“This year we want to make history and qualify to the next round of the conference league.”
HEllo “8” !!!
Georgios Kanellopoulos of HJK, on v2mag.fi
Welcome to Helsinki! How has the first period been for you living in Finland? What was your first impression of the city?
The first period was something unfamiliar to me, the way of life and the weather is not the same as in Greece but the city is really beautiful and a nice place to live at.
You made the move from Greece to Finland to play for HJK. How did this opportunity come about, and what motivated you to make the switch to the Finnish league?
What motivated me a lot is that HJK wins the championship almost every year and is in the European competitions.
Coming from Greece, which is known for its warm climate, what was the biggest adjustment you had to make when you first arrived in Helsinki, especially with the colder weather?
Honestly not big adjustments.I knew where i am coming, so i was ready for that. Sauna always helps with the cold.
HJK is a well-respected club in Finland, and the team competes in the UEFA Conference League. How has your experience been so far playing in European competition? What do these international matches mean to you personally?
Playing in European competitions is something unique that every player dreams about. Personally it’s something that can take me as a player, to the next level.
You’ve already experienced playing against some strong European teams in the Conference League. Which game has stood out to you the most so far, and why?
I think the game with PAOK last year and Eintracht Frankfurt was the games that i remember the most, the quality and level was really high.
HJK fans are passionate and loyal. How have you found the fan atmosphere at the stadium? Does the support from the fans feel similar to or different from what you were used to in Greece?
The fans here create a really good atmosphere for us players to perform and offer the team the boost needed, but yet different from the stadiums in Greece, I believe the passion there, is over the limits sometimes.
Helsinki is a beautiful city with a unique mix of nature and urban life. What do you enjoy doing in your free time here? Have you discovered any favorite spots in the city yet?
As you mentioned, Helsinki is a beautiful city. I like the summers here and i often visit parks in order to read my book or going to the beach makes me feel closer to home. I also visit restaurants and other personal favourite spots.
Photo by : © Mira Lonngvist
The Finnish way of life is quite different from the Mediterranean culture in Greece. How have you found integrating into Finnish society and connecting with the locals? Is there anything you’ve learned or enjoyed about Finnish culture?
About the Finnish culture, i know that sauna is very popular and yes! People are different. More introverted but yet polite and kind.
Being away from home, do you miss certain aspects of Greece? What are the things you miss the most about your home town?
I do yes ! But i know some Greek people here that we connected and spend time in Greek restaurants, Le Grec for example, which is a process that reminds me of home. I also enjoy going out, visiting cool local restaurants , like The Boom Room, where you can find the best salmon in town.
What are your personal goals for this season with HJK, both in the league and in the UEFA Conference League? Is there a specific achievement you’re aiming for this year?
This year we want to make history and qualify to the next round of the conference league. This is the teams goal and mine as well of course.