The University of Athens Celebrates World Football Day

To mark World Football Day, the University of Athens hosted a special gathering on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in the Great Hall of its main building (30 Panepistimiou St, Athens). The occasion was organized by the School of Physical Education and Sport Science of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

The event was addressed by:

-Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,

-Professor Gerasimos Terzis, Dean of the School of Physical Education and Sport Science, and

-Professor Athanasia Smirniotou, Member of the University’s Administration Council.

The programme continued with the following speeches:

‘The Contribution of Sport Science to the Performance and Health of Professional Footballers’ by Professor Gregory Bogdanis from the School of Physical Education and Sport Science,

‘The Journey to Euro 2004’ by Takis Fyssas, veteran player of the Greek National Team that won the 2004 UEFA European Championship, and strategic planning consultant at Panathinaikos FC,

‘Evaluation, Use, and Interpretation of Performance Indicators in a Football Match’ by Dimitris Daniilidis, Fitness and Performance Coach of Greece Men’s National Football Team,

‘Development of Elite Footballers’ by Sotiris Silaidopoulos, Assistant Manager at Olympiacos FC and UEFA Youth League 2023-2024 Winning Coach, and

‘National Football Team: A New Challenge’ by Ivan Jovanović, Coach of Greece Men’s National Football Team.

In his opening remarks, the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, said, among other things, the following: ‘Football is a powerful force that brings cultures together, inspires communities, and promotes values, such as solidarity, fair play, peace, teamwork, and respect for diversity. From the neighbourhoods of Latin America to the schools of Rwanda, from the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris to the football academies of cities today, this game—consistently driven by the same enduring energy—unites and motivates all those involved.

We cannot overlook football’s unique power to stir emotion and pride, drawing entire nations together around a shared goal. Let us not forget the national triumph of 2004 nor the remarkable 2023-2024 season, when a single Greek club, Olympiacos FC, won two European trophies.

True to its nature, football has always been a source of emotional uplift, bringing our nation moments of sheer joy through the international achievements of Greek teams.

We at the University of Athens are proud to play our part, with the School of Physical Education and Sport Science having long held a central role in the scientific exploration, systematic teaching, and popularization of football in Greece.

Through the Specialization in Football, the School has produced a new generation of scientists, instructors, and coaches who support the sport at all levels, from children’s academies to professional teams to our national squad. From theory to practice, our University actively contributes to cultivating the ethos, knowledge, and sense of responsibility that should define football today and in the years to come.’

Photos: Dimitris Konstantinidis