00:00:02: Welcome

00:00:26: back to the Water Polo Expert Talk podcast and today we are joined by Konstantinos Kakakes.

00:00:34: So welcome, Konstantinoz!

00:00:36: To the podcast.

00:00:37: it's a really pleasure to have you here Looking forward to the discussion today, because there was a little nice win some days ago in Sydney.

00:00:51: So we will talk for sure about that but also your career all across Europe at the end and thanks for joining us!

00:01:01: At the beginning I would like hand it over to you.

00:01:04: so just short introduction of yourself.

00:01:08: maybe One or two people, listeners of the podcast are not really aware of your name so maybe then we can clarify a little bit here.

00:01:17: Okay thank you very much for the invitation.

00:01:20: it's a pleasure from me also.

00:01:22: okay my name is in Greek is Konstantinos Kakaris and I'm really happy to speak with because its nice too have a podcast like this for the water polo world.

00:01:36: let say So yes, I'm really happy.

00:01:39: Perfect!

00:01:40: Yeah so it's at least the most common feedback yeah?

00:01:45: That everybody is happy to join and everyone can speak in the podcast.

00:01:51: And that exactly my point.

00:01:55: We would like bring a little bit of broad audience because... Atleast Germany not popular like other sports, I don't know soccer or tennis football handball basketball.

00:02:11: So we are a little bit the underdog here that way and The plan is really to inspire at least young girls and boys and young athletes for example with discussion to start with Water Polo or come in touch with Water polo, continue the first steps and water polo.

00:02:32: So this is really then also at least my intention.

00:02:35: uh... With a podcast

00:02:37: I think it's very important like especially for young boys and girls who try to make them join the sport.

00:02:47: Yeah!

00:02:48: And when you say its especially important for young people are Young Boys & Girls.

00:02:54: How was your first come in touch with water polo?

00:02:58: So I think, In Greece it's maybe a little bit easier to come and touch with Water Polo like in Germany for example or other countries.

00:03:07: But what was you're first touched with Water polo in the early days ?

00:03:13: Yeah i can say that now It is a bit easier than back then.

00:03:17: Water polos are more famous but The bonus thing...I was swimming you know, young like six seven eight years old.

00:03:29: And then it was a bit boring for me.

00:03:33: so this is the story I heard a lot during last couple of years yes?

00:03:36: So

00:03:37: i think everyone has a bit of this and uh... You know just saying to my mother that its boring.

00:03:46: okay don't have found these.

00:03:49: And she said, She was aware of the sport because... ...she was swimming when she was young and in the pool.. ..she saw guys that were playing water polo.

00:04:03: So she knew about the sport!

00:04:06: And she asked me if I wanted to try this Water Polo?

00:04:11: Exactly what it is, but I was in love with the water generally from very young.

00:04:17: You know also in the pool and also in summer... In the sea all day!

00:04:23: All night until midnight when staying on the sea.

00:04:26: so you know i wasn't in love for the water.

00:04:29: then i tried it And uh..i never stopped loving after this.

00:04:35: So the love story continues today?

00:04:39: Yes Yes, but maybe when this really is such a love story and with all the environment you mentioned in the pool or sea.

00:04:47: Maybe then it's also not so hard to convince you, to train or practice.

00:04:51: So maybe a little bit easier for someone to come and practice.

00:05:02: During these days one of the European most-named center forward players was at the early beginning also, or do you have other positions in your career?

00:05:19: Or maybe it was not your intention personally to play in the center forward position.

00:05:29: Maybe give us a little bit more insights on your way into this position.

00:05:35: Yes, yes.

00:05:36: You know I started like a center.

00:05:39: you know the coaches when i joined The first team was playing which is called Palio Falliro.

00:05:48: They choose my position and then during the years I played also as a defender.

00:05:55: so...I played both positions.

00:05:57: I

00:05:59: like to be honest.

00:06:01: Yeah, so which is then maybe also a benefit yeah?

00:06:03: So when you play the defender position do you know how to handle than the center defender?

00:06:10: Yes yes i think it's.

00:06:11: uh It's really a benefit too To know not okay for sure You are better if your a defender you're better on defending than on Center and If you're a center you're Better all the center than they are like a defender.

00:06:25: but For me its important no things for both positions.

00:06:31: In this way you can manage and expect some things that the opponent will do.

00:06:39: Yeah, so which is then the perfect combination right?

00:06:41: So when we play in a centre forward position and exactly know maybe what a centre defender's doing or thinking... When think about game as such there are many changes of rules over last couple months and years And now we have the next evolution, maybe on rule changes.

00:07:06: How does this change also?

00:07:09: The game or your understanding of a center forward based then on new rules.

00:07:17: So there are so many actions in the center forward position and so many exclusions.

00:07:24: It's an influence of the new rule changes, maybe also on your position but may be in connection to other guys at the same moment.

00:07:39: The changes are big.

00:07:42: as I said you need adapt every time.

00:07:46: there is no option.

00:07:50: But following young kids especially You know, I noticed some differences between what we were learning when we are young and what they're learning now that you're a young.

00:08:04: And okay for sure there'll be differences with the guys before me who's learning but i see some very k-points different in our age than this.

00:08:21: young kids.

00:08:23: I really don't know where it will end.

00:08:28: Now, i'm saying that this is different but maybe in fifteen years from now... This would be normal and which we'll probably because you know every generation has a different style, different rules.

00:08:45: A lot of things are different In every sport not only in water polo.

00:08:51: During the years and through the years, it's completely different.

00:08:55: If you see football if you see basketball It's not the same now.

00:08:59: And so that was what they say before thirty years.

00:09:02: So yeah, its normal is normal.

00:09:05: I think unit.

00:09:07: The most important thing is that you need to accept new rules.

00:09:10: no too fight.

00:09:12: You know

00:09:14: As you said, there's no other option as to live with the roots.

00:09:19: Yes of course!

00:09:20: You need to focus on what needs to be changed in your game... For example, for centers I think now they have to be much faster than before because a game is fast and it goes up-and down.

00:09:38: It was not... The reason behind that was slower.

00:09:44: You can say that you need to be faster.

00:09:48: There are also other examples like this, it's very important change your mind and just practice on these.

00:09:56: When we say okay... We need to practise on those.

00:10:00: so maybe in the direction of young athletes who are listening hopefully for the podcast what is from your perspective one two three main skills for young athletes who are willing to play in clubs like Proreco, Olympiacos or Dubrovnik.

00:10:26: Especially from your point of view as a centre forward player?

00:10:31: one out two main things they have to work on?

00:10:35: For

00:10:36: me there is definitely a centre defender.

00:10:39: you need focus a lot and mainly on your legs.

00:10:44: The legs are probably the seventy or eighty percent of the game, especially for a center.

00:10:51: so it's really important to focus in your legs.

00:10:54: work on your leg.

00:10:58: It will help with everything.

00:11:01: doesn't matter you know what is your style even which position legs are most important thing in water polo.

00:11:09: I don't think this would change ever

00:11:12: Not

00:11:16: now,

00:11:19: not in fifty

00:11:20: years.

00:11:20: As you said, yes.

00:11:21: So it's not only for the position of this center forward player... ...the most important thing than the legs and power on the legs but also all other positions in the water.

00:11:34: But that makes life easier at the end For everybody when they have a good leg or good movement.

00:11:42: And if you say okay, the center forward players need to be little bit more flexible and fast.

00:11:52: Are there any things changed also in the practice?

00:11:56: maybe to adopt then, this new skills from your side?

00:12:04: To be honest I don't know because when i was younger it's a bit competitive during the swimming session

00:12:22: Which makes it easier.

00:12:24: Yes, exactly!

00:12:27: But for me the most important thing is every day to give your best that you have.

00:12:33: maybe It's not the same Monday or Friday on the same level but this really important to be The Best You Have On Every Day And I think on everything.

00:12:45: swimming and legs are not only important for the physical condition, it's also important to have a mindset that you will keep in your career.

00:12:58: For example doesn't matter if you go two or three seconds slower on Monday and Tuesday.

00:13:05: but it is important when working on how you need every day to be as best you can And then you'll keep this mindset throughout my whole career which I think will help a lot.

00:13:17: Yeah, so then we have at least two advices.

00:13:19: So to give a hundred percent during each practice constantly over the next couple of years and working on the legs... Two key messages for everybody out there!

00:13:32: And also for the centers.

00:13:34: it's very important that you touch with everyone but especially for the center.

00:13:39: Centers are working with more pressure.

00:13:44: It's not like an all-around player that he has a bit of distance when shooting with the block or something.

00:13:53: The centre is in constant touch, so if someone is on a bit pressure around... ...the centre is ten times more pressure than the centre.

00:14:09: So skills are also very important for the ball.

00:14:13: Yeah, so with the ball.

00:14:14: So I could imagine that when you say totally understandable... ...that the centre-forward player is constantly in contact with a defender and do not have really much time to go into the goal and make the move left or right or whatever.

00:14:34: That needs to be done in one two three seconds And as a normal player in the background, let's say that way only six or seven meters you have either not contact with the defender and much more time to say okay I was shooting faking long corner, short-corner whatever.

00:14:58: So it's really then as you said a little bit but maximum focus on the center forward position and also on time that is available to make your action.

00:15:14: Exactly because You need take decision in one second To choose the corner where will shoot how he will shoot how you'll defend, and this... You have maximum one second.

00:15:29: Then everyone is on you then it's over!

00:15:33: Yeah so either your the match winner or the bad guy because everybody has to swim backwards to their own goal.

00:15:43: So, when we are going a little bit further with your career.

00:15:49: I mentioned it at the very beginning so all across Europe more or less in Italy and Croatia for sure in Greece And now you're moving to Hungary again Are there any key things that can be remembered from or any key moments from these stations where you say okay this is really a key memory for me staying in Proreco, for example.

00:16:22: Or in Olympiacos.

00:16:24: are there any special things around these career paths so far?

00:16:33: No I cannot choose like one or two because Every team really was very, very important in my career and to develop as a player because you know every team of these gave me A lot of things.

00:16:49: Really like also when I was You don't be a coach for the first three years And now...I have great memories.

00:16:59: Also in Croatia there are lots of great memories.

00:17:02: In Italy they're same And I think, i will have also now in Hungary.

00:17:06: So to be honest it's not just few things like.

00:17:12: every day was different but also everyday was special and... ...I really gained a lot of important thing.

00:17:24: Maybe then for your own development or game?

00:17:32: Let's say a big benefit for players working or training with several coaches, teams and teammates.

00:17:43: For example, in all of these clubs there are not really playing only nobodies.

00:17:49: So then you have also a certain level on practice levels.

00:17:54: so that's I could imagine i would say big benefit for your personal development and the water

00:18:05: Of course!

00:18:07: Also coaches and teammates is very important.

00:18:13: They have a very important role on how you develop as a player.

00:18:18: You know, every day with them... ...you see how they practice and from everyone can gain few things that you use or new way of thinking.

00:18:34: So are there any let's say then when said to cannot really pick up one of these stations is most important?

00:18:42: I don't know.

00:18:43: Maybe there's also, let me try and get another try really regarding the coaches?

00:18:50: Are they any coach where you say okay this is maybe a coach.

00:18:55: we are more or less in thinking of water polo with philosophy.

00:19:05: I

00:19:12: don't have someone that can say this was specific because really from every coach, he has his own philosophy for the game.

00:19:25: It's normal and as a player you do not have your philosophy but... the one who wants to organize a team, and he has his own way of thinking.

00:19:45: So you just follow his... His ways of thinking because we are fifteen players and it's one coach.

00:19:55: If every player have specific way of think then there will be fifteen ways.

00:20:01: Yeah, so it's a little bit more complicated at the end.

00:20:04: Yes of course you just follow one way and I think this is the only way that can work.

00:20:12: but for my career when i left from Greece to Croatia It was really important because it was first time that i left Greece playing abroad And it was really, really important stage for me because you know... It's the first time I played as a foreigner.

00:20:40: The pressure is different when you play as a foreigner Because You need to be always a bit better and on level that your are good.

00:20:54: You cannot say today i'm not good but doesn't matter.

00:20:59: Yeah,

00:21:02: so the focus is a different one.

00:21:03: Yes

00:21:04: of course because you are a foreigner.

00:21:06: The other team signed to you Because it's extra from your team.

00:21:17: You're not a Croatian player that they signed.

00:21:19: They took you from Greece or wherever.

00:21:22: So you need be better.

00:21:26: That's the reason for hire you.

00:21:28: Yeah, I mean... You need to prove yourself every time And it really helped me in my career To become better.

00:21:40: So and..

00:21:40: You know ..you go outside of your comfort zone.

00:21:42: It is ...You are not in Greece With family with friends everything you're abroad For sure new friends and.... You meet new people but You know it's outside of your comfort zone.

00:21:58: and Yeah,

00:22:00: yes the outside of the comfort zone is really then they the spot or The area where the progress is happening.

00:22:06: Yes So when you are in your comfort so on all though other career maybe audio coming here?

00:22:14: There's no progress.

00:22:16: Maybe sit easier for you also them first move from Greece to Croatia make its Also the moves afterwards to other clubs in other countries.

00:22:28: maybe a little bit easier then because you know what is happening and that Maybe the focus was a little more on you.

00:22:35: And as I said, You'd need to be a little better than your teammate.

00:22:39: Maybe Because there's reason for hiring you.

00:22:42: so does it help also?

00:22:44: For the move after D The first one

00:22:46: yeah definitely Definitely and You know for me it was.

00:22:51: It was very important that also when I moved from Greece to Croatia it was there Pope Anastasiu, Alexandros who you know we were friends of eight years old because they started playing together.

00:23:06: so yes.

00:23:07: We are really good friends and also i went with Europoulos Teljus which is a very good friend.

00:23:15: So much easier for me.

00:23:20: It made easier the transition from Greece to go abroad.

00:23:26: And then I met friends also in Croatia and when I went to Italy, I had new friends too.

00:23:34: but first year was really important.

00:23:37: it's been a good year for me to continue next, go on to Italy.

00:23:53: It was not something that was scary let's say because every time the first thing you face... I don't know if there is an expression in Greek but i am trying to translate it into English.

00:24:12: yeah so they have a song called The First Cut as the deepest.

00:24:17: Maybe something goes in this direction.

00:24:20: Something like that, if you see for the first time and it's good then you have a good impression of these.

00:24:27: but if your first time was not good than its always different.