Heavy Security Measures for Europa Conference League Final in Athens
Athens is gearing up for the Europa Conference League final between Olympiakos Piraeus and Fiorentina, with significant security measures in place. Approximately 5,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure safety during the match scheduled for Wednesday. Authorities are taking these precautions seriously to prevent any potential incidents of hooliganism, a notorious problem in Greece. As a part of the stringent measures, all public gatherings have been banned in Attica, Athens, and schools near the Nea Filadelfia Stadium will remain closed during the match.
The decision to implement such robust security came after a series of violent incidents in recent years. Last August, a Greek AEK fan tragically lost his life during clashes between Dinamo Zagreb and AEK fans near the same stadium. This incident led to the resignation of the Greek Football League president, Vangelis Marinakis, and prompted the government to adopt new security protocols. Furthermore, a 31-year-old police officer was killed by a flare during hooligan clashes at a volleyball derby in Athens last December, underscoring the gravity of the issue.
Fiorentina's Determined Journey to Athens
On the other side, Fiorentina has arrived in Athens with a strong resolve to claim their first international trophy in 60 years. The Italian team's coach, Vincenzo Italiano, expressed immense pride in his team's journey and hopes to make up for last year's loss to West Ham in Prague. He highlighted that playing against Olympiakos in Athens, even if it's not their home stadium, will be a daunting task. Nevertheless, Fiorentina has shown admirable performance throughout the Conference League, with the players and fans demonstrating unwavering support and enthusiasm.
Fiorentina's contingency, including the sporting director Pradè and technical director Burdisso, accompanied the team to Athens. Notably absent will be President Rocco Commisso, who will join the team from the United States. An impressive number of over 9000 fans are expected to cheer Fiorentina from the Agia Sophia stadium's reserved sector, while many others will gather in Florence to watch the match on giant screens, hoping for a momentous victory.
- The Nea Filadelfia Stadium usually hosts matches for AEK Athens, Olympiakos' rival, adding another layer of tension to the event.
- Fiorentina's journey in the Conference League has been marked by determination and consistency, with the team aiming to honor their efforts with a trophy win.
- The presence of so many Fiorentina fans highlights the significance of this match for the Italian team, underscoring their long-awaited dream of international glory.
