Georgios DERVISIS et Ioannis FOUNTOULIS, new european champions, come back on this achievement

Interview with Georgios DERVISIS and Ioannis FOUNTOULIS

Players of Olympiacos

realized by France Water-Polo

Georgios DERVISIS and Ioannis FOUNTOULIS are first of all very good friends. They both play for Olympiacos and have just won the Champions League with their club last weekend. For us, they agreed to come back on this achievement and answer to our few questions.

Hello Georgios and Ioannis. First of all, congratulations for your victory in Champions League. How did you feel after the match ended?  

Georgios DERVISIS : After the game ended, we could not wrap our heads around what just happened. We all were very excited to have achieved such a great victory against a great team and to finally have achieved our goals and dreams.

Ioannis FOUNTOULIS : Thank you very much for your wishes!To be honest I felt completely lost.There were such intensive feelings that I had never felt in my life before.I just wanted to hug my teammates and celebrate all together because that was a dream that we had since our lost final 2 years ago and finally the time has come for us as well.

This is the second time Olympiacos won this cup. First time was in 2002 and you were 14 years old. We imagine that you were behind your TV that night. Did you imagine, one day, to win it too?  

Ioannis FOUNTOULIS : I honestly remember that day. It was 25 may,on my birthday!! We were watching  the game with my brother and I remember how we were celebrating after the end! Of course when you are young and watch achievements like that you want also to dream yourself winning the Champions League one day. I didn’t expect that I will do it but I was loving waterpolo so much that I was determined to try my best! When on 2009 I moved to Olympiacos I felt that a small step completing that dream was done! And finally 9 years after that became reality and I feel really amazing! There is so better feeling than fulfilling your dreams!

You score a precious goal in this Final. Is it the most important goal of your career?  

Georgios DERVISIS : I cant remember of a more important goal to be honest, and of course a goal in the final is very substantial.

You were rather quiet on the first two games (2 goals in 2 games). In the Final game, you scored 4 goals and contribute greatly to victory. What happened in your head before the match?  

Ioannis FOUNTOULIS : I was really “quiet”the past 2 months to be honest! On April with my wife we were expecting our daughter to be born and it was the first time in my life that I didn’t “care” so much about waterpolo that period. After she came into our lives, she brought so much happiness and made  me able to try to come back and get prepared  for our biggest challenge! Also in the last 2 years i was really unlucky because I had injuries on the final stages and I had to give my best in this tournament and try finally to enjoy the game. I didn’t make the extra ordinary appearances in the first 2 games but I felt that I was useful for my team! In the final I was feeling sure from the first moment and with the help of my teammates I made a game which I was dreaming for long time! It was not the 4 goals that I scored, it was the feeling that I gave all my heart and for that reason I was proud.

You played against Pro Recco, the favorite and in front of his public. Your were not favorite. What was the coach’s speech before the match?  

Georgios DERVISIS : Everyone thought of us as the underdogs in this match, but we always believed we were the superior team. Our coach told us that we had to fight for our ourselves, our sacrifices and to enjoy the game cause everyone wanted to be in the position we were in.

And after the match?  

Georgios DERVISIS : No words were really needed or said, we just celebrated and enjoyed our great achievement.

What is the main strength of Olympiacos?  

Ioannis FOUNTOULIS : Our main strength is that we are first of all friends and after teammates. We have an excellent atmosphere inside the team, great coaching staff and our fans are always there to support us. For this tournament as also Mr Sandro Campagna said we were the team with both the biggest hunger and motivation!

You won everything this season with Olympiacos: Greek championship, Greek Cup and Champions League. You still have the European Championships, this summer, with Greece. What are your chances? Can you win it?

Georgios DERVISIS : In the last few years we have been up there in the top 4 with the national team, we have many young players with a lot of potential and I believe our chances are pretty good, especially after a big win in the Champions League with Olympiacos.

What do you plan to do next season?  

Ioannis FOUNTOULIS : My contract with Olympiacos finishes this summer. From one hand I feel that I did my circle in the team because I won everything here. On the other hand that doesn’t mean that I will leave. I will wait first to speak with Olympiacos and I will wait if any other possibilities will open and in the I will take the best decision for my family. I really love this team, my teammates, our fans, everything here is perfect but I don’t have so many years left to play and I would like to try one time to play abroad. We will see… I don’t make any plans and I will leave time work for me.

What do you think about your teammate Ioannis FOUNTOULIS?  

Georgios FOUNTOULIS : First of all he is one of my best friends, he is a great teammate and the best in the world in his position. I think his goals speak for him.

What do you think about your teammate George DERVISIS?  

Ioannis FOUNTOULIS : Georgios Dervisis? What to say about this guy! He is one of my best friends, my roommate and the guy that makes me and the team laugh all time with his jokes. His experience in Italy last year made him to grow both as a player and as individual. He is always working on limits on every training and I believe he has a great future in front of him and I really wish him to become the best player that he can! At least I am sure he will try his best.

It is customary to finish our interviews by the question « really stupid »: Guys, when will you come to play in France, and in which club?

Ioannis FOUNTOULIS : If I would take the decision to play in France it would be for the club of Marseille. The last 2 years I was in contact with Frederic Audon and we have great communication and great respect. He approached with the best way, but I explained him that my dream was to win the Champions League so both years I stayed in Olympiacos. So if I ever come to France I will do it only for him.

Georgios DERVISIS : I’m actually coming over to PSG to play soccer! Just kidding, never say never though.

Watch, by clicking here, all their goals of the season in the Champions League.