Konstantinos Kakaris, the talented 25-year-old Greek water polo star, shared his thoughts on his team’s potential and early-season challenges after their Champions League opener against Primorac.
Known for his exceptional play as a center forward, Kakaris spoke candidly about his smooth adaptation to the team and the promising but demanding journey ahead.
“My adaptation was easy. I know the guys, we’ve been teammates before; it’s all very nice,” Kakaris began, expressing his confidence in the familiar environment. Despite the positive atmosphere within the team, Kakaris emphasized that success won’t come without effort. “We have great potential as a team, but we have to work. Nothing is done by what we say or what we hear. We have to show it all in the water.”
The Greek international highlighted the importance of building team chemistry, particularly after an uneven start in their first European game. “Not everything is so easy. You have to find the rhythm, the chemistry. I believe we will find it. Mainly in defense, we want to get along a little better, but it’s normal. It’s the start of the season. We’re moving forward,” Kakaris said, striking an optimistic yet realistic tone.
When asked about his team’s status as one of the favorites in the Champions League, Kakaris did not shy away from the pressure that comes with such high expectations. “I don’t think we should hide. We are one of the favorites. That’s what the world thinks, that’s what those who know polo think. And we are the first of all to consider it; we do not hide it,” he stated. Kakaris acknowledged that while other strong teams are in contention, being labeled as a favorite is an honor. “It doesn’t worry us. It’s something nice to be considered a favorite, to be considered a very, very good team. I think it honors us.”
Kakaris made it clear that being a favorite is only part of the equation—his team will need to deliver when it matters. He noted that even routine domestic matches, like the one against Glyfada, are treated as valuable opportunities to fine-tune their play. “Such games are like training for us. The main thing is to have appetite and energy, to do some things that our coach has said, so they come out later in a difficult game,” he explained.
Kakaris also had warm words for Gergo Zalanki, the Hungarian star who recently joined the team. “He likes it very much. He has been here and there, he has returned, he likes it very much. And in Budapest, which was summer, it’s a big city, but here it’s much nicer—more sun, more heat. I think he likes it better,” Kakaris shared, adding a lighter note to his reflections on the season.
As the season progresses, Kakaris and his team are well aware that the road to success in the Champions League will require determination, hard work, and finding the right rhythm. For now, though, Kakaris seems confident that they are on the right path, moving forward with a clear goal in sight.
The content and quotes of this interview are attributed to Olympiacos SFP.