Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium
Encyclopedia
Antonis Papadopoulos is an all-seater football stadium in the city of Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...

. The first phase of the stadium was completed in 1986.

The ground is the home of Anorthosis Famagusta it is currently that of the Cyprus national football team
Cyprus national football team
The Cyprus national football team represents Cyprus in association football and is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association, the governing body for football in Cyprus. Cyprus' home ground is the GSP Stadium in Nicosia and the current coach is Nikos Nioplias...

. The ground bears the name of an Anorthosis benefactor . The initial capacity of the ground was about 6,000 but gradually increased during the years to 11,930. After a major recondition in 1997, capacity reduced to 11,930 (all seated). In 2005 the east stand was named the 'Quality Stand' after the club's main sponsor. The Quality Stand is a two-storey affair which holds the newly-built VIP Boxes (upper storey), Press Room, Dressing Rooms, Bar, etc.

In 2006 the stadium went through another recondition including the building of VIP Boxes in the upper section of west stand, the launching of the automatic ticketing issue and entrance system, the replacement of the metal front fence with clear plexiglass for security reasons and for maximum field view. Also some other facitities are offered in the west stand such as new restrooms, bar, fan's shop etc. After new work on the stadium in 2008, the capacity has increased to 11,930.

Anorthosis and the other Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...

 team, Nea Salamis FC, used to play until 1974 in G.S.E. Stadium in Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...

. After Anorthosis became a 'refugee team' following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...

 when Famagusta fell under Turkish occupation, the team played home matches at several stadiums like Dasaki Stadium in Dasaki Achnas, old and new GSZ Stadium in Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...

 and Tsirion Stadium in Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...

.

The ground is approved by UEFA for European games. It has hosted some matches of the Cyprus national football team. In that stadium, Cyprus national team achieved its greatest success against Spain by a score 3-2 in the Euro 2000 qualifiers on September 5, 1998. On May 16, 1992, the stadium hosted the 1992 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship Third position final between Italy and Portugal, where Italy won 1-0.

On the 23th of November 2011 D. Ellinas group signed a contract with Anorthosis to built new offices for Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium
Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium
Antonis Papadopoulos is an all-seater football stadium in the city of Larnaca. The first phase of the stadium was completed in 1986.The ground is the home of Anorthosis Famagusta it is currently that of the Cyprus national football team. The ground bears the name of an Anorthosis benefactor...

. The old offices of the stadium will be joint area outside the locker room, journalistic theory, clinics and other. The cost amounts to € 400,000 but the company D. Ellinas group will built the offices for free in exchange, with advertisement from Anorthosis side.

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