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Stelios Argyropoulos: 'Winning gold felt like being in a Greek city – the national anthem moved me, but it also fueled o
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

Stelios Argyropoulos: 'Winning gold felt like being in a Greek city – the national anthem moved me, but it also fueled our desire to feel it again'

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Outcome reported
  • Greece's men's national water polo team won the World Championship for the first time, defeating Hungary 15-14.
  • Team captain Stelios Argyropoulos described the final moments and the significance of the victory.
  • He highlighted the strong Greek presence in Sydney and the team's determination to repeat the success.

Greece's men's national water polo team achieved a historic milestone, clinching their first-ever World Championship title by defeating Hungary 15-14 in a thrilling final.

It was something very beautiful and I showed that I was ready for it.

— Stelios ArgyropoulosArgyropoulos described his readiness for the decisive moment in the final.

Team captain Stelios Argyropoulos, who was also named the tournament's MVP and the final's top scorer, shared his insights on the team's journey to this unprecedented victory. He described the final goal as a moment of immense pressure and relief, emphasizing the team's patience and strategic play. "We didn't have much pressure, it was something I was looking forward to, whether it was me or someone else in that position. We had worked a lot on it. The guys made many passes over and over again so I could have the right opportunity. It was something very beautiful and I showed that I was ready for it," Argyropoulos told tanea.gr.

Argyropoulos recounted the intense final moments, noting the crowd's energy and the team's focus. He mentioned the significant Greek support in Sydney, which created a unique atmosphere. "I went crazy with joy, but I immediately looked at the time. As soon as Skoumpakis came to hug me, I saw there were 12 seconds left. So I tried to calm down because 12 seconds is a lot of time," he said, reflecting on the immediate aftermath of the winning goal.

I went crazy with joy, but I immediately looked at the time. As soon as Skoumpakis came to hug me, I saw there were 12 seconds left. So I tried to calm down because 12 seconds is a lot of time.

— Stelios ArgyropoulosArgyropoulos recalled his reaction immediately after scoring the winning goal.

The captain also reflected on the team's mindset throughout the tournament, particularly in the final where they were considered favorites. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with expectation but praised the team's ability to manage it. Argyropoulos also commented on the tactical aspects of the game, including the strong defense and the team's ability to control the tempo against a formidable opponent like Hungary. He expressed a desire for the team to experience the feeling of winning again, inspired by the national anthem moment.

We didn't have much pressure, it was something I was looking forward to, whether it was me or someone else in that position. We had worked a lot on it. The guys made many passes over and over again so I could have the right opportunity.

— Stelios ArgyropoulosArgyropoulos discussed the build-up to the final, winning play.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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