NAME:
Apostolis Karalis.
SUPPORTED CLUB:
Liverpool FC.
FOR HOW LONG?
I’ve been supporting this glorious club since the first day I can remember myself understanding the basics if the game of football, which was approximately 17 years ago.
WHAT BEGAN THE SUPPORT?
My support for Liverpool began after watching one of the most thrilling matches in recent memory, the famous UEFA Cup final in 2001. Liverpool faced the relatively unknown Spanish club of Deportivo Alaves and the two clubs gave an unprecedented show, which was enough for me to bond me with the Reds forever. A 5-4 final score, a 4-4 draw at regulation, an extra-time golden own-goal is all a fan can ask for from a European final!
WHY HAVE YOU STUCK WITH THEM?
It isn’t their collection of titles of course. It’s a number of reasons why Liverpool is a club you stick with. Their Stadium, the famed Anfield, the Kop, the ‘’You’ll never walk alone’’ anthem. There is a special aura around this club, which makes them even more special.
BEST THING ABOUT SUPPORTING THEM:
It is that they don’t need to win titles every year to grow new generations of loyal fans. There are other things that do this job instead and it is outstanding how a team that have not won the league title the last 27 tears can grow new fans all around the world.
GREATEST MEMORY:
It could be no other than the Uefa Champions League final of 2005 in Istanbul. Liverpool came back from a 3-0 down in the first half against Milan to win on penalties their 5th title, with Dudek’s heroics reminding Bruce Grobbelaar of the 80’s. It was a night that no Liverpool fan will ever forget.
WHAT MAKES YOUR CLUB SPECIAL TO YOU?
A lot of things, as I mentioned above, but if I have to choose is the way that everything seems to stop when the fans are singing the ‘’You’ll never walk alone’’ anthem before matches, a moment that brings goosebumps to all of Liverpool’s fans wherever they are watching it from.
BEST PLAYER:
Steven Gerrard, there is no question. But if we talk about my favorite player, this would be Dirk Kuyt, the Dutch who came as a promising striker and played in a bunch of different positions, always giving his 101%, a football anti-star with 286 games and 71 goals for Liverpool and 104 games with 24 goals for Netherlands. A true legend.
WORST MEMORY:
The 2013-14 season. Liverpool were the closest they had been to winning the title than they had been in 24 years, but some late season dooming results paved the way for Manchester City to finish top of the table, with the Reds only two points and one win behind. For a fan of my age, who have never witnessed a league triumph, it was a devastating season-ending.
FIRST SHIRT:
The legendary Steven Gerrard’s all red, with the number 8 on the back, which I won in an internet competition. One of the best days of my life when I received it.