Q&A with Ileana Moschos

Iowa State assistant women's soccer coach, Ileana Moschos, returned last week from the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, where she competed for Greek Olympic Soccer Team. Moschos, who is in her first year on the ISU staff, discusses her Olympic experience.

"Greece played three games in the Olympics. They lost to the USA, 3-0; to Australia, 1-0; and to Brazil, 7-0. We didn't make it to the medal rounds. The USA and Brazil played for the gold medal so Greece was put in a very tough bracket. The teams are put into four brackets and 10 teams make it. There are three teams from the European Region... Germany, Sweden and Greece. Three teams in the North and South America Region... USA, Brazil and Mexico. Two teams from the Asia region... Japan and China, one from the African region... Nigeria and one from the Australia region... Australia... Now, when they paired us up, they made the brackets as four teams, three teams and three teams...Since we were the host country, we automatically had to go into the bracket with the US because they couldn't put us with Europe."

How did you feel about playing the US first?
"I had mixed feelings. I was very excited to play a team of its caliber because a lot of women on the US team are women's soccer pioneers and molded women's soccer into what it is today. But I was also very nervous because there was no warm-up game. We were playing the best. It was kind of a give and take situation. We respected them for all they have accomplished, but we also believed in ourselves against them.

The game had a different impact for the Greek-Americans and the native Greeks (on the Greek team). The Greek-Americans, such as myself, were kind of torn. We were representing Greece, but we were born and raised in the US and our patriotism was pretty high as Americans as well. In fact, my mom got confused. When the US scored its first goal on us, she stood up and cheered and then had to quickly correct herself. I laughed when she told me that, but I think alot of the Greek Americans were torn like that, in a way."

How much playing time did you receive?
"I played 17 minutes against Brazil and we didn't get scored upon when I was in the game, so I can brag a little bit about that...ha-ha."

What was the Greek team like?
I thought we had a good team. We just weren't all at the same level. I thought the native Greek women were some of our best players. They were technically sound and physically strong. They just weren't very tactically sound. Some of the soccer fundamentals that we are taught here in the US at a very early age, the native Greeks didn't have that. So, in that instance it was kind of tough, but all in all, I thought we had a good team. For the most part, all of us really got along and there really was a level of caring and love among us and the language barrier wasn't really a problem.

Did you enjoy yourself in Greece?
I did enjoy the whole experience, but it was also a little hectic. I have to say that I did enjoy myself a little more after we were eliminated because the pressure was off of us. I did enjoy competing. We didn't get to walk in the opening ceremonies because we were already playing, but I really did enjoy myself in the Olympic Village once the pressure was off. It was great. In the village, all these people from all these countries that you would normally never get the chance to meet were there and you got to meet them. Everyone was playing games and learning about each other and there was pin trading with people from other countries.

Did you see any of the other events?
We got to see the US softball team play and some men's field hockey. It was really surreal. We were over there early and saw them building some of the venues and then when you see teams competing in there, it was just amazing.

Did you get to meet any of the other athletes?
Yes. I met Justin Gatlin (100m gold medalist) at a McDonalds. He was very nice. I also got to have dinner with Mia Hamm, which was a lot of fun.

How did that come about?
Well, two people from the Greek team and two people from the US team were chosen to be drug tested and I was one chosen from the Greek team and Mia was chosen for the US. The drug testing took forever so we all sat around talked and got to know each other a little bit. We just kind of hung out and talked like normal people. She took a picture of all of us. I had met her and played with her years before. But later on, I was having dinner with someone and she and the US team doctor came in and the four of us ended up having dinner together.

What was the toughest part?
We had a hard road before getting to the actual Olympic games. The structure and parameters were different with our coach than some of the other teams. We weren't allowed to go places or have free time and do things that athletes normally do to relax like go to the beach or go for a walk. I mean, nothing too out of the ordinary. But I think we had been allowed some free time, we could've relaxed a little bit more. Another thing... our coach wasn't the most qualified. She really didn't know much about soccer and I thought that if we had had better direction from a coach, our team accomplishment could've been better.

Was there anything that surprised you about your Olympic experience?
"There were little things here and there. But really, how male-driven athletics are in Greece. In the US, in large part because of Title IX, little girls grow up today watching women play soccer, softball, basketball, etc. on a national and international level. The Greek National team was only two years old and over there, the heros are the men's players, not the women's players. We didn't really get to get out into the community like I would've liked and kick the ball around with the kids and really get women's soccer out there and women's athletics as a whole. I just thought it was sad we weren't really allowed to try and be role models."

What was the best part of your experience?
"I met some wonderful people both on my team and the other athletes. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity and I'm very proud and honored to have been apart of the experience. It's a chance and opportunity that not all athletes get and I don't take that for granted. This played a pivital role in my career. Everything that happened while I was there, good, bad or indifferent was a great experience. And I grounded myself by saying... 'I'm part of the Olympics. I'm an Olympian and that can never be taken away.' To sum up the experience, it was challenging, but rewarding, gratifying and special. It was a special occasion that I can only share with my 22 teammates. We all had a common bond. To work really hard, to train and make the team and to make something happen. And through everything, I see this in a positive light and nothing could ever compare to it."

Iowa State University Athletics

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