KOSTAS GIANNOULIS INTERVIEW

Kostas Giannoulis, the player of Atromitos Athinon, exclusively on the Super League website talks about the secret of success of the Atromitos club –"We play for a healthy club"– and about the club's two successive participations in the Greek Cup Final: "I believe it is a great honour to be playing for two consecutive years in the Greek Cup Final and there is of course some bitterness that the team did not win the Cup. This time we get to be lucky ones and we will win it."
As regards his participation in the German championship in the club of FC Köln, he pointed out: "It was beyond doubt a positive experience, although I was not lucky due to an injury." The full interview:

Question by Giorgos Spyrakos
Atromitos played for two consecutive years in the Greek Cup Final against AEK and Olympiacos, but without winning the Cup. Could this be its year?
"I believe it is a great honour to be playing for two consecutive years in the Greek Cup Final and there is of course some bitterness that the team did not win the Cup. However, I hope that we will get to the Final again this year and why not be the lucky ones this time and win the Cup, because the team is worth to win a title given its effort during these arduous times for football and the Greek society."

Question by Dimitris Konidaris
The team makes it even higher with each passing year. What could it do this year? Is the Champions League this year's goal for the club?
"I don't think we should focus on the Champions League, our goal should be to achieve more and finish in the top 5 positions of the ranking.  We should treat each match separately."

Question by Dimitris Karavelis
Do you get anxious over the fact that the demands in the club rise with each passing year?
"No, we don't get anxious, on the contrary, it is a motivation for us to achieve more as a team and to prove our worth, and also for each player separately by raising our standard."

Question by Spyros Tivas
During the 2010/11 season, you were transferred to Köln. However, you did not have any chance to play in an official match. Do you consider this a positive or negative experience and why?
"It was beyond doubt a positive experience, although I was not lucky due to an injury that did not allow me to play." However, I learned many things that helped me significantly to improve as a player."

If you were given the opportunity to play in a foreign club again, would you do it?
"Definitely, no second thoughts there. It is a challenge that is always present in the back of my mind, despite the fact that I am happy and feel really well playing for Atromitos."

The next match is away, against Veria. Which is the key point that you believe will determine the final result?
"We have proved that when we score first, then it is difficult to lose a match. This will be the key point in this match. Veria, however, is a good club and it is in a great condition following their win in Komotini against Panthrakikos."

What is the secret of your success in your opinion?
"The team spirit and the really good climate in the dressing rooms. We play in a healthy time, starting from the administration to the merest employee."

Which do you believe is the highlight of your career?
"The 2012 Greek Cup Final against Olympiacos this year. I did not play in this game because I was injured, but I consider this the highlight of my career."

On November 15, 2011 you had your first cap in the Greek National Team. Are you looking forward to your next cap?
"This is a dream for me and I wish to be called again through Atromitos since every player wants to be playing for the National Team."

Question by Aggelos Laios
In your career, you were lucky to work together with Mr Donis, who is currently the coach of PAOK, as well as with Mr Bajević. The hard work during training in conjunction with the good matches while playing for Iraklis and Atromitos, brought you to the National Team. Therefore, is your participation in the National Team is due to hard work during training or due to the experienced and talented coaches I just mentioned?
"Work is definitely crucial since all I have achieved are due to the fact that I work hard since I was a little boy, however my coaches also greatly contributed to this, such as Mr Donis, and Mr Bajević this year, and in general all coaches I worked with from which I tried to take all the good elements they offered me."

What do you remember from your two matches against Newcastle in the Europa League? Do you believe that Atromitos could have taken the extra step?
"I have both good and bad memories. The good memories are that we played in the Europa League and the bad ones because we deserved a better result, we rose up to the challenge and we all saw what happened in the second leg. We were left with the bitter taste that we could have been qualified."

What are your hobbies?
I go out with friends to have a cup of coffee or to watch a good film at the movies."