OFI Crete Coach Eyes Europa League Success: 'We Will Fight to Go as High as Possible'

OFI Crete's coach, Christos Kontis, has set an ambitious tone ahead of his team's historic entry into the Europa League's League Phase. Kontis emphasized that the Cretan club aims to do more than just participate; they intend to compete with a fighting spirit in every match.

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Historic moment for our team. We had said before that whatever the draw, we would enjoy it and go and enjoy it.

Speaking after the draw, Kontis acknowledged the formidable challenges posed by opponents such as Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen. He noted their quality, experience, and the inherent difficulties of European competition, including managing travel and scheduling. However, he stressed that OFI Crete will approach each game with a competitive mindset, seeking to maximize their performance.

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Obviously, Benfica and Leverkusen are two big and difficult teams. They have players, quality, and experience.

"If you don't aim high, you can't achieve great things," Kontis stated, underscoring the team's desire for victories. He recognized the immense difficulty but affirmed the squad's readiness to battle. The coach's remarks signal a clear intent to make a significant impact in the Europa League, aiming to progress as far as their efforts will allow.

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There is no competition where we want to just be there. We want the Europa League and that's why we are here. From the moment we are here, we will play all the games competitively in the way we know.