AEK focused on Rizoupoli move
AEK are looking to secure their move to Rizoupoli for the 2020/2021 campaign, with the club eager to finally leave the Olympic Stadium in Marousi.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
The 16-year stay at the OAKA appears to be rapidly approaching its climax. In the coming weeks, AEK are aiming to complete their move to the Georgios Kamaras Stadium in Rizoupoli, where they will compete in the 2020/2021 season until their Agia Sofia Stadium is ready next summer. Rizoupoli is a small neighborhood located directly next to Nea Filadelfeia.
Reports have suggested that AEK won’t have any trouble in reaching a deal with the amateur department of Apollon Smyrnis, which owns the Georgios Kamaras Stadium, for the usage of the arena. It must be noted that the stadium will have to undergo certain updates so that AEK can play there.
AEK have mainly been playing at the OAKA since the Nikos Goumas Stadium was demolished in 2003.
One of the main reasons behind this decision is the difficulty in controlling the large OAKA territory. In the last couple of seasons, AEK have been forced to play several matches behind closed doors while receiving damaging points deductions as a result of skirmishes between fans and police outside of the arena, with the organisation pointing out that it does not boast the resources required to control all of the territory belonging to the Olympic Park. The OAKA is also heavily unpopular among the supporters due to the running track around the pitch which makes it somewhat challenging to create an intimidating atmosphere.
The Georgios Kamaras Stadium, on the other hand, is a compact, atmospheric arena purely designed for football with a capacity of 14,200 - meaning it will be full to the brim for the major derbies against Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and PAOK. AEK are expected to put around 7,000 season tickets on sale.
This season, AEK hosted Volos NFC in Rizoupoli in the Super League with the OAKA unavailable to do pitch issues, subsequently earning a thrilling 3-2 victory inside a rocking stadium which was packed:
Interestingly, the Enosi are undefeated in 27 consecutive games at the Georgios Kamaras Stadium, a run stretching all the way back to 1990. AEK have earned 22 victories, four draws and one win in a penalty shootout during that period.
Full list of AEK’s 27-match unbeaten run in Rizoupoli:
1989/1990: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 0-0
1990/1991: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 2-5
1991/1992: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 0-2
1992/1993: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 0-3
1993/1994: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 1-3
1994/1995: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 1-2
1995/1996: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 0-3
1996/1997: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 1-2
1997/1998: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 3-4
1998/1999: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 1-1
2002/2003: Olympiacos - AEK - 1-2
2003/2004: Olympiacos - AEK - 0-1
2004/2005: AEK - AOK Kerkyra - 2-0; AEK - Gorica - 1-0; AEK - Panionios - 1-0; AEK - PANO Mallion - 2-1
2005/2006: Ethnikos - AEK - 0-0 (3-4)
2007/2008: AEK - Fostiras - 2-0
2010/2011: AEK - Panserraikos - 2-0
2013/2014: AEK - Kifisia - 2-0
2014/2015: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 3-3; AEK - Apollon Smyrnis - 1-1; AEK - Acharnaikos - 2-1
2017/2018: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 0-1; AEK - Lamia - 2-0
2018/2019: Apollon Smyrnis - AEK - 0-2
2019/2020: AEK - Volos NFC - 3-2
