Passionate Torosidis speech signifies Greek frustrations
Sunday night was a tough pill for Greek football to swallow, as the national team missed out on the 2018 World Cup. Ethniki captain Vassilis Torosidis took the 4:1 aggregate defeat to Croatia personally, venting his anger in the dressing room following the game’s completion.
In the locker room, defender Torosidis is reported to have spoken to the team in a rather angry tone. “Stop crying. You all wanted to be given a chance. You were given an opportunity to play by Skibbe. Chances came your way, despite the fact that you aren’t all playing for your clubs. Don’t complain.”
“The national team consists of different guys. Those who are here have to prove their worth. In the dressing room, I do not want to hear who is for Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, AEK or PAOK. This is the national team. And the national team is above all clubs.”
Torosidis, who has been with the Ethniki during both the good and bad times, was simply enforcing the issue that the national team should always be the most important thing for players. His annoyance at not making the World Cup in Russia can certainly be sympathised with, especially taking into account he was injured for the nightmare first leg in Croatia. Many Greeks will be hoping that his heartfelt words can help Greece improve even further for the 2020 European Championship qualifying campaign.
