Neos Kosmos: Greek Touch For Stadium Launch
Posted by evdomada on January 31, 2008
James Belias
One of Greece’s big three teams could be set to open Melbourne’s new stadium in 2010, according to reports from Greece. Either AEK, Olympiakos or Panathinaikos have been assured, and the Victorian Government is also looking at other European giants such as Real Madrid.
Greece’s Sports Minister Ioannis Ioannidis has given his assurance to Victorian Minister for Major Projects, Theo Theophanous according to sources close to the Minister. The matter was also reported in the Greek press, following Mr Theophanous’ recent trip to Athens, during which he was the guest of Sports Minister Ioannidis at the Athenian derby between Panathinaikos v AEK.
The two also met several days later to discuss the proposal in further detail and Neos Kosmos understands that Mr Ioannidis welcomed a proposal put forward by Mr Theophanous, to have one of the “big three” in Melbourne for the launch of the new stadium which would coincide with the completion of next season’s Greek Super League.
In the 2007 off-season, AEK travelled to New York for a high profile friendly match against Portuguese side Benfica, following a visit to New York by AEK’s President, Demis Nikolaidis. It is understood that Mr Nikolaidis is keen to travel to Melbourne to potentially pursue developments with the proposed tour.
Reports in Greece’s main sports newspapers also suggest that representatives of Panathinaikos and AEK Athens may also travel to Victoria this year to take a closer look at the construction and plans of Melbourne’s new stadium as they prepare to build new stadiums of their own in Athens.
Mr Theophanous examined the possibility of Real Madrid visiting Melbourne, during his trip to Spain in 2007, with Victorian Government officials keen to pursue the matter with representatives of the Spanish super club.
The official football launch of the new stadium is expected to take place in June of 2010, with talk of a four-team, pre-season style tournament that will feature either the Australian national team or Melbourne Victory against three visiting international club teams.
Grocon has commenced early works at the site of the State Government’s new rectangular stadium at Edwin Flack Field in Punt Road. The new purpose built stadium will host football, rugby union and rugby league matches and will have a capacity of 31,000 and a cutting-edge Bioframe design with a geodesic dome roof which will substantially cover the seating area.
The $268 million stadium will be completed by the end of 2009. Neos Kosmos will be speaking with the Minister for next week’s edition regarding the proposed stadium launch.
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