By Panagiotis Dalatariof.
Euro 2004 legend, George Karagounis, has spoken to The Greek Herald ahead of his upcoming visit to Sydney, Australia this month.
When we ask Karagounis what it means to him to be able to visit Sydney for the first time, he said he was “looking forward to it.”
“I have visited Australia before, but this is the first time I will visit Sydney. Honestly, I’m looking forward to it because it’s always special to be among Greeks of the diaspora,” the Greek soccer legend told The Greek Herald.
“It is easy to see how much those Greeks, who moved to the other side of the world for a better future, love their country.”
During his official Sydney tour, which has been organised by the Football Brilliance Academy and the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, Karagounis will be attending a charity gala dinner at the Grand Roxy at Brighton-Le-Sands on Friday, October 14.
Later in the month, Karagounis will also be reliving the glory days as he partakes in the ‘Karagounis Legends Game’ at Leichhardt’s Lambert Park on Sunday, 23 October.
The former Panathinaikos, Inter Milan and Fulham player said the main purpose of this tour is to connect with the youth.
“There is nothing better than seeing children’s smiles. Children who weren’t even born in 2004 and know what the Greek national team accomplished 18 years ago ,” Karagounis said.
“The tour will also be supporting a friendly charity. We will talk to the children and not only that, we will play. I hope that those who will be on the field and at the gala will enjoy it.”
There’s no doubt everyone is excited for Karagounis’ arrival. The man himself said he’s always surprised by how much joy his presence brings to the Greek diaspora in Australia.
“It’s a nice feeling for me too,” he said.
“Being able to bring joy to people because they see you up close, is unique. The Greeks in Australia and abroad are always hospitable. I feel like I’m in Greece. I feel at home in Australia.”
So what does he hope to achieve with these visits abroad and to Australia?
“Even the new generation, which was not born in 2004, knows what we have achieved. This is very important to us. We feel that we are passing our success down to the next generations,” Karagounis answered.
“Also, I hope all the children of 2004 will motivate many Greeks abroad to play soccer and to keep the Greek element alive.”
What are his hopes and plans for the future?
He confirmed he was once asked by current Celtic FC coach, Ange Postecoglou, to play for Melbourne Victory FC but “in the end it didn’t go to plan.”
Instead, his focus is now on “doing something more coordinated to inspire more Greek females in soccer in Australia.”
“Anything involving children is always nice, let along them seeing you up close and playing with you. It is a great joy to know that you can inspire children. The new generation need inspiration and motivation to succeed,” Karagounis concluded.
Find out more about George Karagounis’ Sydney tour here: Euro 2004 legend George Karagounis to partake in Sydney charity match.
