J+A Philippou Architects and Engineers, who are designing one of the most ambitious sports facilities in the west of Nicosia, have revealed details of the new stadium for APOEL Football Club.
The project promises to be a true architectural and engineering achievement.
According to the release, it will be realised in two phases: the first phase will see the construction of a stadium with an initial capacity of around 14,670 spectators, and upon completion of the second phase, the capacity will be increased to around 19,270. At the same time, the new arena will include modern infrastructure for fans, guests and various events.
It is worth noting that the construction of the stadium in the Kokkinotrimitia district was made possible thanks to the generous contribution of a well-known businessman, the late Konstantinos Iordanous. It was he who nurtured the idea of building a private stadium for his favourite team, and now his family intends to make this dream come true. According to preliminary estimates, the total cost of the project will be 35 million euros. A significant part of the cost will be covered by a fund set up in memory of Konstantinos Iordanous, while the rest will come from the state aid to which the club is entitled.
Foreign partners have also been involved in the project. In particular, the French architectural firm Chaix et Morel, known for its innovative approach to the design of sports facilities, is co-author of the concept.
APOEL's new stadium is not just stands and a pitch. It is a future centre of attraction for fans, a symbol of commitment and ambition, combining modern design, comfort and respect for football tradition.
As a reminder, APOEL is one of the most popular and most titled clubs in Cyprus. The acronym in the name literally stands for 'Athletic Football Club of the Greeks of Nicosia'. Don't let the final 'L' fool you - the fact is that the capital of Cyprus has two names. Nicosia was given the nickname by the French Crusaders in the Middle Ages, while the real name used by the locals - both Greeks and Turks - is Levkosia.
APOEL is a typical Cypriot club, with a large number of legionnaires, mostly from Brazil, and a foreign coaching staff led by Serbian Ivan Jovanovic, a familiar face in Cyprus and Greece, where he spent the second half of his playing career and a lifetime as a coach. There are many curious tales associated with the island's 21-time champions. For example, APOEL are the only Cypriot club to have played a full season in the Greek league in 1973/74, following the military coup in Cyprus, and to have avoided relegation. APOEL's extremely active and boisterous supporters are known for their colours, which differ from the club's traditional colours. APOEL usually play in yellow and blue, but the true ultras always come to their home ground in orange. In their honour, orange is the colour of the club's away kit, and instead of the usual number 12, the fans wear number 79 - in honour of the year in which the active Pan Ci Phi supporters group was founded.