Christina Vrachali. Sports journalist
You watch Christina commentating on football matches on Open TV. Talking with her lets, you understand her immense love for sports and how much she likes to get out of her comfort zone and try new things.
Backyard Opera Athens: Tell us a few words about yourself.
Christina Vrachali: The only thing I could say about myself in two words is my first and last name.
Backyard Opera Athens: What is your relationship with sports?
Christina Vrachali: My relationship with sports is a lifelong relationship. With duration, reciprocity, dedication, passion and emotions.
Backyard Opera Athens: How did you decide to do sports journalism?
Christina Vrachali: My love for sports has led me to everything I have done. From the choice of studies to the will of the profession. I wanted in every way to share the feelings I felt and to be able to encourage, through my interviews and my work with journalism, even one child to turn there and feel everything that I felt. That would be my gain and my life's purpose.
Backyard Opera Athens: Did you encounter stereotypical behaviour with entering "men's paths" until then?
Christina Vrachali: We have all faced stereotypical attitudes. The important thing about me was that from a very young age, I had broken down every form of stereotype within me.
Backyard Opera Athens: What do you consider a vital moment professionally?
Christina Vrachali: I could tell you about the Olympic Games in Athens. Euro 2004. My trip to the Mediterranean. The six European trophies I experienced in the Euroleague. But no. I won't tell you that. I will tell you about the people I met. My every coexistence was necessary. We are our meetings. I still believe it.
Backyard Opera Athens: By what criteria do you participate in television shows, and what can attract you to do so?
Christina Vrachali: The criteria were personal. I needed to get out of the safe zone. To try something I don't know. And to discover hidden aspects of myself. They were combined with the fact that the purpose was charitable. It did me more good than I expected, and I realized how much I needed to express myself. These choices, of Just the 2 of us but mainly of Dancing With the Stars, led me to enrol in the Theater of Changes this year.
Backyard Opera Athens: Have you done photo shoots, and are you promoting brands on Instagram? What is your relationship with fashion professionally?
Christina Vrachali: Although my mother used to organize fashion shows, in which I often participated, advertising children's clothes, I have nothing to do with it anymore. In my personal life, I dress casually. I collect sneakers. I like to express myself through the clothes I choose to wear. It shows a lot. My psychology, my mood, and elements of my character. It's an "identity"!
Backyard Opera Athens: Do you think image plays a crucial role in professional success?
Christina Vrachali: We live in the age of images. We cannot go blind. So, yes, it does play a role. However, it saddens me that everything is done for the idea, not the substance. We tend to lose ourselves. To support an image, which even to us is "blurry". And the worst-case scenario, we try to "serve" the image others have of us daily.
Backyard Opera Athens: How do you like to spend a day outside work?
Christina Vrachali: I love the theatre. I go once a week. Going to see a show and then drinking wine with my friends to share our thoughts is a pleasant and liberating "rite of passage".
Backyard Opera Athens: Do you have favourite hangouts or areas you like to go out to?
Christina Vrachali: My hangout is Let it bee, in Agios Georgios square in Kypseli. It's my best friend Penny's cafe, so it's my benchmark.
Backyard Opera Athens: Do you like Athens as a city to live in?
Christina Vrachali: I love Athens. The city centre. The alleys. The shops. The traditional taverns. The neo-classical buildings. The walk under the Acropolis. The evening rides with my bike. I'm a city girl. And I am moved every time I wander into it.
Backyard Opera Athens: Which other city or country outside of Greece do you like and why?
Christina Vrachali: Due to my profession, I was lucky enough to travel a lot. Almost all over Europe. I "connected" quite a bit with Lisbon. I want to spend some time in my life there.
Backyard Opera Athens: Will you share with us an unforgettable experience you've had?
Christina Vrachali: I see every day as a new experience. But since that's probably not the answer you are looking for, I'll say the road trip I did around the Mediterranean. Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Southern France, and Italy. This "dream" lasted four months. Under tough conditions. At the age of 20. Unforgettable because it completely changed me.
