“At the top of Europe”, “King of Europe” and similar words we read after the Olympian won the Challenge Cup. Greece, country of excesses. Because the “Everest” of European volleyball is the Champions League. Dominance in the third tournament is a success for the Greek team in recent years, but it’s not just about such triumphs.

Will they celebrate, will they be angry at Real Madrid for winning the UEFA Conference League or the so-called Basketball Champions League, the third most complex organization in Europe? I highly doubt it.

Of course, Olympiacos in volleyball may not be comparable to Real Madrid in football or basketball, but they are by no means insignificant: 2nd place in the Champions Cup or Champions League in 1992 and 2002, 3rd place in 1993 and 1995 years and 4th place in 1982, 1994 and 2001. So his ambitions cannot and should not be limited to the Challenge Cup.

After all, this year’s Olympiacos was “built” for big things. 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time European vice-champion Italian Travisa, also European runner-ups Payenk and Stern, Cuban Hidalgo and international Brazilian Gustavo, together with many Greek national team players, make up a very strong group. So that for the coming season – and with any changes he deems necessary – he should strive to qualify for the Champions League groups, provided, of course, that he secures his participation in it and finds a stadium that meets the conditions set by the European Federation. If again you do not prefer “the first in the village is better than the second in the city” …