The most beautiful Greek football stadium

While football may not be our nation's forte, the Greeks' passion for the sport runs deep, with fans spanning the entire country. Every football team, whether professional or amateur, has its own home ground, its very own stadium. Some of these stadiums, particularly those of larger teams, are recognizable from television broadcasts. But what sets them apart?

The Unique Charm of Hydra's Football Field

A football field that few have been fortunate enough to witness up close is that of the Hydra Sports Club, the amateur football team hailing from the "princess" of the Argosaronic Islands. In fact, the stadium on Hydra is so picturesque that it has even captured the attention of Chinese television networks in the past, owing to its extraordinary setting. To reach it, one must navigate the island's charming alleys. Nestled between the rugged cliffs of Hydra, which rise steeply as if to shield it from adverse weather, and the traditional houses of Hydra, which transform into stands during matches, this stadium is unlike any other. The houses are just a few meters away from the touchlines, and occasionally a player's shot shatters a windowpane! The stadium is situated on the eastern side of the island, in the area known as the "orchard of Koussulas." Perched atop a hill, it offers a sweeping panoramic view of the entire island, extending all the way to the Aegean Sea. Proud locals, though perhaps somewhat unjustly, liken its vista to that of Monaco's Stade Louis II.

The team, originally established in the 1950s as Panhydraikos, has seen its stadium undergo numerous transformations, including the risk of being completely demolished to make way for a multi-purpose facility with swimming pools. Its initial dimensions were smaller, gradually expanding to its current layout. It wasn't until 2013 that a proper turf was installed; before that, the players competed on clay. In the 1980s, the team adopted the name "Hydra Sports Club." Modernizing the stadium was no small feat. Still, team members managed to preserve and restore it, even though no one receives compensation for their efforts.

Today, the local community's contribution to the club is substantial. The stadium fills to capacity at every match. Hydra's residents have embraced the "football" cause patriotically, as nearly all the players hail from the island or have strong local ties. Adorning their uniforms with the colors and flag of Hydra from the time of the Greek Revolution, the players now have their own separate training ground. All this comes after five long years of enduring endless trips to stadiums in Galata Troizinia or Ermioni, where they played until their own stadium was finally constructed.

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