Η Lucretia Chrysostomou they are among the examples of young people who worked hard, chased and conquered their most coveted dream. He started playing football in Paralimni, and ended up playing in a Swiss team. And today, she has to tell us about her own struggle. The match that doesn't end with the referee's whistle.
Who is Lucretia Chrysostomou
She started playing football at the age of 8 in the academy of the women's football team AEK Kokkinohoria, she stood out from the start and thus joined the first team at the age of 10. She continued to serve the game in the AEK team until she was 18, and she has 7 championships and 7 cups to her credit as an AEK footballer.
In addition to AEK, Lucretia was a soccer player for ENP (Youth Union of Paralimni) and the Ledra Nicosia team. She also excelled as a player for the Apollo Ladies team, with another 3 cup championships.
The highlight of Lucretia's career was her transfers to foreign leagues. In the 2014-15 season he competed with the colors of the Elpides Karditsa team in Greece. Nevertheless, her talent was too great to remain limited to Greece and Cyprus, so in 2015-16 she was an active member of FC Neunkirch Frauen NLA in Switzerland, a team of the A' National Team.
Today, he competes in Lefkothea Latsion. A large and integral part of Lucretia's career are the appearances in the Champions League, her participation in the National Team from the age of 14, and the countless awards.
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Let's get to know Lucretia and her story!
- Football is a daily struggle and sacrifices, yet you managed to be the first Cypriot to compete in a foreign league. How would you characterize the path towards the realization of this goal?
It was my childhood dream to compete in a foreign team and I finally managed to make it come true! I wanted to work professionally in football since I was little, although women are not allowed in the field of sports in Cyprus, so I went against the establishment. No matter how many difficulties I encountered along the way, I managed to be the first Cypriot to compete abroad! And of course, I feel particularly happy that I opened the way for more girls to expand their football horizons abroad!
Undoubtedly, the road to the dream was not easy, but it was not paved with rose petals either. On the contrary, I had to do hours of hard training, both as a team and as an individual, watch my diet and sleep early at night. But, the most difficult part in this whole effort is the psychology of an athlete. I lost my friends as well as my family, since I was constantly away from them, and that was the only thing that saddened me. However, I knew very well that in order to achieve what I really wanted, I would have to be elsewhere and concentrated, because unfortunately the closed and small society we live in does not provide us with the appropriate facilities. It does not motivate us to do what we love in Cyprus, and most importantly it does not secure us financially for our future, like for example a male football player.
- If you could describe your career in a few lines, what would they be?
"What's worth it hurts and is hard", that's my life motto. This is how I have been going all these years, with patience, faith, dedication, hard work and always looking at my goal, because if you don't look where you want to go, you will go where you see.
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- What do you think is the most valuable lesson you've learned over the years?
Above all, I have won the bet I placed with myself, and through football I have learned to love myself and those around me! The valuable resource that I have gained all these years is that if you don't try on your own and if you don't manage to get up on your own no matter how many times you fall, no one will reach out to help.
- If a younger person were to ask for your advice, what would it be?
This has actually happened to me just a short time ago with an up and coming talent in women's football. All I want all the younger girls to keep is to chase their dreams and never give up!
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- What are Lucretia's future plans and future goals?
Undoubtedly, my future plans also include the fact that I want to continue being in the field of women's football, either as an active soccer player, or as a coach or gymnast helping athletes. In the future I would like to have my own Fitnessstudio, so that I can help each person individually, because I believe that our body is the temple of the gods and we must first take care of it, so that it can feel good inside!
Because we like it Famagusta.News;
We like Lucretia in Famagusta.Newsbecause through hard work, patience and perseverance, she conquered her biggest dream, which is none other than competing as a professional soccer player abroad! And not only did she succeed, but today, she is the first Cypriot to succeed, so her own success is a precursor for so many other young girls who share her passion.
Lucretia, good luck in everything you do!
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