He spoke to AlphaNews about the team’s performance last season, their undefeated league run, and his feelings about Anorthosis’s handball division.Live interview with “Kyriá” coach Marios Efstathiadis.

Here is his interview with AlphaNews.Live in full:

On the team’s performance last season: “When Anorthosis loses both the Cup and the Super Cup in a single season, it cannot be considered a successful season. Losing the Cup left a bitter taste in our mouths this season because, with just one loss, we missed out on a title—and it happened at a point when all the players were available and in good form.”

On winning the league title: “When you win the league undefeated, it shows that the team is on the right track.”

You’ve won your sixth consecutive championship. Will there be more to come? “This sixth consecutive championship simply fills us with confidence for the future and also compels us to compete for every title next season because we’ve gotten used to our fans and the handballin general to see us as champions.”

Did the injuries affect your goals? “I can’t say they affected us because, as I’ve said, we won the league undefeated, and the loss in the cup came at a time when all the players were in good health. On the other hand, this year’s injuries were the result of the roster not being ready at the start of the season, which meant that preparations didn’t go as planned.”

How do you view the quality of the Cypriot Handball League? “Cypriot handball has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, but we still have a long way to go to bring the sport up to the level of other European leagues. Anorthosis has played a significant role in the sport’s rise because it has secured European victories and qualifications in recent years, culminating in a European semifinal appearance. We’re seeing soccer clubs establish handball divisions, which brings more fans to the stadium and raises the sport’s profile. Also, all teams now have their own academies, which means a greater number of children are participating in the sport.”

What are your feelings about Anorthosis? “Personally, Anorthosis is the team where I started my coaching career, and I’ve been on the bench here for six years. I’ve held every position. Both as an assistant coach and as head coach. I don’t need to say much; you understand what Anorthosis handball means to me.”