Goal Programme - Hellenic Football Federation - 2002

Football is clearly the number one sport in Greece, both in terms of the number of active players and public interest. Despite excellent television coverage, attendances at domestic league matches and games involving the Greek national team continue to impress. Football is the sport with the best commercial opportunities and the highest level of investment in the construction of stadiums, training centres and leisure facilities. The national team celebrated its greatest days in winning the European Championship in 2004 and by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup? in 1994 and the European Championship in 1980, while Greek giants Panathinaikos (Athens) have recorded some excellent performances in European club football. Just a few of the Greeks currently playing their football in other European countries include Grigoris Georgatos (Inter Milan), Zizis Vryzas (Perugia), Ioannis Amanatidis (VfB Stuttgart), Demis Nikolaidis (Atletico Madrid), Nikos Dabizas (Newcastle United), Angelos Charisteas (Werder Bremen), Akis Zikos (AS Monaco) and Traianos Dellas (AS Roma). Greece has also hosted several major football events, including the Final of the 1983 European Cup, the Final of the 1994 UEFA Champions League, the Final of the 1987 UEFA Cup and the finals of the U-18 European Championship in 1995.

At its meeting on 1 May 2003, the Goal Bureau approved a project to lay an artificial pitch in Veria. This project is part of the Greek FA's development programme to build technical centres in 37 different regions. Each of these centres will host competitions and will therefore boast an artificial pitch, a training pitch, and a building with dressing rooms, conference rooms and a small cafeteria. They will lay the foundation for the nationwide development of football in all areas and age groups. Educational programmes for those involved in these projects have already been introduced.