A year has passed since the day, for which… all the friends of AEK lived and breathed.
It was September 30 of 2022when the “Union” returned to its place, in New Philadelphia, inaugurating its new “palace”, the OPAP Arena! In an extremely tasteful celebration, which combined the emotional element with a state-of-the-art show.
” fortress”. Something, of course, that was immediately confirmed, with its conquest double!
sport-fm.gr remembers the opening night of OPAP Arena:
From midnight at the stadium
It’s not an exaggeration. Friends of AEK who traveled from all over Greece had such anticipation to enter the new stadium, that they set up… a carter from midnight. From noon onwards, people began to flock in and as the hours passed it became inseparable. In the boutique, in the surrounding areas, in cafes and restaurants, next to the steel eagle… And everywhere slogans, shouts, smiles and even tears of emotion. From people who “grew up” at the old stadium, from children who didn’t make it… from everyone. Even those who did not get to see the new stadium and “left” in the intervening 19 years, were there in their own way. From fans who went to the “Temple” with their photos, from their thoughts that did not leave their minds…
When the sun went down and the lights came on, the new stadium became even more beautiful. The AEK crowd, ecstatic, did not stop singing enjoying the moment they had been waiting for so patiently.
The tears of Melissanidis
The face of the evening was Dimitris Melissanidis. He was the one who believed in the vision when everyone told him it was impossible to materialize, he persisted and moved the strings for this day to come. “We thank the person thanks to whom we are living this dream today. Dimitris Melissanidis“, Metropolitan Gabriel said, with the audience erupting in blasphemous slogans and the “tiger” bending over and crying.
The deification of Nestorides
As if he would be absent! Kostas Nestoridis, of course, could not be absent from the opening. Even in a wheelchair, even at the age of 92, even if many of his own generation or younger did not have time to experience the great moment with him. The legendary “Nestor” was honored as he deserved, walking onto the pitch with an entire stadium rhythmically chanting his name. He, of course, could not hold back his tears from the wave of love he received.
Guest Star is… Rubabas
The two presenters of the evening, Antonis Antoniou and Natalia Dragoumi, made a special mention of…Rubaba. The saying of Dimitris Melissanidis, who several years ago, when his vision did not seem so realistic, had personally guaranteed that the stadium in New Philadelphia would be built. Rubabas with an amazing effect made his appearance on the playing field offering magical images to the audience.
Homelands that were not forgotten
No one forgot, no one will ever forget them… The new stadium of AEK, as its name testifies, is a center of culture and historical memory. And at the opening there was a special mention of all these lost homelands. Those from which the idea of AEK was born.
Bartholomeos moved, Melissanidis made his mark
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew moved with his message. “The AEK stadium does not house a team, but an idea», he reported.
For his part, Dimitris Melissanidis spoke of the re-establishment of AEK. “We’ve hurt, we’ve cried, we’ve all struggled together, but we’re all here. It is our destiny, through adversity to become better. AEK meets its history tonight, it is founded again», he emphasized in awe of the public.
Immediately after, the strong man of AEK cut the ribbon of the inauguration for the “Agia-Sofia Opap Arena” and the night became… a day of a spectacular show with fireworks and lasers.
She honored her legends
Of course, the evening could not include the legends of the team, those who gave it glorious moments. From Kostas Nestoridis, Lakis Nikolaou, Christos Ardizoglou, to Christos Kostis, Michalis Kasapis, Daniel Batista and Refik Sampanadzovics, 23 players who made history they crossed the playing field and were deified. Less than everyone Dusan Bajevic (for whom there was some disapproval from a section of the public) and more than everyone Demis Nikolaidis. The one who was absent, due to health problems, was Mimis Papaioannou.
And those who “left” were there
He who forgets his past has no future. And the AEK she made sure in the great joy of the opening of the new stadium not to forget those of her own people who did not have time to live at this moment. Through an excellent video, figures such as Kostas Voutsas, Themis, Kostas Generakis, Michalis Trochanas, Anestis Vlachos, Pantelis Pantelidis and of course Stelios Serafeidis paraded before everyone’s eyes.
The evening ended with an amazing action with actors who passed like refugees on the playing field and formed with their bodies “AEK”, to the sounds of “Me aeroplana ki vaporia” by Sotiria Bellou. The artistic program followed with songs by Stelios Kazantzidis, Pantelis Thalassinos and Pontic dances.
The Live of the spectacular event from sport-fm.gr
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
