Grammenos confirms that Greek national team have finally left Karaiskakis
Grammenos confirms that Greek national team have finally left Karaiskakis
The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) have confirmed that the Greek national team will no longer compete at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, with president Evangelos Grammenos stating that the time has come for the Ethniki to move house.
As previously reported on AGONAsport, the EPO had already unofficially decided that the national team were going to leave the Karaiskakis Stadium. However, during the EPO’s press-conference in Thessaloniki, Grammenos finally made the decision public. “The national team have to move out of the Attica region. This is down to public opinion. For so many years, other cities have not been able to see the national side,” mentioned Grammenos.
“The Athens Olympic Stadium, the Pankritio Stadium and the three large Thessaloniki stadiums will be checked. We must comply with UEFA regulations. After the national team played so many games at the Karaiskakis Stadium, we will now try something else.”
Grammenos and the EPO have been looking at the Athens Olympic Stadium (OAKA) and the Kaftanzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki as the main options for the Ethniki’s new home, with both arenas expected to host national team games. PAOK’s Toumba Arena, the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium where Aris play and Heraklion’s Pankritio Stadium are also in contention, especially given that the Heraklion Football Federation expressed their eagerness to see the Ethniki play at their main arena.
It remains to be seen where the national team will play their games, but it’s now certain that matches won’t take place at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Nevertheless, one of the main reasons behind the decision could be an unsavoury incident during the recent Greece versus Gibraltar match, something with Grammenos didn’t mention.
By Shaun Nicolaides
Image Source: sportfm.gr
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