Interview with Christoforos Ikonomidis
29.12.2013
Interview mit dem australischen U23 Nationalspieler Christoforos Ikonomidis
Fussball-Talente: Could you discribe the feeling when you play your first match for the Australian under 20 team?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: My first official start in the Australian U 20 team was against Chinese-Taipei in a World Cup qualifier in Malaysia. I scored twice and set up the third goal in our 3-0 win. I was very happy and very proud. To top it off I was voted MVP for this game.
Fussball-Talente: Talking about you. What position do you play. What's your strenght and your weekness?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: I play a variety of positions including attacking midfield, left and right wings and “trequartista”. My strengths are my football intelligence, speed and technical ability. I have to work on my man marking and zonal defence.
Fussball-Talente: What was the reason for you to start playing football? Did you get support from your family?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: I started playing at 4 years of age so that I could join in with my older brother and sister. My family is my strength.
Fussball-Talente: How would you judge your personal performance this season?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: I am very pleased with this season so far, I have moved to a bigger Club and have a starting position. I have also been called up for the U 20 National team and now in January will be in Oman with the U 23’s National team playing against Kuwait, Iran and Japan ( I will be the youngest player)
Fussball-Talente: How often do you practice in a week? What is the main focus?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: I train every day at Lazio. Our focus as a team is to stay on top. We would like to win the Coppa Italia , Viareggio Cup and the Nazionale Primavera championship.
Fussball-Talente: What about your education? Is it possible to coordinate school and football?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: It is difficult to devote a lot of time to completing my HSC, but eventually I will complete this. I have been studying languages and I am now fluent in Italian which helps with interviews. I will now learn Spanish and Greek.
Fussball-Talente: Do you have home sickness so far away from Australia?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: I have been overseas for 3 years now, my first 2 years with Atalanta BC ,I still get homesick but skype and regular visitors helps a lot. Joining the Australian team in Spain ,England and Malaysia also helps .
Fussball-Talente: How do you rate the practice grounds and environment of Lazio?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: The facilities at Lazio are excellent and the grounds are immaculate. The staff, coaches, team mates and first team players are all supportive and friendly.
Fussball-Talente: What do you think are the main differences between Australian and European youth football?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: I have played against youth teams such as Juventus, AC Milan, Spartak Moscow, Barcelona, Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon amongst others and the football is fast, technical and fluent. There is not much time to think.
Fussball-Talente: What was your brightest moment of your football career?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: My brightest moments this season was scoring for Lazio and then scoring for Australia. As far as my football career… my brightest moment would be when I was scouted at 14 years of age and taken overseas for my first trial.
Fussball-Talente: What are your targets for the future?#
Christoforos Ikonomidis: My targets for the immediate future are;
Win the Championships with Lazio.
Qualify for the U 20 World Cup.
Qualify for the Olympic Games 2016 with the U 23’s
Play Serie A football..
Fussball-Talente: What is your favourite team beneath Lazio?
Christoforos Ikonomidis: I have always admired the way Arsenal plays and I was lucky to meet Van Persie while he was at that club.
Thank you Christoforos for giving this interviev.
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