The hero of the penalty shoot Dionysios Hiotis after the historic victory over APOEL "Lyon" and exit in the quarter, said that he felt "joy and relief."
The main character of post-match penalty shootout goalie Dionysios Hiotis after the historic victory over Cyprus APOEL "Lyon", said that he felt "joy and relief." Club of Nicosia, the first in the history of his country made it to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Yielding to the French in the first match on the road (0:1), restored the balance APOEL Gustavo Manduca efforts already in the ninth minute of the meeting response. In the remainder of the audience with the head of the game is no longer seen, and the outcome of the confrontation has decided dramatic penalty shoot-out, during which Hiotis repulsed attacks by Alexander and Michel Bastos Lyakazetta, bringing the stands GSP into ecstasy.
"I feel joy and relief, - said the goalkeeper in conversation UEFA.com. - We have achieved a result that at the start of the season everyone thought unattainable. But now everything seriously. We have to see who else will break through to the quarterfinals. Arrive just in time opponent does not make sense, except that do not want to get on the "Barcelona".
If Hiotis looked stunned his team's success, the author of Manduca goals without problems voiced their feelings into words: "It was a delightful evening. He will be remembered for years to come. We have rewritten history and proud of it. Who wants to just enjoy the moment."
Manduca, closing transmission Costas Charalambides, was at the right time in the right place. According to the midfield, the tale has been made possible with help from higher powers: "We knew that to enter the next stage we need to score. It is important that we did in the first ten minutes. It was a gift from above. Eighteen months ago, I moved operation on the groin muscle and did not expect to get back into operation so quickly. Lord has blessed me, I scored the ball, which allowed the team to stay in the tournament. I feel proud. "
Madnuka called the support of the stands, "incredible." But according to team captain Nuno Morais, the main success factor was the strong commitment APOEL. "We knew that we only have one chance - said the Portuguese. - I understand that the next opportunity to break through to the quarter may not be. We put the maximum in every game, we have a fantastic team, in which all help each other. We deservedly held on. "
APOEL in the Champions League won five out of seven home games. The only defeat had a meeting with Donetsk "Shakhtar" in the final round of group stage, when the Cypriots have a guaranteed way to the playoffs. Manduca, this fact does not surprise: "re-Tribune have revealed itself in all its glory. Fans were delicious. From them is this support that we seem to feel the presence of additional players on the field. It does not matter with whom we have to play again. We in the quarter, and it's fantastic. "
Manduca first leg quarter finals will miss through suspension, he has earned, getting in extra time red card. As for the draw on March 16, the Brazilian midfielder still like to avoid one option: "I do not want to get on the" Barcelona ". Such opponents as the" Leopard "or" Real ", no one wants to get. Any of the other teams have more authoritative and boasts a rich history. We will try to get on upcoming games, and fun to dream about new successes. Why do not they done? "
