Stadium Subculture - APOEL FC (2024)

APOEL FC

Home sector: The home ground for APOEL is the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, which has a capacity of 22,000. The Ultras sector is the South Stand, which holds 4,500 fans and is nearly full for almost every game. The most prestigious matches for the group are the European games, as the team has achieved great success in Europe. The derbies against local rivals are the most intense, with the games against same-city rivals being highly anticipated—even though these rivals lack significant Ultras groups. The only other active groups in Cyprus are those of the two Limassol teams (AEL, Apollon) and Anorthosis. Matches against these teams generate the best atmospheres, though they fall far behind APOEL in terms of presence and support.

Away match: When it comes to away games, every stadium APOEL fans visit feels like home. The group consistently sells out its away game allocation, even when restrictions limit attendance to around 1,000 fans. APOEL also has a massive international following, with away matches abroad sometimes drawing over 5,000 supporters. The most significant away games are in Limassol—a city hated as passionately as the teams based there. APOEL Ultras often dominate the city during these matches, walking the streets as if they own them. These games frequently lead to clashes inside and outside the stadium.

Friendships: APOEL Ultras have no official friendships with other Ultras groups but maintain good relations in some cases, particularly with Orthodox "brother" groups like some Serbian Ultras. Shared ideologies often strengthen these ties, as reflected in chants and banners during European games (e.g., chants with Serbians about Kosovo or banners supporting Armenians regarding the Armenian Genocide).

Enemies: The biggest rivals are Omonia, another Nicosia-based team. Omonia represents the ideological opposite of APOEL, and the hatred between the groups runs far deeper than football. APOEL has always fought for unification with Greece, while Omonia fans are seen as traitors who have historically sided with the enemy. This animosity is ingrained in every APOEL fan. Notably, Omonia's only significant Ultras group disbanded in 2018.

Groups: The sole recognized group is APOEL Ultras, officially known as Pan.Sy.Fi APOEL. The main fan club is based in Nicosia, with additional fan clubs spread across other cities and abroad.