Η συνέντευξη του μεγάλου LazaTheGreek μετά την πρόκριση του στα National Finals του eeuro2020

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Meet the players: Greece’s “LazaTheGreek”
The player selection qualifiers for the eEURO 2020 have been packed with action throughout the continent since cups started in early November. To keep the hype rolling, let’s meet some of the skillful players who already clinched a place in their respective countries’ final selection playoffs.
Today, we chat with Lazaros “LazaTheGreek” Semertzidis, who had to overcome a fierce bracket of 124 players in our first cups in the entire competition:

Tell us a little about yourself, when did you start playing PES and when did you realise that you could compete professionally?

I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece, but I currently live in England and I'm part of PESUniverse. I started playing PES with my dad when I was 5 years old and my first ever game was PES 3.

PES 2012 was the title that made me realise that I could compete professionally after achieving 16th place in the Online Rankings. I was aware that PESLeague was KONAMI's esports competition at the time, but I didn't know how I could enter the competition.

Most football fans remember Greece's epic EURO 2004 win. You were quite young when that happened, but do you have any memories of that?

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was watching the game with my family and my grandparents and I remember when Charisteas scored that magic header (winning goal in the final against Portugal) I got scared and I started crying. For weeks, maybe months in the streets all you could see was the Greek flag on every car, on every Balcony; it was just magical. My favourite player at the time was Theodoros Zagorakis because he was our Leader and our inspiration. He was my role model during the EURO.

What's your favourite club in real life and why?

My favourite club is PAOK FC from Thessaloniki, Greece. I'm a huge supporter and I've been watching PAOK since I was three when my dad first took me to Toumba Stadium back in 2002 for a match against rivals AEK Athens for the first time. I love PAOK more than anything because for me its is my second family and having PAOK in my life is a way of life.

Due to my current residence in England, I am unable to attend the matches, but I never miss them because I watch them on TV. My favourite football player is the Portuguese Adelinho Vieirinha from PAOK FC because he was my childhood hero and since then I’ve wanted to be like him.

How would you compare the PES scene in Greece with the rest of Europe? You live in the UK and have participated in their domestic PES scene, how does it compare?

Greek PESLeague is very strong and in my opinion one of the most skillful PES leagues in the world. By far the best achievement that PESLeague Greece has achieved was back in 2014 when Anastasios Pappas (Apolytosarxon) became the PESLEAGUE 2014 World Champion.

It’s very difficult to play and compare players in UK with them from Greece due the different game styles that they have within PES.

Tell us how your tournament went, what was your biggest challenge?

It was difficult and I knew from the beginning that I would have to show my A game and beat some very skillful opponents. I started off well securing three wins in a row that sent me straight from Round of 128 to the Last 16.

Things then got much harder due to the fact I had to face “Provs15” who was a PESLeague Greek National Finalist back in 2017. After a tight match following with a 2-2 draw, I managed to get the win on the penalty shoot-out.



Following the tough game against Provs15, I found out that in order to qualify, I would have to go through “PhaNtOm_Duck-95”, who is a very good player and good friend of mine. He had an incredible run last year representing Greece at the WESG World Finals in PES 2019 and getting eliminated in the Last 8, so by far he was my toughest opponent.

Already knowing that he is a Pro player who has the experience at that level, I knew that losing this match was not an option. After 85 minutes, I found the way with Koulouris scoring an important header that I knew was enough to send me to the Online Playoffs.

What would it mean for you to be part of the Greek team in the eEURO?

If I qualify to represent Greece alongside another player it would be just a dream. Wearing the colours of blue and white and representing Greece with honour and pride would be just magical. I believe in myself and I believe that I can accomplish my dream because just like this year's title slogan... “playing is believing”.

In the eEURO the teams must also play in co-op mode, what do you look for in a 2v2 partner?

Knowing that the competition also involves 2v2 co-op mode makes me even happier to represent Greece. In 2v2 you need to find your other half, which means that the other player must read and foresee your movements, so you link up with your eyes closed. I’m a huge fan of co-op, having already participated in PESLeague in that mode in recent years and gaining the experience of being a competitive co-op player.

How would you describe your style of play?

If I could describe my game style using an animal, that animal would be an eagle. I’m a patient player who waits for his prey's weakness tho show and strikes at the right moment to make him pay with a goal. If I get the ball back from my opponent, I'm deadly on the counter.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to make the leap to play PES at elite level?

You have to sacrifice time for training. Always train on your weaknesses first and improve on your strengths. Never give up and always believe in the win even if you are losing. Take every defeat as a lesson on how to improve and what went wrong.

In the, you have to look in the mirror and say “I can do it”, if you believe in yourself then with training and dedication you can compete with elite players.

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