Dimitris Patapis is a football player who started from the bottom and worked hard to get to compete at a professional level, going through all the stages, from amateur football.
The 27-year-old native player started his career from Achaikos and played for Doxa Paralias, AO Patrai 2008, Keravnos Agios Vassiliou, PAO Vardas, Achaiki, Panachaiki, Chania, Apollon Smyrni and Gloria Buzau.
In the summer of 2018 and following two years of playing in the 3rd National Team, Dimitris Patapis grabbed the opportunity by the hair.
At the age of 22 at the time, he participated in the preparation of Panachaki in Karpenisi, satisfying Sokratis Ofrydopoulos, who gave the green light to the administration and signed a professional contract. He stayed for three years with the “red and blacks” (2018-2021), he had a contract for a fourth, but the team was disbanded, while he also experienced difficult situations, just like most of the team’s footballers.
Last July, he made the decision to “go away” for the first time in his career, as he agreed to continue in B Romania with the shirt of Gloria Buzau. The passage was short. A family problem combined with the decisions of his coach brought him back to Patras, looking for the next station.
He is currently working in the mornings and training in the followingnoons to be in good shape for the game.
How was the experience in Romania?
It was a beautiful experience. Tough league, but nice experience. I was pleased with myself because it was my first time abroad. And we had a very good team. Everything was fine.
How did you come back?
“There was a problem with the coach, but I also had a family one in Patras, so I didn’t think regarding it. The end came a little suddenly.”
What problem did you have with the coach?
“My behavior was as always. I was formal in everything, very consistent in training, just like a professional does. I don’t know the ins and outs. From what I understand, he wanted the budget to be reduced, but I don’t know exactly what was behind it.”
If you had the choice to play in Super League 2 of Romania or Greece, what would you choose?
“The leagues are not that different. Their pace is better. As footballers we have more talent. In Romania, the regulation says that each team must have one Romanian under 18 and one under 21 in their XI. They had brought several foreigners, but the 18 were Romanians and 7-8 foreigners. In the coming years, their football and their national team will be very good.”
Is their league more organized than ours?
“It’s very organized. All announced dates apply from the beginning, without extensions or postponements. And here in Greece, the Super League 2 championship started on time.”
Yes, but celebrating something that should be self-evident?
“Let’s not be miserable. It’s something positive.”
What regarding TV rights in Romania’s second division?
“There is a lot of interest. My own team’s games were broadcast live every weekend. From free channels, not subscription. They choose some games on Saturday and Sunday.”
Were people coming to the stadium?
“In a derby at our home ground, the stadium had 5,000 people. Away from home we played a team that was relegated from A’ and had 10,000 fans. In general, there were a lot of people in the stadiums.”
As far as I know, there was also a contact some time ago with Panachaiki to return…
“Yes it did. We had found them in everything. Panachaiki had to kick out a player to get me, which didn’t happen. I don’t know who and it doesn’t matter.”
Even though you had a hard time in the years you were in Panachaiki, why did you enter the process once more?
“They’re a great team, no matter how low they go. It counts a lot. I took it a bit emotionally and I wanted to help Panachaiki as well.”
How were the three years you competed in Panachaiki?
“We have had a difficult time, mainly from the financial point of view. We hurt a lot. I don’t want to say what situations I experienced. I got to the point of asking my father for money to fill up gas. However, we did our best for the team to be decent until the end. For foreigners it was more difficult. I lived in my house. Some didn’t even have electricity at home.”
Have you experienced such situations before in your career?
“Tricky question (laughs). No never. Not in Chania, not in Apollo Smyrna.”
For the administrators, should I ask you or will the space not arrive?
“You’d better. We’re moving on. What happened, happened.”
Okay, in Apollon Smyrna I imagine that Monemvasiotis was a gentleman…
“I know he’s dealing with Hercules now, as a sponsor from what I see. He’s exquisite. He does his job well, he wants everything to work like clockwork. He puts a lot of money into football and wants everything to be done the way he wants. We didn’t have personal relations, but I have positive impressions.”
Is it true that you are currently working somewhere else until you find a team?
“Yes of course. I think it has to do with each person’s character. Someone may not want to work and spend out of pocket. I don’t want to spend the money I’ve earned. That’s why I found a morning job and in the followingnoon I do my training to keep in good shape. I do ergometrics, tests, everything. There is fatigue, but everything is in the mind.”
Besides, I don’t think you’ve made enough money from football to never work once more?
“Of course not. Here some have played in Super League teams and they haven’t made it.”
When you started you had some dreams. Now that you’ve experienced professional football, what experience have you gained?
“Before going to Panachaki I had a dream of becoming a professional. I took it step by step. I saw that I might and told myself that I would work very hard. I might have done something better in football. Certain circumstances played a role, but I am still more to blame.”
What is the next dream?
“Since I am now without a team, the next goal is to find a team! We stay humble and look at the basics. It matures the mind in difficult times. What does not kill you makes you stronger. I will look for a good team, either inside or outside Greece. This is for starters.”
Do you rule out the case of Panachaki next year?
“I never rule out the case of Panachaki, in whatever situation she is in.”
I notice in many players, that no matter how many “pistols” they have received from Panachaiki, they want to return. Why is this happening?
“Are they hoping it won’t happen once more? Every time management changes, I hope something good will happen.”
Have you kept in touch with your teammates since that time?
“With many. With Moustakopoulos who is in Kallithea, with Soulis who is in PAS Ioannina and with other guys”.
Moustakopoulos has found a good case in Kallithea…
“They are a very organized team. And two years ago when we played with Chania, I saw something very good happening there.”
If you had to give a piece of advice to a kid starting out now, what would you tell them?
“I don’t know how it sounds, but I would tell the young kids to live more in everyday life. What do I mean by that? To leave mobile phones, tablets and screens and do activities that give them joy and well-being. These hours they waste on the mobile phone, add them to training and love in what they do. I find this advice unlocks a lot for a young kid if he just puts it into practice.”
Of course, now various aspirants approach the young children or their parents and promise them that they will play in … Barcelona.
“Young people need guidance in order to understand what is happening around them and not be led astray. And it’s what I said before. When a person goes through a difficult time, he learns a lot and realizes that his personality is stronger than he thought. That is why I praise God that I am having a hard time. Something better is always coming and I can’t wait to see what it is.”
This is the nicest message. Thank you very much.
“Thank you too”.
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