| GSP Stadium | |
|---|---|
| UEFA | |
| Full name | New GSP Stadium |
| Location | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Built | 1998 |
| Opened | 6 October 1999 |
| Owner | Pancyprian Gymnastic Association |
| Architect | TDA Architects |
| Project Manager | KAL Engineering |
| Structural engineer | KAL Engineering Ltd |
| General Contractor | Group APC Plc[1] |
| Capacity | 22,859[2] |
| Field dimensions | 105m x 68m |
| Tenants | |
| APOEL (1999-present) Omonia (1999-present) Olympiakos (1999-2008), (2009-present) |
|
The Pancyprian Gymnastic Association Stadium (GSP Stadium) (Greek: Στάδιο Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος "Τα Παγκύπρια") is a football stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus. Although small by international standards, it is the largest stadium in Cyprus, with a capacity of 22,859 and was built in 1999. It serves as the home stadium for the Nicosia Clubs of APOEL, Olympiakos Nicosia and Omonia. The Cyprus national football team has also played home games there in the past. It was also the name of the old GSP Stadium which was at the centre of Nicosia with capacity of 12,000.
The new GSP Stadium opened for use on 6 October 1999. The complex has three arenas: a football stadium, an athletics stadium and an auxiliary football pitch intended for training. The stadium is owned by the Pancyprian Gymnastic Association. With an official seating capacity of 22,859 the new GSP is the largest football venue in Cyprus. It is located at the entrance to Nicosia (as approached from the A1 highway) and was inaugurated in 1999 by the then President, Glafcos Clerides and Archbishop Chrysostomos I. The first game held on 6 October 1999 and there was a friendly match between APOEL and Omonia, which ended 3-3.
Since then, the stadium is not only the home of Nicosian teams but usually of Cyprus national football team. During the World Cup 2006 qualifying round it was used as home for all matches of Cyprus. The stadium is the only one in Cyprus which satisfies UEFA Criteria. For this reason since 2004 it is used as home for all the teams of Cyprus in European Cups. Annually, the stadium hosts the Cyprus FA Shield (Super Cup). Also until 2005, it was hosting annually the Cypriot Cup final.
In 2002 the stadium was home for Israeli clubs for the UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League matches. It hosted the UEFA Cup quarter final (as home for Hapoel Tel Aviv) between Hapoel Tel Aviv and AC Milan. It was also used by Maccabi Haifa for home stadium for the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League group stage matches and for the UEFA Cup matches. Some matches were attractive for Cypriots like the matches Maccabi Haifa-Olympiacos CFP and Maccabi Haifa-Manchester United, since those two Maccabi's rivals are very popular in Cyprus.
It's the only stadium in Cyprus build only for track & field games. In addition with the hotel, it provides a full training centre solution for athletes all over the world. During the Athens 2004 Olympic Games many athletes from different countries used the stadium for training.
In 2001 Bruno Zauli, took place here with great success.
The attendance record for the football stadium is 23,043 for a Cypriot championship game between APOEL and Omonia on December 7, 2002.[3]
The record of the highest attendance for a European Competition game is 22,537[4] tickets in the match between APOEL and Shakhtar Donetsk for the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League group G matchday 6. The match was held on December 6, 2011.
Anorthosis Famagusta have their UEFA Champions League group stages matches held at the GSP for the 2008-09 season.
The GSP Stadium also hosted all home matches of APOEL in the 2009–10 and 2011–12 UEFA Champions League group stages. All matches were sold out by APOEL's fans.
AEK Larnaca's 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stages matches were also hosted by GSP Stadium.
Contents |
| Season | APOEL | Olympiakos | Omonia |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/11 | 9,418 | 1,587 | 7,799 |
| 2009/10 | 7,582 | 461 (2nd Div.) | 9,070 |
| 2008/09 | 7,670 | Makario Stadium | 9,295 |
| 2007/08 | 7,239 | 1,692 | 5,967 |
| 2006/07 | 8,932 | 1,563 | 6,678 |
| 2005/06 | 7,460 | 1,703 | 8,557 |
| 2004/05 | 7,714 | 1,981 | 6,535 |
| 2003/04 | 8,387 | 1,911 | 11,003 |
| 2002/03 | 8,205 | 2,761 | 10,877 |
| 2001/02 | 7,604 | 1,959 | 7,825 |
| 2000/01 | 3,893 | 2,201 | 8,620 |
| 1999/2000 | 3,718 | 1,505 | 4,693 |
Source: European Football Statistics
| Stand | Capacity | Entrance Gates |
|---|---|---|
| West Stand | 7.818 | 6 |
| East Stand | 4.939 | 4 |
| North Stand | 4.749 | 4 |
| South Stand | 4.953 | 4 |
| VIP Boxes | 400 | 1 |
| Total | 22.859 | 19 |
GSP Athletic Centre includes :
GSP Football Stadium
Outdoors and yet covered, the Stadium Square offers the best of both worlds, for large-scale activities of any kind. Located between the football stadium and the track and field stadium, this vast space provides maximum flexibility, as it can be furnished and equipped, decorated or divided as required for each event. Providing ample space for activities, catering and live DJ events - with or without paid entrance facilities - the Stadium square lends itself to:
GSP Track and Field Stadium
Includes :
GSP Hotel
It includes :
The Gymnastic Association Pancypria was founded in 1894 with the initiative of the lawyer Theofanis Theodotou and the doctors Antonios Theodotou and Aristofanis Fenievs. Excellent athletes of GSP who won significant victories not only in Cyprus but abroad as well, brightened this stadium with their presence. GSP was linked with classic athletes of the capital and became the expresser (spirit) of the track and field.
In 1896 the G.S. Pancypria participated in the A' Pancyprian Games which took place in the G.S. Olympia Stadium in Limassol. Since then it has participated in all pancyprian games because the Pancyprian Games became a significant national feast for Cyprus, during which the stadium, where the games were taking place, was decorated with Greek flags and the national desires were proclaimed .
The athletes of GSP were declared winners of the Pancyprian Games and other games that took place in Cyprus, many times. Many of them were qualified periodically and sent abroad where they accomplished great victories.
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