:24,400 Karembeu too, yes.  1845 01:41:25,200 --> 01:41:28,400 Fix it up a bit man, do something about it [the stadium].  1846 01:41:31,930 --> 01:41:33,575 so it’s a bit clean, man.  1847 01:41:33,600 --> 01:41:35,280 Something, somewhere to sit down.  1848 01:41:35,880 --> 01:41:39,560 If you see the stadiums, we’re talking about third-world conditions.  1849 01:41:40,600 --> 01:41:41,840 [Interviewer] And I’ve seen them. That’s why I’m saying it.  1850 01:41:42,640 --> 01:41:45,320 And then you say this team, the team, Olympiakos,  1851 01:41:46,600 --> 01:41:50,676 the owners, Marinakis. It is clear they love football, they support...  1852 01:41:50,876 --> 01:41:51,480 [Nikopolides] ...and they invest!  1853 01:41:51,680 --> 01:41:54,495 [Interviewer] Yes, and they put in the money, okay. They make money.  1854 01:41:54,520 --> 01:41:56,480 And the other teams also need to make something.  1855 01:41:56,720 --> 01:41:58,340 It can’t just all go in the pocket.  1856 01:41:58,365 --> 01:42:02,375 You have to put it back in because that reflects Greek football,  1857 01:42:02,400 --> 01:42:05,160 not just the team. It's what you said.  1858 01:42:07,400 --> 01:42:12,095 [Nikopolides] Look, things have improved in Greece in general lately.  1859 01:42:12,120 --> 01:42:17,855 In the last 3 or 4 years things have improved a lot because money is coming in.  1860 01:42:17,880 --> 01:42:20,120 I mean, TV too, they’re paying.  1861 01:42:20,160 --> 01:42:23,600 There’s money. It’s a bit better.  1862 01:42:25,240 --> 01:42:27,815 But still, it’s not in a condition...  1863 01:42:27,840 --> 01:42:29,320 I mean there are no clubs for example...  1864 01:42:30,280 --> 01:42:31,800 Panathinaikos. Panathinaikos has no stadium.  1865 01:42:31,840 --> 01:42:33,455 I mean, Leoforos is not a stadium  1866 01:42:33,480 --> 01:42:37,480 for Panathinaikos who has been around for so many years. PAOK, Toumba. Toumba is old.  1867 01:42:37,760 --> 01:42:41,935 No matter how much they can freshen it up and fix it, it’s old.  1868 01:42:41,960 --> 01:42:43,800 These are stadiums that need to go.  1869 01:42:43,920 --> 01:42:47,920 Like AEK. They built a nice stadium. Olympiakos was the first, then AEK.  1870 01:42:48,040 --> 01:42:49,080 It’s a modern stadium.  1871 01:42:49,105 --> 01:42:53,175 A club there can invest or bring in other investors who want  1872 01:42:53,200 --> 01:42:56,320 to invest in a place that’s actually nice, etc.  1873 01:42:56,880 --> 01:43:00,680 If Panathinaikos builds a stadium, if Toumba gets rebuilt,  1874 01:43:00,720 --> 01:43:02,280 a nice new stadium, etc.  1875 01:43:02,520 --> 01:43:05,760 Someone who wants to invest will say, 'okay, I have a nice stadium'.  1876 01:43:05,920 --> 01:43:07,880 There are season tickets, there’s this,that etc.  1877 01:43:08,160 --> 01:43:13,440 I can make money and reinvest in my initial investment. So  1878 01:43:13,880 --> 01:43:15,160 infrastructure is key.  1879 01:43:15,200 --> 01:43:18,215 It’s what I told you, that in Greece we buy  1880 01:43:18,240 --> 01:43:19,880 players but don’t have stadiums.  1881 01:43:20,160 --> 01:43:20,740 [Interviewer] That’s it.  1882 01:43:20,765 --> 01:43:26,040 At some point I’d like to see also from abroad, from the diaspora,  1883 01:43:26,440 --> 01:43:30,680 Greeks coming back, buying some clubs, building stadiums.  1884 01:43:30,960 --> 01:43:32,975 I think it’s good. Not outside —   1885 01:43:33,000 --> 01:43:33,600 outside Athens.  1886 01:43:38,160 --> 01:43:39,200 Are you from Tripoli?  1887 01:43:39,240 --> 01:43:41,640 Ok, they built a team, they built a stadium.  1888 01:43:41,840 --> 01:43:44,345 Go to some of the other places...  1889 01:43:44,370 --> 01:43:46,200 [Nikopolides] There are people from America. For example,  1890 01:43:46,320 --> 01:43:50,520 the owner of OFI is Greek-American.  1891 01:43:52,840 --> 01:43:54,320 In Kalamata which is in the second division.  1892 01:43:54,345 --> 01:43:59,680 There’s a guy who is active business-wise in Chicago.  1893 01:43:59,720 --> 01:44:01,040 He’s in America.  1894 01:44:03,240 --> 01:44:08,680 Kallithea has — had a Greek-American fund, one or two.  1895 01:44:09,320 --> 01:44:12,375 So there are two serious investments.  1896 01:44:12,400 --> 01:44:18,480 I mean in Kalamata as well,but mainly in OFI, there’s been a serious investment.  1897 01:44:18,840 --> 01:44:20,800 He’s Greek-American from Chicago I think.  1898 01:44:20,840 --> 01:44:22,060 I don’t remember exactly where.  1899 01:44:24,160 --> 01:44:27,520 There’s the potential and there are historic clubs where  1900 01:44:27,840 --> 01:44:33,560 someone can invest without losing their money.  1901 01:44:33,600 --> 01:44:35,240 [Interviewer] An example?  1902 01:44:35,360 --> 01:44:36,070 [Nikopolides] Larisa.  1903 01:44:36,100 --> 01:44:38,935 [Interviewer] Larisa, yes. Larisa.  1904 01:44:38,960 --> 01:44:43,415 Abroad, you know how many people I know from Larisa who left Greece and  1905 01:44:43,440 --> 01:44:45,000 have succeeded, have made it.  1906 01:44:45,400 --> 01:44:49,650 [Nikopolides] Larisa is one - but in general they're a bit afraid in Greece.  1907 01:44:49,850 --> 01:44:52,095 To invest in football and so on,  1908 01:44:52,120 --> 01:44:55,120 but Larisa is a team that if you really invest properly, you can   1909 01:45:56,320 --> 01:45:00,920 for example - it’s a team with a lot of potential. There are teams.  1910 01:45:00,960 --> 01:45:01,680 Iraklis.  1911 01:45:01,920 --> 01:45:06,560 It’s a historic team that for the last ten years  1912 01:45:07,000 --> 01:45:09,080 has been between life and death.  1913 01:45:10,590 --> 01:45:12,090 [Nikopolides] There are teams. [Interviewer] There are.  1914 01:45:13,730 --> 01:45:14,640 [Interviewer] I got something for you  1915 01:45:15,680 --> 01:45:17,387 First of all open it, but...  1916 01:45:17,587 --> 01:45:19,317 [Nikopolides] Thank you very much.  1917 01:45:19,517 --> 01:45:21,480 [Interviewer] It’s something from Los Angeles, just to show that...  1918 01:45:24,560 --> 01:45:26,446 It is not about football, just for a change.  1919 01:45:26,646 --> 01:45:27,505 [Nikopolides] My kids play basketball,  1920 01:45:27,530 --> 01:45:29,715 they’ll like it.  1921 01:45:29,915 --> 01:45:30,915 [Interviewer] Lakers' Lebron.  1922 01:45:31,200 --> 01:45:32,360 I didn’t have time to put  1923 01:45:32,880 --> 01:45:35,320 Nikopolidis on the back. [Nikopolides] No, it’s nice. Lebron is...  1924 01:45:35,920 --> 01:45:37,551 He’s a miracle of nature.  1925 01:45:37,751 --> 01:45:38,751 [Interviewer] He is, he is. He’s unreal.  1926 01:45:39,000 --> 01:45:41,680 [Nikopolides] He’s a miracle of nature. How old is he? 40?  1927 01:45:42,800 --> 01:45:44,420 [Interviewer] 39, 40. Around there.  1928 01:45:44,620 --> 01:45:46,040 [Nikopolides] And he looks like he’s 20.  1929 01:45:46,240 --> 01:45:49,535 [Interviewer] And he still runs and does everything.  1930 01:45:49,560 --> 01:45:52,566 [Nikopolides] Thank you so much!  1931 01:45:52,766 --> 01:45:54,695 [Interviewer] Antonis, I -  1932 01:45:54,720 --> 01:45:55,560 I’ll say it in English.  1933 01:45:56,160 --> 01:46:01,280 The fact that you made the time to sit down and talk with a Greek-Canadian  1934 01:46:01,310 --> 01:46:03,460 and for the listeners and everything, for me  1935 01:46:04,300 --> 01:46:07,345 it's like a dream. I know it sounds crazy but, like,  1936 01:46:07,370 --> 01:46:09,570 the fact that you guys were part of something for the country  1937 01:46:09,600 --> 01:46:12,740 that we still are so proud of when we talk to,  1938 01:46:12,940 --> 01:46:18,240 and you are so accessible. I'm talking to you and it's like talking to a brother or something.  1939 01:46:18,270 --> 01:46:20,840 Like, you're just very easy to talk with, no ego.  1940 01:46:22,050 --> 01:46:24,730 And you could tell you're proud Greek, proud of what you've done.  1941 01:46:25,760 --> 01:46:27,570 For everyone. Like, it's just incredible man.  1942 01:46:28,090 --> 01:46:29,095 I really appreciate that.  1943 01:46:29,120 --> 01:46:30,960 [Nikopolides] Thank you. It was a very nice interview.  1944 01:46:33,000 --> 01:46:33,560 It was worth it.  1945 01:46:33,680 --> 01:46:38,360 It’s worth the effort for the voice to be heard too  1946 01:46:38,840 --> 01:46:42,695 of the person who’s in Greece, etc. and who has achieved something, to hear about how  1947 01:46:42,720 --> 01:46:47,280 Greece is and what the mentality is or how the modern Greek thinks.  1948 01:46:47,720 --> 01:46:48,450 Right?  1949 01:46:51,080 --> 01:46:54,200 We’re a country and you love us Greeks over here.  1950 01:46:54,760 --> 01:46:56,268 We’re peculiar people.  1951 01:46:56,468 --> 01:47:02,215 We are grumblers, but I think that wherever we Greeks find other Greeks,  1952 01:47:02,240 --> 01:47:04,160 we love each other.  1953 01:47:05,760 --> 01:47:06,560 Hospitable.  1954 01:47:09,360 --> 01:47:11,560 I have met so many Greek Americans.  1955 01:47:11,600 --> 01:47:15,160 In fact, I even spent Easter in Virginia State.  1956 01:47:16,230 --> 01:47:17,230 [Interviewer] Virginia. Okay.  1957 01:47:18,920 --> 01:47:21,320 [Nikopolides] It was really very, very nice.  1958 01:47:22,760 --> 01:47:24,080 I like America very much.  1959 01:47:27,240 --> 01:47:31,080 At some point I would have liked — I tried many times to get involved  1960 01:47:31,920 --> 01:47:33,620 in America. It didn’t interest me.  1961 01:47:34,400 --> 01:47:39,375 It’s the country where you can create  1962 01:47:39,400 --> 01:47:43,280 and do things when you really have value, determination, and patience  1963 01:47:43,640 --> 01:47:44,760 to build on it.  1964 01:47:45,560 --> 01:47:49,960 Nevertheless, I love Greece.  1965 01:47:50,520 --> 01:47:52,560 It’s a magical place for us.  1966 01:47:55,680 --> 01:48:00,760 I wish you a safe return. Keep doing interviews like these.  1967 01:48:00,800 --> 01:48:06,095 There are many people who can talk, talk about their careers,  1968 01:48:06,120 --> 01:48:08,680 their lives, about Greece.  1969 01:48:10,480 --> 01:48:12,400 It’s important for the voice to get out there.  1970 01:48:12,840 --> 01:48:13,390 [Interviewer] Absolutely.  1971 01:48:13,590 --> 01:48:17,080 [Nikopolides] And I think it was a pleasant time for me.  1972 01:48:17,120 --> 01:48:18,325 I really enjoyed it.  1973 01:48:18,525 --> 01:48:19,525 [Interviewer] Thank you so much!  1974 01:48:20,560 --> 01:48:23,550 And we’ll find a team in the MLS.  1975 01:48:23,750 --> 01:48:24,750 Headcoach!  1976 01:48:25,550 --> 01:48:27,090 Are you kidding me? That's the job!  1977 01:48:27,120 --> 01:48:31,440 [Nikopolides] There’s Frank [Klopas], he’s in Chicago, he’s...  1978 01:48:31,560 --> 01:48:33,760 But I don’t know if he still is. He’s something like a director.  1979 01:48:33,785 --> 01:48:35,160 Something like that. He’s got -  1980 01:48:35,280 --> 01:48:36,600 These are people who  1981 01:48:39,600 --> 01:48:41,040 have lived in America for years.  1982 01:48:41,200 --> 01:48:44,400 Frank Klopa I met him too. He had -  1983 01:48:44,960 --> 01:48:46,240 he played one year at AEK.  1984 01:48:46,280 --> 01:48:49,400 One or two I remember now. But the biggest  1985 01:48:49,480 --> 01:48:54,840 - I don’t know if you know this - really the figure who has stayed  1986 01:48:55,400 --> 01:48:56,655 with us, with me at least.  1987 01:48:56,680 --> 01:48:59,160 The older ones remember him, the younger ones don’t.  1988 01:48:59,560 --> 01:49:01,360 Lalas! A certain Lalas.  1989 01:49:01,440 --> 01:49:03,480 [Interviewer] Alexis Lalas! Yes, the redhead.  1990 01:49:03,840 --> 01:49:07,615 [Nikopolides] He was huge and from what I gather from the surname he must be  1991 01:49:07,640 --> 01:49:09,695 from Pyrgos, Ilia, Peloponnese.  1992 01:49:09,720 --> 01:49:10,911 He must be from there.  1993 01:49:10,940 --> 01:49:12,111 [Interviewer] I think Peloponnese.  1994 01:49:12,400 --> 01:49:14,055 Yes, and he was in ’94...  1995 01:49:14,080 --> 01:49:17,200 [Nikopolides] He was a huge figure back then when he played.  1996 01:49:17,320 --> 01:49:19,920 Yes, because he was in the US national team, etc.  1997 01:49:20,000 --> 01:49:22,200 [Interviewer] He played defense.  1998 01:49:22,520 --> 01:49:23,200 [Nikopolides] Yes yes, yes.  1999 01:49:23,360 --> 01:49:27,720 [Interviewer] And now is an announcer there. We’ll talk to Alexi Lalas.  2000 01:49:28,020 --> 01:49:29,050 There's gonna be a connection.  2001 01:49:29,180 --> 01:49:33,015 [Nikopolides] He was, for me who had him then  2002 01:49:33,040 --> 01:49:34,655 in those years, I used to see him.  2003 01:49:34,680 --> 01:49:39,040 He really was, you know, a point of reference in America.  2004 01:49:39,080 --> 01:49:41,019 A reference to USA National Team was a reference to Alexi Lalas.  2005 01:49:41,219 --> 01:49:43,200 In ‘94 he played as a defender.  2006 01:49:43,240 --> 01:49:45,107 You’d say Alexi Lalas...  2007 01:49:45,307 --> 01:49:48,000 [Interviewer] Bravo. We’ll arrange something. Perfect.  2008 01:49:48,200 --> 01:49:51,480 [Nikopolides] Bravo! He’s a big figure.  2009 01:49:51,520 --> 01:49:54,600 I believe he is for American soccer.  2010 01:49:54,800 --> 01:49:56,560 It’s changed now. MLS has changed.  2011 01:49:56,720 --> 01:49:57,460 [Interviewer] It’s changed.  2012 01:49:57,485 --> 01:50:03,095 One last question — were you married before 2004?  2013 01:50:03,120 --> 01:50:05,516 [Interviewer] Did you have kids? [Nikopolides] Yes, yes, yes.  2014 01:50:05,716 --> 01:50:06,200 [Interviewer] As a couple  2015 01:50:06,240 --> 01:50:10,775 how did things change after all that happened? I mean, everyone wanted  2016 01:50:10,800 --> 01:50:12,600 'Antonis, Antonis, Antonis', like,'here!'  2017 01:50:13,160 --> 01:50:16,800 That must be difficult for a spouse to…  2018 01:50:20,360 --> 01:50:24,160 [Nikopolides] I described it a bit with the kids and with the family.  2019 01:50:26,720 --> 01:50:28,600 I didn’t have much time.  2020 01:50:28,840 --> 01:50:32,055 I mean weekends, Friday, Saturday, I never went out because  2021 01:50:32,080 --> 01:50:32,980 I was always with the team.  2022 01:50:33,005 --> 01:50:36,680 Whether the national team or the club. I didn’t have much time. More during the week  2023 01:50:37,560 --> 01:50:41,040 I would go out with my wife somewhere to eat, have a glass of wine, have dinner  2024 01:50:41,560 --> 01:50:44,560 just the two of us, but I didn’t have that much time so I could  2025 01:50:44,600 --> 01:50:49,840 go out and live a more relaxed life.  2026 01:50:53,400 --> 01:50:57,335 We tried a bit on our own. We were raising our kids then,  2027 01:50:57,360 --> 01:51:03,680 in 2004, 2006 when they were born. Now we’re very good, in the sense that  2028 01:51:03,920 --> 01:51:09,560 the kids have grown up, we don’t have to take them places, etc.  2029 01:51:09,640 --> 01:51:12,095 They go on their own. My wife and I go out.  2030 01:51:12,120 --> 01:51:12,880 We’re relaxed.  2031 01:51:13,320 --> 01:51:18,695 Maybe it’s the best period in the sense that we don’t have so many obligations with  2032 01:51:18,720 --> 01:51:23,040 the kids and not so many professional obligations.  2033 01:51:23,080 --> 01:51:27,280 So we live better, lighter, and do what we want.  2034 01:51:27,520 --> 01:51:28,920 [Interviewer] Bravo. She supported you.  2035 01:51:29,920 --> 01:51:30,974 In all that she was —  2036 01:51:31,174 --> 01:51:31,710 [Nikopolides] Of course!  2037 01:51:31,760 --> 01:51:33,600 Bravo man. Thank you so much!  2038 01:51:33,680 --> 01:51:35,440 [Nikopolides] Thank you! Take care. Translation, Sync & Edit by Alexandros Daniilidis 

FULL SHOW TRANSCRIPT - GREEK

1  00:00:00,833 --> 00:00:02,517  Και αρχίζουμε. 2  00:00:02,567 --> 00:00:03,383  Αρχίζουμε. 3  00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:05,417  I am... 4  00:00:05,617 --> 00:00:06,617  I'm excited for this one, 5  00:00:07,017 --> 00:00:08,767  very excited we get to sit down. 6  00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:11,817  We met downstairs at a cafe 7  00:00:12,483 --> 00:00:13,483  just before this 8  00:00:14,350 --> 00:00:16,367  and instantly seeing you, I was like, 9  00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:17,360  σηκώθηκε η τρίχα μου, 10  00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:18,560  which is crazy. 11  00:00:19,783 --> 00:00:21,417  I'm sure you hear this all the time, right? 12  00:00:21,833 --> 00:00:23,967  The impact you have on people, 13  00:00:25,317 --> 00:00:26,883  seeing you in their memories, 14  00:00:26,908 --> 00:00:28,767  you and your team and what you guys brought to this country. 15  00:00:28,967 --> 00:00:29,967  But for me, as a kid, 16  00:00:30,167 --> 00:00:32,967  growing up it was Wayne Gretzky for hockey, ok? 17  00:00:33,717 --> 00:00:36,200  It was like, for me, that was the dream. 18  00:00:36,833 --> 00:00:37,767  Michael Jordan 19  00:00:37,967 --> 00:00:39,217  for basketball, right? 20  00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,733  And as a group, the Greek national team for Euro 2004. 21  00:00:43,758 --> 00:00:44,750  For me as a kid, like those are, 22  00:00:44,917 --> 00:00:46,400  so to see, 23  00:00:46,917 --> 00:00:48,883  like you and to be sitting down and talking and 24  00:00:49,117 --> 00:00:52,383  to go back to what you guys did for the country 25  00:00:52,583 --> 00:00:53,583  and that feeling that you gave us? 26  00:00:53,667 --> 00:00:54,667  On another level. 27  00:00:55,083 --> 00:00:58,017  So, today I'm sitting down with Mr. Antonis Nikopolides. 28  00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:00,150  Thank you for sitting down with us. 29  00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:02,000  [Nikopolides] Πρώτα απ’ όλα να ζητήσω συγγνώμη. 30  00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:05,360  Οπότε θα προσπαθήσω.  Δεν μπορώ. 31  00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:09,440  Για να κάνουμε την κουβέντα πολύ πιο ωραία  και πιο κατανοητή, θα είναι δύσκολο να το 32  00:01:09,465 --> 00:01:13,520  κάνουμε λίγο στα αγγλικά για μένα,  οπότε ζητώ συγγνώμη στους ακροατές σου. 33  00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:14,280  Θα το κάνω εγώ. 34  00:01:14,305 --> 00:01:17,935  Θα απαντήσω στα ελληνικά ώστε να  βγάλουμε μια άκρη, γιατί αν αρχίσω τα 35  00:01:17,960 --> 00:01:20,480  αγγλικά μου είναι μια δύσκολη συνέντευξη. 36  00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:21,880  Θα δυσκολευτώ αρκετά. 37  00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:25,600  Οπότε καλύτερα, πιο φυσιολογικά  και πιο ωραία θα μιλήσουμε. 38  00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:28,815  Εγώ θα μιλήσω, θα απαντήσω στα αγγλικά. 39  00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:30,200  Χαίρομαι που είμαι εδώ μαζί σου. 40  00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:37,400  Η Αμερική είναι μια πολύ μεγάλη κοινότητα. 41  00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:41,000  Είχα την τύχη  για πολλά χρόνια να έχω επισκεφθεί 42  00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:47,800  και το Σικάγο και τη Νέα Υόρκη και  θα τα πούμε στη συνέχεια βέβαια, αλλά. 43  00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:53,840  Πάντα είμαι εντυπωσιασμένος κάθε  φορά που επισκέπτομαι την Αμερική. 44  00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:56,483  Σίγουρα.  Thank you! And, for the listeners, 45  00:01:56,783 --> 00:01:59,867  Θα βάλουμε και subtitles να ξέρουνε τι λέμε. 46  00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:01,895  Look, for the listener 47  00:02:02,100 --> 00:02:04,027  to understand who I'm sitting with today. 48  00:02:04,227 --> 00:02:05,386  Whether you follow soccer or not, 49  00:02:05,614 --> 00:02:07,386  I think it's gonna be good to do a quick biography 50  00:02:07,586 --> 00:02:09,771  just on who I'm sitting with today. 51  00:02:10,543 --> 00:02:14,371  So, today's guest is a true legend of European football 52  00:02:14,571 --> 00:02:16,557  and one of Greece's most iconic athletes. 53  00:02:16,757 --> 00:02:18,457  Antonis Nikopolides 54  00:02:18,583 --> 00:02:23,067  is widely regarded as one of the greatest Greek goalkeepers of all time, for sure. 55  00:02:23,567 --> 00:02:25,683  Holding the record for the most goalkeeper appearances 56  00:02:25,776 --> 00:02:27,333  for the Greek national soccer team 57  00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:30,183  and playing a pivotal role in Greece's historic 58  00:02:30,217 --> 00:02:32,467  UEFA Euro 2004 championship victory, 59  00:02:32,667 --> 00:02:35,867  where he kept clean sheets throughout the knockout rounds 60  00:02:36,450 --> 00:02:38,850  and was named to the tournament's all-star team, 61  00:02:38,883 --> 00:02:40,733  which is incredible. No goal scored on you 62  00:02:41,033 --> 00:02:42,450  during the knockout rounds. 63  00:02:42,483 --> 00:02:43,367  Insane, right? 64  00:02:43,517 --> 00:02:47,133  His club career is a saga of elite consistency and drama, 65  00:02:47,158 --> 00:02:48,883  starting at Panathinaikos, 66  00:02:48,933 --> 00:02:50,783  where he became a fan favorite 67  00:02:50,808 --> 00:02:52,650  and Champions League quarter-finalist 68  00:02:52,683 --> 00:02:55,983  and later controversially transferring to the rivals, Olympiakos. 69  00:02:56,183 --> 00:02:57,183  Right? Crazy 70  00:02:57,208 --> 00:02:58,783  we're gonna get into that 71  00:02:58,883 --> 00:03:00,650  where he won multiple league doubles, 72  00:03:00,717 --> 00:03:02,700  made game-winning penalty saves in Europe, 73  00:03:02,703 --> 00:03:05,183  and ended his playing career as captain and champion. 74  00:03:05,817 --> 00:03:08,717  After hanging up his gloves, Antonis transitioned into coaching, 75  00:03:09,433 --> 00:03:12,725  first as assistant and interim manager of Olympiakos 76  00:03:12,750 --> 00:03:17,050  and later as head coach of Greece's U21 national team, 77  00:03:17,250 --> 00:03:18,250  continuing to influence the game 78  00:03:18,450 --> 00:03:20,533  by developing the next generation of Greek talent. 79  00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,833  His career is defined by discipline, resilience, and leadership, 80  00:03:24,533 --> 00:03:25,767  both on and off the pitch. 81  00:03:26,433 --> 00:03:27,917  Today, we're going to talk with Antonis, 82  00:03:28,117 --> 00:03:30,217  and I am super excited to be sitting with you. 83  00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:33,400  So, does that cover a part of your career? 84  00:03:33,917 --> 00:03:34,917  [Nikopolides] Αγχώθηκα λίγο 85  00:03:35,850 --> 00:03:37,833  Τα άκουσα όλα αυτά μαζεμένα, αγχώθηκα λιγάκι 86  00:03:38,033 --> 00:03:40,683  αλλά νομίζω ότι πολύ γρήγορα και πολύ συνοπτικά 87  00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:45,160  είπες την ιστορία μου, την  ποδοσφαιρική μου ιστορία μέχρι τώρα. 88  00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,950  [Interviewer] And your soccer story, για ποδόσφαιρο, right? 89  00:03:49,550 --> 00:03:52,917  Eγώ θυμάμαι τώρα, 2004, ok? 90  00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:54,814  Είχες ένα cool, 91  00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:56,657  You had this style, 92  00:03:57,043 --> 00:03:57,643  this demeanor, 93  00:03:57,671 --> 00:03:58,243  where it's like... 94  00:03:58,280 --> 00:03:58,761  eeep...! 95  00:03:58,900 --> 00:04:00,886  to me, it's like το ελληνικό, 96  00:04:00,914 --> 00:04:02,271  like πάντα I got this 97  00:04:03,786 --> 00:04:05,086  I felt like you were the pillar, 98  00:04:05,214 --> 00:04:07,386  the strong, you're on the field, 99  00:04:07,529 --> 00:04:08,986  I don't know if it's your face, 100  00:04:09,286 --> 00:04:10,486  how you give it, 101  00:04:10,786 --> 00:04:13,014  but is that how you are in real life as well? 102  00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:17,386  [Nikopolides] Νομίζω και στη ζωή μου είμαι αρκετά  ήρεμος, γιατί πιστεύω ότι πάντα όταν 103  00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:25,080  προσπαθείς να βρεις τη σωστή  απόφαση θα πρέπει να είσαι έτοιμος. 104  00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:31,015  Σίγουρα είχα πολύ μεγάλη εμπιστοσύνη στους  συμπαίκτες μου, οπότε και 105  00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:32,760  αυτό με ηρεμούσε πάντα. 106  00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:37,560  Ήξερα ότι θα κάνουν καλά τη δουλειά τους,  αλλά πάντα προσπαθούσα να 107  00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:43,720  κάνω τη σωστή επιλογή, έχοντας  αξιολογήσει καλύτερα όλες μου τις 108  00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:46,560  αποφάσεις. 109  00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,560  Η αλήθεια είναι ότι  ήμουν αρκετά καλά προετοιμασμένος. 110  00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:55,280  Έχεις φτάσει στο 2004, αλλά έχει περάσει  μια δεκαετία πίσω που 111  00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:57,760  πέρασε από πολλές μεγάλες δοκιμασίες. 112  00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:01,720  Οπότε αυτές οι δοκιμασίες  μου έδωσαν το μέταλλο για να μπορέσω να 113  00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:03,840  στη δύσκολη στιγμή, στην κρίσιμη στιγμή 114  00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,000  να παίρνω πάντα τη σωστή απόφαση. 115  00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,880  [Interviewer] That's it, yeah. Αυτό που είπες τώρα... 116  00:05:09,814 --> 00:05:12,929  we knew you from 2004 στο εξωτερικό, 117  00:05:13,014 --> 00:05:16,071  but you had a career on the biggest club, 118  00:05:16,114 --> 00:05:18,843  one of the two biggest clubs in this country, right? And just doing that. 119  00:05:19,057 --> 00:05:20,914  Let's go back a bit. Talk soccer. 120  00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,557  When did soccer become something important in your life? 121  00:05:23,914 --> 00:05:25,957  [Nikopolides] Το ποδόσφαιρο πάντα ήταν 122  00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:28,920  ήταν στη ζωή μου.  Το θυμάμαι 123  00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:33,680  από 5 χρονών. Eίχα την τύχη  στο χωριό που έμενα στην - 124  00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:35,160  Eίμαι από την Άρτα. 125  00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,040  Είμαι καταρχήν μια προσφυγικής  οικογένειας, ποντιακής 126  00:05:38,280 --> 00:05:39,480  προσφυγικής οικογένειας. 127  00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:44,040  Οι γονείς μου έχουν έρθει από την τότε  Σοβιετική Ένωση τη δεκαετία του 50. 128  00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:47,400  Είχα την τύχη λοιπόν. 129  00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,460  Το γήπεδο του χωριού να είναι ακριβώς  δίπλα στο σπίτι μου, 130  00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:58,295  οπότε και την ατυχία συγχρόνως, γιατί κάθε  φορά που άκουγα ένα χτύπημα της μπάλας ή 131  00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:02,320  οτιδήποτε για τα παιδιά, αμέσως  πήγαινα κατευθείαν στο γήπεδο. 132  00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:06,280  Και ξέρεις, όταν ξεκινάς από παιδί να  παίζεις από τριών χρονών, 133  00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:10,240  τρεις η ώρα το μεσημέρι,  όταν γυρίζεις από το σχολείο, 134  00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:14,280  σταματάς όταν βραδιάζει και  δεν βλέπεις πλέον τη μπάλα. 135  00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:16,600  Ήταν μια πολύ μεγάλη αγάπη. 136  00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:21,040  Ποτέ κανείς δεν ξέρει πως θα εξελιχθεί,  αλλά το παιχνίδι είναι αυτό που 137  00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:27,280  σου δημιουργεί.  Εσύ δένεσαι με αυτό το παιχνίδι. 138  00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:32,440  Η αλήθεια είναι ότι αρκετές φορές  μετά τη δεκαετία του 80, όταν το μπάσκετ 139  00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:39,295  έγινε με την επιτυχία του 87,  το εθνικό σπορ με την έννοια ότι ήταν οι 140  00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:40,840  ήρωες και όλοι ήθελαν να παίξουν μπάσκετ κτλ., 141  00:06:40,865 --> 00:06:42,320  λίγο κάπως 142  00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:44,040  μήπως να παίξουμε μπάσκετ κτλ. 143  00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,495  Αλλά νομίζω ότι το ποδόσφαιρο ήταν,  είναι και παραμένει 144  00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:48,160  η μεγάλη μου αγάπη. 145  00:06:48,185 --> 00:06:51,680  Γιατί μέσα από αυτό,  μέσα από το ποδόσφαιρο έμαθα τα 146  00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:53,571  πιο σημαντικά πράγματα στη ζωή, έτσι; 147  00:06:54,514 --> 00:06:56,695  Μαθαίνεις να αγωνίζεσαι, μαθαίνεις να 148  00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:00,535  μοιράζεσαι, να συνεργάζεσαι,  να χάνεις, να πέφτεις, να 149  00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:02,815  ξανασηκώνεσαι, να γίνεσαι πιο δυνατός. 150  00:07:02,840 --> 00:07:07,480  Όλα αυτά τα έμαθα με το ποδόσφαιρο  και είμαι ευγνώμων για αυτό. 151  00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,900  [Interviewer] Τι είχες εσύ όμως like, as kids, 152  00:07:11,129 --> 00:07:12,929  we all play the sports, right? 153  00:07:13,029 --> 00:07:14,314  I wanted to do this and that. 154  00:07:15,186 --> 00:07:16,286  At some point, 155  00:07:16,971 --> 00:07:18,971  everyone falls off and those who are super good 156  00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:20,986  keep going on and keep climbing and climbing. 157  00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:23,729  When you were playing as a young boy though, 158  00:07:23,814 --> 00:07:25,443  like what was it that you knew, 159  00:07:25,551 --> 00:07:26,843  'hey I'm going'? 160  00:07:27,014 --> 00:07:29,071  Like what was different from you playing 161  00:07:29,186 --> 00:07:30,395  with all the other kids? 162  00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,600  [Nikopolides] Κοίτα, αυτό είναι-  υπάρχει και τώρα. 163  00:07:32,686 --> 00:07:37,655  Πέρα από το ταλέντο που πρέπει να έχεις, 164  00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:39,240  πρέπει να έχεις αποφασιστικότητα και θέληση. 165  00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,000  Και συγχρόνως θα πρέπει να  είσαι πολύ δυνατός. 166  00:07:44,025 --> 00:07:50,960  Δυνατός εννοώ ότι επειδή στη ζωή όλοι κοιτάμε,  κοιτάμε το παγόβουνο, κοιτάμε 167  00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:52,840  τις επιτυχίες σε αυτό κτλ. 168  00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:57,080  Ποτέ δεν κοιτάμε από κάτω πως αυτό  εξελίχθηκε και μεγάλωσε. 169  00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,600  Μεγάλωσε μέσα από τις αποτυχίες  και μέσα από δύσκολες στιγμές. 170  00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:06,640  Τότε υπάρχουν παιδιά τα οποία, όπως κι  εγώ, υπάρχουν παιδιά τα οποία 171  00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:09,080  εγκαταλείπουν γιατί δεν το αντέχουν. 172  00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:11,760  Και είναι παιδιά τα οποία συνεχίζουν. 173  00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:16,935  Και εκεί ουσιαστικά γίνεται  ο διαχωρισμός αυτών που τελικά, αυτών που 174  00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:20,720  φτάνουν στον στόχο,  που αντέχουν να φτάσουν στον στόχο και 175  00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,160  αυτών που τελικά δεν  καταφέρνουν να φτάσουν ψηλά. 176  00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:26,180  Που παρότι είχαν το ίδιο ταλέντο. 177  00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:30,286  [Interviewer] Είχες πάντα υποστήριξη από τους γονείς; 178  00:08:30,486 --> 00:08:32,143  Like, ξέρανε κάποια στιγμή, 179  00:08:32,171 --> 00:08:34,271  'παιδί μου είναι παιχνίδι.  Έλα πίσω.' 180  00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:38,520  [Nikopolides] Όχι, δεν είχαμε μια τέτοια καθοδήγηση  γιατί και οι γονείς μου ήταν αγρότες. 181  00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:41,060  Δούλευαν από το πρωί μέχρι το βράδυ. 182  00:08:41,085 --> 00:08:42,840  Δεν είχαν αυτή τη - 183  00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:46,480  δεν έχουμε αυτή την καθοδήγηση που  κάνουμε εμείς τώρα στα παιδιά μας. 184  00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,095  Δηλαδή ότι 'παιδί μου  είναι φυσιολογικό να χάσεις.' 185  00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:51,040  'Όπως και να κερδίσεις', δεν σημαίνει τίποτα. 186  00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:53,140  Πάντα η επόμενη μέρα  είναι η πιο σημαντική. 187  00:08:53,165 --> 00:08:57,135  Δηλαδή δεν είχαμε τέτοια καθοδήγηση ακόμη  και δεν είχαμε και καθοδήγηση από 188  00:08:57,160 --> 00:08:59,935  προπονητές που ήταν τελείως εμπειρική. 189  00:08:59,960 --> 00:09:03,655  Οι οποίοι δεν σε βοηθούσαν, τουλάχιστον  στο ψυχολογικό κομμάτι, γιατί έχουμε 190  00:09:03,680 --> 00:09:08,400  φτάσει σε μια εποχή την οποία  ακόμα και ομάδες μεγάλου επιπέδου έχουν 191  00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:12,455  έναν ψυχολόγο που  στις δύσκολες στιγμές επεμβαίνει και 192  00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:16,560  προσπαθεί να βοηθήσει ποδοσφαιριστές  ώστε να τους να τους στηρίξει. 193  00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:19,280  Αυτά τα πράγματα συμβαίνουν  τώρα και καλώς συμβαίνουν. 194  00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:20,120  Τότε δεν υπήρχαν. 195  00:09:20,145 --> 00:09:24,880  Έπρεπε από μόνος σου να βρεις τη δύναμη, να  βρεις το κίνητρο 196  00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:27,200  ή κάθε φορά που κάτι δεν πάει καλά. 197  00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:31,455  Επίσης και όταν τα πράγματα πάνε καλά,  γιατί πολλές φορές η διαχείριση της 198  00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:33,440  επιτυχίας είναι πολύ πιο  δύσκολη από την αποτυχία. 199  00:09:33,465 --> 00:09:37,855  Γιατί στην αποτυχία  μαζεύεσαι γίνεσαι πιο συγκεντρωμένος, 200  00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:41,815  κοιτάς τα λάθη σου, προσπαθείς να τα  διορθώσεις, ενώ η επιτυχία επειδή έχει 201  00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:45,240  αυτό το γλυκό πιοτό της  επιτυχίας, αρχίζεις και τα χάνεις. 202  00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:48,680  Δεν ξέρεις τι κάνεις, νομίζεις ότι είσαι ο  Θεός, νομίζεις ότι τα κάνεις όλα σωστά 203  00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:50,720  και νομίζω ότι εκεί είναι το λάθος. 204  00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:55,320  [Interviewer] Και μετά έχεις και άτομα γύρω σου που  πάντα 'Ω Αντώνη, ω δες!' 205  00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:57,960  και γίνεται ένα bubble. 206  00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,800  [Nikopolides] Οι αυλές γύρω από τους επιτυχημένους ανθρώπους, 207  00:10:01,486 --> 00:10:04,257  πάντα λειτουργούνε ... Δεν λειτουργούν σωστά. 208  00:10:04,286 --> 00:10:07,357  [Interviewer] Έτσι. Εσύ πώς κράτησες να είσαι grounded? 209  00:10:07,486 --> 00:10:11,129  Είσαι, από έξω που σε ξέρω τώρα πολύ λίγο, 210  00:10:11,771 --> 00:10:13,171  είσαι απλός άνθρωπος, right? 211  00:10:13,371 --> 00:10:14,414  You seem like ... 212  00:10:15,386 --> 00:10:16,386  Χωρίς κατηγόρηση. 213  00:10:16,586 --> 00:10:19,500  You seem like a simple, a man of the people, like talking... 214  00:10:20,214 --> 00:10:21,829  [Nikopolides] Πάντα ήμουν έτσι, σαν άνθρωπος. 215  00:10:22,029 --> 00:10:23,029  Δεν μεγάλωσα - 216  00:10:23,229 --> 00:10:25,086  Ας πούμε, δεν ήμουν από μικρός ένα σούπερ ταλέντο. 217  00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:30,615  αυτό που παρουσιάζουν όλοι. 218  00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:35,480  Ξέρεις, όταν ξεκινάς να παίζεις ποδόσφαιρο  και στα 18 σου κάνεις, παίζεις μια φορά 219  00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:41,160  ξέρω γω στον ΠΑΟ ή σε οποιαδήποτε ομάδα ή σε μεγάλη  ομάδα ή βάζεις ένα γκολ, ξαφνικά 220  00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:43,760  όλα γύρω σου είναι διαφορετικά. 221  00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:51,080  Συνήθως εγώ την ιστορία μου την έχτισα  πάρα πολύ αργά, σταθερά και δύσκολα. 222  00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,360  Οπότε έτσι κι αλλιώς  άνθρωπος είμαι, πολύ απλός. 223  00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:58,695  Θέλω να ζω τη ζωή μου χωρίς ανθρώπους που  να μου λένε γύρω μου πόσο καλός τερματοφύλακας 224  00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:01,840  είμαι. Αυτό το ξέρω και μόνος μου  αν ήμουν ή δεν είμαι. 225  00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:05,200  Δεν χρειάζεται να έχω ανθρώπους  δίπλα μου να μου λένε το τι κάνω. 226  00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:10,375  Ξέρω, αποφασίζω μόνος μου, γνωρίζω, έχω το  γνώθι σαυτόν, το ποιος 227  00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:11,640  είμαι και τι μπορώ να κάνω. 228  00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:14,720  Οπότε ποτέ μου δεν χρειάστηκα ανθρώπους 229  00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,440  γύρω μου για να για να νιώθω ωραία. 230  00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:25,600  Μ αρέσει να μαι με φίλους και είχα την τύχη  στη διάρκεια 231  00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:29,840  της καριέρας μου και μετά να γνωρίσω πολύ  σημαντικούς ανθρώπους εκτός ποδοσφαίρου 232  00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:34,160  που πραγματικά αυτοί οι άνθρωποι με  βοήθησαν πάρα πολύ, χωρίς να το θέλουν, με 233  00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:40,815  πράγματα τα οποία λένε, τα οποία και εγώ  συμφωνούσα και χωρίς κάποιο 234  00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,095  σχέδιο συνεχίζω τη ζωή μου να ζω απλά. 235  00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:45,160  Κυκλοφορώ με το μετρό, γυρνάω από δω. 236  00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,760  Μ'αρέσει πάρα πολύ αυτό, γιατί είναι μια  τελείως διαφορετική ζωή από αυτή που είχα 237  00:11:48,785 --> 00:11:53,920  μάθει. Να σε πηγαίνουν, να σε φέρνουν, αυτό, το  λεωφορείο και να ανοίγουν τους δρόμους. 238  00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,440  Δεν μ αρέσει.  Θέλω να είμαι μέσα στον κόσμο. 239  00:11:56,465 --> 00:12:00,600  Γιατί θέλω να ζήσω τη ζωή μου και όταν  τελειώνει η καριέρα σου 240  00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:01,720  σαν φυσιολογικός άνθρωπος. 241  00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:06,000  [Interviewer] Οι άνθρωποι όμως στην Ελλάδα  γενικά, όπου πας, σ'αφήνουνε; 242  00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:10,520  Πώς είναι να, ας πούμε, μπήκες  στο μετρό σήμερα να έρθεις εδώ; 243  00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:14,320  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε, έχουν περάσει, από  τη στιγμή που σταμάτησα, 244  00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:15,840  έχουν περάσει 15 χρόνια. 245  00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:19,760  Ε, εντάξει, δεν είναι σίγουρο αν  με αναγνωρίζουν οι περισσότεροι. 246  00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,720  Οι περισσότεροι ξέρουν ότι  είμαι και λίγο απόμακρος. 247  00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:28,200  Οπότε δεν με πλησιάζουν. Άλλοι  με πλησιάζουνε πολύ ευγενικά. 248  00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,735  Όχι, είναι νορμάλ, νομίζω. 249  00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:35,720  Εντάξει, δεν είναι οι εποχές που  αγωνιζόμουν, που ακόμα και όταν είχα 250  00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:42,520  τελειώσει, που ήταν δύσκολο να κυκλοφορήσω  με το μετρό ή να περπατήσω κτλ. 251  00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:45,520  'Αντώνη, σταμάτα', φωτογραφία.  Δεν περνάς καλά. 252  00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:46,529  Ξέρεις. 253  00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:48,729  [Interviewer] Δεν περνάς καλά όταν είναι κάθε στιγμή. 254  00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:51,260  [Nikopolides] Δεν περνάς καλά, γιατί είναι οι στιγμές  που βγαίνεις με τη γυναίκα 255  00:12:51,285 --> 00:12:52,240  σου, με το παιδί σου. 256  00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,640  Θέλεις να αφοσιωθείς σε αυτούς γιατί  ουσιαστικά αφοσιώνεσαι 257  00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:00,120  όλη τη μέρα με την ομάδα και θες  για μία-δύο ώρες να είσαι μαζί τους. 258  00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,760  Ναι, όλες αυτές οι δυο μια δυο ώρες 259  00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:07,000  αν έρχεται κάποιος και βγάλει μία  φωτογραφία ή δεύτερος και τρίτος και τέταρτος, 260  00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:11,880  χαλάει όλη αυτή η αρμονία και  η οικογενειακή μου ζωή είναι 261  00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:14,740  η οικογένειά μου, είναι 262  00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:16,880  πάνω απ'όλα. 263  00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:19,940  Δεν είναι το ποδόσφαιρο πάνω απ'όλα. Η οικογένειά μου πάνω απ'όλα. 264  00:13:19,965 --> 00:13:23,120  [Interviewer] Δεν φαντάζομαι αυτό το άγχος.  ΟΚ, μιλάμε 265  00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:25,814  κύπελλα, αυτά.  Φήμη, right? 266  00:13:25,843 --> 00:13:26,843  All this fame. 267  00:13:27,043 --> 00:13:28,043  I couldn't imagine 268  00:13:28,243 --> 00:13:29,500  going out with my kids. 269  00:13:30,271 --> 00:13:31,914  Picture this, that. I couldn't imagine - 270  00:13:31,943 --> 00:13:32,814  [Nikopolides] Ναι. 271  00:13:33,014 --> 00:13:34,829  [Interviewer] - the trade-off, right? Just having to deal with that. 272  00:13:35,786 --> 00:13:36,471  Για πες. 273  00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:40,040  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε, υπάρχουν άνθρωποι οι  οποίοι προστατεύουν τη ζωή τους. 274  00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:44,735  Δηλαδή θα πάνε σε μέρη  τα οποία δεν θα πάνε 275  00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:46,840  κάποιοι άλλοι, προστατεύουν -  εγώ δεν θέλω. 276  00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,000  Εγώ θέλω να βγούμε στο κέντρο. 277  00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:53,160  Δηλαδή ήθελα τα παιδιά μου  να περπατήσουν στην Πλάκα, στην Ακρόπολη, 278  00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:56,255  να πάνε σε διάφορα μέρη ή στον ζωολογικό  κήπο που ήταν μικρά κτλ 279  00:13:56,280 --> 00:14:00,440  και τώρα έχουν μεγαλώσει.  Δεν προσπαθούσα να είμαι αποστειρωμένος. 280  00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:04,840  Ήθελα τα παιδιά μου να ζήσουν,  να δουν τη ζωή όπως όπως είναι. 281  00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:09,280  Υπήρχαν στιγμές δύσκολες γιατί όταν, παραδείγματος χάρη  πας σε ένα ζωολογικό 282  00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:16,015  κήπο που είναι στα Σπάτα, όταν θα ρθει -  Είμαι με τα παιδιά μου, γελάμε, κάνουμε, ράνουμε κτλ. 283  00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:19,655  Όταν θα έρθει ένα παιδί να βγάλει  φωτογραφία, αν εγώ βγάλω φωτογραφία 284  00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:21,580  με ένα παιδί, πρέπει να βγάλω μ'όλα.  Ναι. 285  00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:23,455  Εκείνη η στιγμή είναι μια  δύσκολη στιγμή για μένα. 286  00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:24,560  Ήταν μια δύσκολη στιγμή. 287  00:14:24,585 --> 00:14:30,055  Τώρα δεν είναι, έτσι, που έπρεπε να αρνηθώ  και ξέρω ότι στεναχώρησα το παιδί. 288  00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:34,495  Και εγώ στεναχωριέμαι που το κάνω, αλλά  ήθελα, ξέρεις, για μια ώρα να ζήσω με τα 289  00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:38,175  παιδιά μου, να περάσουμε ωραία γιατί  είσαι ουσιαστικά με εθνικές 290  00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,240  ομάδες, Ευρώπη, πρωτάθλημα κτλ. 291  00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:45,000  Λείπεις συνέχεια από το σπίτι και τα  παιδιά θέλουν τον πατέρα τους, 292  00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:46,214  θέλουν την οικογένειά τους. 293  00:14:46,239 --> 00:14:47,400  [Interviewer] Και πώς έλεγες όχι όμως; 294  00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:48,820  Φαντάσου τώρα έρχεται το παιδί - 295  00:14:48,845 --> 00:14:51,495  [Nikopolides] Ευγενικά. Προσπαθούσα να πω ευγενικά  ότι είμαι με τα παιδιά μου. 296  00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:53,680  Θέλω να περάσω μια ώρα μαζί τους. 297  00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:58,040  Αν είναι αυτό που σου είπα, αν λέω αν  θέλουν να βγάλουν φωτογραφία μαζί, πρέπει 298  00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,840  να βάλω και με τα υπόλοιπα παιδιά,  γιατί είναι άδικο για όλους. 299  00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:03,600  Οπότε προτιμώ να μην βγάλουμε  κανέναν παρα να βγάλουμε. 300  00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:04,740  Εντάξει, είναι άδικο. 301  00:15:04,765 --> 00:15:09,000  Με στεναχωρεί, με στεναχωρούσε, λέω το  είχα σαν άγχος κτλ γιατί γενικά είμαι 302  00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,895  άνθρωπος που θα βγάλω και φωτογραφίες,  θα υπογράψω, θα κάνω. 303  00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:16,935  Δεν έχω τέτοιο θέμα, αλλά κυρίως όταν  είμαι μόνος μου έχω και την 304  00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:18,720  ώρα μου και την υπομονή να το κάνω. 305  00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:20,040  Είναι ευγενικό. 306  00:15:20,164 --> 00:15:21,156  [Interviewer] That's amazing. 307  00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:23,560  Πριν πάμε στο ποδόσφαιρο ας  μιλήσουμε για οικογένεια. 308  00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:23,920  ΟΚ. 309  00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:26,680  Πόσα παιδιά έχεις; 310  00:15:27,264 --> 00:15:28,055  [Nikopolides] Έχω τρία παιδιά. 311  00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:33,400  Ο μεγάλος μου γιος είναι 24 και τα δίδυμα,  αγόρι-κορίτσι, είναι 18 τώρα. 312  00:15:33,452 --> 00:15:34,525  [Interviewer] Amazing. 313  00:15:34,550 --> 00:15:35,800  And you're involved, right? 314  00:15:35,825 --> 00:15:39,393  So when you were playing soccer 15 plus years ago, right? 315  00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:42,686  You were involved with your kids as much as you can after training everything 316  00:15:43,557 --> 00:15:45,214  and to see your kids now on a good path. 317  00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:50,600  Your son played D1 Soccer in the United States for Georgetown, correct? 318  00:15:50,721 --> 00:15:51,650  [Nikopolides] Yes. 319  00:15:51,707 --> 00:15:53,121  [Interviewer] Won a national championship. 320  00:15:53,146 --> 00:15:54,675  Talk to me just about the kids 321  00:15:54,700 --> 00:15:57,579  and how important it is and the path that they're on. 322  00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:06,655  Ο Γιάννης, ο μεγάλος μου ο γιος,  όταν εγώ ήμουν στο απόγειο με το 2004, 323  00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:07,518  ήταν 4 χρονών. 324  00:16:07,543 --> 00:16:10,280  Ακόμα ήταν πολύ μικρός, οπότε  δεν το έζησε. 325  00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:13,735  Έζησε πιο πολύ την εποχή που  εγώ ήμουν στον Ολυμπιακό. 326  00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:17,695  Δηλαδή, όταν τελείωνα την  καριέρα μου ήταν 8 χρονών, 327  00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,160  9 χρονών, 10 χρονών.  Είχε ζήσει περισσότερα. 328  00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:21,640  Τα δίδυμα όχι. 329  00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:24,720  Ο Γιάννης λοιπόν, επειδή ήταν ένα παιδί  της Ακαδημίας του Ολυμπιακού, είχε παίξει 330  00:16:24,745 --> 00:16:26,880  στην Ακαδημία του  Ολυμπιακού και Εθνική ομάδα. 331  00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,200  Του παρουσιάστηκε μια  πολύ μεγάλη ευκαιρία. 332  00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:35,520  Μια υποτροφία  στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Georgetown στο DC. 333  00:16:35,693 --> 00:16:36,829  [Interviewer] Huge! That's huge. 334  00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:44,600  Αποφάσισε αυτός γιατί εμείς...  Προσπαθήσαμε να τον καθοδηγήσουμε. 335  00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,840  Λέγοντάς του ότι πρέπει να πάρει την  απόφαση αυτός να δει τα 336  00:16:49,865 --> 00:16:51,400  θετικά, τα αρνητικά κτλ. 337  00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:56,615  Είναι μια νέα ήπειρος, μια καινούργια ζωή, γιατί ουσιαστικά θα ήταν μόνος του. 338  00:16:56,640 --> 00:17:02,520  Είναι πολύ μακριά η Ελλάδα με το DC. Θα γνώριζε νέα πράγματα. 339  00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:04,840  Αποφάσισε να πάει να το κάνει. 340  00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:09,015  Έζησε τέσσερα υπέροχα χρόνια στο DC και εμείς μαζί του, με την 341  00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:10,920  έννοια ότι επισκεφθήκαμε. 342  00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:16,200  Εγώ είχα πάει  Νέα Υόρκη, Σικάγο κτλ αλλά είχα... 343  00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,200  Washington δεν είχα πάει ποτέ.  Και ήταν πραγματικά πολύ όμορφα. 344  00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:24,360  Το Georgetown, η συνοικία  είναι πάρα πολύ όμορφη. 345  00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:27,440  Ο Γιάννης πέρασε υπέροχα. 346  00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,120  Πέρα από τις σπουδές του, πέρα από το  πτυχίο που πήρε, 347  00:17:31,360 --> 00:17:35,080  γνώρισε όλη την Αμερική, δηλαδή να  ξεκινάει να πάει στην Καλιφόρνια, 348  00:17:36,360 --> 00:17:41,295  να πάει στο  Σικάγο, γνώρισε όλη την Αμερική και 349  00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:42,500  αυτό είναι μια πολύ μεγάλη εμπειρία. 350  00:17:42,525 --> 00:17:46,775  Σπουδαία εμπειρία για τον ίδιο.  O Γιάννης έμεινε ουσιαστικά 5 χρόνια 351  00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:53,560  γιατί έκανε και ένα χρόνο στους New York Redbulls, έκανε ένα χρόνο, έπαιζε USL. 352  00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:58,920  Ήταν στην πρώτη ομάδα, έπαιζε στο USL και μετά  επέστρεψε και αυτός σαν τερματοφύλακας. 353  00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:03,560  Τώρα αγωνίζεται σε μια ομάδα  στην Κηφισιά, η οποία φέτος θα αγωνίζεται πάλι 354  00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:09,240  στην Α' Εθνική, οπότε  συνεχίζει και αυτός το δρόμο του. 355  00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,695  Τα παιδιά τώρα  τα δίδυμα έχουν μεγαλώσει και ο μικρός 356  00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:19,560  παίζει τερματοφύλακας σε μια ομάδα που  φέτος κι αυτή ανέβηκε, παίζει 3η εθνική. 357  00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:21,895  Η μικρή έκανε στίβο αλλά έχει φύγει. 358  00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,840  Τώρα έχει πάει στην Ιταλία  και σπουδάζει οικονομικά. 359  00:18:25,114 --> 00:18:25,657  [Interviewer] Μπράβο. 360  00:18:25,900 --> 00:18:26,271  [Nikopolides] Ναι. 361  00:18:26,471 --> 00:18:29,786  [Interviewer] So you and your wife did a great job putting on this path? 362  00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:34,215  [Nikopolides] Ναι, προσπαθούσαμε να συνδυάσουμε πάντα  και τον αθλητισμό γιατί 363  00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:35,600  και η μικρή έκανε στίβο. 364  00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:40,560  Τον αθλητισμό σαν έκφραση, σαν 365  00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:42,480  σα ζωή. 366  00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:46,200  Ότι ο αθλητισμός είναι  κάτι πολύ σημαντικό. 367  00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:52,815  Κάνεις γνωριμίες, κοινωνικοποιείσαι, πηγαίνεις σε διάφορα μέρη, παίζεις 368  00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,800  τουρνουά, ανταγωνίζεσαι τον  εαυτό σου, βλέπεις τα όριά σου. 369  00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,080  [Interviewer] Άψογα. 370  00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:03,000  [Nikopolides] Οπότε... Αλλά συγχρόνως και οι  σπουδές είναι πάρα πολύ σημαντικό. 371  00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:04,295  Και τα δύο παιδιά. 372  00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:08,335  Και ο Γιώργος βέβαια σπουδάζει,  αλλά ο Γιάννης έκανε το μεγάλο άλμα γιατί 373  00:19:08,360 --> 00:19:13,920  ήταν δύσκολο να φύγεις από δω 18 χρονών,  να πας σε ένα πανεπιστήμιο 10 ώρες μακριά. 374  00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:18,535  Δεν ήταν κάτι που μπορείς να πεταχτείς και  να πας.Και να ζήσεις μια διαφορετική ζωή. 375  00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:21,295  Αλλά  γνωρίσαμε ανθρώπους, ζήσαμε με τους 376  00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,840  προπονητές, γνωρίσαμε τους  ανθρώπους εκεί στο πανεπιστήμιο. 377  00:19:24,120 --> 00:19:28,329  Ήταν και για μας μια ξεχωριστή εμπειρία. Ήταν και για τον ίδιο. 378  00:19:28,529 --> 00:19:31,521  [Interviewer] How do you have two sons, though, goalies? Did they see... 379  00:19:31,550 --> 00:19:35,179  I imagine now when you were playing Olympiakos and you were at the top, 380  00:19:35,836 --> 00:19:41,793  your son was old enough to understand like, 'wow, my dad is the best at doing this'. 381  00:19:41,821 --> 00:19:44,829  That's what motivated him? Or did you say, 'hey, you should be a goalie'? This is why. 382  00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:48,640  [Nikopolides] Όχι, ποτέ δεν τους προέτρεψα  να παίξουν τερματοφύλακες. 383  00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:50,455  Δεν μου άρεσε και εμένα.  Δεν ήθελαν. 384  00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:54,200  Δεν ήθελα γιατί είναι  πολύ αγχωτική η θέση. 385  00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,135  [Interviewer] Συγνώμμη, τι εννοείς δεν ήθελες; 386  00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:57,640  [Nikopolides] Δεν ήθελα, ήθελα να - 387  00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:01,440  Όταν ξεκινήσανε να παίζουν στην Ακαδημία,  δεν ήθελα να παίζουν τερματοφύλακες. 388  00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:02,560  Δεν ήθελα... 389  00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,760  Δεν έλεγα στον προπονητή 'μη τους βάζεις τερματοφύλακες', αλλά 390  00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,295  μέσα μου έλεγα μακάρι να παίξουν σε μια  άλλη θέση, να κάνουν κάτι 391  00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:11,200  διαφορετικό από εμένα. 392  00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,295  Γιατί ήξερα ότι  κάποια στιγμή, όταν θα φτάσω σε αυτό το 393  00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:19,440  σημείο θα πρέπει -  θα υπάρχει και η σύγκριση. 394  00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:25,295  Και δεν είναι ωραία να συγκρίνεις γιατί  άλλος είναι ο Αντώνης, άλλος είναι 395  00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:27,440  ο Γιάννης, άλλος είναι ο Γιώργος. 396  00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:30,975  Είμαστε τελείως διαφορετικά άτομα, αλλά οι  άνθρωποι τους αρέσει να συγκρίνουν 397  00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:32,160  και να κάνουν και να ράνουν. 398  00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:37,160  Και δεν είναι γιατί το παιδί δεν ξέρεις αν  θα το αντέξει ή θα ξέρεις αν θα μπορέσει ή 399  00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:39,960  θα το μισήσει όλο αυτό και θα  απογοητευθεί τελείως και 400  00:20:39,985 --> 00:20:42,880  θα πει δεν ασχολούμαι.  Δόξα τω Θεώ, τα παιδιά μου το αντέχουν. 401  00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:47,295  Είναι γεροί χαρακτήρες και δεν  καταλαβαίνουν από συγκρίσεις κλπ. 402  00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:49,240  Ζουν τη ζωή τους.  Σου λέει, εμείς είμαστε. 403  00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,600  Ο καθένας έχει τη δική του  προσωπικότητα, το δικό του ταλέντο. 404  00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:54,280  Ακολουθεί το δρόμο του. 405  00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:55,320  Μεγαλύτερο, μικρότερο. 406  00:20:55,360 --> 00:20:56,720  Αυτό θα το δείξει 407  00:20:57,720 --> 00:20:59,080  θα το δείξει η ζωή, ο χρόνος. 408  00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:01,760  [Interviewer] Αφού το λέει even Lebron James 409  00:21:02,179 --> 00:21:03,179  says it about his son. 410  00:21:04,079 --> 00:21:05,879  He regrets naming him the same name. 411  00:21:06,407 --> 00:21:08,279  He goes, it's just, it's just different, right? 412  00:21:08,936 --> 00:21:10,129  You had a different ehm... 413  00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:12,257  πείνα, hunger 414  00:21:12,457 --> 00:21:14,500  It's just different at your time, right? 415  00:21:14,582 --> 00:21:17,207  Versus our kids and the kids. 416  00:21:17,371 --> 00:21:18,493  It's incredible. 417  00:21:18,620 --> 00:21:22,621  Walk us through Panathinaikos transitioning to Olympiakos. 418  00:21:23,164 --> 00:21:25,971  So for the listeners who don't know anything about Greek soccer, 419  00:21:26,743 --> 00:21:31,014  these are major teams, big rivalries in this country, right? 420  00:21:31,039 --> 00:21:32,036  The two teams. 421  00:21:32,236 --> 00:21:36,229  Is it true during 2004 you were with Panathinaikos 422  00:21:36,257 --> 00:21:38,921  and then you transferred to Olympiakos 423  00:21:38,950 --> 00:21:40,450  during the tournament or before? 424  00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:44,040  [Nikopolides] Είναι μια, είναι μια. 425  00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:48,775  Είναι μια πολύ δύσκολη ιστορία και  η αλήθεια είναι ότι και 426  00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:50,175  εκεί δεν πέρασα καλά. 427  00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:55,600  Δηλαδή ήταν δύσκολο για μένα αυτή  η μετάβαση, γιατί 428  00:21:56,680 --> 00:21:59,040  στον Παναθηναϊκό ήμουν 15 χρόνια. 429  00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,640  Ήταν μια πολύ μεγάλη ιστορία  για μένα στον Παναθηναϊκό. 430  00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:05,680  Χωρίς να μπαίνουμε σε λεπτομέρειες τώρα. 431  00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:09,880  Ήταν πραγματικά μια διαπραγμάτευση που  ουσιαστικά, 432  00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,000  με λίγα λόγια εγώ προσπάθησα. 433  00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:16,815  Ήθελα να μείνω στον Παναθηναϊκό, βέβαια με  τους δικούς μου όρους, αλλά η ομάδα 434  00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:20,055  αποφάσισε ότι πέρασαν 15 χρόνια. 435  00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:22,815  Ότι είσαι 33 χρονών. 436  00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:26,695  Είσαι σε μια μεγάλη ηλικία, θα κοιτάξουμε  να βρούμε έναν νεότερο για 437  00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:28,560  να χτίσουμε πάνω του κτλ κτλ. 438  00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:33,455  Και η δικιά τους πλευρά είναι  επαγγελματική αλλά και για 439  00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:35,360  μένα δεν θα μπορούσα να μείνω 440  00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:39,480  με τον τρόπο που ήθελαν αυτοί. 441  00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:45,920  Έτσι αποφάσισα σε μια δύσκολη στιγμή  να κάνω αυτή τη μετάβαση. 442  00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:52,295  Πολλοί λένε ότι είχα συμφωνήσει  και ότι είχα μιλήσει κτλ. 443  00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:54,180  Δεν είχα μιλήσει, δεν  είχα συμφωνήσει ποτέ. 444  00:22:54,360 --> 00:22:57,855  Πήγα να διαπραγματευτώ το  συμβόλαιό μου με την ομάδα. 445  00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:02,080  Κανονικά η ομάδα είχε  αποφασίσει να μην το κάνει. 446  00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:04,360  Είχε αποφασίσει να κάνει την αλλαγή. 447  00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:10,360  Μετά τη διαφωνία μας, άρχισε 448  00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:15,640  ας πούμε και να μην αγωνίζομαι στην ομάδα. 449  00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:16,840  Αυτό μου δημιούργησε ένα πρόβλημα. 450  00:23:16,865 --> 00:23:21,080  Κυρίως έχει να κάνει με το να βρω  την επόμενη ομάδα μου. 451  00:23:21,120 --> 00:23:26,655  Δηλαδή μπήκε σε κίνδυνο η καριέρα μου, γιατί όταν δεν αγωνίζεσαι για τρεις μήνες, 452  00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:29,895  τέσσερις μήνες, είσαι και σε  μια ηλικία 33 χρονών, 453  00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:32,160  δεν είναι εύκολο μετά να  βρεις τον επόμενο σταθμό σου. 454  00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:35,880  Και όπως επίσης και για την Εθνική ομάδα. 455  00:23:36,360 --> 00:23:41,775  Δηλαδή, θα ήταν δύσκολο  να αγωνιστώ στην Εθνική ομάδα γιατί ο 456  00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:44,760  προπονητής Εθνικής ομάδας θα προτιμούσε  έναν τερματοφύλακα ο οποίος έχει αγωνιστικό 457  00:23:44,785 --> 00:23:46,695  ρυθμό για να είναι πολύ πιο έτοιμος. 458  00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:49,080  Η αλήθεια είναι ότι  και στα δύο κομμάτια ήμουν 459  00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:54,160  τυχερός, με την έννοια ότι  ο προπονητής με εμπιστεύτηκε και 460  00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:57,080  η Εθνική ομάδα πήγε πάρα πολύ καλά. 461  00:23:57,120 --> 00:24:01,735  Οπότε  λίγο μετά το Μάιο, όταν τελείωσε το 462  00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:04,600  πρωτάθλημα, έκανα την  επαφή με τον Ολυμπιακό. 463  00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:09,880  Ο Ολυμπιακός με ήθελε  και αποφάσισα να κάνω αυτή τη μετάβαση. 464  00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:12,080  Δεν είχα τίποτα.  Δεν είχα καμία ομάδα. 465  00:24:12,120 --> 00:24:13,335  Ο Ολυμπιακός, εκείνη τη στιγμή - 466  00:24:13,360 --> 00:24:15,840  Ο Ολυμπιακός εκείνη τη  στιγμή μου πρότεινε ένα συμβόλαιο. 467  00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:20,400  Εγώ πίστευα ότι μπορώ να τα καταφέρω. 468  00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:26,480  Στον Ολυμπιακό θα μπορούσα να κάνω τη  διαφορά και τελικά 469  00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:29,760  για μένα τα πράγματα πήγαν πολύ καλά. 470  00:24:29,871 --> 00:24:31,179  [Interviewer] Πολύ καλά. You couldn't ask for better. 471  00:24:31,650 --> 00:24:34,468  Did you doubt yourself at 33 years old? 472  00:24:34,493 --> 00:24:38,479  Were you like, oh man, 15 years they want to trade me? 473  00:24:38,507 --> 00:24:40,936  Like psychologically, where were you at? 474  00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:45,160  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε, θα ήταν 475  00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:50,040  νομίζω ότι  βλέποντας τώρα την καριέρα μου κτλ 476  00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,375  νομίζω ότι τελικά δεν είναι και το  καλύτερο να μένεις σε μία 477  00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:55,680  ομάδα για πάρα πολλά χρόνια. 478  00:24:56,400 --> 00:25:02,255  Νομίζω ότι οι αλλαγές που πρέπει να  κάνεις, δηλαδή σε μία πενταετία, σε μία 479  00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:05,080  τετραετία σου και οι αλλαγές σε ομάδες. 480  00:25:05,120 --> 00:25:09,480  Δηλαδή να πηγαίνεις σε άλλες ομάδες, σου  δίνει ένα διαφορετικό κίνητρο για να 481  00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:12,815  συνέχεια να αποδεικνύεις ότι είσαι ο καλύτερος δηλαδή 482  00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:18,520  όταν είσαι σε μία ομάδα 5 χρόνια και είσαι  στο τοπ, κάποια στιγμή αρχίζει η πτώση. 483  00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:22,095  Ψάχνεις να βρεις  κίνητρα για να μπορέσεις να κάνεις το 484  00:25:22,120 --> 00:25:28,295  κάτι, ενώ όταν φύγεις και πας σε μία άλλη  ομάδα φυσικά που να έχει τους ίδιους 485  00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:30,480  στόχους, δηλαδή να πρωταγωνιστεί ή να κτλ. 486  00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:35,295  Γιατί όταν μαθαίνεις όλα αυτά τα χρόνια να  είσαι ο πρώτος και να διεκδικείς το 487  00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:38,240  πρωτάθλημα ή να διεκδικείς, να είσαι  κορυφαίος, να παίζεις Champions League, 488  00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,900  ψάχνεις να βρεις μια τέτοια ομάδα  και δεν είναι και πολύ εύκολο. 489  00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:46,040  Άρα ψάχνεις - καλύτερα να αλλάζεις για να  μπορέσεις να έχεις ένα κίνητρο καινούργιο. 490  00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:48,960  Καινούργια ομάδα, νέοι άνθρωποι. 491  00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:50,280  Μπορεί να γίνεις καλύτερος. 492  00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:51,960  Δηλαδή είναι ωραίο. 493  00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:54,935  Αν και εμένα οι αλλαγές  γενικά με τρομάζουν. 494  00:25:54,960 --> 00:25:57,380  Δεν είμαι στους ανθρώπους  που αλλάζουν πολύ εύκολα. 495  00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:01,160  Όχι.  Και δεν λέω ότι είναι το σωστό αυτό. 496  00:26:01,221 --> 00:26:01,764  [Interviewer] Sure. 497  00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:03,620  [Nikopolides] Έτσι; Κανένας δεν ξέρει. 498  00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:07,575  Συνήθως οι αλλαγές με τρομάζουν ή  δυσκολεύομαι να κάνω αλλαγές ακόμα και 499  00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,440  σε ανθρώπους που συνεργάζομαι μαζί τους. 500  00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:17,735  Νομίζω ότι όταν  κάνεις μια σωστή αλλαγή μπορείς να γίνεις 501  00:26:17,760 --> 00:26:20,440  καλύτερος και να μάθεις πολλά περισσότερα  πράγματα από το να μείνει 502  00:26:20,465 --> 00:26:23,640  σταθερός σε μια δουλειά. 503  00:26:23,764 --> 00:26:24,756  [Interviewer] Absolutely! 504  00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:26,400  Παναθηναϊκός - Ολυμπιακός. 505  00:26:26,771 --> 00:26:29,340  What was the one top thing you were most proud of 506  00:26:29,365 --> 00:26:31,036  while you were playing at Panathinaiko 507  00:26:31,064 --> 00:26:34,614  and what was the number one thing you were most proud of at Olympiako, 508  00:26:34,639 --> 00:26:36,093  if you had to pick one? 509  00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:44,535  [Nikopolides] Ο Παναθηναϊκός για μένα επειδή ήταν στην αρχή της καριέρας μου. 510  00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:48,895  Ήταν αυτός που με  δημιούργησε σαν χαρακτήρα, σαν 511  00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:50,360  επαγγελματία και σαν χαρακτήρα. 512  00:26:52,120 --> 00:26:53,680  Ήταν ένα σχολείο για μένα. 513  00:26:53,960 --> 00:26:57,120  Σαν να πηγαίνεις στο δημοτικό, γυμνάσιο,  πανεπιστήμιο και να 514  00:26:57,160 --> 00:26:58,720  αποφοιτείς σε 15 χρόνια. 515  00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:01,335  Ήταν πραγματικά ένα πολύ  μεγάλο πανεπιστήμιο. 516  00:27:01,360 --> 00:27:03,840  [Interviewer] Μπήκες 15,  18... 517  00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:05,720  [Nikopolides] 18 χρονών.  Και έφυγα στα 33. 518  00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:07,840  Ήταν ένα πολύ μεγάλο πανεπιστήμιο. 519  00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,935  Είναι μια πάρα πολύ μεγάλη ομάδα  που κάνει πρωταθλητισμό στα 520  00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:14,200  δύσκολα της, στα καλά της. 521  00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:17,320  Ήταν πραγματικά ένα σχολείο. 522  00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:22,695  Στον Ολυμπιακό έζησα τη ζωή που  θα ονειρευόταν οποιοσδήποτε 523  00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:25,480  επαγγελματίας ποδοσφαιριστής. 524  00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:32,815  Με πολύ αγάπη, με πολύ σεβασμό  στο πρόσωπό μου, με πολλές πολλές μεγάλες 525  00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:37,880  επιτυχίες στον Ολυμπιακό  από την πρώτη μέρα που πήγα εκεί. 526  00:27:38,840 --> 00:27:40,240  Με έκαναν αρχηγό τους δηλαδή. 527  00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:46,520  Σίγουρα βοήθησε και το Euro του 2004,  αλλά ακόμα και σήμερα 528  00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:53,080  με αγαπάνε και με σέβονται  πιο πολύ και αυτό είναι το 529  00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:56,680  Αυτό είναι το κέρδος που έχω  στην καριέρα μου. 530  00:27:56,880 --> 00:28:00,164  [Interviewer] That's incredible! And you were the captain when you went there? 531  00:28:00,379 --> 00:28:02,614  [Nikopolides] Όταν πήγα, στον ένα χρόνο ήμουν αρχηγός. 532  00:28:02,814 --> 00:28:04,936  [Interviewer] That's incredible, right? 533  00:28:04,979 --> 00:28:05,829  Coming off that. 534  00:28:05,942 --> 00:28:07,314  Ok,so. As fans τώρα... 535  00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:10,079  Can you say which fans 536  00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:11,920  οι φίλαθλοι. 537  00:28:12,120 --> 00:28:17,543  Which ones have the most respect, craziness, how would you... 538  00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:20,321  Θα μας ψήσουνε με comments if we...[laughs] 539  00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:21,379  [Nikopolides] Είναι... 540  00:28:23,120 --> 00:28:26,920  Και οι δύο ομάδες είναι πάρα πολύ μεγάλες  και ο κόσμος και οι δύο 541  00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:29,720  φίλαθλοι είναι πάρα πολλοί. 542  00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:32,360  Αγαπάνε πάρα πολύ την ομάδα τους.  Την... 543  00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:36,920  λατρεύουνε πάρα πολύ.  Δηλαδή 544  00:28:39,040 --> 00:28:43,320  όλα τα χρόνια που θυμάμαι εγώ που ήμουν στο Καραϊσκάκη, όταν έγινε το 545  00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:47,975  Καραϊσκάκη, δεν το θυμάμαι άδειο να έχω  παίξει μία φορά σε άδειο γήπεδο ή και οι 546  00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:52,040  εκδηλώσεις των ανθρώπων και η αγάπη,  πολλές φορές πέραν του μετρίου. 547  00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:53,960  Αυτό είναι το κακό για μένα. 548  00:28:54,160 --> 00:28:58,375  Όπως και στο Ολυμπιακό Στάδιο, έχω ζήσει  στιγμές που το Ολυμπιακό Στάδιο όταν 549  00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:01,640  παίζαμε στο Ολυμπιακό Στάδιο, είχε  40 και 50 χιλιάδες κόσμο. 550  00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:07,055  Ο κόσμος αγαπάει, πηγαίνει πίσω από την  ομάδα του, θέλει το καλύτερο, αλλά πολλές 551  00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:10,775  φορές ξεφεύγουμε από τα όρια και ιδιαίτερα  όταν γίνονται αυτές οι 552  00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:12,120  φασαρίες και τα λοιπά. 553  00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:16,800  Νομίζω ότι  η αγάπη του φιλάθλου απέναντι στην ομάδα 554  00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:21,055  είναι το να προστατεύει την ομάδα, να την  ακολουθεί στις καλές στιγμές, στις 555  00:29:21,080 --> 00:29:25,920  δύσκολες στιγμές όπως και στις επιτυχίες,  αλλά κυρίως να την προστατεύει και να 556  00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:28,320  και να στέκεται δίπλα. 557  00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:32,255  Αυτό είναι τέτοιο, αλλά  νομίζω έχουν και οι δύο, 558  00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:37,520  έχουν μια τρομερή αγάπη για  την ομάδα τους και οι δύο 559  00:29:37,680 --> 00:29:41,560  και οι δύο κόσμοι. Είναι αιώνιοι αντίπαλοι. 560  00:29:41,840 --> 00:29:45,215  Έχουν μεγάλη αντιπαλότητα  που πολλές φορές, όπως είπα και 561  00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:50,775  προηγουμένως, δυστυχώς φτάνουμε στα άκρα  και αυτό είναι το - αν και έχει 562  00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:52,800  περιοριστεί αρκετά τα τελευταία χρόνια. 563  00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:56,040  Πάντα είναι επικίνδυνο. 564  00:29:56,240 --> 00:29:57,240  [Interviewer] Absolutely. 565  00:29:58,379 --> 00:30:00,861  Towards the end of your carreer at Olympiakos, 566  00:30:00,886 --> 00:30:05,329  when did you know like, 'I'm not going to be that guy anymore'? 567  00:30:05,357 --> 00:30:06,536  'I'm not going to be the starter'. 568  00:30:07,071 --> 00:30:08,071  My time is coming. 569  00:30:08,436 --> 00:30:12,100  Is it one moment or is it several games? 570  00:30:12,129 --> 00:30:14,243  Is it how you feel? Like, how did you...? 571  00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:18,793  [Nikopolides] Εμμ... 572  00:30:19,850 --> 00:30:20,871  Ήθελα... 573  00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:23,600  Είχα φτάσει στα 40 μου. 574  00:30:23,640 --> 00:30:26,400  Σταμάτησα 40, 41 σχεδόν χρονών σταμάτησα. 575  00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:27,600  [Interviewer] It's a long carreer. 576  00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:33,095  [Nikopolides] Που παρόλο  το τελευταίο εξάμηνο δεν έπαιζα, 577  00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:36,695  ήμουν στην ομάδα όμως. Ξέρεις ήμουν αλλαγή κτλ που πάλι 578  00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:37,960  είναι σημαντικό γι αυτό. 579  00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:40,720  Έτσι μπορεί να μην είναι στην πρώτη  γραμμή, αλλά όταν είσαι σε μία 580  00:30:40,745 --> 00:30:42,240  ομάδα και είσαι και αναπληρωματικός 581  00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:46,280  Είσαι μέλος της ομάδας. 582  00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:53,640  Η αλήθεια είναι ότι  θα μπορούσα να παίξω άλλα δύο χρόνια. 583  00:30:53,644 --> 00:30:54,411  [Interviewer] Άλλα δύο; 584  00:30:54,436 --> 00:30:56,193  [Nikopolides] Ναι, θα μπορούσα να παίξω άλλα δύο χρόνια. 585  00:30:57,880 --> 00:31:03,920  Γιατί είχα και τη θέληση και τη δύναμη  να το κάνω. 586  00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:10,680  Και ήμουν και σε πολύ καλή κατάσταση, αλλά  ήθελα εκείνη τη στιγμή να τερματίσω, 587  00:31:12,080 --> 00:31:12,960  να τελειώσω 588  00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:17,480  όντας πρωταθλητής, στο υψηλότερο  σημείο και με τον τρόπο που τελείωσα. 589  00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:20,120  Δηλαδή λέω δεν τα θέλω όλα δικά μου. 590  00:31:22,407 --> 00:31:24,771  Ας μην το παρατραβήξω. 591  00:31:25,680 --> 00:31:28,240  Είχα φτάσει στα όριά μου.  Νομίζω 40 χρονών 592  00:31:28,280 --> 00:31:29,815  ήταν αρκετά.  41 χρονών 593  00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:34,295  ήταν μια ηλικία η οποία είναι σεβαστή. 594  00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:37,440  Είναι στα όρια ενός αθλητή που  μπορεί να παίξει σε υψηλό επίπεδο. 595  00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:43,175  Νομίζω ότι εντάξει, είχα και διάφορα  προβλήματα με τη μέση μου που παρόλα 596  00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:46,080  αυτά μπορούσα να τα κοντρολάρω. 597  00:31:49,000 --> 00:31:56,855  Αλλά βλέποντας τώρα τα τελευταία χρόνια  τον Buffon που είναι 44-45, λέω πως θα 598  00:31:56,880 --> 00:31:59,200  το είχα κάνει; 599  00:31:59,400 --> 00:32:03,120  Αν ο Buffon ήταν πιο μπροστά  από μένα και είχε πάει 43-44 600  00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:04,295  θα το σκεφτόμουν 601  00:32:04,321 --> 00:32:05,579  να σου πω την αλήθεια. 602  00:32:05,607 --> 00:32:08,375  [Interviewer] Θα το σκεφτόσουν.  Αλλά έπρεπε να τελειώσεις με Ολυμπιακό; 603  00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:10,655  Αν σε έβαζαν σε άλλη  ομάδα ή στο εξωτερικό. 604  00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:11,779  [Nikopolides] Ναι, δεν θα πήγαινα, όχι. 605  00:32:11,807 --> 00:32:13,775  [Interviewer] Ήθελες να τελειώσεις on top εκεί, που είναι... 606  00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:15,360  [Nikopolides] Μετά τον Ολυμπιακό 607  00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:21,971  με πλησίασε κάποιος κύριος και μου  λέει 'Θέλεις να δοκιμάσουμε να πάμε στο MLS'; 608  00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:26,295  'Κοίταξε', του λέω, 'στη ζωή μου δεν έχω παίξει σε ομάδες στο εξωτερικό 609  00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:27,680  δεν έχω κάνει τέτοιο', του λέω. 610  00:32:28,520 --> 00:32:33,535  Λέω 'αν βρεις ομάδα στο MLS', του λέω, 'θα πήγαινα' 611  00:32:33,560 --> 00:32:35,572  του λέω. Θα πήγαινε έστω κι ένα χρόνο, του λέω. 612  00:32:35,772 --> 00:32:37,638  Ποδοσφαιρικά. Θα το κανα, του λέω 613  00:32:37,838 --> 00:32:41,255  Πιο πολύ για εμπειρία  να γνωρίσω και την Αμερική καλύτερα, γιατί 614  00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:45,120  ξέρεις ταξιδεύεις, βλέπεις διάφορα  μέρη κτλ πιο πολύ σαν εμπειρία 615  00:32:45,160 --> 00:32:47,455  θα το κανα.  Αν μου βρεις ομάδα θα έρθω του λέω. 616  00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:49,120  Και δεν είναι το οικονομικό το πρόβλημα. 617  00:32:49,400 --> 00:32:52,640  Θα έρθω έστω και για την  εμπειρία. 618  00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:56,179  Ήθελα να εμπλακώ και  λίγο στο να γνωρίσω 619  00:32:56,379 --> 00:33:02,695  το MLS, γιατί βλέπουμε τώρα το MLS τη δεκαετία  του - είμαστε τώρα εφτά χρόνια που πραγματικά το 620  00:33:02,720 --> 00:33:05,760  μυαλό σου μεγάλωσε και έχει γίνει  πάρα πολύ μεγάλο. 621  00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:13,335  Εκεί το 2010 ήταν ένα κλειστό πρωτάθλημα  αγγλοσαξωνικό με κάποιες 622  00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:14,920  αναλαμπές τύπου Beckham. 623  00:33:16,080 --> 00:33:18,440  Τύπου ο [incomprehensible] ήρθε αργότερα. 624  00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:19,640  [Interviewer] Thierry Henry. 625  00:33:20,880 --> 00:33:24,240  [Nikopolides] Κάποιους αστέρες  σε κάποιες ομάδες, αλλά κυρίως σε ένα 626  00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:28,240  πρωτάθλημα με αγγλοσάξωνες προπονητές κτλ. 627  00:33:28,280 --> 00:33:30,360  Λίγο, λίγο πίσω. 628  00:33:30,600 --> 00:33:31,855  Τώρα έχει αλλάξει. 629  00:33:31,880 --> 00:33:36,215  Πράγματι έχει ένα πολύ μεγάλο πρωτάθλημα  που προσελκύει πολλούς ποδοσφαιριστές οι 630  00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:40,760  οι οποίοι θέλουν να εμπλακούν και  έχει πάει ο κορυφαίος, ο Messi. 631  00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:44,535  Και ναι, για να τελειώσω την κουβέντα, ναι,  ήθελα. Αν δηλαδή μου γινόταν 632  00:33:44,560 --> 00:33:47,014  μια πρόταση, θα πήγαινα. 633  00:33:47,039 --> 00:33:48,036  [Interviewer] Και το βρίσκω τρελό ότι... 634  00:33:48,436 --> 00:33:50,407  the resume that you have, 635  00:33:50,686 --> 00:33:52,161  τι έχεις κάνει, 636  00:33:52,181 --> 00:33:54,136  there are so many teams in the MLS. 637  00:33:54,164 --> 00:33:55,993  [Nikopolides] Ήμουν 41. Ό, τι και να'ναι, ήμουν 638  00:33:56,800 --> 00:34:00,240  41. Αν ήμουν  33 θα μπορούσα να το κάνω. Στα 41 639  00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:01,720  ήταν λίγο δύσκολο. 640  00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:05,829  [Interviewer] When you were 33, at the peak of your age, 35, 641  00:34:06,264 --> 00:34:09,129  did you ever think of European teams going out to Europe 642  00:34:09,157 --> 00:34:11,507  or everything you wanted was here in Greece? 643  00:34:12,200 --> 00:34:16,489  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε, είχα και  στα 31 και 32 μου είχα 644  00:34:16,689 --> 00:34:17,689  είχα προτάσεις. 645  00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:21,600  Η Αγγλία μάλιστα θυμάμαι την πιο σοβαρή  πρόταση η οποία ήταν και επίσημη. 646  00:34:21,640 --> 00:34:25,680  Τώρα να μη μιλάμε για φήμες. 647  00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:33,320  Είχα μία πρόταση από την Bolton,  η οποία εκείνη τη χρονιά ανέβαινε στην 648  00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:35,340  Premier League. 649  00:34:35,600 --> 00:34:40,920  Είχε σπάσει το χέρι του ο τερματοφύλακάς  τους, αυτοί πήγαιναν στα μπαράζ 650  00:34:41,880 --> 00:34:44,760  και ήρθαν και μου έκαναν πρόταση επίσημη  και στον Παναθηναϊκό και 651  00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:50,335  με αρκετά χρήματα ώστε  να πάω και μου έδιναν και ένα τριετές 652  00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:54,175  συμβόλαιο, ότι δηλαδή δε θα αντικαθιστούσα  για ένα διάστημα τερματοφύλακα μου. 653  00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:55,360  Μου δίναν ένα τριετές συμβόλαιο. 654  00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:59,280  Η αλήθεια είναι ότι πίεσα  αρκετά για να πάω, για να φύγω. 655  00:34:59,840 --> 00:35:03,575  Ήταν ίσως η πρώτη φορά που πίεσα για  να φύγω, για να για να πάω στην Αγγλία. 656  00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:04,994  Και ο Παναθηναϊκός δεν με άφησε. 657  00:35:05,194 --> 00:35:06,194  [Interviewer] Δεν σε άφησε, on a contract... 658  00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:11,880  [Nikopolides] Όχι. Και μετά το Euro,  αλλά και πάλι αυτό. 659  00:35:12,480 --> 00:35:14,295  Μετά το Euro υπήρχαν φήμες. 660  00:35:14,320 --> 00:35:19,455  Δηλαδή ήρθε ο agent που είχα και μου λέει ότι  αυτό και εκείνο κτλ. 661  00:35:19,480 --> 00:35:24,375  Του λέω έχουμε υπογράψει, του λέω  έχουμε υπογράψει 30 Μαΐου με τον 662  00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:27,695  Ολυμπιακό, δεν μπορώ του λέω να  να αθετήσω την υπογραφή μου 663  00:35:27,720 --> 00:35:29,460  του λέω, γιατί σαν  άνθρωπος είμαι, έτσι λέω. 664  00:35:29,485 --> 00:35:32,480  Όταν λέμε, δίνουμε τον λόγο  μας, δίνουμε τον λόγο μας. 665  00:35:32,880 --> 00:35:34,800  [Interviewer] Jeez. That's... 666  00:35:35,643 --> 00:35:38,679  That's crazy that you had those options to even go there. 667  00:35:38,879 --> 00:35:40,500  You know, to be in that position. 668  00:35:41,400 --> 00:35:43,971  Actually, before, just really quick. 669  00:35:44,164 --> 00:35:45,736  What was one of the best players that 670  00:35:45,829 --> 00:35:47,379  you've played against during your career? 671  00:35:48,121 --> 00:35:50,886  Were you, like, a fan too. Not just 'I gotta stop this guy' 672  00:35:50,914 --> 00:35:53,829  but you were like 'Οh my God! This guy is trying to score on me'. 673  00:35:54,379 --> 00:35:54,907  [Nikopolides] Zidane. 674  00:35:55,436 --> 00:35:58,600  [Interviewer] Zidane. And who was he playing for at the time? 675  00:35:58,629 --> 00:36:02,107  [Nikopolides] Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης  and national team. 676  00:36:02,320 --> 00:36:09,280  Ήταν ένας από τους κορυφαίους  ποδοσφαιριστές στον κόσμο όλων των εποχών. 677  00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:13,000  Οπότε όταν τον βρήκαμε μπροστά μας -  πρέπει να τον είχα παίξει και με τη Juventus. 678  00:36:13,080 --> 00:36:15,200  Είχαμε παίξει με τον  Παναθηναϊκό, με την 679  00:36:15,225 --> 00:36:16,280  Γιουβέντους στο Τορίνο. 680  00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:17,920  Ναι, ναι, Τορίνο. 681  00:36:17,960 --> 00:36:22,600  Μετά παίξαμε με τη Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης και  με την Εθνική ομάδα. 682  00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:23,720  Πολύ μεγάλη απόφαση. 683  00:36:23,745 --> 00:36:27,695  Δηλαδή τη χρονιά που παίξαμε με τον  Παναθηναϊκό στη Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης ήταν η εποχή 684  00:36:27,720 --> 00:36:31,280  που όλοι λέγανε 'galacticos', 'galacticos'. 685  00:36:31,920 --> 00:36:33,360  Μια ομάδα του γαλαξία. 686  00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:34,880  Ναι, τρομερή ομάδα. 687  00:36:34,920 --> 00:36:38,280  Με Beckham, με Roberto Carlos. Ήταν τρομερές 688  00:36:38,520 --> 00:36:40,840  τρομερές οι εποχές του Champions League. 689  00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:46,640  Εκείνα τα χρόνια ήταν τρομερές εμπειρίες  το να παίζεις στο Old Trafford, στο Nou Camp. 690  00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:50,080  Στο Bernabeu. 691  00:36:52,440 --> 00:36:53,015  Στη Salke. 692  00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:56,520  Στο γήπεδο το φανταστικό  που τότε δημιουργήθηκε. 693  00:36:57,360 --> 00:36:59,200  Να παίζεις με κορυφαίες ομάδες. 694  00:36:59,800 --> 00:37:00,840  Σίγουρα σε βοηθάει και εσένα. 695  00:37:00,865 --> 00:37:03,320  Γίνεσαι πολύ καλύτερος.  Και μας βοήθησε. 696  00:37:03,729 --> 00:37:05,543  [Interviewer] How do you go into the game? 697  00:37:05,571 --> 00:37:07,686  When you're playing in the Bernabeu or you're playing these games, 698  00:37:07,921 --> 00:37:11,357  how do you get your mind right going into there? 699  00:37:11,636 --> 00:37:12,800  Cause you're the goalie. 700  00:37:12,829 --> 00:37:18,436  Goalie in any sport is the first one to get like παλαμάκια or the first one to blame. 701  00:37:18,464 --> 00:37:20,072  How do you deal with that? 702  00:37:20,120 --> 00:37:23,360  [Nikopolides] Πάντα έχεις το άγχος  ότι μπορεί να στραβώσουν τα πράγματα 703  00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:27,160  και να ξεκινήσουμε και να φάμε πέντε γκολ, έξι γκολ. 704  00:37:28,086 --> 00:37:28,921  Εεμ... 705  00:37:30,920 --> 00:37:33,615  Πάντα περνάει από το μυαλό σου,  πάντα οι αρνητικές σκέψεις. 706  00:37:33,640 --> 00:37:35,840  Ξέρεις, όταν πλησιάζει  το παιχνίδι, αλλά όταν 707  00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:40,520  μπαίνεις μέσα, όταν πηγαίνεις,  όταν 708  00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:45,200  είσαι στο γήπεδο και κάνεις προθέρμανση,  όλα αυτά ξεπερνιούνται. 709  00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:49,280  Και προσπαθείς να συγκεντρωθείς  για να κάνεις το καλύτερο δυνατό. 710  00:37:53,360 --> 00:37:56,220  Στα πρώτα σου παιχνίδια - αυτό συμβαίνει για  όλους τους ποδοσφαιριστές 711  00:37:56,520 --> 00:37:57,720  των ευρωπαϊκών παιχνιδιών - 712  00:37:57,760 --> 00:38:01,575  πάντα έχεις τον φόβο  ότι έχεις την απειρία, δεν 713  00:38:01,600 --> 00:38:04,140  μπορείς να σταθείς μέσα στο γήπεδο.  Όταν όμως έχεις παίξει - 714  00:38:04,480 --> 00:38:09,560  έχω παίξει 105 παιχνίδια, ευρωπαϊκά  παιχνίδια Champions League και έχω παίξει 715  00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:11,440  70-75 παιχνίδια Champions League. 716  00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:14,920  Όταν έχεις τέτοιο μεγάλο αριθμό,  δεν σου κάνει αίσθηση μετά. 717  00:38:15,160 --> 00:38:19,775  Αν όμως, παραδείγματος χάρη, ξεκινήσεις και  παίξεις πρώτη φορά ένα 718  00:38:19,800 --> 00:38:20,560  παιχνίδι Champions League 719  00:38:20,585 --> 00:38:23,753  Κι εγώ τα πρώτα μου παιχνίδια Champions League, δεν ήταν καλά γιατί 720  00:38:23,953 --> 00:38:25,314  είναι μία διαφορετική διοργάνωση. 721  00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:27,871  Άλλοι παίκτες, άλλη ποιότητα. 722  00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:32,600  Είναι πολύ δύσκολο, αλλά όταν συνεχίζεις  και παίζεις σε αυτό το επίπεδο, αρχίζεις 723  00:38:32,625 --> 00:38:35,055  και γίνεσαι και εσύ το ίδιο καλός.  Αυτό είναι. 724  00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:39,840  Θέλει χρόνο να το χτίσεις και μετά  όταν μπαίνεις δεν φοβάσαι κανέναν. 725  00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:42,400  Πες παίζεις, τους έχεις κερδίσει. 726  00:38:42,800 --> 00:38:46,040  Λες, 'μπορώ να πάρω ένα αποτέλεσμα. Θα κάνω το καλύτερο δυνατό'. 727  00:38:46,760 --> 00:38:50,120  Εντάξει, Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης είναι. Και να  χάσουμε δεν έγινε και τίποτα να χάσουμε. 728  00:38:50,320 --> 00:38:52,357  [Interviewer] Μόνο που παίζεις εκεί είσαι ΟΚ. 729  00:38:53,893 --> 00:38:57,814  Listen, that story and the build-up and understanding is incredible. 730  00:38:57,839 --> 00:38:59,821  We have to talk about 2004, ok? 731  00:39:00,021 --> 00:39:02,943  I know you've talked about it a thousand different times, right? 732  00:39:03,907 --> 00:39:06,179  I just kinda wanna walk through the tournament, right? 733  00:39:06,371 --> 00:39:08,071  So, we know from your professional club 734  00:39:08,271 --> 00:39:09,886  what was going on behind the scenes with 735  00:39:10,280 --> 00:39:13,421  Panathinaikos, finding a new team 736  00:39:13,621 --> 00:39:14,971  and then you make it to the national team roaster. 737  00:39:15,171 --> 00:39:18,421  Was there ever a point where you thought you wouldn't be on the national team 738  00:39:18,446 --> 00:39:20,229  as the starting goalie in 2004? 739  00:39:20,257 --> 00:39:21,255  [Nikopolides] Ναι. 740  00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:26,600  Αυτό το είχα πει, το είχα πει και  πριν από λίγο, ότι 741  00:39:27,080 --> 00:39:29,680  όταν έχεις να αγωνιστείς τρεις μήνες 742  00:39:30,564 --> 00:39:31,964  εεμ... 743  00:39:32,880 --> 00:39:37,400  Ο προπονητής πολύ εύκολα μπορεί να  αποφασίσει να βάλει τον - 744  00:39:37,960 --> 00:39:39,320  που είναι ο επόμενος. 745  00:39:40,120 --> 00:39:41,880  Και στην περίπτωση αυτή, δηλαδή 746  00:39:42,743 --> 00:39:43,743  εεε 747  00:39:44,600 --> 00:39:47,360  εγώ ήμουν βασικός στον Παναθηναϊκό στην  Εθνική ομάδα και αναπληρωματικός 748  00:39:47,385 --> 00:39:48,600  ήταν ο Κώστας ο Χαλκιάς 749  00:39:48,720 --> 00:39:52,840  που ήταν στην ίδια ομάδα, αλλά  ήταν και αναπληρωματικός στην Εθνική ομάδα. 750  00:39:53,800 --> 00:39:54,780  Δηλαδή έγινε ένα... 751  00:39:54,805 --> 00:40:01,960  Ναι, ναι, πολύ λογικά θα σκεφτόταν ένας  προπονητής ότι ξέρεις κάτι και δεν 752  00:40:01,960 --> 00:40:04,080  Θα μπορούσα να πω και τίποτα.  Σου λέω δεν αγωνίζεσαι. 753  00:40:04,280 --> 00:40:05,400  Δεν γνωρίζω τον λόγο. 754  00:40:05,960 --> 00:40:07,080  Δεν με αφορά. 755  00:40:07,480 --> 00:40:08,735  Δεν μπορώ να κάνω και κάτι. 756  00:40:08,760 --> 00:40:10,460  Δεν περνάει απ' το χέρι  μου να κάνω και κάτι. 757  00:40:10,485 --> 00:40:12,160  Σου λέει, ο προπονητής -  μιλάω για τον Otto Rehhagel 758  00:40:12,600 --> 00:40:15,375  Έτσι έχουν τα πράγματα.  Ο Κώστας έχει αγωνιστικό ρυθμό. 759  00:40:15,400 --> 00:40:17,460  Θα πρέπει να παίξει ο Κώστας.  Δεν μπορούσα να πω τίποτα. 760  00:40:17,485 --> 00:40:21,535  Μπορώ να του πω, 'ξέρεις, έχεις και άδικο', αλλά είναι η στιγμή που ο 761  00:40:21,560 --> 00:40:26,535  προπονητής, ο Rehhagel,  αποφασίζει ότι, όχι 762  00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:28,440  θα δώσουμε την ευκαιρία στον Αντώνη. 763  00:40:28,800 --> 00:40:31,320  Παίξαμε και 4-5 φιλικά, δηλαδή 764  00:40:31,600 --> 00:40:35,880  πριν πάμε στην Πορτογαλία, οπότε 765  00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:39,720  με βοήθησαν λιγάκι αυτά  τα φιλικά να βρω λίγο αγωνιστικό ρυθμό. 766  00:40:40,240 --> 00:40:43,946  [Interviewer] Είχες relationship with Otto Rehhagel before the tournament? 767  00:40:44,146 --> 00:40:45,146  Did you know him? Did you...? 768  00:40:45,760 --> 00:40:48,200  [Nikopolides] Είχαμε μια συνεργασία δυο χρόνων. 769  00:40:48,240 --> 00:40:54,960  Εγώ, όταν ήρθε ο Rehhagel  στο δεύτερο παιχνίδι που ήμουνα βασικός, 770  00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:56,580  όταν παίζαμε στο Old Trafford 771  00:40:57,920 --> 00:41:02,160  το 2-2, είχα κάνει δύο χρόνια. 772  00:41:02,680 --> 00:41:03,920  Ήμουν πάντα βασικός. 773  00:41:03,960 --> 00:41:05,720  Επί δύο χρόνια ο βασικός. Δηλαδή 774  00:41:06,040 --> 00:41:09,960  είχαμε κάνει  20 παιχνίδια και στα 20 παιχνίδια ήμουν. 775  00:41:11,040 --> 00:41:15,040  Ήμουν βασικός και στην ομάδα και όταν  κάναμε τα προκριματικά γιατί 776  00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:19,720  πολλοί σκέφτονται, κι εσύ, ότι είναι Euro κτλ. 777  00:41:20,200 --> 00:41:24,735  Είχε μια προκριματική φάση  στην οποία στον όμιλο μας ήταν η 778  00:41:24,760 --> 00:41:27,280  Ισπανία και η Ουκρανία και εμείς. 779  00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:31,720  Και έβγαινε μία ομάδα,  η άλλη πήγαινε μπαράζ και βγήκαμε πρώτοι. 780  00:41:31,840 --> 00:41:35,720  Kαι αυτό από μόνο του  είναι μια πολύ μεγάλη επιτυχία. 781  00:41:36,240 --> 00:41:39,200  Οι Ισπανοί δεν έχουν παίξει ποτέ στην ζωή  τους προκριματικά 782  00:41:39,840 --> 00:41:43,615  και ήμασταν η μοναδική ομάδα που τους  έστειλε να παίξουν μπαράζ 783  00:41:43,640 --> 00:41:44,560  για να πάνε στο Euro. 784  00:41:45,880 --> 00:41:50,575  Μιλάμε για μια τρομερή χώρα με  τρομερό ποδόσφαιρο και τους 785  00:41:50,600 --> 00:41:51,920  κερδίσαμε και μέσα στην Ισπανία. 786  00:41:52,720 --> 00:41:56,140  Θέλω να σου πω δηλαδή ότι όλα εκείνα τα  χρόνια, όλο εκείνο το διάστημα, ήμουν 787  00:41:56,520 --> 00:41:57,400  δύο χρόνια βασικός. 788  00:41:57,425 --> 00:42:00,200  Γνωριζόμασταν πάρα πολύ καλά, γιατί είχαμε  κάνει αρκετά φιλικά παιχνίδια και τα 789  00:42:00,225 --> 00:42:04,120  επίσημα  παιχνίδια, αλλά θέλω να καταλήξω ότι 790  00:42:05,000 --> 00:42:09,640  δικαίως αν ο προπονητής αποφάσιζε να έλεγε  ότι θα παίξει ο Κώστας, 791  00:42:09,920 --> 00:42:11,840  γιατί Αντώνη δεν έχεις αγωνιστικό ρυθμό κτλ. 792  00:42:11,880 --> 00:42:14,415  Για να βοηθήσουμε την ομάδα θα έχει  απόλυτο δίκιο και δεν θα 793  00:42:14,440 --> 00:42:15,360  μπορούσα να πω τίποτα. 794  00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:19,695  Ακόμα και τα παιχνίδια που είχα παίξει, ότι εγώ ήμουν ο βασικός κτλ 795  00:42:19,720 --> 00:42:20,840  δεν παίζουν σημασία. 796  00:42:20,920 --> 00:42:22,320  Σημασία έχει τώρα τι κάνουμε. 797  00:42:23,600 --> 00:42:27,400  Σε στηρίζω, είσαι στην ομάδα μαζί  μας, αλλά πρέπει να προχωρήσουμε έτσι. 798  00:42:27,960 --> 00:42:28,700  Εντάξει. 799  00:42:28,817 --> 00:42:31,831  [Interviewer] So when you, the first game of Portugal, 800  00:42:31,860 --> 00:42:35,244  I was vacationing from Canada, 801  00:42:35,360 --> 00:42:38,431  and I'm sitting at my thia's kitchen in Evoia, in the χωριό. 802  00:42:38,460 --> 00:42:40,603  And the first game's on, against Portugal. 803  00:42:40,789 --> 00:42:44,040  Before it started, πάλι καλά,  φτάσαμε. 804  00:42:44,240 --> 00:42:45,240  At least Greece is there, right? 805  00:42:45,440 --> 00:42:48,917  In 1994, I went and saw Greece play in the World Cup 806  00:42:50,060 --> 00:42:52,774  in Boston, against Nigeria. 807  00:42:52,800 --> 00:42:55,240  And I think, 2-0  χάσαμε; 808  00:42:55,417 --> 00:42:57,560  [Nikopolides] Nigeria...against Argentina. 809  00:42:57,589 --> 00:42:59,389  and Bulgaria. 810  00:42:59,589 --> 00:43:00,760  [Interviewer] And Bulgaria, yeah. 811  00:43:00,789 --> 00:43:02,146  Four-nothing, four-nothing and two. 812  00:43:02,346 --> 00:43:05,146  So I was there, we got to meet the team before, 813  00:43:06,103 --> 00:43:08,174  and we were just happy Greece was there. 814  00:43:08,203 --> 00:43:12,160  So when the Euro 2004 came, πάλι were like hey, at least they came. 815  00:43:12,189 --> 00:43:15,017  Those were the expectations, right, that I feel a lot of people. 816  00:43:15,046 --> 00:43:18,946  And then we were watching the game, and then you see Greece score, 817  00:43:18,974 --> 00:43:20,259  and then they win 818  00:43:20,289 --> 00:43:23,003  and you're like, huh, amazing. Μπράβο! Πάλι καλά. 819  00:43:23,031 --> 00:43:24,274  We got one game. 820  00:43:24,303 --> 00:43:26,203  And then throughout the tournament, I go back to Canada 821  00:43:26,231 --> 00:43:28,117  and I watch the first game in the village, 822  00:43:28,146 --> 00:43:30,789  the last game in Niagara Falls, Canada, 823  00:43:31,260 --> 00:43:33,317  and just how you guys progressed, 824  00:43:33,517 --> 00:43:37,160  like I remember every shot, everything, and so do a lot of us outside. 825  00:43:37,360 --> 00:43:40,789  Walk us through that first game, what were your expectations, 826  00:43:40,817 --> 00:43:42,560  what was the team. 827  00:43:42,589 --> 00:43:45,374  Clearly you guys didn't think you were going to win the Euro. 828  00:43:45,403 --> 00:43:47,131  [Nikopolides] Oh no. Yes, for sure. 829  00:43:47,160 --> 00:43:48,160  [Interviewer] You thought you would? 830  00:43:48,360 --> 00:43:49,360  [Nikopolides] No, no. 831  00:43:51,480 --> 00:43:53,280  Πήγαμε εκεί με την 832  00:43:54,440 --> 00:43:58,440  με την προσδοκία ότι-  πρώτα απ'όλα με την εμπιστοσύνη 833  00:43:58,640 --> 00:44:00,300  ότι είμαστε μια πολύ καλή ομάδα. 834  00:44:00,560 --> 00:44:01,220  Το ξέραμε αυτό. 835  00:44:01,245 --> 00:44:04,495  Είμαστε μια καλή ομάδα που δεν μπορεί να  μας κερδίσει κανένας εύκολα.Ίσως 836  00:44:04,520 --> 00:44:07,780  μπορεί να μην κερδίσουμε εμείς εύκολα, αλλά δεν  μπορεί να μας κερδίσει κάποιος εύκολα. 837  00:44:08,800 --> 00:44:14,240  Σε ένα πολύ δύσκολο όμιλο, ίσως τον πιο  δύσκολο όμιλο: Πορτογαλία, Ισπανία, 838  00:44:14,720 --> 00:44:18,160  Ρωσία, δηλαδή δύο ομάδες που ήταν της  Ιβηρικής, δηλαδή 839  00:44:19,160 --> 00:44:21,280  γινόταν ουσιαστικά στην πατρίδα τους. 840  00:44:21,320 --> 00:44:25,560  Δηλαδή όταν παίξαμε με την Ισπανία είχε  30.000 Ισπανούς γιατί ήταν στα σύνορα. 841  00:44:25,920 --> 00:44:28,560  Θες να σου πω δηλαδή ότι ήταν ουσιαστικά  εντός έδρας. 842  00:44:29,480 --> 00:44:33,760  Λοιπόν, ο στόχος μας ήταν να λέγαμε ότι  πάμε να κερδίσουμε ένα παιχνίδι, 843  00:44:35,240 --> 00:44:39,200  να ανατρέψουμε όλη αυτή την κακή  προϊστορία που είχε η Εθνική ομάδα, 844  00:44:39,400 --> 00:44:44,600  ιδιαίτερα με το '94 και - να  ανοίξω μια παρένθεση. Στο '94 845  00:44:44,640 --> 00:44:49,480  ήταν μια πολύ σπουδαία γενιά  ποδοσφαιριστών που παρότι 846  00:44:50,720 --> 00:44:55,320  τα αποτελέσματα δεν τους δικαίωσαν,  ήταν παίκτες πολύ μεγάλης αξίας. 847  00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:02,220  Πολύ σημαντικοί ποδοσφαιριστές που δεν  τους άξιζε όλο αυτό το πράγμα που έγινε. 848  00:45:03,760 --> 00:45:07,800  Κλείνω την παρένθεση.  Φυσικά ο κόσμος απογοητεύτηκε. 849  00:45:08,200 --> 00:45:09,240  Το είχε στο μυαλό του. 850  00:45:10,040 --> 00:45:13,735  Σου λέει τα ίδια θα πάθουν και  η Εθνική ομάδα θα πάει εκεί. 851  00:45:13,760 --> 00:45:16,520  Αλλά εγώ είπα, 852  00:45:16,800 --> 00:45:19,935  είπα την κουβέντα ότι  εμείς περάσαμε την Ισπανία, περάσαμε 853  00:45:19,960 --> 00:45:22,360  πρώτοι στον όμιλό μας. Είμαστε  μια πάρα πολύ καλή ομάδα. 854  00:45:22,520 --> 00:45:24,280  Ίσως ήμασταν οι μόνοι  που το πιστεύαμε αυτό. 855  00:45:24,320 --> 00:45:26,880  Δηλαδή η ομάδα, οι παίκτες δηλαδή. 856  00:45:27,080 --> 00:45:29,120  Ίσως πιστεύαμε μόνοι μας  ότι ήμασταν καλή ομάδα. 857  00:45:29,560 --> 00:45:33,535  Οι υπόλοιποι ήρθαν αργότερα  για να πιστέψουν ότι πραγματικά 858  00:45:33,560 --> 00:45:34,900  αυτή ομάδα είναι πάρα πολύ καλή. 859  00:45:34,925 --> 00:45:37,855  Όταν λοιπόν  πήγαμε εκεί λέγαμε να κερδίσουμε ένα 860  00:45:37,880 --> 00:45:42,160  παιχνίδι. Όπως εξελίχθηκε το παιχνίδι, το πρώτο 861  00:45:42,200 --> 00:45:46,840  όταν κερδίσεις το πρώτο παιχνίδι,  ακριβώς μετά ήρθε στο μυαλό μας 862  00:45:47,120 --> 00:45:49,680  'πάμε να περάσουμε' και για μας  αν περάσουμε είναι επιτυχία. 863  00:45:49,720 --> 00:45:51,440  Δηλαδή αν περάσουμε στην επόμενη φάση. 864  00:45:51,800 --> 00:45:55,020  Είναι μια πάρα πολύ μεγάλη επιτυχία!  Το να κερδίσεις το πρώτο σου παιχνίδι, 865  00:45:55,045 --> 00:45:57,840  λες έχω 50% πιθανότητες να περάσω. 866  00:45:58,520 --> 00:46:02,440  Οπότε κάθε φορά που μας δινόταν αυτή η  δυνατότητα να κερδίσουμε κάτι, 867  00:46:04,400 --> 00:46:08,895  πάντα είχαμε κίνητρο και λέμε  ήμασταν πεινασμένοι, πεινασμένοι για 868  00:46:08,920 --> 00:46:11,450  επιτυχία και μπροστά  μας ερχόταν κάτι μεγάλο. 869  00:46:11,650 --> 00:46:13,080  Κάθε φορά αρπαζόμασταν απ'αυτό. 870  00:46:15,800 --> 00:46:19,680  Και για αυτό  το να πάμε να κερδίσουμε ένα παιχνίδι ή 871  00:46:19,720 --> 00:46:25,375  ξαφνικά να περάσουμε στην επόμενη φάση  που και αυτό μας κάνει πετυχημένους. 872  00:46:25,400 --> 00:46:28,080  Αλλά όταν φτάσαμε στην επόμενη  φάση παίξαμε με τη Γαλλία. 873  00:46:28,120 --> 00:46:30,960  Λέγαμε, γιατί όχι; Ότι  είναι να γίνει ας γίνει. 874  00:46:31,240 --> 00:46:33,000  [Interviewer] Άλλαξε το mindset, shifted. 875  00:46:33,080 --> 00:46:35,335  [Nikopolides] Ό,τι έχει γίνει, ό,τι  είναι να γίνει, ας γίνει. 876  00:46:35,360 --> 00:46:39,720  Γιατί η Γαλλία νομίζω ήταν η πιο  πλήρης Γαλλία που είχα δει ποτέ μου 877  00:46:39,760 --> 00:46:41,840  εκείνα τα χρόνια.  Ήταν παγκόσμια πρωταθλήτρια. 878  00:46:44,560 --> 00:46:48,960  Όταν λοιπόν κερδίσαμε τη Γαλλία,  αμέσως είπαμε πάμε να πάρουμε το Κύπελλο. 879  00:46:49,517 --> 00:46:51,360  [Interviewer] That's it! Nothing's stopping you. 880  00:46:51,480 --> 00:46:55,455  Ήταν μπροστά μας η Τσεχία,  αλλά όταν περάσαμε τη Γαλλία λέμε 881  00:46:55,480 --> 00:46:56,935  θα πάμε να πάρουμε το Κύπελλο. 882  00:46:59,000 --> 00:47:00,295  Θέλαμε δύο παιχνίδια ακόμα. 883  00:47:00,320 --> 00:47:03,815  180 λεπτά μπροστά μας για δύο ομάδες. 884  00:47:03,840 --> 00:47:06,695  Δηλαδή, που θα είχαν  προκριθεί, αλλά λέγαμε όχι. 885  00:47:06,720 --> 00:47:08,740  Αφού περάσαμε την Γαλλία,  θα πάμε να το πάρουμε. 886  00:47:10,360 --> 00:47:12,989  [Interviewer] Τσεχία, I think, when you played Czech Republic 887  00:47:13,017 --> 00:47:15,289  that was the game where I had the most stress watching it. 888  00:47:16,403 --> 00:47:17,760  Ah, who was the tall striker on the team? 889  00:47:18,720 --> 00:47:20,674  [Nikopolides] Ναι, ο ψηλός.  Ναι, δεν θυμάμαι [<i>they mean Koller</i>]. 890  00:47:20,874 --> 00:47:22,503  [Interviewer] Oh, my God. This guy, kicking here... 891  00:47:22,531 --> 00:47:27,289  That was the one where I thought they were going to destroy us on that. 892  00:47:27,489 --> 00:47:28,489  It was incredible. 893  00:47:28,689 --> 00:47:30,174  Who in the locker room 894  00:47:31,117 --> 00:47:35,346  was one of the strongest players, mentally, emotionally? 895  00:47:35,546 --> 00:47:38,560  Was there any one type of player, teammate, 896  00:47:38,589 --> 00:47:41,031  or was it, as a group, everyone fed off each other? 897  00:47:41,280 --> 00:47:46,680  [Nikopolides] Ήμασταν ένα γκρουπ παικτών οι οποίοι  μιλούσαμε την ίδια γλώσσα 898  00:47:47,360 --> 00:47:48,600  όπως και ο προπονητής. 899  00:47:52,160 --> 00:47:53,200  Ξέραμε τι θέλαμε. 900  00:47:53,360 --> 00:47:55,320  Αφήσαμε τις διαφορές μας  γιατί έχουμε διαφορές. 901  00:47:55,400 --> 00:47:56,640  Είχαμε διαφορές μεταξύ μας. 902  00:47:58,000 --> 00:48:00,480  Γενικά μιλάω σαν-  όχι σαν άτομα. 903  00:48:00,520 --> 00:48:01,920  Κυρίως οι ομάδες, ξέρεις. 904  00:48:05,760 --> 00:48:07,095  Αλλά το βασικό για μένα ήταν 905  00:48:07,120 --> 00:48:10,535  μιλούσαμε την ίδια γλώσσα και είχαμε  αποφασίσει ότι η στρατηγική που θα 906  00:48:10,560 --> 00:48:12,080  ακολουθήσουμε θα είναι συγκεκριμένη. 907  00:48:12,640 --> 00:48:15,880  Αυτό που κάνουμε είναι αυτό που  κάνουμε, που μας οδηγεί στην επιτυχία. 908  00:48:17,800 --> 00:48:19,320  Είτε παίζουμε καλά, δεν παίζουμε καλά. 909  00:48:20,280 --> 00:48:22,460  Πάμε να κερδίσουμε αυτό το  παιχνίδι με τον τρόπο που ξέρουμε. 910  00:48:23,117 --> 00:48:24,189  Εεμ 911  00:48:26,560 --> 00:48:28,080  Υπήρχαν παιδιά. 912  00:48:28,120 --> 00:48:30,975  Δεν θέλω να μιλήσω για μένα και  άλλα παιδιά τα οποία κάνουμε αυτό, 913  00:48:31,000 --> 00:48:32,320  κάνουμε εκείνο. 914  00:48:32,560 --> 00:48:34,215  Να προσέξουμε - δηλαδή μεταξύ μας 915  00:48:34,240 --> 00:48:39,055  μιλάγαμε σαν σε ένα γκρουπ  για τις μικρολεπτομέρειες, 916  00:48:39,080 --> 00:48:40,360  όχι για την γενική στρατηγική. 917  00:48:40,385 --> 00:48:44,175  Γιατί η στρατηγική είναι του προπονητή,  αλλά υπάρχουν λεπτομέρειες μέσα για κάθε 918  00:48:44,200 --> 00:48:48,800  παίκτη που αντιμετωπίζαμε  φάσεις κτλ, οι οποίες ξέρεις μπορούμε 919  00:48:49,320 --> 00:48:52,200  να λύσουμε, να βρεθούμε  καλύτερα μέσα στο γήπεδο. 920  00:48:52,240 --> 00:48:53,920  Οπότε είχαμε 921  00:48:54,080 --> 00:48:59,200  είχαμε πολύ καλή επικοινωνία μεταξύ μας  και μάλιστα και σε δύσκολες στιγμές. 922  00:48:59,240 --> 00:49:04,295  Δηλαδή ακόμη και κάποιος αν είχε ξεφύγει  και να πει μια λέξη παραπάνω γιατί αυτά 923  00:49:04,320 --> 00:49:08,480  συμβαίνουν στο παιχνίδι,  ο άλλος δεν τον παρεξηγούσε. 924  00:49:09,040 --> 00:49:11,840  Συγγνώμη, δεν το ήθελα, μου ξέφυγε κτλ. 925  00:49:11,880 --> 00:49:15,535  Δηλαδή είχαμε φτάσει σε σημείο που και  κάτι να πούμε παραπάνω ότι ο άλλος δεν 926  00:49:15,560 --> 00:49:17,680  παρεξηγούσε τον άλλον, οπότε αυτό ήταν. 927  00:49:18,040 --> 00:49:21,080  Είτε ήταν μια οικογένεια όπου ο καθένας  σεβόταν τον άλλον, 928  00:49:21,560 --> 00:49:24,855  καταλάβαινε ότι μέσα στο παιχνίδι και μέσα  στην ένταση μπορεί κάποιος να 929  00:49:24,880 --> 00:49:26,120  ξεφύγει, να πει κάτι παραπάνω. 930  00:49:26,720 --> 00:49:32,575  Ξέραμε ότι κάποιοι γκρινιάζουν, άλλοι  μπορεί να μιλάνε και πιο άσχημα κτλ αλλά τους 931  00:49:32,600 --> 00:49:35,880  γνωρίζαμε, οπότε δεν μας έκανε τη διαφορά  γιατί ήμασταν πολλά χρόνια μαζί. 932  00:49:36,360 --> 00:49:40,415  Πάνω από δυόμισι χρόνια,  οπότε δεν μας έκανε και ξέραμε ότι και την 933  00:49:40,440 --> 00:49:43,975  άλλη μέρα πάλι θα πίναμε καφέ μαζί χωρίς  να με είχε προσβάλει 934  00:49:44,000 --> 00:49:45,280  κάποιος λέγοντάς μου κάτι. 935  00:49:45,440 --> 00:49:46,592  [Interviewer] Ναι, ναι. 936  00:49:46,792 --> 00:49:48,274  [Nikopolides] Είναι η οικογένεια. 937  00:49:48,303 --> 00:49:50,846  [Interviewer] And it shows τώρα, 20 plus years later 938  00:49:51,046 --> 00:49:54,131  I see, you know, the legends. You guys are brothers. 939  00:49:54,303 --> 00:49:57,446  Like, it's like a brotherhood that you guys have here. It's incredible. 940  00:49:58,520 --> 00:50:03,520  [Nikopolides] Είναι η σημαντικότερη γενιά ποδοσφαιριστών  όλων των εποχών στην Ελλάδα. 941  00:50:05,560 --> 00:50:09,680  Έχουμε δημιουργήσει μια ΑΜΚΕ η οποία 942  00:50:11,320 --> 00:50:13,640  μέσα από αυτή κάνουν διάφορες δράσεις. 943  00:50:13,680 --> 00:50:17,335  Έχουμε κάνει πάρα πολλές δράσεις στην  Ελλάδα, βοηθώντας ακόμα και 944  00:50:17,360 --> 00:50:18,520  στην εποχή του Κορονοϊού. 945  00:50:18,600 --> 00:50:22,680  Έχουμε δώσει,όχι εμείς,  και οι φίλοι που έχουμε κοντά μας, 946  00:50:23,280 --> 00:50:28,335  που μας συμπαρίστανται, έχουμε δώσει μάσκες για οξυγόνα και τέτοια πράγματα. 947  00:50:28,360 --> 00:50:32,000  Κάναμε πολλά πράγματα,  αιμοδοσίες, παιχνίδια για ανθρώπους 948  00:50:32,040 --> 00:50:33,560  οι οποίοι έχουν μεγάλη ανάγκη. 949  00:50:34,120 --> 00:50:38,880  Κάνουμε και είναι ωραίο να  κρατάς ζωντανό το 950  00:50:40,440 --> 00:50:45,655  το legend, τον θρύλο  της μιας πολύ σημαντικής ομάδας 951  00:50:45,680 --> 00:50:47,040  που την αγάπησε όλος ο κόσμος. 952  00:50:48,240 --> 00:50:51,880  Μα προχθές κάναμε το παιχνίδι,  έχουμε κάνει και άλλα παιχνίδια. 953  00:50:53,760 --> 00:50:58,360  Το καλό ότι η επιτυχία αυτή μας δίνει τη  δυνατότητα να μπορέσουμε να φέρουμε 954  00:50:58,720 --> 00:51:00,800  και πολύ μεγάλους ποδοσφαιριστές εδώ. 955  00:51:00,840 --> 00:51:03,680  Δηλαδή προχθές στο παιχνίδι υπήρχαν  παγκόσμιοι ποδοσφαιριστές, 956  00:51:03,760 --> 00:51:05,440  παγκόσμιοι πρωταθλητές. 957  00:51:05,680 --> 00:51:10,600  Στα παιχνίδια και μόνο ο Kristo Stoichkov που ήρθε  μια πολύ μεγάλη προσωπικότητα, 958  00:51:10,720 --> 00:51:12,000  πολύ μεγάλο όνομα. Είναι... 959  00:51:13,600 --> 00:51:19,920  Ή πριν δύο χρόνια στο Πανευρωπαϊκό, όταν  πήγαμε και παίξαμε στην 960  00:51:21,160 --> 00:51:23,120  στη Γερμανία για τον Otto Rehhagel. 961  00:51:23,560 --> 00:51:25,440  Ήρθαν παίκτες παγκόσμιοι παίκτες, 962  00:51:26,880 --> 00:51:31,160  Figo, Zeedorf, πολύ μεγάλοι. 963  00:51:31,360 --> 00:51:34,520  Μας κάνουν την τιμή αυτή γιατί  αναγνωρίζουν και αυτοί σέβονται ότι 964  00:51:34,720 --> 00:51:37,040  πρόκειται για μία πολύ  μεγάλη σημαντική ομάδα. 965  00:51:38,040 --> 00:51:43,120  Μια ομάδα η οποία θεωρείται η  μεγαλύτερη έκπληξη όλων των εποχών. 966  00:51:43,160 --> 00:51:46,240  Όχι στο ευρωπαϊκό ποδόσφαιρο, στο  παγκόσμιο ποδόσφαιρο και 967  00:51:47,240 --> 00:51:52,840  τη σέβονται και έρχονται και παίζουν μαζί  μας και τους ευχαριστούμε γι αυτό, 968  00:51:54,360 --> 00:51:55,440  γι αυτό που κάνουν για εμάς. 969  00:51:55,465 --> 00:51:59,055  Γιατί  με το να έρχονται να παίζουν στην Ελλάδα 970  00:51:59,080 --> 00:52:02,280  και να τους αναγνωρίζει ο κόσμος κτλ. δίνει μια διαφορετική οντότητα. 971  00:52:03,560 --> 00:52:04,840  Συνεχίζουμε το έργο μας. 972  00:52:04,920 --> 00:52:06,200  Είμαστε το ίδιο αγαπημένοι. 973  00:52:06,280 --> 00:52:10,640  Η γκρίνια μας στο γήπεδο παραμένει  γκρίνια [laughs], δεν αλλάζει. 974  00:52:10,720 --> 00:52:12,320  Περνάμε καλά και με αυτή. 975  00:52:12,360 --> 00:52:13,980  Γιατί αν δεν το έχουμε δεν είναι έτσι. 976  00:52:14,005 --> 00:52:17,200  Οπότε δόξα το Θεό και ο προπονητής  μας είναι ακόμα μια χαρά. 977  00:52:17,520 --> 00:52:18,040  Αντέχει. 978  00:52:18,065 --> 00:52:23,040  Είναι νέος αλλά φυσιογνωμικά  μοιάζει σαν να μην έχει αλλάξει τίποτα. 979  00:52:23,160 --> 00:52:27,735  Οπότε μαζευόμαστε μία δύο  μέρες, λέμε 5-10 ιστορίες. 980  00:52:27,760 --> 00:52:32,960  Ωραίο να, μέσα στον χρόνο να  βρισκόμαστε μια δυο φορές και 981  00:52:34,120 --> 00:52:35,400  να θυμόμαστε και να προχωράμε. 982  00:52:35,560 --> 00:52:38,200  [Interviewer] Να θυμόμαστε and να προχωράμε. 983  00:52:39,174 --> 00:52:42,689  Uh, talk to me, social media 2004, 984  00:52:42,717 --> 00:52:44,303  εντάξει, υπήρχε κάποια 985  00:52:44,503 --> 00:52:46,974  but it's not like we have the social media today, the Instagram, the Facebook. 986  00:52:47,431 --> 00:52:51,800  So, every time you guys were winning and advancing in the Euro 2004 987  00:52:52,431 --> 00:52:55,480  did you really understand what was going on back home 988  00:52:55,646 --> 00:52:59,803  with the fans in Greek town in Toronto, Chicago, Austra- 989  00:52:59,831 --> 00:53:01,960  Did you guys really know in real time 990  00:53:01,989 --> 00:53:04,756  or did you just assume they're happy? 991  00:53:04,840 --> 00:53:06,280  [Nikopolides] Θα σου πω, αν θες το πιστεύεις, δεν το πιστεύεις. 992  00:53:06,305 --> 00:53:08,460  Δεν είχαμε τηλεόραση,  δεν ξέραμε τι γινότανε. 993  00:53:08,680 --> 00:53:09,331  [Interviewer] Come on! 994  00:53:10,600 --> 00:53:13,920  Μέναμε στην αρχή της-  όταν πήγαμε στην Πορτογαλία 995  00:53:14,120 --> 00:53:15,880  μέναμε σε ένα χωριό, δεν βλέπαμε τίποτα. 996  00:53:15,920 --> 00:53:17,160  Μόνο Πορτογα- 997  00:53:19,240 --> 00:53:20,640  TV Πορτογαλία. 998  00:53:22,600 --> 00:53:23,320  Δεν υπήρχε. 999  00:53:23,680 --> 00:53:28,320  Νομίζω αν είχαν ένα δυο παιδιά,  κομπιούτερ, internet, κομπιούτερ, 1000  00:53:28,360 --> 00:53:30,140  εγώ δεν ήξερα τί ήταν.  Κομπιούτερ, ίντερνετ. 1001  00:53:30,165 --> 00:53:35,975  Ναι, ναι, το 2004 και αυτοί μπαίνανε  λίγο στα site λέει παιδιά αυτό κτλ κτλ. 1002  00:53:36,000 --> 00:53:39,960  Μετά από κάθε νίκη κτλ δεν ξέραμε τίποτα. 1003  00:53:40,200 --> 00:53:43,615  Αυτό που αρχίσαμε και  ακούμε ότι ο κόσμος αυτό. 1004  00:53:43,640 --> 00:53:46,960  Αλλά υπήρχαν και τα προηγούμενα χρόνια 1005  00:53:48,560 --> 00:53:50,880  πάντα σε κάθε επιτυχία, και της Εθνικής ομάδας, 1006  00:53:51,080 --> 00:53:57,175  Δηλαδή όταν το '94 η Εθνική ομάδα πέρασε  στο Παγκόσμιο, στην Ομόνοια, ο κόσμος αυτά 1007  00:53:57,200 --> 00:54:01,680  τα πράγματα υπήρχαν. Ή το '87 που κέρδισε η εθνική  ομάδα του μπάσκετ, ο κόσμος έξω κτλ. 1008  00:54:01,720 --> 00:54:05,575  Οπότε μας λέγανε ο κόσμος βγήκε έξω κτλ. 1009  00:54:05,600 --> 00:54:09,880  Ξέρεις κερδίσαμε την Γαλλία  κτλ κτλ χωρίς να αναγνωρίζουμε. 1010  00:54:09,920 --> 00:54:13,960  Αλλά ερχόντουσαν εικόνες από το παρελθόν  και λέγαμε εντάξει... Ομόνοια, ξέρεις 1011  00:54:14,520 --> 00:54:18,520  το γνωστό ελληνικό τέτοιο.  Ναι, αλλά αυτό τώρα ήταν ένα 1012  00:54:20,600 --> 00:54:21,775  πολύ μεγάλο γεγονός. 1013  00:54:21,800 --> 00:54:27,560  Δηλαδή όχι τόσο για την Ελλάδα γιατί  πέρα ότι βοήθησε γενικότερα 1014  00:54:28,200 --> 00:54:32,600  στο promotion των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων,  ήταν πολύ μεγάλο προμόσιον αυτό που έγινε 1015  00:54:33,280 --> 00:54:38,815  μπροστά από το 2004, δηλαδή  μπροστά από τους Ολυμπιακούς του 04 να 1016  00:54:38,840 --> 00:54:40,240  γίνει ένα τέτοιο πολύ μεγάλο γεγονός. 1017  00:54:40,265 --> 00:54:43,455  Ανέβασε πάρα πολύ  και το ηθικό και την υπερηφάνεια και 1018  00:54:43,480 --> 00:54:47,015  συγχρόνως ήρθαν και οι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες,  οι οποίοι ήταν πραγματικά πολύ μεγάλοι και 1019  00:54:47,040 --> 00:54:48,775  καταπληκτικοί, παρόλο  που ήταν πολύ ακριβοί. 1020  00:54:48,800 --> 00:54:50,272  [Interviewer] Oh yeah! 1021  00:54:50,472 --> 00:54:52,280  Και μετά τι έγινε στην Ελλάδα, forget it. 1022  00:54:52,320 --> 00:54:56,840  [Nikopolides] Αλλά ήταν μια πολύ μεγάλη και  επιτυχημένη Ολυμπιάδα 1023  00:54:57,320 --> 00:55:00,935  που ένα τέτοιο κράτος, πολύ μικρό κράτος  σαν και εμάς κατάφερε να τη φέρει 1024  00:55:00,960 --> 00:55:03,320  εις πέρας παρότι μας κόστισε. 1025  00:55:04,174 --> 00:55:05,817  Εεε... 1026  00:55:07,280 --> 00:55:09,060  Αυτό που ήταν πολύ σημαντικό ήταν. 1027  00:55:11,560 --> 00:55:13,620  Οι Έλληνες που ζούσαν στο εξωτερικό. 1028  00:55:13,840 --> 00:55:18,920  Αυτό το μεγαλείο, δηλαδή το να βλέπεις  ανθρώπους στη Μελβούρνη, να βλέπεις 1029  00:55:20,240 --> 00:55:25,480  στο Λονδίνο, στη Νέα Υόρκη, στο Σικάγο,  παντού, ανά τον ελληνισμό, 1030  00:55:26,840 --> 00:55:30,775  να αισθάνεται ο Έλληνας περήφανος και να  βγαίνει έξω και να λέει ότι εγώ είμαι 1031  00:55:30,800 --> 00:55:32,980  πρωταθλητής Ευρώπης.  Ναι, είναι πολύ μεγάλο. 1032  00:55:33,005 --> 00:55:36,400  Έστω για το λίγο, για λίγο  που κράτησε εκείνη η εποχή, 1033  00:55:37,760 --> 00:55:40,960  το να βγαίνεις και να είσαι υπερήφανος  ψηλά και να στέκεις ότι είμαι 1034  00:55:41,000 --> 00:55:42,200  Έλληνας και είμαι αυτό κτλ. 1035  00:55:42,560 --> 00:55:47,680  Αυτό που καταφέραμε νομίζω ότι νομίζω ότι  κρατάει είναι κάτι σημαντικό για 1036  00:55:48,960 --> 00:55:53,400  την υπερηφάνεια του Έλληνα του εξωτερικού. 1037  00:55:53,903 --> 00:55:55,880  [Interviewer] Are you kidding me? And you said, κράτησε για λίγο. 1038  00:55:56,846 --> 00:56:00,460  No, like there's people that were born after 2004 1039  00:56:00,880 --> 00:56:02,560  Ο ανιψιός μου, Γιάννης. 1040  00:56:02,760 --> 00:56:04,589  He wasn't born in 2004 1041  00:56:05,374 --> 00:56:08,280  and he sees this and he's like 'Οh my God, Nikopolides?' 1042  00:56:08,480 --> 00:56:12,917  It's changed the generation on that. It's changed, like 1043  00:56:12,946 --> 00:56:14,752  I remember in Toronto. 1044  00:56:14,803 --> 00:56:16,989  We won, then we won - I say 'we', you guys were playing 1045  00:56:17,403 --> 00:56:20,274  Everyone on the street. Tens of thousands 1046  00:56:20,474 --> 00:56:23,274  All over the world! I couldn't imagine... 1047  00:56:23,346 --> 00:56:26,246  And then, the biggest thing is you guys win and then you come back to Greece 1048  00:56:26,803 --> 00:56:29,800  and from the airport, all the way to Καλλιμάρμαρο... 1049  00:56:30,417 --> 00:56:33,917  Can you imagine? Did you ever expect that type of ... 1050  00:56:34,440 --> 00:56:35,975  [Nikopolides] Ναι, όχι, όχι σε αυτό το βαθμό. 1051  00:56:36,000 --> 00:56:37,200  Αλλά θα σου πω μια ιστορία. 1052  00:56:37,600 --> 00:56:39,215  Εμένα με ενδιαφέρουν πιο πολύ. 1053  00:56:39,240 --> 00:56:42,280  Εντάξει, στην Ελλάδα το ζήσαμε  γιατί ήρθαμε κι εδώ κτλ. 1054  00:56:42,600 --> 00:56:44,280  Θα σου πω μια ιστορία γι αυτό που λες. 1055  00:56:45,240 --> 00:56:46,040  Πολύ σημαντική. 1056  00:56:46,080 --> 00:56:49,920  Είχαμε πάει στη Μελβούρνη  δύο χρόνια μετά το '04. 1057  00:56:50,640 --> 00:56:54,040  Είχαμε παίξει ένα φιλικό με την  εθνική ομάδα της Αυστραλίας. 1058  00:56:54,880 --> 00:56:55,320  Είχε μέσα. 1059  00:56:56,280 --> 00:56:57,935  Ήταν ένα γήπεδο 70.000 θέσεων. 1060  00:56:57,960 --> 00:56:59,040  Γέμισε 40.000 Έλληνες. 1061  00:57:00,200 --> 00:57:01,640  Ναι, είναι πολύ σημαντικό γεγονός. 1062  00:57:02,840 --> 00:57:04,080  Πήγαμε λοιπόν μια μέρα. 1063  00:57:06,120 --> 00:57:09,600  Στο ζωολογικό κήπο στη Μελβούρνη που είναι  πολύ μεγάλος και εντυπωσιακός κτλ και 1064  00:57:09,640 --> 00:57:11,560  λέμε να πάμε κι εμείς πήγαμε σαν ομάδα. 1065  00:57:12,200 --> 00:57:17,640  Όταν λοιπόν εκεί που πηγαίναμε ήταν μια ομάδα παιδιών οι οποίοι φορούσαν- 1066  00:57:17,880 --> 00:57:20,000  Μάλλον, ήταν σχολείο όλοι μαζί 1067  00:57:20,760 --> 00:57:25,175  και ήταν 10-12 χρονών και πετάγεται 1068  00:57:25,200 --> 00:57:27,320  ένα παιδάκι και λέει, βγαίνει 1069  00:57:29,560 --> 00:57:33,735  στους συμμαθητές λέει 'Αυτή η  ομάδα είναι η Εθνική ομάδα'. 1070  00:57:33,760 --> 00:57:35,560  'Εγώ είμαι Έλληνας.  Αυτή είναι η Εθνική ομάδα' 1071  00:57:36,080 --> 00:57:37,760  'και είμαι υπερήφανος γι αυτό κτλ.' 1072  00:57:37,880 --> 00:57:39,855  'Και ελάτε να βγάλουμε φωτογραφία μαζί.' 1073  00:57:39,880 --> 00:57:45,455  Πόσο σημαντικό  ρόλο έπαιξε, πόσο βαθιά ήταν αυτή η νίκη, 1074  00:57:45,480 --> 00:57:48,815  πόσο σημαντική, πόσο  περήφανο έκανε τον Έλληνα. 1075  00:57:48,840 --> 00:57:51,520  Ακόμα και τα παιδιά τα οποία  θα πήγαιναν στο σχολείο τους και θα 1076  00:57:51,545 --> 00:57:57,015  ένιωθαν ότι ξέρεις εγώ είμαι Έλληνας  και είμαι άξιος και 1077  00:57:57,040 --> 00:57:59,560  υπερήφανος για αυτό το πράγμα.  Αυτό είναι πολύ μεγάλη- 1078  00:57:59,600 --> 00:58:06,280  Ναι, εκεί νιώθεις ότι έκανες πραγματικά  το χρέος σου και έκανες υπερήφανο 1079  00:58:07,160 --> 00:58:09,290  τον Έλληνα απανταχού της  Ελλάδας, όχι μόνο στην Ελλάδα. 1080  00:58:09,320 --> 00:58:11,674  [Interviewer] Exactly! Yeah, absolutely. 1081  00:58:12,074 --> 00:58:15,003  We feel it now, it's on another level. 1082  00:58:15,317 --> 00:58:19,731  Final game, you are in the final game, you are playing the same team that you guys beat in the first, 1083  00:58:20,003 --> 00:58:21,289  Christiano Ronaldo. 1084  00:58:21,489 --> 00:58:24,003  Going into that game, just walk us through. 1085  00:58:24,089 --> 00:58:26,903  Did you know you were going to win that game? Did you feel it? 1086  00:58:27,680 --> 00:58:30,100  [Nikopolides] Για το μόνο παιχνίδι που ήμουν  σίγουρος θα κερδίσουμε ήταν αυτό. 1087  00:58:30,125 --> 00:58:31,389  Για κανένα άλλο. 1088  00:58:31,417 --> 00:58:32,060  [Interviewer] Really? 1089  00:58:32,131 --> 00:58:38,680  Εμείς είχαμε παίξει σε έξι μήνες  ήταν - θα παίζαμε με τους 1090  00:58:39,280 --> 00:58:40,760  Πορτογάλους το τρίτο παιχνίδι. 1091  00:58:40,960 --> 00:58:45,560  Είχαμε παίξει ένα φιλικό  τον Δεκέμβριο, τον Νοέμβριο στο Ρίο Άβε. 1092  00:58:46,680 --> 00:58:51,000  Είχα ένα καινούργιο γήπεδο αυτοί.  Πριν γίνει η κλήρωση του Euro 1093  00:58:51,680 --> 00:58:53,935  και παίξαμε ένα φιλικό.  Είχαμε φέρει 1-1. 1094  00:58:53,960 --> 00:58:57,975  Παίζαμε από το 25ο λεπτό με δέκα παίκτες  λόγω αποβολής του Κάρα. 1095  00:58:58,000 --> 00:59:00,760  Είχε ένα χέρι κι είχε  αποβολή ο Καραγκούνης. 1096  00:59:01,200 --> 00:59:03,320  1-1 μας ισοφάρισαν κάπου στο 80'. 1097  00:59:04,760 --> 00:59:08,600  Στο επόμενο παιχνίδι που τους παίξαμε  στο Dragão, τους κερδίσαμε 2-1. 1098  00:59:09,720 --> 00:59:12,640  Ήμουν απολύτως σίγουρος ότι αυτό  το παιχνίδι θα το κερδίσουμε. 1099  00:59:13,320 --> 00:59:17,640  Πρώτον γιατί τους είχαμε  κερδίσει, ότι ξέραμε πως παίζουν. 1100  00:59:18,320 --> 00:59:19,520  Δεν χρειαζόταν να κάνουμε πολλά πράγματα. 1101  00:59:19,545 --> 00:59:24,240  Ξέραμε ότι, όχι θα ήταν εύκολο, έτσι; Θα ήταν  ίσως πολύ μεγάλη ομάδα, 1102  00:59:25,400 --> 00:59:28,520  αλλά τους είδαμε και πολύ αγχωμένους. 1103  00:59:28,720 --> 00:59:34,255  Είναι δύσκολο να παίζεις σε μία -  να είσαι στη χώρα σου, να είσαι το μεγάλο 1104  00:59:34,280 --> 00:59:39,080  φαβορί, να πας στον τελικό να παίξεις  και απέναντί σου να είναι η Ελλάδα. 1105  00:59:39,120 --> 00:59:40,000  Δηλαδή δεν είναι απέναντί σου 1106  00:59:40,025 --> 00:59:42,800  η Γαλλία, που λες είναι  Γαλλία ρε παιδί μου. 1107  00:59:42,840 --> 00:59:45,760  Μπορεί να χάσω κιόλας.  Δηλαδή δεν είσαι το απόλυτο φαβορί. 1108  00:59:46,120 --> 00:59:48,015  Ξαφνικά, πρέπει να κερδίσεις. 1109  00:59:48,040 --> 00:59:50,400  Δεν υπάρχει άλλο αποτέλεσμα.  Το άλλο είναι αποτυχία. 1110  00:59:50,480 --> 00:59:52,680  100%. Ήταν πολύ αγχωμένοι. 1111  00:59:53,360 --> 00:59:56,960  Δεν είχαν ξεκάθαρη σκέψη. 1112  00:59:57,200 --> 00:59:58,920  Οι αποφάσεις ήταν όλες λάθος. 1113  00:59:59,960 --> 01:00:01,080  Προηγηθήκαμε κιόλας. 1114  01:00:01,120 --> 01:00:03,920  Δηλαδή αν είχαν προηγηθεί αυτοί  θα ήταν πάρα πολύ δύσκολα. 1115  01:00:04,000 --> 01:00:05,490  Δε θα μπορούσαμε ποτέ να το γυρίσουμε. 1116  01:00:05,520 --> 01:00:06,760  Πιστεύω. 1117  01:00:06,840 --> 01:00:11,815  Αλλά από τη στιγμή που προηγηθήκαμε και  μετά, αφού θυμάμαι τη φάση, μόλις 1118  01:00:11,840 --> 01:00:17,640  προηγηθήκαμε και μετά, πέρασαν 15 λεπτά  και δεν πρέπει να έκαναν φάση. 1119  01:00:17,680 --> 01:00:19,440  Δηλαδή ούτε πλησίασαν στη μεγάλη περιοχή. 1120  01:00:19,480 --> 01:00:21,640  Ήταν τέτοιο το σοκ που πάθανε. 1121  01:00:22,280 --> 01:00:27,455  Δεν το πιστεύανε και μετά άρχισαν πάλι να  ξαναβρίσκουν τον ρυθμό τους και να προσπαθούν 1122  01:00:27,480 --> 01:00:29,655  να μας ισοφαρίσουν για 10, 15 λεπτά. 1123  01:00:29,680 --> 01:00:32,880  Δεν μπορούσανε ούτε κοντρόλ να κάνουνε  δηλαδή έπαθαν σοκ 1124  01:00:33,520 --> 01:00:34,935  με την έννοια ότι ξέρεις κάτι. 1125  01:00:34,960 --> 01:00:37,940  Μας βάλανε γκολ, δεν θα μπορούμε να τους βάλουμε γκολ, θα χάσουμε το παιχνίδι. 1126  01:00:37,965 --> 01:00:42,000  Ξέρεις, περνάει κάποια στιγμή στο μυαλό  του ποδοσφαιριστή όλο αυτό το πράγμα. 1127  01:00:42,520 --> 01:00:45,640  Μέχρι να περάσει λίγο το σοκ και να λες  πάω να ισοφαρίσουμε, 1128  01:00:46,120 --> 01:00:47,440  αλλά ήταν πολύ αργά πλέον. 1129  01:00:48,389 --> 01:00:51,731  [Interviewer] When you're when you're sitting there right and you're in the goal 1130  01:00:51,760 --> 01:00:53,574  and you're watching the whole arena 1131  01:00:53,774 --> 01:00:55,517  the people on the field, 1132  01:00:56,203 --> 01:00:59,003  you know you're in the 90', you know they're gonna blow the whistle 1133  01:00:59,689 --> 01:01:02,060  Like, what are you feeling at that point? 1134  01:01:02,260 --> 01:01:04,474  What's going through your head when you know like 'oh my God!' 1135  01:01:04,640 --> 01:01:06,400  'Το πήραμε αυτό'. 1136  01:01:06,431 --> 01:01:09,003  Before they blew the whistle, what's going through your... 1137  01:01:09,200 --> 01:01:12,240  [Nikopolides] Σου είπα ότι  από όλα τα παιχνίδια, το πιο σίγουρο 1138  01:01:12,280 --> 01:01:15,280  παιχνίδι που - σίγουρα... Δεν υπάρχει  τίποτα σίγουρο στη ζωή - 1139  01:01:15,760 --> 01:01:19,040  αλλά το παιχνίδι που πίστευα ότι είχαμε  πιο πιθανό να κερδίσουμε ήταν αυτό, το 1140  01:01:19,065 --> 01:01:21,000  το τελευταίο. Δεν φοβήθηκα σε καμία περίπτωση. 1141  01:01:23,320 --> 01:01:27,935  Όταν όμως τελείωσε το παιχνίδι,  κοιτούσα τον εαυτό μου και λέω Δεν πιστεύω 1142  01:01:27,960 --> 01:01:31,680  ότι ζω αυτό το πράγμα και  ότι είμαι μέρος αυτής 1143  01:01:32,520 --> 01:01:36,120  αυτού του θαύματος. Το λέω με την έννοια  ότι όταν έχεις μεγαλώσει 1144  01:01:37,240 --> 01:01:42,360  βλέποντας Mundial, Euro, βλέπεις τους  ανθρώπους που είναι πολύ σημαντικό πράγμα 1145  01:01:43,000 --> 01:01:47,975  σαν μικρό παιδί και βλέπεις  τους πρωταθλητές να ανεβαίνουν και 1146  01:01:48,000 --> 01:01:49,700  να πανηγυρίζουν ακόμα και τώρα. 1147  01:01:49,800 --> 01:01:50,120  Και λες. 1148  01:01:52,120 --> 01:01:57,335  Τι ωραίο πράγμα είναι. Δεν θα το καταφέρω ποτέ εγώ. Ξέρεις, έτσι το 1149  01:01:57,360 --> 01:02:02,015  βλέπεις. Δηλαδή όταν βλέπεις τον Maradona  το '80 να σηκώνει το κύπελλο, βλέπεις ας 1150  01:02:02,040 --> 01:02:06,480  ας πούμε  την Ολλανδία του Van Basten και του Gullit, 1151  01:02:06,880 --> 01:02:08,680  λες πού να τους κερδίσω αυτούς κτλ. 1152  01:02:08,720 --> 01:02:12,160  Και ξαφνικά είσαι εκεί ένα λεπτό πριν  τελειώσει το παιχνίδι και τους κοιτάς και 1153  01:02:12,185 --> 01:02:16,935  λες, συμβαίνει πραγματικά αυτό το πράγμα;  Δηλαδή όλο αυτό φέρνει στην παιδική σου 1154  01:02:16,960 --> 01:02:21,954  ηλικία όλο αυτό που ονειρευόσουν. Και ούτε τολμούσες να ονειρευτείς 1155  01:02:22,154 --> 01:02:26,575  Ούτε τολμούσες να  ονειρευτείς ότι σε ένα λεπτό θα είμαι εκεί 1156  01:02:26,600 --> 01:02:29,295  που πάντα έβλεπες και  θα σηκώνεις το κύπελλο αυτό; 1157  01:02:29,320 --> 01:02:30,720  Λες 1158  01:02:32,000 --> 01:02:37,375  ζω ένα θαύμα, ένα ψέμα, ξέρω γω. Καλύτερα αφήστε με εδώ, μη με ξυπνάτε, ξέρω γω. 1159  01:02:37,400 --> 01:02:38,240  Κάπως έτσι. 1160  01:02:38,280 --> 01:02:39,240  Μη με ξυπνάτε από το όνειρο. 1161  01:02:39,600 --> 01:02:45,055  Ήταν πραγματικά ένα τρομερό γεγονός και κυρίως αυτές οι σκέψεις 1162  01:02:45,080 --> 01:02:46,520  έρχονται μόλις ηρεμείς. 1163  01:02:46,880 --> 01:02:51,120  Την επόμενη μέρα δηλαδή, πας σπίτι  σου και λες δεν ξέρω πως έγινε. 1164  01:02:51,160 --> 01:02:52,200  Προσπαθώ να το εξηγήσω. 1165  01:02:52,320 --> 01:02:54,080  Πολλοί άνθρωποι εξηγούν πολλά πράγματα. 1166  01:02:54,105 --> 01:02:55,280  Προσπαθούν να μελετήσουν. 1167  01:02:58,360 --> 01:03:01,080  Ποια ήταν αυτά τα στοιχεία τα οποία  μπορεί να οδηγήσουν 1168  01:03:01,640 --> 01:03:03,760  την ψυχοσύνθεση των ανθρώπων κτλ. 1169  01:03:03,880 --> 01:03:08,575  Οι περισσότεροι μιλούσαν, οι άνθρωποι  μιλάνε, οι ειδικοί για την ψυχοσύνθεση των 1170  01:03:08,600 --> 01:03:11,800  ατόμων, δηλαδή  οι παίκτες ήταν αυτοί που - ουσιαστικά ούτε 1171  01:03:11,840 --> 01:03:16,880  το σχέδιο, ούτε το τέτοιο. Ήταν  οι παίκτες που πραγματικά έκαναν αυτό το 1172  01:03:17,920 --> 01:03:18,880  αυτό το θαύμα. 1173  01:03:18,905 --> 01:03:23,935  Και νομίζω ότι  αποτελούμε και παράδειγμα, με την έννοια 1174  01:03:23,960 --> 01:03:29,975  ότι πολλές φορές, και τα προηγούμενα χρόνια,  σε συνεντεύξεις διαφόρων ομάδων που 1175  01:03:30,000 --> 01:03:36,255  πηγαίνουν σε Euro ή σε σε  Παγκόσμια Κύπελλα λέει ο άλλος και το πήρε 1176  01:03:36,280 --> 01:03:38,580  η Ελλάδα, γιατί να μην το πάρουμε και  εμείς; Δηλαδή 1177  01:03:39,640 --> 01:03:43,400  σου λέει, αφού το πήρε η Εθνική ομάδα της  Ελλάδος, γιατί να μην έχουμε και εμείς τη 1178  01:03:43,440 --> 01:03:48,640  δυνατότητα να το πάρουμε; Και τότε υπήρχε  η Γαλλία, η Γαλλία με Zidane, με Henry, 1179  01:03:49,120 --> 01:03:51,000  με τους πάντες. 1180  01:03:51,400 --> 01:03:55,600  Και η Πορτογαλία ας πούμε με  Ronaldo, με Figo, με Ruis Costa. 1181  01:03:55,720 --> 01:03:56,560  Πολύ μεγάλες ομάδες. 1182  01:03:57,160 --> 01:03:58,120  Και η Αγγλία το ίδιο. 1183  01:03:58,145 --> 01:04:00,520  Δε θα τις αναλύσω τις  ομάδες, αλλά και τώρα υπάρχουν. 1184  01:04:00,560 --> 01:04:05,480  Αλλά έγινε τότε γιατί μια ομάδα ας πούμε  σαν την Ουγγαρία ξέρω γω. 1185  01:04:07,000 --> 01:04:10,140  Ποια άλλη ομάδα θα μπορούσα  να πω; Βέλγιο είναι μεγάλη ομάδα. 1186  01:04:10,165 --> 01:04:12,680  Δεν τη θεωρώ μικρή χώρα.  Είναι μεγάλη ομάδα. 1187  01:04:12,720 --> 01:04:14,680  Να πει η Τουρκία, γιατί να  μην το πάρω εγώ; Το πήρα. 1188  01:04:14,705 --> 01:04:17,080  Λες να μην το πάρουμε εμείς;  Η Ρουμανία; Ξέρω γω; 1189  01:04:17,440 --> 01:04:19,840  Οι Έλληνες οι ίδιοι αποτελούν παράδειγμα. 1190  01:04:20,320 --> 01:04:23,640  Μπαίνει μια ομάδα μέσα και  λέει θα διεκδικήσω...Όπου πάει. 1191  01:04:23,920 --> 01:04:26,409  Είναι ωραίο.  Είναι σαν 1192  01:04:26,609 --> 01:04:27,880  σαν παραμύθι. 1193  01:04:28,080 --> 01:04:30,303  [Interviewer] Are you kidding me? And the kids today, 1194  01:04:30,774 --> 01:04:33,403  when you guys won, what did your parents - 1195  01:04:33,817 --> 01:04:34,989  Ήταν στη ζωή οι γονείς σου; 1196  01:04:35,260 --> 01:04:36,231  [Nikopolides] Μόνο η μητέρα μου. 1197  01:04:36,431 --> 01:04:37,431  [Interviewer] Μόνο η μητέρα, ok. 1198  01:04:39,240 --> 01:04:41,120  Η μάνα σου το έζησε. 1199  01:04:41,440 --> 01:04:42,760  [Nikopolides] Η μάνα μου το έζησε. 1200  01:04:42,803 --> 01:04:45,200  [Interviewer] So what did she say to you the first time you saw her after? 1201  01:04:46,280 --> 01:04:47,560  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε η μάνα μου σίγουρα... 1202  01:04:49,840 --> 01:04:54,800  Η μάνα μου έλεγε ότι δεν μπορούσε να  κοιτάξει το παιχνίδι, ότι 1203  01:04:54,840 --> 01:04:56,640  σταύρωνε κάθε ώρα την τηλεόραση. [laughs] 1204  01:04:56,760 --> 01:05:00,080  [Interviewer] Come on dude! Typical Greek mother, bravo! 1205  01:05:00,840 --> 01:05:02,080  Δούλεψε, δούλεψε. 1206  01:05:03,040 --> 01:05:05,120  [Nikopolides] Δούλεψε, ναι, ντάξει, δούλεψε. 1207  01:05:08,200 --> 01:05:09,360  Αγχωνόταν πάρα πολύ. 1208  01:05:10,080 --> 01:05:13,200  Σίγουρα ακόμα και τώρα αγχώνεται ακόμα και  ακόμα και η ομάδα που 1209  01:05:13,600 --> 01:05:15,880  προπονώ κτλ που βλέπει αγχώνεται. 1210  01:05:16,040 --> 01:05:18,880  Της λέω το παιχνίδι, προσπαθώ εγώ  να την εκπαιδεύσω γιατί 1211  01:05:19,760 --> 01:05:20,760  έτσι είναι το παιχνίδι. 1212  01:05:21,240 --> 01:05:25,895  Ότι μέσα σε μία σεζόν που θα 1213  01:05:25,920 --> 01:05:28,677  κερδίσουμε, θα χάσουμε. Είναι το παιχνίδι έτσι. 1214  01:05:28,877 --> 01:05:31,140  Δεν μπορείς να  κερδίσεις όλα τα παιχνίδια. 1215  01:05:31,165 --> 01:05:37,800  [Interviewer] Έτσι. Και ο πατέρας σου που μιλάμε, πόσο  ψηλά είχες φτάσει που είδε ο πατέρας σου; 1216  01:05:37,880 --> 01:05:38,720  [Nikopolides] Ο πατέρας μου... 1217  01:05:38,920 --> 01:05:44,080  Ήμουν στον Παναθηναϊκό εκείνη τη χρονιά,  λίγο πριν ανανεώσω το πρώτο μου συμβόλαιο. 1218  01:05:45,400 --> 01:05:50,080  Είχα κλείσει, είχα  ανανεώσει το συμβόλαιό μου, είχε πεθάνει. 1219  01:05:51,000 --> 01:05:53,760  Ήταν το '92, '92-'93. 1220  01:05:55,400 --> 01:05:57,935  Με είχε δει να αγωνίζομαι  στο πρώτο πρωτάθλημα. 1221  01:05:57,960 --> 01:06:01,080  Όταν πήγα στον Παναθηναϊκό το 89 90. 1222  01:06:01,560 --> 01:06:05,040  Στα τελευταία πέντε παιχνίδια του  πρωταθλήματος έπαιξα εγώ και όταν πήραμε 1223  01:06:05,240 --> 01:06:08,200  το πρωτάθλημα  ο Παναθηναϊκός εκείνη τη χρονιά, οπότε 1224  01:06:08,640 --> 01:06:12,680  Έζησε ας πούμε ένα πρωτάθλημα το  οποίο αγωνίστηκα. Εντάξει, το να - 1225  01:06:13,320 --> 01:06:16,975  εκείνα τα χρόνια το να φύγεις από μια πολύ  μικρή ομάδα, την Αναγέννηση 1226  01:06:17,000 --> 01:06:18,840  Άρτας, τρίτη Εθνική, για 1227  01:06:19,520 --> 01:06:23,600  να πας σε μια ομάδα, όχι απλώς Α' Εθνικής,  αλλά κατευθείαν στον Παναθηναϊκό 1228  01:06:24,080 --> 01:06:26,640  από τις μεγάλες ομάδες, και να παίξεις τα  τελευταία πέντε παιχνίδια 1229  01:06:26,840 --> 01:06:27,840  και να πάρεις το πρωτάθλημα. 1230  01:06:27,865 --> 01:06:34,655  Νομίζω ότι κατάφερα να του δώσω μια χαρά  λίγο πριν φύγει, ότι πρωτάθλημα και 1231  01:06:34,680 --> 01:06:37,415  ο γιος του έπαιξε στην ομάδα μας.  Μάλιστα υποστήριζε και τον Παναθηναϊκό 1232  01:06:37,440 --> 01:06:37,800  ο πατέρας μου. 1233  01:06:38,520 --> 01:06:42,560  [Interviewer] Oh my God, dude, I couldn't imagine that. 1234  01:06:43,760 --> 01:06:49,135  [Nikopolides] Έζησε μια στιγμή. Δεν έζησε σίγουρα όλα τα  χρόνια που ήταν τα πιο σημαντικά για μένα. 1235  01:06:49,160 --> 01:06:50,480  Αλλά εντάξει. 1236  01:06:51,560 --> 01:06:54,574  [Interviewer] It's uhm...At least he got to see a chapter. 1237  01:06:55,774 --> 01:06:57,617  Thank you for walking us through that. 1238  01:06:57,646 --> 01:06:59,103  Talk to me now...Coaching, ok? 1239  01:06:59,131 --> 01:07:02,917  A few more topics. I know you're busy. You've been amazing, man. 1240  01:07:03,000 --> 01:07:03,680  [Nikopolides] Είμαι άνετος. 1241  01:07:03,880 --> 01:07:04,880  [Interviewer] Yeah, you're amazing. 1242  01:07:06,346 --> 01:07:10,289  You got into coaching, okay? But I want to know, like, what really changed 1243  01:07:10,489 --> 01:07:11,931  after the success with the Euro. 1244  01:07:11,960 --> 01:07:14,400  I know Olympiakos and you renewed contract. 1245  01:07:16,317 --> 01:07:19,120  Financially, what changed because of the Euros? 1246  01:07:19,889 --> 01:07:23,160  Like your marketability, like what really changed from a business sense. 1247  01:07:23,617 --> 01:07:27,903  More opportunities? I'm just curious as a player to experience that. 1248  01:07:28,400 --> 01:07:30,674  You know, what changed after that for you? 1249  01:07:34,600 --> 01:07:37,440  [Nikopolides] Δεν άλλαξαν πολλά γιατί δυστυχώς... 1250  01:07:41,480 --> 01:07:45,800  Συνήθως και τα οικονομικά μου  τα χειρίζομαι με έναν τρόπο πιο... 1251  01:07:46,280 --> 01:07:50,040  Όχι τόσο επενδυτικά, πιο πολύ  αποταμιευτικά. 1252  01:07:54,600 --> 01:07:57,360  Θα έπρεπε ίσως - το σκέφτομαι πάρα πολύ  καιρό, ότι θα έπρεπε να είχα 1253  01:07:57,385 --> 01:07:58,600  κάνει διάφορα πράγματα. 1254  01:08:01,080 --> 01:08:05,840  Που θα μπορούσαν μετά, όταν τελειώσω το  ποδόσφαιρο, να μπορούσα να συνεχίσω 1255  01:08:06,200 --> 01:08:08,040  να κάνω και άλλες καταστάσεις. 1256  01:08:08,240 --> 01:08:11,160  Έβλεπα πάντα τον εαυτό  μου μέσα στο ποδόσφαιρο. 1257  01:08:13,360 --> 01:08:17,200  Αυτό είναι πάντα καλό γιατί είσαι  αφοσιωμένος και πάντα 1258  01:08:17,680 --> 01:08:21,535  θέλεις να βελτιώνεσαι και βλέπεις και  γίνεσαι. Όταν αγαπάς κάτι 1259  01:08:21,560 --> 01:08:23,935  και είσαι αφοσιωμένος,  σίγουρα γίνεσαι καλύτερος. 1260  01:08:23,960 --> 01:08:26,020  Αν θέλεις να γίνεις  καλύτερος, γίνεσαι καλύτερος. 1261  01:08:27,160 --> 01:08:29,360  Δεν είναι όμως τα πράγματα πάντα έτσι. 1262  01:08:32,720 --> 01:08:37,160  Δεν είχα προτάσεις για διαφορετικά  πράγματα να κάνω, αν και 1263  01:08:37,800 --> 01:08:40,895  πάντα ήμουν καχύποπτος με τους ανθρώπους  που σε πλησιάζουν για να 1264  01:08:40,920 --> 01:08:42,480  επενδύσεις και να κάνεις κτλ. 1265  01:08:42,520 --> 01:08:46,840  Είμαι πιο σταθερός σε αυτά που θέλω να  κάνω και όταν κάνω κάτι το κάνω μόνος μου 1266  01:08:48,440 --> 01:08:52,975  Γιατί...  Κατά καιρούς ακούγαμε διάφορους 1267  01:08:53,000 --> 01:08:57,335  ποδοσφαιριστές οι οποίοι επένδυσαν τα  λεφτά τους, έκαναν κάτι και ξαφνικά το 1268  01:08:57,360 --> 01:08:58,975  μαγαζί έκλεισε, χάσαν τα λεφτά τους. 1269  01:08:59,000 --> 01:09:01,840  Δηλαδή καλύτερα κάνεις κάτι μόνος σου και  να αποτύχεις και να πεις το έκανα 1270  01:09:01,865 --> 01:09:03,920  εγώ μόνος μου απέτυχα παρά να- 1271  01:09:03,960 --> 01:09:08,975  σίγουρα χρειάζεσαι υποστήριξη, αλλά όχι  όμως ανθρώπους που να βάζεις τα λεφτά 1272  01:09:09,000 --> 01:09:10,520  σου και να τα χειρίζονται άλλοι. 1273  01:09:13,640 --> 01:09:14,400  Αποφάσισα ότι... 1274  01:09:16,560 --> 01:09:19,160  Θα συνεχίσω στον χώρο του ποδοσφαίρου με  την έννοια ότι 1275  01:09:20,360 --> 01:09:26,160  θα κάνω αυτό που έχω να κάνω και, ξέρεις, σαν προπονητής και γιατί 1276  01:09:26,920 --> 01:09:28,000  μου αρέσει και ο τρόπος ζωής. 1277  01:09:28,025 --> 01:09:31,880  Μου αρέσει και η ζωή γενικότερα, γιατί 1278  01:09:32,480 --> 01:09:35,375  πιστεύω ότι βλέποντας με μια άλλη οπτική 1279  01:09:35,400 --> 01:09:38,120  γωνία, δηλαδή είναι άλλο  ποδοσφαιριστής, είναι άλλο προπονητής. 1280  01:09:38,240 --> 01:09:41,335  Οπότε πήγα σε μια άλλη οπτική γωνία. 1281  01:09:41,360 --> 01:09:46,015  Το πώς ένας άνθρωπος απ έξω που πρέπει να  πάρει σημαντικές αποφάσεις για αυτούς που 1282  01:09:46,040 --> 01:09:50,440  παίζουν μέσα, πώς πρέπει να  λειτουργήσει και πώς πρέπει να είναι. 1283  01:09:50,480 --> 01:09:54,160  Και άρχισα να μαθαίνω σιγά σιγά. 1284  01:09:55,040 --> 01:10:01,400  Πέρασαν 4, 5 χρόνια σε διάφορες σχολές  προπονητικές και UEFA κτλ. 1285  01:10:01,920 --> 01:10:05,775  Έκανα 2 χρόνια σαν assistant coach του  Ολυμπιακού με τον Μίτσελ και με τον 1286  01:10:05,800 --> 01:10:10,175  Ζαρντίμ και το οποίο για  μένα ήταν μεγάλο σχολείο. 1287  01:10:10,200 --> 01:10:11,680  Για το πώς... 1288  01:10:13,800 --> 01:10:18,000  Για το πώς πρέπει να παρουσιάζεις τα πράγματα και τι πρέπει να κάνεις 1289  01:10:18,480 --> 01:10:19,535  στα τεχνικά θέματα. 1290  01:10:19,560 --> 01:10:23,255  Βασικά θέματα όχι μόνο  τα ποδοσφαιρικά αλλά γενικότερα το 1291  01:10:23,280 --> 01:10:24,720  πως πρέπει να κάνεις παρουσιάσεις. 1292  01:10:24,920 --> 01:10:26,160  [Interviewer] Communication and all that, ah okay. 1293  01:10:27,240 --> 01:10:32,120  [Nikopolides] Πώς πρέπει να μιλάς ατομικά, ομαδικά, υπο-ομαδικά. 1294  01:10:32,720 --> 01:10:35,400  Είναι πολλά πράγματα που  κάνει ένας προπονητής 1295  01:10:35,960 --> 01:10:38,680  που νομίζω ότι είναι και πολύ πιο  ωραία από ότι σαν ποδοσφαιριστής. 1296  01:10:38,720 --> 01:10:42,455  Γιατί ποδοσφαιριστής πας, κάνεις την  προπόνησή σου και φεύγεις, ενώ ο 1297  01:10:42,480 --> 01:10:45,480  προπονητής έχει μια πολύ  μεγαλύτερη γκάμα να χειριστεί. 1298  01:10:45,680 --> 01:10:48,040  Δηλαδή πρέπει να κάνει τον ψυχολόγο. 1299  01:10:51,400 --> 01:10:54,360  Τον προπονητή, ακόμη και τον φροντιστή. 1300  01:10:54,480 --> 01:10:58,255  Έτσι, τα εργαλεία που χρειάζεται να κάνει  δηλαδή, είναι πολλά πράγματα 1301  01:10:58,280 --> 01:10:59,080  που μπορείς να κάνεις. 1302  01:10:59,105 --> 01:11:03,200  Είναι πολύ πιο ενδιαφέρον από το  όπως είμαστε ποδοσφαιριστές. 1303  01:11:03,800 --> 01:11:07,000  Πηγαίνουμε, παίζουμε ας πούμε μία ώρα,  μιάμιση, κάνουμε προπόνηση και φεύγουμε. 1304  01:11:08,200 --> 01:11:13,760  Σίγουρα επηρεάστηκα πάρα πολύ από το από  την επαφή μου με τον Ερνέστο Βαλβέρδε. 1305  01:11:14,200 --> 01:11:18,760  Δηλαδή αυτά τα δύο χρόνια που ήμουν  στην προπόνηση, ο Ερνέστο 1306  01:11:19,880 --> 01:11:22,335  μου άλλαξε γενικότερα τη φιλοσοφία για το  ποδόσφαιρο και το πως 1307  01:11:22,360 --> 01:11:23,560  βλέπουμε το ποδόσφαιρο κτλ. 1308  01:11:24,840 --> 01:11:26,000  [Interviewer] This was after Olympiakos? 1309  01:11:26,040 --> 01:11:30,240  [Nikopolides] Το '08. Όχι, ήταν στον Ολυμπιακό και την  τελευταία μου χρονιά στον Ολυμπιακό. 1310  01:11:30,280 --> 01:11:34,215  Όταν ήρθε το '08 ο Ερνέστο Βαλβέρδε στον  Ολυμπιακό, έφυγε και ήρθε 1311  01:11:34,240 --> 01:11:37,640  την τελευταία μου χρονιά.  Εμένα το 2010-2011. 1312  01:11:38,560 --> 01:11:42,080  Ήταν ένας άνθρωπος που  με επηρέασε γενικότερα και πολλούς πιστεύω 1313  01:11:43,200 --> 01:11:46,320  για το πώς βλέπουμε το ποδόσφαιρο και  πώς πρέπει να είναι το ποδόσφαιρο. 1314  01:11:46,440 --> 01:11:49,640  Ακόμα και στον τρόπο προπόνησης δηλαδή,  δεν είναι μόνο το τι βλέπεις, είναι 1315  01:11:50,240 --> 01:11:51,080  και πώς το κάνεις. 1316  01:11:51,680 --> 01:11:56,200  Δηλαδή βλέπει ο άλλος, κάνουν αυτό...Ναι, αλλά πώς το κάνεις; Είναι από κάτω μια 1317  01:11:57,320 --> 01:11:58,280  πολύ μεγάλη 1318  01:11:59,374 --> 01:12:01,574  [...] 1319  01:12:02,360 --> 01:12:07,415  προπονητική φιλοσοφία την οποία διαθέτει  αυτός, γιατί είχα κατά καιρούς πολλούς 1320  01:12:07,440 --> 01:12:09,560  προπονητές οι οποίοι ακόμα και σαν  ποδοσφαιριστής 1321  01:12:10,240 --> 01:12:12,760  προσπαθούσα να τους κρίνω, όχι με την  έννοια τους κρίνω αν είναι 1322  01:12:12,785 --> 01:12:15,600  καλοί ή κακοί, αλλά το πώς. 1323  01:12:16,480 --> 01:12:20,000  Ποια είναι η φιλοσοφία τους και με ποιο  τρόπο προσπαθούν να δημιουργήσουν 1324  01:12:20,520 --> 01:12:22,440  το αγωνιστικό πλάνο. 1325  01:12:22,640 --> 01:12:26,215  Αυτός λοιπόν είχε -  ήταν αυτό που πραγματικά με εντυπωσίασε 1326  01:12:26,240 --> 01:12:30,200  και πραγματικά θέλω να μπορέσω  να το κάνω και εγώ και συγχρόνως, 1327  01:12:32,360 --> 01:12:37,040  είδα τα τεχνικά κομμάτια και ιδιαίτερα με  τον Μίτσελ, ο οποίος με τον τρόπο που 1328  01:12:37,080 --> 01:12:39,175  δούλευε μέσα και φυσικά  ήμουν σαν assistant και 1329  01:12:39,200 --> 01:12:44,000  τον παρακολουθούσα  πώς μιλάει στους παίκτες ατομικά, ομαδικά, 1330  01:12:44,640 --> 01:12:48,360  γενικά και είναι σαν οδηγός  για μένα, για το... 1331  01:12:50,400 --> 01:12:51,180  Για την προπονητική. 1332  01:12:51,205 --> 01:12:53,760  Με γοήτευσε πάρα πολύ  αυτό το πράγμα και είπα... 1333  01:12:55,880 --> 01:12:59,800  Ότι θα δοκιμάσω τις δυνάμεις  μου, οπότε κανένας δεν ξέρει. 1334  01:13:00,680 --> 01:13:01,460  Θα δούμε. 1335  01:13:01,831 --> 01:13:04,517  [Interviewer] Can a coach 1336  01:13:04,589 --> 01:13:07,546  be a coach without having played as a player? 1337  01:13:07,717 --> 01:13:10,274  Can a coach be really good without being a player? 1338  01:13:10,631 --> 01:13:13,303  And you see examples in the NBA, there's coaches that 1339  01:13:13,646 --> 01:13:15,960  have barely touched a basketball, and they're a coach. 1340  01:13:16,260 --> 01:13:20,203  But do you think in soccer, if you haven't played the game and been on the pitch? 1341  01:13:21,480 --> 01:13:27,240  [Nikopolides] Δεν θα σου πω ναι ή όχι, αλλά νομίζω  ότι το ιδανικό είναι να έχεις παίξει σε... 1342  01:13:29,520 --> 01:13:31,640  Να έχεις παίξει μπάσκετ  σε πολύ υψηλό επίπεδο. 1343  01:13:31,840 --> 01:13:33,975  Να έχεις παίξει μπάσκετ και  να γίνεις προπονητής. 1344  01:13:34,000 --> 01:13:36,200  Νομίζω ότι αυτό είναι το ποδόσφαιρο. 1345  01:13:36,240 --> 01:13:37,280  Αυτό είναι το ιδανικό. 1346  01:13:37,560 --> 01:13:41,775  Δεν σημαίνει ότι δεν μπορεί να γίνει και  διαφορετικά, δηλαδή να μην έχεις παίξει 1347  01:13:41,800 --> 01:13:44,161  ποδόσφαιρο και να γίνεις προπονητής. 1348  01:13:44,361 --> 01:13:47,375  Λέω ότι  μπορεί να γίνει και αυτό, αλλά νομίζω ότι 1349  01:13:47,400 --> 01:13:51,095  το ιδανικό είναι να έχεις παίξει  ποδόσφαιρο ή μπάσκετ, είτε είσαι ένας 1350  01:13:51,120 --> 01:13:55,120  επαγγελματίας σε πολύ υψηλό  επίπεδο ή επαγγελματίας. 1351  01:13:55,400 --> 01:13:58,120  Τουλάχιστον να έχεις μπει σε  αποδυτήρια δηλαδή. 1352  01:13:58,480 --> 01:14:00,820  Αλλά πρέπει να έχεις και γνώσεις.  Δηλαδή μπορείς να μείνεις μόνο σε αυτό. 1353  01:14:00,845 --> 01:14:03,815  Πρέπει να αποκτήσεις και γνώσεις και  συνέχεια να μαθαίνεις 1354  01:14:03,840 --> 01:14:05,375  και να γίνεσαι καλύτερος. 1355  01:14:05,400 --> 01:14:09,440  Δεν μπορεί να μείνει δηλαδή  να είσαι ξερωγώ ο Ζιντάν και να είσαι λίγο 1356  01:14:10,440 --> 01:14:13,680  προπονητής; Όχι, σίγουρα  και αυτός είχε μείνει 3,4 χρόνια. 1357  01:14:13,720 --> 01:14:19,095  Νομίζω ήταν με τον Αντσελότι σαν assistant,  δηλαδή μπήκε στη διαδικασία 1358  01:14:19,120 --> 01:14:21,600  και μετά και έγινε -  Αλλά είχε 1359  01:14:21,800 --> 01:14:24,131  όμως την ποδοσφαιρική εμπειρία. 1360  01:14:24,160 --> 01:14:24,731  [Interviewer] Έτσι. 1361  01:14:25,417 --> 01:14:29,960  Do you think, like, when you started coaching U21, Under 21 National Team. 1362  01:14:30,846 --> 01:14:34,331  That generation, those kids weren't born during 2004 1363  01:14:34,360 --> 01:14:36,040  to see this. 1364  01:14:36,065 --> 01:14:40,080  Was there a level of respect from the kids in general? Like, did they understand 1365  01:14:40,631 --> 01:14:42,860  when you're talking or do they look at it like 1366  01:14:42,950 --> 01:14:44,889  'Come on man! That's old generation.' 1367  01:14:45,189 --> 01:14:46,746  Was there respect from the youth? 1368  01:14:50,760 --> 01:14:51,780  [Nikopolides] Το σημαντικό... 1369  01:14:52,560 --> 01:14:54,560  εεε να ανοίξω μια παρένθεση. 1370  01:14:55,840 --> 01:14:58,280  Αυτή η γενιά των Ελλήνων ποδοσφαιριστών  που είμαι, αυτή 1371  01:14:58,720 --> 01:15:01,880  που υπάρχει τώρα, που είναι μία πολύ  μεγάλη γενιά και 1372  01:15:03,160 --> 01:15:05,360  από τις σημαντικότερες για μένα. Πιστεύω  ότι μπορούν να κάνουν 1373  01:15:05,385 --> 01:15:06,560  πολλά πράγματα σημαντικά. 1374  01:15:07,080 --> 01:15:10,480  Και για μένα δεν είναι σημαντικό να  πάρεις ένα τρόπαιο Euro ή παγκόσμιο. 1375  01:15:10,520 --> 01:15:15,615  Σημαντικό είναι να περάσεις, να έχεις μία  ομάδα, να κάνεις νίκες 1376  01:15:15,640 --> 01:15:16,960  σε ένα Παγκόσμιο Κύπελλο. 1377  01:15:17,120 --> 01:15:18,680  Δεν σημαίνει ότι αν πάρεις το Κύπελλο 1378  01:15:18,920 --> 01:15:20,130  αυτή είναι η επιτυχία. Για μένα 1379  01:15:20,160 --> 01:15:23,480  είναι κι άλλα πράγματα επιτυχία και μακάρι  αυτή η γενιά να μπορέσει 1380  01:15:23,680 --> 01:15:24,560  να πάει στην Αμερική. 1381  01:15:26,760 --> 01:15:30,455  Και να ανατρέψει όλο αυτό το αρνητικό που  άφησε η προηγούμενη γενιά 1382  01:15:30,480 --> 01:15:32,375  και το κουβαλάει βάρος. 1383  01:15:32,400 --> 01:15:38,840  Δηλαδή να κάνει επιτυχία, δηλαδή  να κάνει αγώνες, να κερδίσει κτλ. 1384  01:15:39,240 --> 01:15:41,880  Έχουν τη δυνατότητα και  μακάρι να περάσουν κιόλας. 1385  01:15:43,720 --> 01:15:47,720  Είχα πάρα πολλά παιδιά από αυτά  στην Εθνική ομάδα του Under21. 1386  01:15:50,040 --> 01:15:54,320  Τώρα...Σίγουρα σέβονται, τους σέβονται όλους. 1387  01:15:54,800 --> 01:15:56,420  Αυτή είναι η πραγματικότητα. 1388  01:15:56,480 --> 01:15:59,200  Τώρα σαν προπονητής όμως θα  πρέπει να τους κερδίσεις. 1389  01:15:59,240 --> 01:16:03,535  Δηλαδή θα πρέπει  με αυτά που λες, με τον τρόπο που προπονείς, 1390  01:16:03,560 --> 01:16:07,120  με τον τρόπο που συμπεριφέρεσαι. 1391  01:16:07,920 --> 01:16:11,440  Έχουν σεβασμό, αλλά πρέπει να  σε σέβονται και σαν προπονητή. 1392  01:16:11,480 --> 01:16:13,015  Δεν φτάνει μόνο αυτό. 1393  01:16:13,040 --> 01:16:17,520  Όταν  φτάσουμε στο επαγγελματικό κομμάτι, 1394  01:16:18,080 --> 01:16:22,880  περιμένουν από εσένα να τους βοηθήσεις  για να μπορέσουν και αυτοί 1395  01:16:22,920 --> 01:16:24,560  να κάνουν την καριέρα τους. 1396  01:16:24,600 --> 01:16:31,095  Άρα υπάρχει σίγουρα σεβασμός, αλλά  θα πρέπει να αποδείξεις ότι αξίζεις αυτή 1397  01:16:31,120 --> 01:16:33,120  την τιμή που έχεις σαν προπονητής και ότι 1398  01:16:35,120 --> 01:16:38,680  μπορείς να τους βοηθήσεις για να κάνουν  ένα καλύτερο μέλλον. 1399  01:16:39,417 --> 01:16:41,660  [Interviewer] Are you still learning to be a coach? 1400  01:16:41,860 --> 01:16:45,274  Like, do you look at videos? Do you look at other peers or are you...? 1401  01:16:46,200 --> 01:16:46,774  Every day, yeah. 1402  01:16:46,880 --> 01:16:52,000  [Nikopolides] Κάθε μέρα. Και προσπαθώ και  αλλάζω τις φιλοσοφίες μου και αλλάζω - 1403  01:16:53,320 --> 01:16:57,375  δεν αλλάζω το πλάνο μου ή τη στρατηγική  μου, αλλά ορισμένα πράγματα ιδιαίτερα όπως 1404  01:16:57,400 --> 01:17:00,960  αυτό που είπες για τους νέους γιατί  είναι νέα παιδιά τα οποία έρχονται. 1405  01:17:03,160 --> 01:17:05,200  Θα πρέπει και εμείς να  είμαστε κοντά σε αυτούς. 1406  01:17:05,240 --> 01:17:05,560  Δηλαδή 1407  01:17:07,680 --> 01:17:09,560  έχω έναν διαφορετικό τρόπο σκέψης. 1408  01:17:09,760 --> 01:17:12,880  Πλέον σκέφτονται και συμπεριφέρονται παραδείγματος χάρη μέσ'τα μίντια. 1409  01:17:15,640 --> 01:17:17,200  Θα πρέπει και εσύ να 1410  01:17:18,120 --> 01:17:21,140  όχι να είσαι εκεί, να τα χρησιμοποιείς με  τον τρόπο που τα χρησιμοποιούν αυτοί, 1411  01:17:21,320 --> 01:17:25,480  αλλά να τους πχ να τους προειδοποιείς  για τους κινδύνους που μπορεί να έχουν. 1412  01:17:25,520 --> 01:17:28,535  Δηλαδή παραδείγματος χάρη,  το να παίξεις ένα παιχνίδι, ένα άσχημο 1413  01:17:28,560 --> 01:17:31,480  παιχνίδι και να κάτσεις να  διαβάσεις τα σχόλια από κάτω. 1414  01:17:31,560 --> 01:17:35,320  Πρέπει να του πεις ότι δεν χρειάζεται να  κάτσεις να ασχοληθείς με τα σχόλια που 1415  01:17:35,640 --> 01:17:38,120  σου γράφουν κτλ γιατί είναι ένα παιχνίδι. 1416  01:17:38,240 --> 01:17:42,895  Σήμερα παίζεις καλά, αύριο δεν παίζεις,  παίζεις καλύτερα, μεθαύριο μπορεί να 1417  01:17:42,920 --> 01:17:45,600  βάλεις και τρία γκολ,  όπως και όταν κερδίζεις. 1418  01:17:46,240 --> 01:17:51,575  Δηλαδή μη νομίζεις ότι επειδή έπαιξες ένα  παιχνίδι καλά και κέρδισες ότι έχτισες 1419  01:17:51,600 --> 01:17:55,600  μια ιστορία και είσαι επειδή σε γράφουν,  ξέρω, μην ασχολείσαι με τα σχόλια. 1420  01:17:55,640 --> 01:17:58,180  Σχόλια πάντα θα υπάρχουν, πάντα θα  υπάρχουν άνθρωποι οι οποίοι 1421  01:17:58,880 --> 01:18:01,840  σε λατρεύουν, σε εκτιμούν, σε μισούν. 1422  01:18:04,000 --> 01:18:05,880  Τους αρέσει να μιλάνε άσχημα κτλ. 1423  01:18:05,920 --> 01:18:09,120  Ίσως είναι κυρίως απογοητευμένοι, οι  οποίοι ήθελαν να παίξουν 1424  01:18:09,160 --> 01:18:10,560  ποδόσφαιρο ή να κάνουν καριέρα. 1425  01:18:10,585 --> 01:18:14,160  Δεν μπόρεσαν ποτέ να το κάνουν και νιώθουν  ότι κάποιος τούς αδίκησε και 1426  01:18:14,640 --> 01:18:16,200  νιώθουν έχθρα και μίσος κτλ. 1427  01:18:16,240 --> 01:18:18,855  Πάντα υπάρχουν αυτά τα πράγματα.  Δεν πρέπει να επηρεάζεσαι. 1428  01:18:18,880 --> 01:18:22,000  Δεν πρέπει να διαβάζεις καν το τι - δηλαδή  πρέπει να μπεις στον κόσμο τους 1429  01:18:22,400 --> 01:18:23,880  και να μιλήσεις με τη γλώσσα τους. 1430  01:18:24,240 --> 01:18:27,935  Δεν μπορείς να είσαι -  να στέκεσαι πίσω και να έχεις μια αυστηρή - 1431  01:18:27,960 --> 01:18:31,560  και τη δεκαετία του 90 έκανα έτσι  και ήμασταν έτσι και αλλιώς. Όχι. 1432  01:18:31,880 --> 01:18:36,200  Πρέπει  να εξελίσσεσαι και εσύ, να παρακολουθείς 1433  01:18:36,400 --> 01:18:40,600  για να μπορείς να τους καθοδηγείς  ώστε να τους υποστηρίζεις. 1434  01:18:41,440 --> 01:18:44,255  [Interviewer] Και τα comments προπαντός και στην Ελλάδα, πάντα 1435  01:18:44,280 --> 01:18:47,646  θα γράψει κάποιος κάτι, right? 1436  01:18:48,303 --> 01:18:51,417  I will say: "If I can't say it to your face, don't type it 1437  01:18:51,617 --> 01:18:56,131  if I can't say it in person", cause it's easy to write stuff like that and negativity and... 1438  01:18:57,746 --> 01:18:59,017  So, the youth. Now. 1439  01:18:59,403 --> 01:19:03,231  The generation now of the Greek professional soccer players. 1440  01:19:04,246 --> 01:19:07,240  Talk to me. Even specific players that you like, 1441  01:19:07,440 --> 01:19:09,660  in general, on the national team. 1442  01:19:10,174 --> 01:19:12,760  Where's the state of Greek soccer from your eyes? 1443  01:19:14,560 --> 01:19:19,480  [Nikopolides] Αυτή τη στιγμή διαθέτουμε  ίσως τη σπουδαιότερη γενιά ποδοσφαιριστών, 1444  01:19:19,680 --> 01:19:24,280  δηλαδή και με παιδιά,  τα οποία έχουν πολύ μεγάλη εμπειρία. 1445  01:19:24,320 --> 01:19:26,460  Αρχίζουν να έχουν πολύ μεγάλες εμπειρίες. 1446  01:19:26,640 --> 01:19:28,260  Δηλαδή θα πάρουμε τον Τσιμίκα που παίζει στη... 1447  01:19:31,000 --> 01:19:32,060  ...στη Λίβερπουλ. 1448  01:19:32,160 --> 01:19:35,280  Είναι οι μεγαλύτερες  εμπειρίες που μπορεί να έχει. 1449  01:19:35,320 --> 01:19:36,480  Champions League, πρωτάθλημα. 1450  01:19:38,800 --> 01:19:40,560  Έχουμε τον Μαυροπάνο που παίζει στη West Ham. 1451  01:19:40,600 --> 01:19:42,120  Πολύ μεγάλο επίπεδο. 1452  01:19:42,560 --> 01:19:46,240  Έχουμε  παιδιά όπως ο Καρέτσας που βγαίνει τώρα. 1453  01:19:47,080 --> 01:19:50,815  Όπως ο Παυλίδης, όπως είναι πάρα πολλοί. 1454  01:19:50,840 --> 01:19:51,900  Δεν χρειάζεται να πω ένα ένα. 1455  01:19:51,925 --> 01:19:55,815  Είναι πολύ σημαντικά,  πολύ σημαντικοί ποδοσφαιριστές, οι οποίοι 1456  01:19:55,840 --> 01:19:59,255  έχουν - φαίνεται ότι διακρίνονται  και έρχονται και παιδιά από πίσω, 1457  01:19:59,280 --> 01:20:01,960  αλλά αυτοί κυρίως μπορούν να κάνουν 1458  01:20:02,280 --> 01:20:05,040  τη διαφορά και το  αποδείξανε σε πάρα πολλά παιχνίδια. 1459  01:20:05,960 --> 01:20:09,280  Η νίκη που κάναμε μέσα στην Αγγλία ήταν  φανταστική. Γιατί δεν είναι ότι κερδίσανε, 1460  01:20:09,320 --> 01:20:16,015  απλώς. Έκαναν ένα τρομερό παιχνίδι  και στηρίζουμε όλοι μας τις ελπίδες σε 1461  01:20:16,040 --> 01:20:20,175  αυτούς ότι,  μετά από δέκα χρόνια η Εθνική ομάδα θα 1462  01:20:20,200 --> 01:20:25,015  ξαναπάει σε ένα Παγκόσμιο Κύπελλο, θα πάει  σε ένα Ευρωπαϊκό Κύπελλο και όπως είπα και 1463  01:20:25,040 --> 01:20:28,680  προηγουμένως είναι μια πολύ καλή ευκαιρία  όλα αυτά τα παιδιά να πάνε 1464  01:20:29,080 --> 01:20:33,615  στην Αμερική, γιατί πιστεύω ότι θα πάνε  και θα έχουν την ευκαιρία να πάρουν το 1465  01:20:33,640 --> 01:20:37,520  αίμα τους πίσω για εκείνη τη γενιά  των ποδοσφαιριστών, οι οποίοι πήγαν 1466  01:20:38,040 --> 01:20:40,975  και επαναλαμβάνω ήταν πολύ μεγάλοι  ποδοσφαιριστές και σπουδαίοι 1467  01:20:41,000 --> 01:20:45,840  ποδοσφαιριστές και δεν μπόρεσαν και  φέρνουν πίσω τους βαρέως 1468  01:20:47,280 --> 01:20:48,375  όλο αυτό το φορτίο. 1469  01:20:48,400 --> 01:20:50,655  Και όταν μιλάμε για το  '94 σκεφτόμαστε αρνητικά. 1470  01:20:50,680 --> 01:20:53,280  Και η Εθνική ομάδα που απέτυχε και 1471  01:20:55,640 --> 01:20:59,904  οι φίλαθλοι στην Αμερική, οι  Έλληνες ήταν στενοχωρημένοι κτλ., 1472  01:21:00,104 --> 01:21:01,280  Ε, συμβαίνουν αυτά. 1473  01:21:01,372 --> 01:21:02,108  [Interviewer] Έτσι είναι. 1474  01:21:02,200 --> 01:21:05,960  Πιστεύεις όμως στη ζωή μας [ότι] θα  δούμε άλλο, η Ελλάδα να πάει σε 1475  01:21:07,040 --> 01:21:08,920  [Nikopolides] Να πάρει κύπελλο. 1476  01:21:09,200 --> 01:21:11,215  [Interviewer] Ευρωπαϊκό, κύπελλο, σαν χώρα; 1477  01:21:11,240 --> 01:21:15,560  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε ποτέ η ζωή μού έχει  δείξει ότι ποτέ μη λες ποτέ. 1478  01:21:15,840 --> 01:21:19,480  Ναι, αλλά είναι πολύ δύσκολο  για να το καταφέρουν. 1479  01:21:19,760 --> 01:21:20,720  Για να κατακτήσουμε. 1480  01:21:21,120 --> 01:21:24,400  Αν και όπως σου είπα προηγουμένως, εμένα  δεν με ενδιαφέρει το να κατακτήσουμε, 1481  01:21:24,440 --> 01:21:28,255  εμένα με ενδιαφέρει  και χαίρομαι όταν βλέπω όπως τώρα την 1482  01:21:28,280 --> 01:21:33,000  Εθνική ομάδα, γιατί πραγματικά τη χαίρομαι  Και θα χαιρόμουν πολύ επίσης 1483  01:21:33,400 --> 01:21:38,440  για αρκετά από αυτά τα παιδιά τα  οποία ήταν παιδιά τα οποία είχα 1484  01:21:39,760 --> 01:21:43,560  στην Εθνική ομάδα του U21, γιατί ξέρω ότι  και τα άλλα παιδιά δίνουν τον - 1485  01:21:44,040 --> 01:21:47,800  αγαπάνε την Εθνική ομάδα και θα δώσουν τον  καλύτερό μου εαυτό και να πάνε 1486  01:21:49,000 --> 01:21:52,280  στο Παγκόσμιο Κύπελλο να κάνουν  μια πάρα πολύ καλή εμφάνιση. 1487  01:21:52,480 --> 01:21:53,920  Αυτό για μένα είναι επιτυχία. 1488  01:21:54,043 --> 01:21:55,023  [Interviewer] Σίγουρα. 1489  01:21:55,146 --> 01:21:59,600  [Nikopolides] Αυτό που κάναμε εμείς  είναι σαν ένα θαύμα 1490  01:22:00,280 --> 01:22:05,200  που είναι δύσκολο γιατί και τα μετέπειτα  χρόνια, δηλαδή το '08, δεν πήγαμε καλά. 1491  01:22:05,240 --> 01:22:07,080  Το '10 πήγαμε πολύ καλά. 1492  01:22:07,280 --> 01:22:08,560  Το '12 το ίδιο. 1493  01:22:08,600 --> 01:22:12,095  Το '14 φτάσαμε, πήγαμε  στους 8 του Παγκοσμίου Κυπέλλου. 1494  01:22:12,120 --> 01:22:17,415  Δηλαδή υπήρχαν  εποχές οι οποίες η Εθνική ομάδα από το '10 μέχρι 1495  01:22:17,440 --> 01:22:20,240  το '14, είχε μια πάρα πολύ μεγάλη παρουσία 1496  01:22:20,880 --> 01:22:24,855  σε όλα τα - και παγκόσμιο και ευρωπαϊκό 1497  01:22:24,880 --> 01:22:26,775  και μάλιστα είχε πήγαινε και αρκετά καλά. 1498  01:22:26,800 --> 01:22:32,000  Οπότε για εμένα το θεωρούσα κληρονομιά  της Εθνικής μας του '04, 1499  01:22:32,560 --> 01:22:35,080  χωρίς να φέρουν το βάρος ότι έπρεπε να  πάνε και να κερδίσουν 1500  01:22:35,440 --> 01:22:36,760  ένα κύπελλο όπως κέρδισε το '04. 1501  01:22:37,480 --> 01:22:39,975  Να είμαστε ρεαλιστές, δηλαδή  να βλέπουμε τα πράγματα σωστά. 1502  01:22:40,000 --> 01:22:40,720  Να τα λέμε σωστά. 1503  01:22:40,760 --> 01:22:44,680  Υπάρχουν πολύ μεγαλύτερες ομάδες  με πολύ μεγάλη δυναμική, χρόνια τώρα, 1504  01:22:44,760 --> 01:22:45,920  Γαλλία, Ισπανία. 1505  01:22:45,960 --> 01:22:48,655  που είναι ομάδες που φαίνονται ότι  είναι - δεν μπορείς να 1506  01:22:48,680 --> 01:22:49,946  τις χτυπήσεις εύκολα. 1507  01:22:49,974 --> 01:22:54,089  [Interviewer] Exactly. Το - πότε ήταν; '12 ή '16 που φτάσαμε with Costa Rica? 1508  01:22:54,117 --> 01:22:55,117  [Nikopolides] '14. 1509  01:22:55,146 --> 01:22:58,946  [Interviewer] Οk. Εκεί αυτός ο τερματοφύλακας είχε - he came off the line! 1510  01:23:00,717 --> 01:23:03,800  I remember αυτό το σκηνικό οn the penalty shots. They went to PKs, 1511  01:23:04,000 --> 01:23:07,580  He came off the line. They should have called it. Anyways. 1512  01:23:07,780 --> 01:23:09,400  [Nikopolides] Δεν υπήρχε ο  κανονισμός τότε. 1513  01:23:09,640 --> 01:23:10,731  [Interviewer] Δεν υπήρχε, yeah. 1514  01:23:10,960 --> 01:23:12,840  Listen. Φτάσαμε εκεί, we're still good. 1515  01:23:13,474 --> 01:23:16,431  So you have sons who play soccer. What about... 1516  01:23:17,531 --> 01:23:19,146  Clearly there's good genetics, 1517  01:23:19,517 --> 01:23:24,489  DNA and coaching that your sons are goalies and they're doing great on their path. 1518  01:23:25,346 --> 01:23:26,974  I see it in sports all over the world. 1519  01:23:27,003 --> 01:23:29,603  whether it's hockey, basketball, soccer. 1520  01:23:30,374 --> 01:23:32,046  The parents want it more 1521  01:23:32,574 --> 01:23:34,774  for their kids than sometimes the kids want it for them. 1522  01:23:34,974 --> 01:23:35,974  Right? So, 1523  01:23:36,160 --> 01:23:39,560  what's advice do you have for parents in general? 1524  01:23:39,974 --> 01:23:44,103  Like, slow down. Let your kid love the sport. Like, stop with the pressure. 1525  01:23:44,131 --> 01:23:46,703  There's so much pressure when it comes to youth sports. 1526  01:23:47,017 --> 01:23:49,846  Like they got to go professional. Got to do this training. Got to do that. 1527  01:23:50,046 --> 01:23:51,746  You started playing in a village. 1528  01:23:52,274 --> 01:23:52,846  Right? 1529  01:23:52,874 --> 01:23:56,474  And built your path. I don't think, είχες μέσον or connections. 1530  01:23:56,589 --> 01:23:58,560  You built your career, right? 1531  01:24:01,120 --> 01:24:03,985  [Nikopolides] Τελικά συμβαίνει παντού σ όλο τον κόσμο.  Είναι έτσι. 1532  01:24:04,185 --> 01:24:04,840  Σ' όλο τον κόσμο. 1533  01:24:05,040 --> 01:24:06,600  Δεν είναι μόνο στην Ελλάδα. Οι γονείς 1534  01:24:10,200 --> 01:24:10,831  είναι 1535  01:24:13,440 --> 01:24:16,040  πηγαίνουν τα παιδιά τους  να μάθουν ποδόσφαιρο. 1536  01:24:16,440 --> 01:24:19,775  Ορισμένοι πιστεύουν ότι ο γιος τους είναι  ο καλύτερος, ότι ο γιος 1537  01:24:19,800 --> 01:24:22,080  τους είναι ο νέος Μέσι κτλ. 1538  01:24:25,320 --> 01:24:26,320  Πολλές φορές 1539  01:24:28,440 --> 01:24:33,440  μιλάνε άσχημα για τους συμπαίκτες τους  που δεν είναι ωραίο ή για τους προπονητές. 1540  01:24:34,040 --> 01:24:35,120  Που πάλι δεν είναι ωραίο. 1541  01:24:36,440 --> 01:24:37,760  Δεν φταις εσύ, φταίει ο άλλος. 1542  01:24:38,960 --> 01:24:42,760  Και είναι ένα παιχνίδι το οποίο δεν  έχεις να κερδίσεις κάτι ουσιαστικά. Δηλαδή 1543  01:24:42,960 --> 01:24:47,695  όταν μιλάμε για παιχνίδια 10, 12 χρονών δεν -  το πρωτάθλημα, δεν 1544  01:24:47,720 --> 01:24:49,680  λέει τίποτα ή οτιδήποτε. 1545  01:24:50,480 --> 01:24:55,135  Δεν μπορούν να καταλάβουν ότι  ο γονιός το πρώτο πράγμα που πρέπει να 1546  01:24:55,160 --> 01:25:01,200  κάνει είναι να βρει την κατάλληλη ακαδημία, 1547  01:25:02,880 --> 01:25:05,095  τον κατάλληλο προπονητή να 1548  01:25:05,120 --> 01:25:06,280  μπορέσει να το αξιολογήσει. 1549  01:25:06,320 --> 01:25:10,855  Δηλαδή υπάρχουν προπονητές πραγματικά,  είναι παιδαγωγοί και διαμορφώνουν το παιδί 1550  01:25:10,880 --> 01:25:15,015  και όλα τα παιδιά  σαν μια σωστή προσωπικότητα και τα 1551  01:25:15,040 --> 01:25:17,200  παιδιά χαίρονται και παίζουν κτλ. 1552  01:25:17,440 --> 01:25:21,055  Και είναι άλλοι προπονητές οι οποίοι είναι πολύ  σκληροί, του αποτελέσματος, που 1553  01:25:21,080 --> 01:25:24,080  σου μιλάνε και άσχημα ή πιεστικά. 1554  01:25:24,480 --> 01:25:27,480  Πρέπει ο γονιός να στέκεται, να  παρακολουθεί, να βλέπει πώς 1555  01:25:27,920 --> 01:25:33,175  ο προπονητής, γενικότερα, η Ακαδημία  συμπεριφέρεται, αν βοηθάει η Ακαδημία το 1556  01:25:33,200 --> 01:25:39,895  παιδί ώστε να εξελίσσεται  κι αν του δίνονται ευκαιρίες ρε παιδί μου, 1557  01:25:39,920 --> 01:25:44,135  ακόμα κι αν δεν είναι top παίκτης, αλλά να  πηγαίνει να παίζει και να 1558  01:25:44,160 --> 01:25:45,289  χαίρεται το παιδί. 1559  01:25:45,317 --> 01:25:45,889  [Interviewer] Να χαίρεται, yeah. 1560  01:25:45,917 --> 01:25:49,720  [Nikopolides] Ναι. Αυτή είναι η δουλειά των γονιών. 1561  01:25:49,760 --> 01:25:54,920  Εκεί πρέπει να αξιολογούν οι γονείς το  τι πρέπει να κάνουν και όχι αν δεν 1562  01:25:56,720 --> 01:25:59,895  είναι φίλος σου ο τάδε ή δεν σου έδωσε την  μπάλα να βάλεις γκολ και να δημιουργείς 1563  01:25:59,920 --> 01:26:02,400  ίντριγκες μεταξύ των παιδιών και να μιλάς  άσχημα για τα παιδιά. 1564  01:26:02,840 --> 01:26:08,360  Ούτε για τους προπονητές. Είναι δύσκολο  γιατί ο κάθε γονιός στέκει δίπλα κτλ. 1565  01:26:08,400 --> 01:26:12,800  Εγώ έχω πέσει σε περιπτώσεις γιατί  έχω, λόγω των παιδιών μου, 1566  01:26:12,840 --> 01:26:18,120  έχω πάει σε πάρα πολλά τέτοια παιχνίδια,  μέχρι και συγκρούσεις γονιών με 1567  01:26:18,400 --> 01:26:23,760  γονιών, σε παιχνίδια  υποδομών 10 και 12 χρονών. 1568  01:26:23,800 --> 01:26:25,520  Δηλαδή είναι τραγικό. 1569  01:26:26,240 --> 01:26:27,320  Είναι πολύ τραγικό. 1570  01:26:31,400 --> 01:26:34,400  Πρέπει να γίνει.  Η ευθύνη των γονιών είναι αυτή που λέω. 1571  01:26:34,760 --> 01:26:38,360  Πρέπει να γίνει η σωστή  επιλογή της Ακαδημίας. 1572  01:26:40,240 --> 01:26:44,480  Αν μπορούν να αξιολογήσουν τον προπονητή. 1573  01:26:44,600 --> 01:26:51,095  Αν ρωτώντας το παιδί, 'είσαι ευχαριστημένο;',  'σου αρέσει εκεί που πηγαίνεις;', 'περνάς καλά 1574  01:26:51,120 --> 01:26:53,815  με τα παιδιά;' Δηλαδή  παίζει η ψυχική υγεία του παιδιού να 1575  01:26:53,840 --> 01:26:58,400  περνάει καλά το παιδί. Ουσιαστικά, γιατί όπως και να χει από τα 100 παιδιά 1576  01:27:00,480 --> 01:27:02,606  θα παίξουν ένα, δύο σε υψηλό επίπεδο. 1577  01:27:02,806 --> 01:27:05,020  Δεν το λέω εγώ, τα λένε τα στατιστικά. 1578  01:27:05,360 --> 01:27:08,600  Έτσι;  Άρα το παιδί σου τι είναι; Να περνάει 1579  01:27:08,640 --> 01:27:15,000  ωραία, να δημιουργεί φίλους,  να λυπάται, να χάνει, να κερδίζει, 1580  01:27:16,440 --> 01:27:23,120  να τρώει μια κλωτσιά, να δίνει μια κλωτσιά. Το λέω γενικά έτσι; Και να 1581  01:27:23,840 --> 01:27:24,800  είναι ευχαριστημένο. 1582  01:27:24,825 --> 01:27:30,175  Αν είναι έτσι, το παιδί είναι μια χαρά,  αν μπορεί κιόλας η Ακαδημία να μπορεί να 1583  01:27:30,200 --> 01:27:34,920  τον εξελίξει έχοντας τα τεχνικά στοιχεία  τα οποία μπορούν να τον βοηθήσουν. 1584  01:27:35,520 --> 01:27:37,909  Αν υπάρχει τέτοιος προπονητής ακόμα καλύτερα. 1585  01:27:38,109 --> 01:27:41,200  Θα φτάσει σε ένα επίπεδο το  οποίο εκεί θα γίνει ο διαχωρισμός. 1586  01:27:41,440 --> 01:27:45,575  αν μπορεί  να συνεχίσει να το κάνει επαγγελματικά ή 1587  01:27:45,600 --> 01:27:49,520  αν όχι, να παίζει για την πλάκα  του με τους φίλους του κτλ κτλ. 1588  01:27:50,280 --> 01:27:51,515  Αυτή είναι η ιστορία. 1589  01:27:51,715 --> 01:27:52,560  [Interviewer] Αυτό ακριβώς. 1590  01:27:52,760 --> 01:27:58,800  Εγώ έχω τρεις κόρες 10, 7 και 4 και  η Δήμητρα, που είναι 10 χρονών, 1591  01:27:58,840 --> 01:28:01,840  παίζει ποδόσφαιρο σε club team εκεί και της  αρέσει και τρελαίνεται. 1592  01:28:02,600 --> 01:28:03,760  Και από δέκα χρονών, 1593  01:28:03,803 --> 01:28:10,074  το τι βλέπω από τους γονείς όπου εκεί πώς  κάνουνε και extra training. Από τώρα αρχίζουμε 1594  01:28:10,840 --> 01:28:14,200  soccer για γυναίκες. Αλλά μ'αρέσει. 1595  01:28:14,400 --> 01:28:16,000  Κλαίνε, xάνουνε, κάνουνε. 1596  01:28:16,520 --> 01:28:20,003  Πρέπει να κάνεις experience αυτά τα emotions, right? I love it. 1597  01:28:20,520 --> 01:28:26,280  [Nikopolides] Εκεί στην Αμερική καμιά φορά βλέπω κάτι  παιχνίδια, έβλεπες γυναικείο ποδόσφαιρο. 1598  01:28:29,160 --> 01:28:30,120  Πανεπιστημιακό. 1599  01:28:30,200 --> 01:28:33,360  Έβλεπες 5000 κόσμο στο γυναικείο  ποδόσφαιρο και 1600  01:28:34,360 --> 01:28:37,289  παίζανε οι άντρες και είχε 1500 άτομα. 1601  01:28:37,489 --> 01:28:39,639  Ενώ στο γυναικείο  5000, γεμάτο! 1602  01:28:39,839 --> 01:28:40,839  [Interviewer] Είναι κορυφαίο. 1603  01:28:41,200 --> 01:28:45,440  Προπαντός στην Αμερική για  women's sports είναι - αλλά είναι... 1604  01:28:45,680 --> 01:28:50,855  Κοίταξε, εγώ σαν να μου πεις να δω το WNBA  που παίζουν οι γυναίκες μπάσκετ για μένα 1605  01:28:50,880 --> 01:28:54,160  δεν λέω. Και να μου δώσεις τα  εισιτήρια να κάτσω μπροστά, 1606  01:28:54,840 --> 01:28:58,535  δεν ενδιαφέρομαι. Γυναικείο  ποδόσφαιρο όμως, έχουν τεχνική. 1607  01:28:58,560 --> 01:28:59,760  Είναι - μ' αρέσει. 1608  01:29:00,240 --> 01:29:04,960  Ξέρεις, είναι ένα άθλημα και αφού έχω  κόρες, δεν έχω γιούς, πρέπει να παίξω. 1609  01:29:05,480 --> 01:29:07,895  [Nikopolides] Πριν 2 χρόνια είχα πάει - πριν 4 χρόνια; 3; 1610  01:29:07,920 --> 01:29:09,880  Ήταν σε ένα ευρωπαϊκό  πρωτάθλημα στην Αγγλία. 1611  01:29:11,120 --> 01:29:14,040  Τελικός Αγγλία-Γερμανία, Γουέμπλεϊ. 1612  01:29:16,360 --> 01:29:21,775  Είχε ρεκόρ εισιτηρίων, ήταν 87; Ρεκόρ εισιτηρίων δηλαδή ακόμα και τον 1613  01:29:21,800 --> 01:29:26,840  τελικό του Ευρωπαϊκού που είχε γίνει πριν  στην Αγγλία των ανδρών. 1614  01:29:26,960 --> 01:29:32,855  Αυτό είχε πιο πολλά εισιτήρια.  Είχαν μέσο όρο εισιτηρίων στην Αγγλία, 1615  01:29:32,880 --> 01:29:35,855  το λέω στατιστικά,  σε κάθε επίπεδο γύρω στα 30 χιλιάδες 1616  01:29:35,880 --> 01:29:39,560  κόσμος πήγαινε σε κάθε παιχνίδι, είτε της  Αγγλίας είτε της Αγγλίας. 1617  01:29:40,080 --> 01:29:41,840  Και είχε λέει μια αύξηση 1618  01:29:42,960 --> 01:29:47,280  40% στην εγγραφή των κοριτσιών σε ομάδες 1619  01:29:47,760 --> 01:29:49,760  σε ακαδημίες ποδοσφαίρου. 1620  01:29:50,160 --> 01:29:51,552  Μόνο από αυτή τη διοργάνωση. 1621  01:29:51,752 --> 01:29:52,480  [Interviewer] Φαντάσου. 1622  01:29:52,680 --> 01:29:56,255  Φαντάσου τι κάνει.  Έχω πάει την κόρη μου στο Λος Άντζελες που 1623  01:29:56,280 --> 01:30:00,214  παίζουν το The Galaxy Stadium, women's team. 1624  01:30:00,414 --> 01:30:01,414  Γεμάτο, 50.000 seats stadium. 1625  01:30:02,520 --> 01:30:07,440  Γεμάτο. Και το βλέπει το παιδί πάνω όπως  κάθε παιδί και τους δίνει μια ελπίδα. 1626  01:30:07,840 --> 01:30:09,120  Αυτή είναι η δουλειά μας τώρα. 1627  01:30:09,200 --> 01:30:12,175  Κοίταξε αν σου αρέσει, συνεχίζουμε. Εδώ 1628  01:30:12,200 --> 01:30:13,880  γυναικείο ποδόσφαιρο στην Ελλάδα. 1629  01:30:14,360 --> 01:30:20,040  Ξέρω, εδώ στην Ελλάδα είναι η Θωμαή  τη λένε που παίζει, είναι one of the best players εδώ. 1630  01:30:20,800 --> 01:30:23,827  Γενικά σαν ακαδημίες για γυναίκες εδώ, 1631  01:30:24,027 --> 01:30:28,080  κορίτσια δεν είναι στο  επίπεδό για άντρες, αλλά... 1632  01:30:28,120 --> 01:30:29,373  [Nikopolides] Όχι. Μεγαλώνει όμως. 1633  01:30:29,573 --> 01:30:30,560  [Interviewer] Μεγαλώνει. 1634  01:30:30,760 --> 01:30:33,640  [Nikopolides] Είναι τα τελευταία 3, 4 χρόνια. 1635  01:30:35,080 --> 01:30:38,160  Μεγαλώνει και μεγαλώνει και καλά. 1636  01:30:38,360 --> 01:30:41,655  Το πρόβλημα στη χώρα μας είναι οι  υποδομές. Δεν έχουμε υποδομές. 1637  01:30:41,680 --> 01:30:45,400  Δηλαδή τα κορίτσια δεν μπορούν να  βρουν γήπεδο να κάνουν προπόνηση. 1638  01:30:45,680 --> 01:30:49,215  Αν θα κάνουν προπόνηση  θα κάνουν 11 το βράδυ, θα τελειώσουν όλοι 1639  01:30:49,240 --> 01:30:51,020  και θα πάνε και αυτοί τελευταίοι. Δηλαδή - 1640  01:30:51,680 --> 01:30:56,280  αλλά γενικά το θέμα των υποδομών είναι  το μεγαλύτερο πρόβλημα που υπάρχει. 1641  01:30:56,600 --> 01:31:00,640  Το πιο θαρραλέο είναι ότι πλέον οι κοπέλες  δεν τους νοιάζει 1642  01:31:02,000 --> 01:31:03,040  γιατί έχουν ξεφύγει από αυτό 1643  01:31:03,065 --> 01:31:06,400  το ότι,  το λένε και στα χωριά ότι, ποδόσφαιρο 1644  01:31:06,440 --> 01:31:07,960  παίζουν τα αγόρια, όχι τα κορίτσια. 1645  01:31:08,960 --> 01:31:09,520  [Intreviewer] Αλλάζει αυτό τώρα. 1646  01:31:09,720 --> 01:31:10,360  [Nikopolides] Έχει τελειώσει. 1647  01:31:10,520 --> 01:31:11,460  [Intreviewer] Ω, έχει τελειώσει; Ok. 1648  01:31:11,485 --> 01:31:14,159  [Nikopolides] Έχει τελειώσει. Ενώ τότε παλιά, 'τι πας να κάνεις;' 1649  01:31:14,189 --> 01:31:15,640  'Πάω να παίξω ποδόσφαιρο', ξέρω γω. Και οι γονείς 1650  01:31:15,760 --> 01:31:17,775  ποδόσφαιρο παίζουν τα  αγόρια, όχι τα κορίτσια. 1651  01:31:17,800 --> 01:31:18,880  Ξέρεις, είναι αντρικό. 1652  01:31:19,000 --> 01:31:20,175  Ναι, έχει τελειώσει. 1653  01:31:20,200 --> 01:31:24,520  Τα κορίτσια είναι θαρραλέα, Έρχονται,  κάνουν προπόνηση, παιχνίδια. 1654  01:31:25,480 --> 01:31:30,120  Ένα κανάλι στο  Ελληνικό δείχνει και κάποια παιχνίδια. 1655  01:31:32,200 --> 01:31:34,120  Αρχίζουν και συμμετέχουν  και οι μεγάλες ομάδες. 1656  01:31:34,160 --> 01:31:36,615  Φτιάχνουν ομάδες, ευρωπαϊκά παιχνίδια 1657  01:31:36,640 --> 01:31:39,120  σιγά σιγά, εθνικές ομάδες  κάνουν τα παιχνίδια τους. 1658  01:31:39,520 --> 01:31:42,760  Είναι - μεγαλώνει αργά αλλά σταθερά. 1659  01:31:43,000 --> 01:31:44,625  [Interviewer] Καλό αυτό είναι για το άθλημα. 1660  01:31:44,825 --> 01:31:45,400  [Nikopolides] Είναι πάρα πολύ καλό. 1661  01:31:45,480 --> 01:31:48,400  Όταν υπάρχουν τα κορίτσια που θέλουν να  παίξουν ποδόσφαιρο, γιατί να μην το κάνουν; 1662  01:31:48,425 --> 01:31:50,760  Και η δικιά μου  κόρη ήθελε να παίξει. 1663  01:31:50,920 --> 01:31:53,660  Τι θα της έλεγα; Μην πας να παίξεις  ποδόσφαιρο γιατί είναι αντρικό άθλημα; 1664  01:31:53,685 --> 01:31:55,215  [Interviewer] Δεν ήθελε ποτέ; Στίβο έκανε 1665  01:31:55,240 --> 01:31:57,040  άλλα, έπαιζε καθόλου μπάλα; 1666  01:31:57,080 --> 01:31:58,760  [Nikopolides] Όχι στίβο, μονό στίβο. 1667  01:31:58,789 --> 01:32:00,320  [Interviewer] Στίβο. Πολύ ωραία. 1668  01:32:00,520 --> 01:32:03,640  Εσύ τώρα έχεις χτυπήσει σαν career goals, τα έχεις πετύχει όλα. 1669  01:32:03,840 --> 01:32:06,376  You've hit your career goals, right? From soccer. 1670  01:32:06,576 --> 01:32:07,576  [Nikopolides] Σαν ποδοσφαιριστής. 1671  01:32:07,674 --> 01:32:10,446  [Interviewer] As a soccer player, yeah. Personal, we all have goals. 1672  01:32:10,646 --> 01:32:13,060  As a soccer professional, 1673  01:32:13,517 --> 01:32:15,303  what's the next goal? 1674  01:32:15,717 --> 01:32:18,003  Do you have any goals for when it comes to soccer from 1675  01:32:18,574 --> 01:32:21,889  I want to be the coach of this team or...? What's next for you? 1676  01:32:24,000 --> 01:32:26,160  [Nikopolides] Ναι, θέλω να προπονήσω  στο υψηλότερο επίπεδο. 1677  01:32:28,360 --> 01:32:31,655  Είτε αυτό έχει να κάνει  με μια κορυφαία ομάδα, είτε να 1678  01:32:31,680 --> 01:32:33,040  παίξουμε στο Champions League. 1679  01:32:33,860 --> 01:32:35,046  εεε 1680  01:32:35,680 --> 01:32:36,720  Ή την Εθνική ομάδα. 1681  01:32:36,960 --> 01:32:40,640  Θέλω να κάνω, να μπορέσω  να προπονήσω σε κορυφαίο επίπεδο. 1682  01:32:40,680 --> 01:32:43,353  Αυτή είναι η φιλοδοξία μου, οι στόχοι μου. 1683  01:32:43,553 --> 01:32:45,903  [Interviewer] In Greece or anywhere in the world? 1684  01:32:45,931 --> 01:32:47,460  [Nikopolides] Οπουδήποτε.  Δεν με πειράζει. 1685  01:32:47,660 --> 01:32:50,803  [Interviewer] And I feel like, in coaching you can only get better with age. 1686  01:32:51,003 --> 01:32:54,317  Right? Like, you have the experiences, you're learning every day. 1687  01:32:54,517 --> 01:32:56,717  There's so much opportunity out there. 1688  01:32:56,760 --> 01:33:00,520  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε. Στην Ελλάδα  επειδή είναι λίγο δύσκολο 1689  01:33:00,560 --> 01:33:06,575  η προπονητική έχει λίγο δυσκολίες, με την  έννοια ότι και κρίνεσαι πολύ αυστηρά και δεν 1690  01:33:06,600 --> 01:33:11,160  υπάρχουν και πολλές ομάδες που έχουν  τις προδιαγραφές, δηλαδή 1691  01:33:11,800 --> 01:33:12,720  δεν έχουν τις υποδομές. 1692  01:33:12,760 --> 01:33:16,280  Δηλαδή βρίσκεις ομάδες που δεν μπορείς,  δεν μπορείς να πας για προπόνηση. 1693  01:33:16,320 --> 01:33:23,040  Δηλαδή και εγώ έχω μάθει δύο  τρεις ομάδες που ήμουνα, και στον Παναθηναϊκό και 1694  01:33:23,080 --> 01:33:26,000  στον Ολυμπιακό, είχαμε αθλητικά κέντρα  και πολύ ωραία αθλητικά κέντρα. 1695  01:33:26,320 --> 01:33:27,760  Την ώρα σου και αυτά δεν σε ένοιαζε. 1696  01:33:27,800 --> 01:33:31,480  Με τα γυμναστήρια, με αυτά κτλ έτσι όπως  πρέπει να είναι όλες οι ομάδες. 1697  01:33:32,200 --> 01:33:32,860  Πρέπει να είναι αυτονόητο αυτό. 1698  01:33:32,885 --> 01:33:35,600  Δηλαδή όταν είσαι επαγγελματική ομάδα θα  πρέπει να έχεις 1699  01:33:36,680 --> 01:33:38,695  το sports center σου, το γήπεδό σου. 1700  01:33:38,720 --> 01:33:42,560  Το sports center σου κανονικά, το οποίο η  ομάδα πρέπει να προπονείται και να μην 1701  01:33:43,200 --> 01:33:44,080  λέει 'σήμερα βρέχει'. 1702  01:33:44,240 --> 01:33:48,600  'Να πάμε στο άλλο γήπεδο που είναι  πλαστικό να κάνουμε προπόνηση'. 1703  01:33:48,640 --> 01:33:50,620  Αυτό δεν είναι επαγγελματισμός,  αυτό είναι κάτι άλλο. 1704  01:33:50,645 --> 01:33:54,240  Αλλά και εσύ προσαρμόζεσαι  σε όλες τις καταστάσεις κτλ. 1705  01:33:56,520 --> 01:33:58,815  Αυτό είναι το βασικό πρόβλημα στην Ελλάδα. 1706  01:33:58,840 --> 01:34:00,520  Είναι οι υποδομές. Και για τις ίδιες τις ομάδες 1707  01:34:01,600 --> 01:34:02,080  είναι πρόβλημα. 1708  01:34:02,105 --> 01:34:05,440  Ακόμα και στην επαρχία οι ομάδες  δυσκολεύονται σε υποδομές. 1709  01:34:05,480 --> 01:34:08,840  Δηλαδή προτιμούν να πάρουν έναν παίκτη, να  δώσουν ας πούμε 100 χιλιάρικα, να πάρουν 1710  01:34:09,040 --> 01:34:13,040  έναν παίκτη ξένο,  μιλάμε για τις ομάδες της Α' Εθνικής, από το να 1711  01:34:14,560 --> 01:34:18,000  να έχουν ένα γιατρό και ένα physical center 1712  01:34:18,040 --> 01:34:20,320  με 100 χιλιάρικα και να πάνε οι  ποδοσφαιριστές και να 1713  01:34:21,120 --> 01:34:25,135  να προσπαθούν να τους ξέρεις, να τους  να τους βοηθάνε να 1714  01:34:25,160 --> 01:34:26,200  αποφεύγουν τα τραύματά τους. 1715  01:34:26,225 --> 01:34:28,760  Δηλαδή όλα είναι 1716  01:34:28,800 --> 01:34:31,963  οι παίκτες. Εν τω μεταξύ πρέπει  να έχεις από πίσω σου - 1717  01:34:32,162 --> 01:34:33,170  Η Αμερική είναι έτσι. 1718  01:34:33,200 --> 01:34:39,975  Έχει την υποστήριξη, staffs,  ιατρικό, τα πάντα, ό,τι χρειαστεί και σιγά 1719  01:34:40,000 --> 01:34:43,495  σιγά θα φέρουμε και παίκτες οι οποίοι  είναι και μεγάλοι παίκτες και καλοί 1720  01:34:43,520 --> 01:34:46,103  παίκτες που θα σε βοηθήσουν  να σε μεγαλώσουν σαν κλαμπ. 1721  01:34:46,303 --> 01:34:47,840  Δεν πας ανάποδα.  Είναι όπως ένα σπίτι. 1722  01:34:47,960 --> 01:34:50,575  Δεν ξεκινάς να  φτιάξεις σπίτι, να αγοράσεις τον 1723  01:34:50,600 --> 01:34:52,420  πίνακα που θα βάλεις στον τοίχο.  [laughs] 1724  01:34:52,760 --> 01:34:54,000  Έτσι δεν είναι; 1725  01:34:54,520 --> 01:34:56,520  Πρώτα θα βάλεις τις βάσεις και  σιγά σιγά το χτίζεις. 1726  01:34:56,960 --> 01:35:02,600  [Interviewer] Αφού στην Αμερική βλέπεις τα σχολεία,  λύκειο, οι ομάδες και έχουν κάτι, 1727  01:35:03,320 --> 01:35:08,280  πώς τα λέμε; Facilities, τρελαίνεσαι που δεν έχει - 1728  01:35:09,440 --> 01:35:11,480  Professional teams εδώ δεν τα έχουν.  Είναι τρελό. 1729  01:35:11,600 --> 01:35:13,720  [Nikopolides] Εγώ όταν πήγα στον Georgetown και είδα τα - λέω 1730  01:35:14,320 --> 01:35:16,000  [incomprehensible] πανεπιστήμιο. 1731  01:35:16,400 --> 01:35:17,520  Μου έφυγαν τα μάτια. 1732  01:35:18,080 --> 01:35:18,640  Τρελάθηκα. 1733  01:35:18,665 --> 01:35:23,720  Λέω τι γίνεται και είχε πάει ο γιος μου ο  δεύτερος στο Indiana. 1734  01:35:24,320 --> 01:35:28,720  Το Indiand είναι ένα πανεπιστήμιο πολύ  μεγάλο, αλλά είναι ιδιαίτερα για σοκ. 1735  01:35:29,920 --> 01:35:31,600  Και τρελάθηκε μου λέει.  Είχε 10 γήπεδα. 1736  01:35:31,625 --> 01:35:33,660  Μου λέει, δεν ήξεραν πού  θα κάνουν προπόνηση. [laughs] 1737  01:35:34,720 --> 01:35:40,509  [Interviewer] Για πες τώρα, ο γιος σου όταν πήγε Georgetown... Η διαδικασία από δω, πήγε λύκειο εδώ; 1738  01:35:40,709 --> 01:35:41,840  [Nikopolides] Τελείωσε το λύκειο εδώ. 1739  01:35:41,880 --> 01:35:45,017  [Interviewer] Και πώς; Είχε agent εκεί να βρει σχολείο; 1740  01:35:45,042 --> 01:35:45,520  [Nikopolides] Είχαμε εδώ. 1741  01:35:45,560 --> 01:35:47,840  [Interviewer] Είχατε εδώ. Και πήγαινε στα σχολεία...Πώς; 1742  01:35:48,680 --> 01:35:51,360  [Nikopolides] Ήταν εδώ. 1743  01:35:52,160 --> 01:35:54,375  Υπάρχει ένας -  λέγεται Άρης Ζαφειράτος. 1744  01:35:54,400 --> 01:35:58,335  Ο οποίος Ζαφειράτος  είχε φύγει κι αυτός εδώ με υποτροφία, είχε 1745  01:35:58,360 --> 01:36:02,560  πάει σε ένα πανεπιστήμιο, πήγε  στο Ιντιάνα και τελείωσε από εκεί. 1746  01:36:02,600 --> 01:36:07,455  Έχει μία εταιρία εδώ, η οποία τι κάνει;  Προετοιμάζει τα παιδιά τα οποία θέλουν 1747  01:36:07,480 --> 01:36:11,733  να πάρουν scholarships στην Αμερική. 1748  01:36:11,933 --> 01:36:12,560  [Interviewer] Μπράβο. 1749  01:36:12,680 --> 01:36:12,880  [Nikopolides] Ναι. 1750  01:36:14,920 --> 01:36:21,320  Βρίσκει ποδοσφαιριστές, αθλητές στίβου, τα  πάντα ανάλογα με το 1751  01:36:21,760 --> 01:36:23,680  που κάνει ένα profile του παίκτη. 1752  01:36:24,040 --> 01:36:30,760  Του Γιάννη του έκανε ένα profile και  του λέει - και είχαμε συγκεκριμένες ομάδες. 1753  01:36:31,120 --> 01:36:34,935  Έρχεσαι σε επαφές με αυτές τις ομάδες, βλέπουν τα βίντεο και το 1754  01:36:34,960 --> 01:36:36,015  profile του παίκτη κτλ. 1755  01:36:36,040 --> 01:36:37,200  Παίζει σημαντικό ρόλο 1756  01:36:37,240 --> 01:36:38,655  φυσικά, πχ για τον Γιάννη 1757  01:36:38,680 --> 01:36:45,455  έπαιξε ότι ήταν στον Ολυμπιακό, έπαιζε στην Ευρώπη,  στα τμήματα στα μικρά, στα league. 1758  01:36:45,480 --> 01:36:46,600  Ήταν η Εθνική ομάδα. 1759  01:36:48,400 --> 01:36:50,240  [Interviewer] Το U21, έπαιξε εθνική; 1760  01:36:50,274 --> 01:36:54,480  [Nikopolides] Όχι, τότε ήταν Under 19. 1761  01:36:54,600 --> 01:36:58,360  Ήταν 19. Είχε εθνικές  ομάδες, ο Ολυμπιακός κτλ. 1762  01:36:59,760 --> 01:37:02,008  Και ξαφνικά εμφανίζονται - 1763  01:37:02,208 --> 01:37:08,320  Νομίζω ο Γιάννης μίλησε  προσωπικά περίπου με 15, 16 πανεπιστήμια. 1764  01:37:08,600 --> 01:37:08,920  [Interviewer] Wow! 1765  01:37:09,520 --> 01:37:11,532  [Nikopolides] Ναι, γιατί είδαν Ολυμπιακό. 1766  01:37:11,732 --> 01:37:15,015  Δηλαδή το αν έχεις μια αθλήτρια  στίβου, η οποία έχει ένα χρόνο πάρα πολύ 1767  01:37:15,040 --> 01:37:18,760  καλό, θα πας. Θα την πάρουν κατευθείαν. 1768  01:37:18,800 --> 01:37:19,840  Δηλαδή μετράνε αυτά. 1769  01:37:20,840 --> 01:37:22,960  Μίλησε με 10 και είχε απορρίψει πχ 1770  01:37:23,840 --> 01:37:26,640  τον πήρε από το Χάρβαρντ και το απέρριψε.  Δεν πάω στο Χάρβαρντ, λέει. 1771  01:37:27,160 --> 01:37:27,520  [Interviewer] Άντε. 1772  01:37:27,720 --> 01:37:30,400  [Nikopolides] Γιατί δεν είχε ομάδα ποδοσφαίρου καλή. 1773  01:37:30,880 --> 01:37:34,280  Δηλαδή η Ιντιάνα ήταν ομάδα  καλή. 1774  01:37:35,280 --> 01:37:36,840  Είναι πάντα ανταγωνιστική. 1775  01:37:38,280 --> 01:37:40,360  Το Georgetown έχει πάντα καλό ποδόσφαιρο. 1776  01:37:40,560 --> 01:37:41,920  [Interviewer] Και όνομα και είσαι εκεί. 1777  01:37:42,160 --> 01:37:48,495  [Nikopolides] Κι όταν τον πήρε τηλέφωνο απ'το Georgetown, μίλησε και λέει 'εκεί πηγαίνω'. 1778  01:37:48,520 --> 01:37:50,920  Λέει Είναι πολύ καλή ομάδα  και ποδοσφαιρική ομάδα. 1779  01:37:51,160 --> 01:37:54,160  Έψαξε και είδε τι είναι το Georgetown. 1780  01:37:54,240 --> 01:37:55,600  Όχι μόνο 1781  01:37:57,840 --> 01:38:00,160  - πώς το λένε - ακαδημαϊκά και ποδοσφαιρικά. 1782  01:38:00,440 --> 01:38:02,640  Είναι πολύ καλή ομάδα, παίζει. 1783  01:38:02,680 --> 01:38:04,960  Division One κτλ. 1784  01:38:05,000 --> 01:38:09,640  Και έκανε μια πάρα πολύ καλή επιλογή  και με αυτόν τον τρόπο πήγε. 1785  01:38:09,680 --> 01:38:13,920  Άρα υπάρχει εδώ ο άνθρωπος ο οποίος  και αυτός δημιουργεί το profile. 1786  01:38:14,280 --> 01:38:17,440  Επειδή είναι μεγαλωμένος στην Αμερική με  την έννοια ότι έχει σπουδάσει στην 1787  01:38:17,465 --> 01:38:22,455  Αμερική, έχει  contacts με διάφορα πανεπιστήμια και όταν 1788  01:38:22,480 --> 01:38:27,815  βλέπει ότι είναι πραγματικά μια  περίπτωση παιδιών η οποία θέλουν να πάνε 1789  01:38:27,840 --> 01:38:29,340  διότι είναι και τα  παιδιά αν θέλουν να πάνε. 1790  01:38:29,365 --> 01:38:33,495  Δηλαδή όταν είσαι  ποδοσφαιριστής του Παναθηναϊκού στα 18 ή του 1791  01:38:33,520 --> 01:38:38,680  Ολυμπιακού λες θα παίξω στην πρώτη ομάδα. Αυτό και θα παίξω και δεν φεύγω κτλ. 1792  01:38:39,800 --> 01:38:41,360  Πρέπει να τα ζυγίσεις λίγο καλύτερα. 1793  01:38:41,600 --> 01:38:46,760  Και ξέρεις η Αμερική ανοίγει, είναι  διαφορετική, μεγαλώνει και το ποδόσφαιρο. 1794  01:38:47,160 --> 01:38:48,520  Μπήκε και στα draft ας πούμε. 1795  01:38:48,560 --> 01:38:51,320  Έκανε τη διαδικασία, ακόμη  και τη διαδικασία των draft. 1796  01:38:51,440 --> 01:38:52,333  [Interviewer] Oh yeah? 1797  01:38:52,360 --> 01:38:52,878  [Nikopolides] Ναι. 1798  01:38:52,903 --> 01:38:53,503  [Interviewer] Στο MLS? 1799  01:38:54,400 --> 01:39:01,360  Στο MLS. Με draft μπήκε στους  RedBulls. Είχε μπει στο ντραφτ, 1800  01:39:02,080 --> 01:39:06,760  Είχαν 4 παιδιά από το πανεπιστήμιο, το Georgetown. Το πανεπιστήμιο του Georgetown είχε βγάλει 1801  01:39:07,120 --> 01:39:11,120  3,4 ποδοσφαιριστές πάρα πολύ καλούς. 1802  01:39:11,320 --> 01:39:14,120  Και μπήκε με draft. 1803  01:39:14,680 --> 01:39:16,600  To ίδιο είναι όπως το μπάσκετ. 1804  01:39:16,800 --> 01:39:22,210  [Interviewer] Getting a D1 scholarship, just that alone is an accomplishment. 1805  01:39:22,410 --> 01:39:24,180  It's a 400.000 dollars education. 1806  01:39:24,680 --> 01:39:27,480  Να παίξει μπάλα, πήρε πτυχίο;  Τι σπούδασε; 1807  01:39:28,120 --> 01:39:31,360  [Nikopolides] Σπούδασε Classical Studies στο πανεπιστήμιο. 1808  01:39:32,320 --> 01:39:34,560  [Interviewer] Ok, πήρε πτυχίο. That's amazing. 1809  01:39:36,945 --> 01:39:41,440  [Nikopolides] Και γύρισε πίσω 22 χρονών, 21, 22 και κάνει  την καριέρα του σαν 1810  01:39:42,440 --> 01:39:43,640  επαγγελματίας ποδοσφαιριστής. 1811  01:39:43,840 --> 01:39:44,379  [Interviewer] Exactly! 1812  01:39:44,579 --> 01:39:45,579  That's incredible! 1813  01:39:48,750 --> 01:39:49,575  One last question 1814  01:39:49,600 --> 01:39:54,280  on Olympiako. When you're playing  Ολυμπιακό και είναι ωραίο στάδιο. 1815  01:39:54,760 --> 01:39:59,295  Κορυφαία ομάδα, όλοι το γνωρίζουν στην  Ευρώπη, παγκόσμια. Και μετά πας 1816  01:39:59,320 --> 01:40:00,855  σε άλλη ομάδα εδώ στην Ελλάδα. 1817  01:40:00,880 --> 01:40:03,800  Δεν θα πούμε ονόματα να τους  κατηγορήσουμε, αλλά πας σε έναν που είναι 1818  01:40:04,400 --> 01:40:08,935  μόλις μπήκαν πρώτο division και πας εκεί. 1819  01:40:08,960 --> 01:40:10,920  Πρέπει να υπάρχει κάποιο  εγωισμό σαν ομάδα. 1820  01:40:11,440 --> 01:40:14,240  Σήμερα παίζουμε στην Κέρκυρα  που ούτε έχουν γήπεδο. 1821  01:40:15,090 --> 01:40:17,750  You still get motivated playing teams like that 1822  01:40:17,910 --> 01:40:19,960  when you're also playing in Europe 1823  01:40:20,160 --> 01:40:21,890  and against other competitions? 1824  01:40:24,120 --> 01:40:25,960  [Nikopolides] Είναι διαφορετικά. Είναι διαφορετικά. 1825  01:40:26,680 --> 01:40:29,160  [Interviewer] Εγώ έμενα Κέρκυρα, ήμουν 19 χρονών. 1826  01:40:29,400 --> 01:40:30,760  Και θυμάμαι τότε λέω, αυτή είναι - 1827  01:40:31,640 --> 01:40:34,000  αυτό είναι γήπεδο; Professional soccer? Kαι έρχεται 1828  01:40:34,280 --> 01:40:36,160  οι μεγάλες ομάδες να παίξουν εδώ; 1829  01:40:36,480 --> 01:40:37,720  Είναι λίγο τρελό, δεν είναι; 1830  01:40:37,960 --> 01:40:41,815  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε, οι Έλληνες οι  ποδοσφαιριστές σαν κι εμένα που 1831  01:40:41,840 --> 01:40:43,880  έπαιζα τότε, πήγαμε σε διάφορα γήπεδα. 1832  01:40:44,480 --> 01:40:45,840  Το καταλάβαινα. Δηλαδή 1833  01:40:46,480 --> 01:40:48,495  λέω σε αυτή τη χώρα έχω ζήσει. 1834  01:40:48,520 --> 01:40:52,000  Έτσι είναι το ποδόσφαιρο,  έτσι είναι ρε παιδί μου. Ο ξένος τώρα 1835  01:40:52,120 --> 01:40:56,480  δηλαδή πχ  πηγαίναμε με τον Ριβάλντο 1836  01:40:56,520 --> 01:40:59,440  και πήγαινε σε κάτι γήπεδα ας πούμε. 1837  01:40:59,640 --> 01:41:01,480  Καλά όπως το είπες να μην πούμε ονόματα. 1838  01:41:03,080 --> 01:41:07,455  Αν έβλεπες πχ οι τουαλέτες και τα μπάνια  πως ήτανε. Κι έλεγες μέσα σου τον 1839  01:41:07,480 --> 01:41:11,640  κοιτούσες, λες: 'Τι να λέει από  μέσα του αυτός τώρα;' Ε, ναι, ναι. 1840  01:41:12,000 --> 01:41:13,200  Είσαι επαγγελματική ομάδα. 1841  01:41:14,680 --> 01:41:16,800  Δεν μπορείς λίγο - παίζεις Α' Εθνική. 1842  01:41:16,840 --> 01:41:19,860  Θα έρθουν παίκτες από τον Παναθηναϊκό,  τον Ολυμπιακό, τον ΠΑΟΚ που 1843  01:41:19,885 --> 01:41:22,800  έχουν παίξει Ευρώπη.  Είναι μεγάλοι παίκτες. Ο Ριβάλντο. 1844  01:41:22,960 --> 01:41:24,400  Ο Καρεμπέ ναι. 1845  01:41:25,200 --> 01:41:28,400  Φτιάξε λίγο ρε παιδί μου,  κάτι ρε παιδί μου. 1846  01:41:31,930 --> 01:41:33,575  Να έχει μία υγιεινή ρε 1847  01:41:33,600 --> 01:41:35,280  παιδί μου. Κάτι, κάπου να κάτσουμε. 1848  01:41:35,880 --> 01:41:39,560  Αν δεις γήπεδα, μιλάμε για  τριτοκοσμικές καταστάσεις. 1849  01:41:40,600 --> 01:41:41,840  [Interviewer] Και τα έχω δει.  Γι αυτό λέω. 1850  01:41:42,640 --> 01:41:45,320  Και μετά λες αυτή η ομάδα, η ομάδα, ο  Ολυμπιακός, 1851  01:41:46,600 --> 01:41:50,676  the owners, Μαρινάκης. Φαίνεται ότι αγαπάνε το  ποδόσφαιρο, υποστηρίζουν... 1852  01:41:50,876 --> 01:41:51,480  [Nikopolides] ...και επενδύουνε! 1853  01:41:51,680 --> 01:41:54,495  [Interviewer] Ναι και βάζουν τα λεφτά, εντάξει. Κάνουν λεφτά. 1854  01:41:54,520 --> 01:41:56,480  Και οι άλλες  ομάδες κάτι πρέπει να βγάζουν. 1855  01:41:56,720 --> 01:41:58,340  Δεν μπορεί μόνο στην τσέπη να πηγαίνουν. 1856  01:41:58,365 --> 01:42:02,375  Πρέπει να τα βάζεις μέσα γιατί αυτό κάνει reflect  ελληνικό ποδόσφαιρο, 1857  01:42:02,400 --> 01:42:05,160  όχι μόνο την ομάδα.  Αυτό που είπες. 1858  01:42:07,400 --> 01:42:12,095  [Nikopolides] Κοίταξε, τα πράγματα έχουν βελτιωθεί το  τελευταίο διάστημα στην Ελλάδα γενικότερα. 1859  01:42:12,120 --> 01:42:17,855  Τελευταία 3ετία 4ετία έχουν βελτιωθεί  πάρα πολύ γιατί μπαίνουν και λεφτά. 1860  01:42:17,880 --> 01:42:20,120  Δηλαδή και η τηλεόραση και δίνουν. 1861  01:42:20,160 --> 01:42:23,600  Υπάρχουν λεφτά. Είναι λίγο καλύτερα. 1862  01:42:25,240 --> 01:42:27,815  Αλλά πάλι δεν είναι σε μια κατάσταση. 1863  01:42:27,840 --> 01:42:29,320  Δηλαδή δεν υπάρχουν ομάδες π.x. 1864  01:42:30,280 --> 01:42:31,800  Ο Παναθηναϊκός. Ο Παναθηναϊκός δεν έχει γήπεδο. 1865  01:42:31,840 --> 01:42:33,455  Δηλαδή η Λεωφόρος δεν είναι γήπεδο 1866  01:42:33,480 --> 01:42:37,480  για τον Παναθηναϊκό που είναι τόσα χρόνια.  Ο ΠΑΟΚ, η Τούμπα. Είναι παλιά η Τούμπα. 1867  01:42:37,760 --> 01:42:41,935  Όσο και να μπορέσουν  να την φρεσκάρουν και να την κάνουν, είναι παλιά, 1868  01:42:41,960 --> 01:42:43,800  είναι γήπεδα τα οποία  θέλουν, πρέπει να πέσουν. 1869  01:42:43,920 --> 01:42:47,920  Όπως η ΑΕΚ. Έχτισε ωραίο γήπεδο. Ο Ολυμπιακός ήταν ο πρώτος, μετά η ΑΕΚ. 1870  01:42:48,040 --> 01:42:49,080  Είναι ένα σύγχρονο γήπεδο. 1871  01:42:49,105 --> 01:42:53,175  Μπορεί μια ομάδα εκεί να επενδύσει ή να  φέρει και άλλους επενδυτές που να θέλουν 1872  01:42:53,200 --> 01:42:56,320  να επενδύσουν σε έναν χώρο που  πραγματικά είναι ωραίος κτλ. 1873  01:42:56,880 --> 01:43:00,680  Αν φτιαχτεί ρε παιδί μου ο Παναθηναϊκός  φτιάχνει γήπεδο, αν φτιαχτεί η Τούμπα. 1874  01:43:00,720 --> 01:43:02,280  Ενα ωραίο γήπεδο, καινούριο κτλ. 1875  01:43:02,520 --> 01:43:05,760  Κάποιος που θέλει να επενδύσει θα  έχει σου λέει, έχω ένα ωραίο γήπεδο. 1876  01:43:05,920 --> 01:43:07,880  Είναι τα διαρκείας, είναι αυτό κτλ. 1877  01:43:08,160 --> 01:43:13,440  Μπορώ να βγάλω χρήματα και να επενδύσω  ξανά στην αρχική μου επένδυση. Οπότε 1878  01:43:13,880 --> 01:43:15,160  οι υποδομές είναι βασικό. 1879  01:43:15,200 --> 01:43:18,215  Είναι αυτό που είναι αυτό που σου είπα, ότι  στην Ελλάδα αγοράζουμε 1880  01:43:18,240 --> 01:43:19,880  παίκτες και δεν έχουμε γήπεδα. 1881  01:43:20,160 --> 01:43:20,740  [Interviewer] Αυτό είναι. 1882  01:43:20,765 --> 01:43:26,040  Κάποια στιγμή θα ήθελα να δω και  από το εξωτερικό, από τη διασπορά, να 1883  01:43:26,440 --> 01:43:30,680  γυρνάνε οι Έλληνες, να αγοράσουν  κάποιες ομάδες, να φτιάξουν στάδια. 1884  01:43:30,960 --> 01:43:32,975  Νομίζω είναι καλό.  Όχι έξω από - έξω 1885  01:43:33,000 --> 01:43:33,600  από Αθήνα. 1886  01:43:38,160 --> 01:43:39,200  Είσαι από Τρίπολη; 1887  01:43:39,240 --> 01:43:41,640  Οk, φτιάξανε ομάδα, φτιάξανε στάδιο. 1888  01:43:41,840 --> 01:43:44,345  Go to some of the other places... 1889  01:43:44,370 --> 01:43:46,200  [Nikopolides] Έχει από την Αμερική. Πχ 1890  01:43:46,320 --> 01:43:50,520  Ο owner του ΟΦΗ είναι Ελληνοαμερικανός. 1891  01:43:52,840 --> 01:43:54,320  Στην Καλαμάτα που είναι Β' Εθνική. 1892  01:43:54,345 --> 01:43:59,680  Είναι ένας άνθρωπος ο οποίος  επαγγελματικά είναι στο Σικάγο. 1893  01:43:59,720 --> 01:44:01,040  Είναι στην Αμερική. 1894  01:44:03,240 --> 01:44:08,680  Η Καλλιθέα έχει - είχε ένα  fund ελληνοαμερικανικό, ένα, δύο. 1895  01:44:09,320 --> 01:44:12,375  Είναι δηλαδή δύο σοβαρές επενδύσεις. 1896  01:44:12,400 --> 01:44:18,480  Δηλαδή και στην Καλαμάτα, κυρίως στον  ΟΦΗ, έχει κάνει μία σοβαρή επένδυση. 1897  01:44:18,840 --> 01:44:20,800  Είναι Ελληνοαμερικανός από  το Σικάγο μου φαίνεται. 1898  01:44:20,840 --> 01:44:22,060  Δεν θυμάμαι από που είναι. 1899  01:44:24,160 --> 01:44:27,520  Υπάρχει η δυνατότητα και υπάρχουν και  υπάρχουν και ιστορικές ομάδες οι οποίες 1900  01:44:27,840 --> 01:44:33,560  μπορούν να επενδύσει κάποιος  χωρίς να χάσει τα λεφτά του. 1901  01:44:33,600 --> 01:44:35,240  [Interviewer] Σαν παράδειγμα. 1902  01:44:35,360 --> 01:44:36,070  [Nikopolides] Λάρισα. 1903  01:44:36,100 --> 01:44:38,935  [Interviewer] Λάρισα, ναι. Που Λάρισα, 1904  01:44:38,960 --> 01:44:43,415  στο εξωτερικό ξέρεις πόσους ξέρω απο  Λάρισα που έχουν βγει έξω και 1905  01:44:43,440 --> 01:44:45,000  έχουν αποκτήσει, έχουνε κάνει. 1906  01:44:45,400 --> 01:44:49,650  [Nikopolides] Η Λάρισα είναι μία - αλλά γενικά  φοβούνται λίγο την Ελλάδα. 1907  01:44:49,850 --> 01:44:52,095  Να επενδύσουν στο ποδόσφαιρο και τα λοιπά, 1908  01:44:52,120 --> 01:44:55,120  αλλά η Λάρισα είναι μια ομάδα η οποία αν  πραγματικά επενδύσεις σωστά πχ 1909  01:44:56,320 --> 01:45:00,920  μπορείς να - είναι μια ομάδα που έχει  μια πολύ μεγάλη δυναμική, έχει ομάδες. 1910  01:45:00,960 --> 01:45:01,680  Ο Ηρακλής. 1911  01:45:01,920 --> 01:45:06,560  Είναι μια ιστορική ομάδα που τα  τελευταία δέκα χρόνια 1912  01:45:07,000 --> 01:45:09,080  είναι μεταξύ φθοράς και αφθαρσίας. 1913  01:45:10,590 --> 01:45:12,090  [Nikopolides] Έχει ομάδες.  [Interviewer] Έχει. 1914  01:45:13,730 --> 01:45:14,640  [Interviewer] Πήρα κάτι για σένα 1915  01:45:15,680 --> 01:45:17,387  First of all να το ανοίξεις, αλλά... 1916  01:45:17,587 --> 01:45:19,317  [Nikopolides] Σε ευχαριστώ πολύ. 1917  01:45:19,517 --> 01:45:21,480  [Interviewer] Είναι κάτι από Los Angeles, να δείξουμε ότι... 1918  01:45:24,560 --> 01:45:26,446  Ποδόσφαιρο δεν είναι να το αλλάξουμε λίγο. 1919  01:45:26,646 --> 01:45:27,505  [Nikopolides] Παίζουν τα παιδιά μου μπάσκετ, 1920  01:45:27,530 --> 01:45:29,715  θα τους αρέσει. 1921  01:45:29,915 --> 01:45:30,915  [Interviewer] Lakers' Lebron. 1922  01:45:31,200 --> 01:45:32,360  Δεν είχα ώρα να βάλω. 1923  01:45:32,880 --> 01:45:35,320  Νικοπολίδης πίσω.  [Nikopolides] Όχι, είναι ωραίο. Lebron είναι 1924  01:45:35,920 --> 01:45:37,551  Είναι θαύμα της φύσης. 1925  01:45:37,751 --> 01:45:38,751  [Interviewer] Eίναι, είναι. Αυτός δεν υπάρχει. 1926  01:45:39,000 --> 01:45:41,680  [Nikopolides] Είναι θαύμα της φύσης. Πόσο είναι; 40 χρονών; 1927  01:45:42,800 --> 01:45:44,420  [Interviewer] 39, 40. Εκεί. 1928  01:45:44,620 --> 01:45:46,040  [Nikopolides] Και είναι λες και είναι 20. 1929  01:45:46,240 --> 01:45:49,535  [Interviewer] Oh no. Και ακόμα τρέχει και κάνει και όλα. 1930  01:45:49,560 --> 01:45:52,566  [Nikopolides] Σε ευχαριστώ πάρα πολύ! 1931  01:45:52,766 --> 01:45:54,695  [Interviewer] Αντώνη, δε - 1932  01:45:54,720 --> 01:45:55,560  θα τα πω στα αγγλικά. 1933  01:45:56,160 --> 01:46:01,280  The fact that you made the time to sit down and talk with a Greek-Canadian 1934  01:46:01,310 --> 01:46:03,460  and for the listeners and everything, for me 1935  01:46:04,300 --> 01:46:07,345  it's like a dream. I know it sounds crazy but like, 1936  01:46:07,370 --> 01:46:09,570  the fact that you guys were part of something for the country 1937  01:46:09,600 --> 01:46:12,740  that we still are so proud of when we we talk to, 1938  01:46:12,940 --> 01:46:18,240  and you are so accessible. I'm talking to you and it's like talking to a brother or something. 1939  01:46:18,270 --> 01:46:20,840  Like, you're just very easy to talk with, no ego. 1940  01:46:22,050 --> 01:46:24,730  And you could tell you're proud Greek, proud of what you've done. 1941  01:46:25,760 --> 01:46:27,570  For everyone. Like, it's just incredible man. 1942  01:46:28,090 --> 01:46:29,095  I really appreciate that. 1943  01:46:29,120 --> 01:46:30,960  [Nikopolides] Εγώ ευχαριστώ.  Ήταν πολύ ωραία συνέντευξη. 1944  01:46:33,000 --> 01:46:33,560  Αξίζει. 1945  01:46:33,680 --> 01:46:38,360  Αξίζει ο κόπος  να ακούγεται και η φωνή του 1946  01:46:38,840 --> 01:46:42,695  ανθρώπου που είναι στην Ελλάδα κτλ και  έχουν πετύχει κάτι για το πώς είναι η 1947  01:46:42,720 --> 01:46:47,280  Ελλάδα και πώς είναι το mentality ή  πώς σκέφτεται ο σύγχρονος Έλληνας. 1948  01:46:47,720 --> 01:46:48,450  Έτσι; 1949  01:46:51,080 --> 01:46:54,200  Είμαστε μια χώρα και πρέπει να  μας αγαπάτε εδώ πέρα τους Έλληνες. 1950  01:46:54,760 --> 01:46:56,268  Είμαστε περίεργοι. 1951  01:46:56,468 --> 01:47:02,215  Είμαστε γκρινιάρηδες, αλλά νομίζω ότι  όπου και να βρεθούμε σαν Έλληνες, 1952  01:47:02,240 --> 01:47:04,160  ο ένας τον αγαπάει τον άλλον. 1953  01:47:05,760 --> 01:47:06,560  Φιλόξενοι. 1954  01:47:09,360 --> 01:47:11,560  Εγώ έχω γνωρίσει πάρα  πολλούς Ελληνοαμερικανούς. 1955  01:47:11,600 --> 01:47:15,160  Μάλιστα έχω κάνει και Πάσχα στη Virginia State. 1956  01:47:16,230 --> 01:47:17,230  [Interviewer] Virginia. Okay. 1957  01:47:18,920 --> 01:47:21,320  Είναι πραγματικά πολύ, πολύ ωραίο. 1958  01:47:22,760 --> 01:47:24,080  Η Αμερική μ'αρέσει πάρα πολύ. 1959  01:47:27,240 --> 01:47:31,080  Θα ήθελα κάποια στιγμή να το - το επιδίωξα αρκετές φορές να εμπλακώ 1960  01:47:31,920 --> 01:47:33,620  στην Αμερική. Δεν με ενδιέφερε. 1961  01:47:34,400 --> 01:47:39,375  Είναι η χώρα που μπορείς να δημιουργήσεις 1962  01:47:39,400 --> 01:47:43,280  και να κάνεις πράγματα όταν πραγματικά  έχεις αξία, θέληση και υπομονή 1963  01:47:43,640 --> 01:47:44,760  να χτίσεις πάνω σε αυτή. 1964  01:47:45,560 --> 01:47:49,960  Παρόλα αυτά λατρεύω την Ελλάδα. 1965  01:47:50,520 --> 01:47:52,560  Είναι ένα μαγικό μέρος για εμάς. 1966  01:47:55,680 --> 01:48:00,760  Εύχομαι καλή επιστροφή. Να κάνεις τέτοιες συνεντεύξεις. 1967  01:48:00,800 --> 01:48:06,095  Υπάρχουν πολλά παιδιά τα οποία μπορούν να  μιλήσουν, να μιλήσουν για την καριέρα 1968  01:48:06,120 --> 01:48:08,680  τους, για τη ζωή τους, για την Ελλάδα. 1969  01:48:10,480 --> 01:48:12,400  Χρειάζεται η φωνή να βγαίνει προς τα έξω. 1970  01:48:12,840 --> 01:48:13,390  [Interviewer] Σίγουρα. 1971  01:48:13,590 --> 01:48:17,080  [Nikopolides] Και νομίζω ότι ήταν  μια ευχάριστη ώρα για μένα. 1972  01:48:17,120 --> 01:48:18,325  Πέρασα πάρα πολύ ωραία. 1973  01:48:18,525 --> 01:48:19,525  [Interviewer] Ευχαριστώ πάρα πολύ! 1974  01:48:20,560 --> 01:48:23,550  Και θα βρούμε ομάδα στο MLS. 1975  01:48:23,750 --> 01:48:24,750  Headcoach! 1976  01:48:25,550 --> 01:48:27,090  Are you kidding me? That's the job! 1977  01:48:27,120 --> 01:48:31,440  [Nikopolides] Είναι ο Frank [Klopas], είναι στο Σικάγο,  είναι... 1978  01:48:31,560 --> 01:48:33,760  Αλλά δεν ξέρω αν είναι.  Είναι κάτι σαν διευθυντής. 1979  01:48:33,785 --> 01:48:35,160  Κάτι τέτοιο. Έχει - 1980  01:48:35,280 --> 01:48:36,600  Είναι άνθρωποι οι άνθρωποι που 1981  01:48:39,600 --> 01:48:41,040  μένουν χρόνια στην Αμερική. 1982  01:48:41,200 --> 01:48:44,400  Ο Frank Klopa τον γνώρισα κιόλας.  Είχε κάνει - 1983  01:48:44,960 --> 01:48:46,240  είχε παίξει ένα χρόνο στην ΑΕΚ. 1984  01:48:46,280 --> 01:48:49,400  Ένα ή δύο θυμάμαι τώρα. Αλλά η πιο μεγάλη 1985  01:48:49,480 --> 01:48:54,840  - δεν ξέρω αν το γνωρίζεις εσύ -  πραγματικά φυσιογνωμία που έχει μείνει 1986  01:48:55,400 --> 01:48:56,655  σε εμάς, σε εμένα δηλαδή. 1987  01:48:56,680 --> 01:48:59,160  Οι πιο παλιοί το θυμούνται,  οι πιο νέοι δεν το θυμούνται. 1988  01:48:59,560 --> 01:49:01,360  Ο Λάλας! Ένας Λάλας. 1989  01:49:01,440 --> 01:49:03,480  [Interviewer] Alexi Lalas! Ναι, ο κοκκινομάλλης. 1990  01:49:03,840 --> 01:49:07,615  [Nikopolides] Είναι μια πολύ μεγάλη κι απ'ότι  καταλαβαίνω απ'το επίθετο πρέπει να 1991  01:49:07,640 --> 01:49:09,695  είναι από Πύργο Ηλείας, Πελοπόννησο. 1992  01:49:09,720 --> 01:49:10,911  Από κει πρέπει να ναι. 1993  01:49:10,940 --> 01:49:12,111  [Interviewer] Νομίζω Πελοπόννησο. 1994  01:49:12,400 --> 01:49:14,055  Ναι, και αυτός ήταν το '94... 1995  01:49:14,080 --> 01:49:17,200  [Nikopolides] Ήταν πολύ μεγάλη  φυσιογνωμία τότε που έπαιζε. 1996  01:49:17,320 --> 01:49:19,920  Ναι γιατί ήταν εθνική Αμερικής κτλ. 1997  01:49:20,000 --> 01:49:22,200  [Interviewer] Άμυνα έπαιζε αυτός. 1998  01:49:22,520 --> 01:49:23,200  [Nikopolides] Ναι ναι, ναι. 1999  01:49:23,360 --> 01:49:27,720  [Interviewer] Και τώρα is an announcer εκεί.  Θα μιλήσουμε με τον Alexi Lalas. 2000  01:49:28,020 --> 01:49:29,050  There's gonna be a connection. 2001  01:49:29,180 --> 01:49:33,015  [Nikopolides] Είναι, για μένα που τον είχα τότε 2002  01:49:33,040 --> 01:49:34,655  εκείνα τα χρόνια, τον έβλεπα. 2003  01:49:34,680 --> 01:49:39,040  Ήταν πραγματικά, ξέρεις,  ένα σημείο αναφοράς στην Αμερική. 2004  01:49:39,080 --> 01:49:41,019  Η Εθνική Αμερική, έλεγες Alexi Lalas. 2005  01:49:41,219 --> 01:49:43,200  Το '94 έπαιζε σαν αμυντικός. 2006  01:49:43,240 --> 01:49:45,107  Έλεγες Αλέξης Λάλας. 2007  01:49:45,307 --> 01:49:48,000  [Interviewer] Μπράβο. Θα κανονίσουμε κάτι.  Τέλεια. 2008  01:49:48,200 --> 01:49:51,480  [Nikopolides] Μπράβο! Είναι μεγάλη φυσιογνωμία. 2009  01:49:51,520 --> 01:49:54,600  Πιστεύω είναι  για το αμερικάνικο ποδόσφαιρο. 2010  01:49:54,800 --> 01:49:56,560  Έχει αλλάξει τώρα. Το MLS έχει αλλάξει. 2011  01:49:56,720 --> 01:49:57,460  [Interviewer] Έχει αλλάξει. 2012  01:49:57,485 --> 01:50:03,095  Μια ερώτηση τελευταία και -  ήσουνα παντρεμένος πριν το 2004; 2013  01:50:03,120 --> 01:50:05,516  [Interviewer] Είχες παιδιά;  [Nikopolides] Ναι, ναι, ναι. 2014  01:50:05,716 --> 01:50:06,200  [Interviewer] Σαν ζευγάρι 2015  01:50:06,240 --> 01:50:10,775  πως άλλαξε μετά ότι έγινε όλο αυτό;  Δηλαδή, όλοι θέλανε τον 2016  01:50:10,800 --> 01:50:12,600  Αντώνη, Αντώνη, Αντώνη, like, εδώ! 2017  01:50:13,160 --> 01:50:16,800  Αυτό πρέπει να είναι δύσκολο  για ένα σύζυγο να... 2018  01:50:20,360 --> 01:50:24,160  [Nikopolides] Στο περιέγραψα λιγάκι με τα παιδιά και με  την οικογένεια. 2019  01:50:26,720 --> 01:50:28,600  Δεν είχα πολύ χρόνο. 2020  01:50:28,840 --> 01:50:32,055  Δηλαδή Σαββατοκύριακο, Παρασκευή, Σάββατο  και δεν έβγαινα ποτέ γιατί 2021  01:50:32,080 --> 01:50:32,980  ήμουν πάντα με την ομάδα. 2022  01:50:33,005 --> 01:50:36,680  Είτε η Εθνική ομάδα. Δεν είχα πολύ χρόνο.  Περισσότερο μεσοβδόμαδα 2023  01:50:37,560 --> 01:50:41,040  θα έβγαινα με τη γυναίκα μου κάπου να  φάμε, να πιούμε ένα κρασί, να φάμε 2024  01:50:41,560 --> 01:50:44,560  μεταξύ μας, αλλά  δεν είχα τόσο χρόνο ώστε να μπορέσω να 2025  01:50:44,600 --> 01:50:49,840  βγω και να κάνω μια ζωή πιο χαλαρή. 2026  01:50:53,400 --> 01:50:57,335  Προσπαθήσαμε λιγάκι μόνοι μας.  Μεγαλώναμε και τα παιδιά μας τότε, 2027  01:50:57,360 --> 01:51:03,680  το 2004, 2006 που γεννήθηκαν.  Τώρα είμαστε πολύ καλά, με την έννοια ότι 2028  01:51:03,920 --> 01:51:09,560  έχουν μεγαλώσει τα παιδιά,  δεν έχουμε να τα πάμε κάπου κτλ. 2029  01:51:09,640 --> 01:51:12,095  Πηγαίνουν μόνα τους.  Εγώ με την γυναίκα μου βγαίνουμε. 2030  01:51:12,120 --> 01:51:12,880  Είμαστε χαλαροί. 2031  01:51:13,320 --> 01:51:18,695  Ίσως είναι η καλύτερη περίοδος με την  έννοια ότι δεν έχουμε τόσες υποχρεώσεις με 2032  01:51:18,720 --> 01:51:23,040  τα παιδιά κι όχι τόσες πολλές  επαγγελματικές υποχρεώσεις. 2033  01:51:23,080 --> 01:51:27,280  Οπότε ζούμε πιο ωραία, πιο ανάλαφρα  και κάνουμε αυτό που θέλουμε. 2034  01:51:27,520 --> 01:51:28,920  [Interviewer] Μπράβο. Υποστήριξε. 2035  01:51:29,920 --> 01:51:30,974  Σε όλα αυτά ήταν - 2036  01:51:31,174 --> 01:51:31,710  [Nikopolides] Εννοείται! 2037  01:51:31,760 --> 01:51:33,600  Μπράβο man. Ευχαριστώ πάρα πολύ! 2038  01:51:33,680 --> 01:51:35,440  [Nikopolides] Εγώ ευχαριστώ! Να είσαι καλά.

CONTENTS OF THIS VIDEO

00:01:03 PODCAST WITH GREEK SOCCER LEGEND INTRO - ANTONIS NIKOPOLIDIS

00:01:32 MEETING A LEGEND AS A FAN

00:03:21 WHO IS ANTONIS NIKOPOLIDIS

00:06:31 REALIZING SOCCER WAS HIS LIFE

00:09:28 IT WAS TOUGHER TO BE A PRO BACK THEN

00:11:01 STAYING GROUNDED DURING FAME & GLORY AFTER EURO 2004

00:16:21 NIKOPOLIDIS BEING AN INVOLVED PARENT AS A PRO ATHLETE

00:19:50 BOTH NIKOPOLIDIS SONS PLAYING GOALKEEPER POSITIONS

00:21:37 TRANSITIONING CLUB TEAMS: PANATHINAIKOS TO OLYMPIACOS

00:26:25 HOW DID PANATHINAIKOS & OLYMPIACOS SHAPE NIKOPOLIDIS' CAREER

00:27:57 WHO ARE THE BEST GREEK SOCCER CLUB FANS

00:29:42 RETIRING AT THE TOP AND WALKING AWAY

00:34:59 PLAYING AGAINST FRANCE'S ZINEDINE ZIDANE

00:42:21 EXPECTATIONS FOR GREECE GOING INTO THE UEFA EURO 2004

00:44:15 GROWING CONFIDENCE TO WIN THE EUROS FOR GREECE

00:47:10 GREECE LEGENDS - HANDLING INTERNAL TEAMMATE CONFLICTS

00:50:44 NO TV FOR GREEK PLAYERS DURING 2004 EURO RUN

00:56:04 CONFIDENT GREECE WOULD BEAT CHRISTIANO RONALDO'S PORTUGAL IN FINAL

01:11:01 EARNING RESPECT FROM THE YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM AS THE HEAD COACH

01:15:13 THE STATE OF GREEK SOCCER PLAYERS TODAY

01:17:08-1:18:51 WILL GREECE EVER WIN A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN?

1:19:40 STOP THE PRESSURE ON KIDS IN YOUTH SPORTS

01:25:42 WOMEN'S SOCCER IN GREECE IS GROWING

01:27:26 NEXT CAREER GOAL FOR ANTONIS NIKOPOLIDIS

01:34:49 EMBARASSED TO PLAY IN OTHER GREEK PROFESSIONAL STADIUMS

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