AEK Athens head coach Marko Nikolic has praised the passionate pre-match atmosphere created by supporters in Nea Filadelfeia, highlighting a local grandmother who has repeatedly greeted the team bus while holding a flare.
Speaking on the Serbian podcast Sport Indirektno, the manager described how supporters transform the neighborhood hours before kickoff with yellow and black colors, singing, and street celebrations.
Nikolic explained that the atmosphere around the ground begins changing long before the match starts. He noted that he regularly sends his own friends to the area early, with supporters gathering six, seven, or eight hours ahead of kickoff to fill local restaurants, cafes, and bars.
According to the AEK coach, yellow and black colors together with themed graffiti dominate the surrounding streets. He stated that walking through the narrow roads around the venue reveals an overwhelming display of club support, turning match days into a major celebration for local residents and visiting fans.
Elderly supporter greets team bus with flare
One of the most memorable sights for Nikolic occurs during the final leg of the team bus journey to the stadium. He revealed that a member of his coaching staff recorded a video from inside the bus showing an elderly woman coming out to greet the squad every time they arrive.
Nikolic described the woman as being over 70 years old. He noted that she steps out of her house wearing an apron, as if she had just left a cooking pot on the stove, accompanied by her family.
The manager observed that about four generations of the woman's family, including young children, join her at the street corner to back the team. He added that on two separate occasions, the grandmother was seen standing at the corner holding a smoke flare as part of her welcome.
Stadium history and refugee heritage
During the interview, Nikolic also reflected on the historic background of Nea Filadelfeia. He pointed out that place names in Greece carrying the prefix Nea, meaning new, were established by refugees who named their new settlements after their original towns in Asia Minor.
Nikolic praised the club's home ground, Agia Sophia Stadium, describing it as a fantastic facility. He noted that the venue has a capacity of 32,000, opened three years ago, and hosted the European Conference League final. He added that the stadium takes its name from the historic Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.
Background on AEK Athens and Nea Filadelfeia
AEK Athens was founded in 1924 by Greek refugees from Constantinople following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Nea Filadelfeia, located in northern Athens, has served as the traditional home of the club for decades. The club's modern home ground, also known as OPAP Arena, was constructed on the site of its historic Nikos Goumas Stadium and hosted the UEFA Europa Conference League final in May 2024.
