Elias is one of the favourite boys of the Sydney Olympic fans and we had a chance to ask him a few questions about our Club.

For the younger fans of Sydney Olympic, Elias is a true legend of our Club as he played over 200 games in the blue and white jersey as a midfielder scoring over 10 goals.

Elias is one of the players who lived the dream, as he grew up jumping the fence at Pratten park to get the autographs of the 1^st grade players of Sydney Olympic and he ended up becoming a player of our historic Club.

Read his full interview below and enjoy the passion and knowledge of the past incorporated in the future of Sydney Olympic Football Club.
 

Q: Elia, do you follow the Football NSW Premier League?  Which league do you watch the most nationally and internationally? 

A:Yes, I try to keep up to date with Football NSW Premier League, I would say I probably watch a little A-League on TV. I mainly watch English Premier League.

Q: Other than the obvious, what do you think are the main differences between the FNSW Premier League competition as it stands now in comparison to what it was like when you played for Sydney Olympic in the NSL era? 

A: I believe the difference is the speed of the game, in the NSL we played at a faster pace, but then again it all comes down to the amount of training we used to do then. We basically trained almost every day at that period.  Also I have to say NSL players valued the ball more and tried not to give the ball away cheaply.

Q: The season kicked off a few weeks ago and Sydney Olympic with Peter Tsekenis on the bench, has had some impressive results.  Have you watched the team?  What are your first impressions?     

A: Yeah, I watched my first game against Apia, I would have liked to have seen more games, but I play in the Over 35s with Hurlstone Park and we play at the same time on a few occasions. The team was really impressive, moved the ball around pitch really well, value possession.  The team looks very promising it’s great to see Olympic play with a lot of confidence, as you can see Tseka has major influence in the team.

Q: Out of the new and old players of Sydney Olympic this season, who do you like the most?  Is there anyone that has caught your eye and you are looking forward to watching in the next game?      

A: I’ve only seen the one game, generally the team work well together, I have to day Alex Smith is a real goal poacher, it’s been a while since we had a player who can score on a regular base, I remember the like of Pablo Cardozo, Abbas Saad, Norman Tome, Kris Trianovski, Ante Milicic these guys where regular goal scorers.

Q: As you may be aware Elia, due to construction work taking place at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Olympic will be playing the whole of the first round games away and all the second round games at home. In your opinion, how will this affect the team? 

A: Yeah, that’s great news that they are updating Belmore, I don’t believe that playing away in NSW would be much of problem, though I have to say that in the second round playing at home with the home support with the (Legend Andrea) rallying the troops and of course Belmore has to be the best ground in the league, I see Olympic pick up a lot of point at home.

Q: After the first 7 rounds and with mixed results for most of the teams, who do you believe are the favourites for top 5? 

A: Sydney Olympic, Sutherland Sharks, Sydney United, Marconi Stallions and Bankstown City.

Q: Where do you believe Sydney Olympic will be at the end of the Season?  Is a top 5 spot an achievable position?

A: Yeah I believe if Olympic keeps playing as well as I saw them play against Apia then they will be definitely in the top 5.

Q: What message would you like to get out to all the supporters of our historic Club for the 2011 Season? 

A: Olympic is a Club that I have supported as boy and was lucky enough to play for as well.  Olympic supporters are probably the most passionate supporters I have seen in my time playing the NSL, just want the Olympic supporters to come out to the games and get behind Tseka and the boys, remember there is only one OLYMPIC!!!