Welcome Back Georgios!
The Greek team is getting ready for its big comeback to the FIVB Volleyball World League after ten years of absence. Sotirios Drikos’s players were gathered up in Thessaloniki and started their preparation on Wednesday at the Polihni stadium, which will serve as their training base for the next weeks.
34-year-old Georgios Stefanou is one of the most experienced members of the team and the sole ‘survivor’ of the generation which played the last World League matches for Greece back in 2005 in Belgrade.
“I can vaguely recall those away matches against Serbia, but I remember very well what it means to be a part of the World League: big stadiums, lots of spectators, excellent conditions and top-level rivals. I couldn’t imagine that there would be a ten-year absence after that. I look forward to enjoying all that once again. We hope that the Greek fans will welcome us back in the tournament and give us the opportunity to play in front of a packed stadium, too. That would be the best way to celebrate our return to the elite,” Stefanou said.
The Greek libero also highlighted the importance of the upcoming experience for his younger teammates, who will step up on a higher level:
“This comeback means a lot for us, especially because we have got many young and ambitious players in the team. Such an experience will help them aim higher, play on a different level and enjoy the glamour of this tournament. Our participation in the World League, as well as in the European League after that, will give this new team the opportunity to play many matches during the summer. We will spend four months together and this will help us form an identity and a competitive group, which will be able to set important goals in the future.”
Click here to visit the Official FIVB World League Site.
(images: FIVB/ cev.lu)