"I used to think I would never stop playing football. Even as a player for Panathinaikos I used to play in the streets every morning and in the championship court in the evenings. My mind used to get more tired than my feet did. I had to be skilful, pass to Antoniadis, and avoid the strikes. When I returned home after the match I had to be left alone for about an hour, so that my mind could get some rest".

Born to be a general

Mimis Domazos has an acute sense of distance and uses his feet even more skilfully than his hands. His body parts are cooperating with his brain perfectly, resulting to a complex mechanical and aesthetic effect. He has much more advanced neural networks than the average person. Coach Bompek once opened a hole in a wall and asked the players of Panathinaikos to shoot the ball in it. Domazos succeeded in most of his attempts.

"The ball is my mistress and Wembley my greatest joy. Our opponents first scored, but they didn't celebrate, because they were weary of us. Only when Ajax scored once again at the 86th minute their players jumped on each other and let their joy break out. Since then, the Greek teams spent billions, made courts and brought famous foreign players, but still they didn't play in Europe's final. 5,000 sportsmen used to watch the trainings back then, while nowadays the courts remain empty, because there is more adrenaline in a real game".

Respected by everyone

If players like Domazos were around today in Greece, they would be playing for the big European teams. Even back then when playing for a foreign team was unusual, Domazos received an offer to play for Juventus. "I was 16 when we played against Juventus in Athens for the European championship. The match was 1-1 and the Italians were impressed by Panathinaikos. During the afterparty at ‘Athenian’ nightclub Anielli told Mantzavelakis, who was the president of Panathinaikos: "I want this young man in Juventus". Mantzavelakis refused. Domazos said: ‘such were the contracts we used to sign back then. A player had to die before switching teams".

So Domazos stayed in Greece, following the same game plan and fueling the dreams of Greece. When he was a child he wanted to be like his idol, Bempis of Olympiakos. He once happened to play against him and he even tackled him. He might have been the undisputed leader of Panathinaikos, but Domazos was aware of how talented the other team was. This is the reason why he is much respected by everyone in Greece, no matter what team they support.

Other good players also played in Panathinaikos, but only he was fantasised as a giant by children, even though he's not tall. "I am Domazos, you can take any other name", children used to say to each other when they played football in the vacant lots of every Greek town.

Dribbling time

Many children today have the chance to learn football's secrets being taught by Domazos himself, in the football academies directed by him. "Don't drag your foot, never stop before you shoot, don't hide behind defence, press the goalkeeper until he breaks, run fast but don't be in a hurry". These are some of the advices given by Domazos to his trainees.

He trains children and not professional teams because he can't stand agents interfering with his job. He's never been a soldier at anyone's service. On the contrary, he was a leader the moment he set foot on the court. It has been a while since then but he is still flourishing. He is gifted by nature and refuses to get old. And he never will be old, because the memories of his talented youthfulness will always live.
TEXT-PHOTOS: GEORGE ZAFEIROPOULOS
SOURCE: www.greecewithin.com

MORE PHOTOS

Dancing in Wembley.

The fear of the goalkeepers.

He inspires respect.

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