Greece continued from the position they left at the European Championships in Austria last fall. They cleared they way to the silver like a storm and fired up Schwechat few months ago and now once again they proved what they are made of. In Tokyo at the
Greece continued from the position they left at the European Championships in Austria last fall. They cleared they way to the silver like a storm and fired up Schwechat few months ago and now once again they proved what they are made of. In Tokyo at the opening day of the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships they overcame host nation. Team seeded at position no. three left the area disappointed beaten by the team ranked at position no. 14.
Kalinikos KREANGA stretched Jun MIZUTANI to full distance but eventually failed to produce opening match victory. However this was just worm up. Experienced champion was on the top of the game in the decisive match against Seiya KISHIKAWA – 3:0.
“I lost first match but it did not stopped me. I played good I felt the ball well and that match gave me confidence. I believed I could win in case of decisive match “explained KALINIKOS.
Coach Konstantinos VATSAKLIS had some reason to be a little less stressed tonight. “It was hard after European Championships. We carried the burden of that success. Because it was unexpected we were under pressure to prove that we well deserved medals in Team’s and Single’s Events. It did not came by chance and accidentally and the victory over Japan in the middle of Tokyo is there to prove it ” said VATSAKLIS. “ I already said when GIONIS and PAPAGEORGIU won their matches it is extra motive for our legend KALINIKOS to finish the job well.”
Panagiotis GIONIS overcame Seiya KISHIKAWA. It was physically very tough match since the last time KISHIKAWA overcame GIONIS to halt his progress to the Round of 16 at the Olympic Games in London. And of course this duel was stretched to full five games. “I am not happy with my start of the game but as the match progressed I played better and better. From the second game I was confident I could win. I played much more aggressive in the attack and force him into mistakes with good defense. However the crucial moment was the change of tactics in service game. During four games I made a serve to his forehand and then I changed in fifth to his backhand. That opened the way for me to gain some easy balls ” explained GIONIS.
Tomorrow Greece will meet Hungary.“They know very well to play against defense but we have to win that match otherwise the victory over Japan will lose its worth.”
