Planet Swans ArchivesThe on loan Swansea City goalkeeper delivered a man of the match performance on Saturday as the Swans created the shock of the 4th Round by dumping holders Portsmouth out of the FA Cup.
Dimi was on top form as he pulled off a string of saves to deny their Premiership opponents as part of an inspired performance.
The Swans though despite those saves were more than good value for their win but Dimi revealed that it was watching cup finals back home in Greece that inspired him in some of his goalkeeping traits.
He told the Western Mail โI used to watch the cup finals back in Greece, I was a Manchester United fan because of Peter Schmeichel, he was my hero.
โIโm a big lad like he was. And, while I wouldnโt say our styles are the same, I learnt that if you can spread yourself and be big, it always helps.
โIโm delighted with my performance. Thereโs nothing better for a goalkeeper than to keep a clean-sheet away to a side like Portsmouth.
โIt must be up there as one of my best ever performances. Given the quality of opposition and the occasion, it has to be.
โThese are the games you want to play in. Every player knows what the FA Cup means and Iโm no different.
โIt was a bit of a mad moment really,โ he joked in response to almost gifting the home side a goal in the second half. โI slipped and it bounced over my head.
โI didnโt see the big man coming up behind me so I was trying to wind up the crowd a bit and take a casual touch.
โBut then I slipped again and it was almost one of those Soccer AM moments.
โEvery game you play you want to make your stand and show what you can do,โ he added.
โThen you hope you will carry on in the team.
โItโs hard because you often have to wait to get your chance. But, when you do, itโs up to you to take it.
โIโd like to think I took my chance against Portsmouth. When you donโt concede and make a few good saves, I think you have done well enough to show you can be a first-team regular.
โI am here on loan until the 31st and then we will sit down and look at the situation.
โBut obviously I want to play games and I donโt want to just be sitting on the bench.
โIโm quite happy with things at the moment. But I will have to sit down with the gaffer and see what he says.โ
