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"If you don't think to be better, you are not even good anymore"

Lehtonen got silver from the Greek league

8.5.2009

Riikka Lehtonen ended her season in the Greek Olympiakos with the biggest number of changements during her career. Chaotic season ended to an enourmous disappointment when Olympiakos lost Greek championships against their biggest enemy Panathinaikos. Panathinaikos wan all three finals clearly 3-0. Fifth gold in a row was wan for them in their home court 25-20, 25-19, 25-20. - We could have challenged them as individuals but we were never able to build up a solid group. Pressure to success forced the management of Olympiakos to change their head coach five times. - With this we propably go to Guinness World Records book. Situation did not calm down in any moment of the season, told Lehtonen. Lehtonen was really disappointed after finals. Efficiency of the Finnish spiker dropped down more than normal in the desperate situation. In the third final she scored 6 points. - I\'m physically in a very good condition but you can\'t fight games with one or two players against the team like Panathinaikos. I must be happy that my abdominals, which have disturbed me in the last two years, are now ok and I didn\'t have any problems with them during the season. Future of Lehtonen is still totally open. - For sure I will continue my career but don\'t know yet where. Let\'s think about this carefully. *SLEL

Riikka Lehtonen was shining in Greece

26.2.2009

Riikka Lehtonen, the spiker of Olympiakos, played her best match in the Greek league when Olympiacos beat Markopoulos in their home court 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-18, 25-22). Lehtonen scored 32 points. - I got plenty of balls. It was natural because we have had many injuries and second spiker was this time not so experienced. Trainings have been very difficult because of these injuries, said Lehtonen. Opponent was leading the fourth set still 21-19 after receiving few gift points from referees but Lehtonen was still able to turn the game for Olympiakos. - Completeness was good, but couple of attack and reception mistakes I could have not done, Lehtonen thought. Lehtonen was trasferred to Olympiakos before christmas from Italian Riso Scotti Pavia. She was hired to Greece only to win the championship. Olympiakos wants to finish finally the victorial history of their main opposite Panathinaikos. *SLEL