Finally, after three months of touring in another country, in … other places and dozens of “trips” to different continents, the group Greek Cup final returned to the original place where it was planned to be held: in the city of Panthessal Stadium!

From America V Albania. From Cyprus V Australia and from there to Polandthe establishment was dragged out and the EPO, after its incredible antics, which no doubt further damaged the prestige left in Greek football, made its decision on Wednesday, May 24 (20:30). AEK And PAOK to get a trophy in an empty Panthessalykos. That is the stadium mentioned in the announcement of the event. Proclamation of the Federation itself!

This… odyssey ended 12 days before the final. That is, on May 12, the Greek fans were informed about the venue of the game on the 24th of the same month. If that’s not the definition of absurdity, then what is?

The EPO is – at least – once again exposed to public opinion, and it is worth asking how and if it can change this year’s image in the future.

EPO “traveled” alone…

But how did we get the ending back to the same starting point it started from? Strange as it may seem, and it seems unheard of, but… the trips were made by the EPO itself without the request of the PAE themselves, who will participate in the final! While AEK claimed the play-off championship, all discussions were “frozen”, with PAOK saying at Parco Goody that it was strongly opposed to the possibility of the match being played outside the country.

After last Monday’s play-off games, where the fight for the title was largely cleared up, the administrations of the finalists contacted the mayor of Volos, Achilleia Beo himself, and promised that the final would take place on the conditions that he would set, i.e. without spectators and with only 400 invitations.

Thus, the facts were refuted, and by a letter sent on Friday morning (5.12) by Achilleas Beos before the meeting of the EPO Executive Committee, he declared his consent to hold the match in the city of Volos without the presence of fans and with a high degree of probability the doors will be open for schoolchildren until 13 years.

This was preceded by the position of PAOK Vice President Makis Gagatsi, which was also agreed by the AEK side, that both teams want the final to take place in the Greek stadium, and that “we do not agree, but we are obliged to do this without the presence of fans.”

At the same time, Superleague 1 president and ex officio EPO member Vangelis Marinakis sent a warning letter saying that if the decision was not compatible with the cup announcement, he would take legal action himself. action, while according to the provisions of the APC it is provided “up to and including the punishment of disqualification of anyone who participates in the adoption of this decision.”

Shortly before 16:00, the EPO formalized its decision by announcing its acceptance of all the conditions of Achillea Beu.

However, he added yet another…travel station in case something…goes wrong (not out of the question, by the way…).

It states that “if, for any objective and unforeseen reason, it is not possible to play a match today at the above date and time, the Executive Committee authorizes the President of the EPO, Mr. Baltako, to determine the conduct of the Final Match. at the Elbasan Arena, in the city of Elbasan, Albania, on the same or next available and objectively possible date.”

And as the song about the traveling soul goes: “London, Amsterdam or Berlin, you forgot exactly where you want to go. Whatever I have on loan, I won’t lend you any more, ride the magic bus…”