New GSP stadium opened

THE New GSP, Nicosia’s impressive new out-of-town football stadium, was inaugurated yesterday evening by President Clerides.

The £8.5 million stadium in Latsia can hold 26,000 spectators.

The opening cermeony included a blessing by Archbishop Chrysostomos and a parachute display, before an exhibition match between the capital’s two top teams, Omonia and Apoel.

The first official game at the new stadium will be on October 23, when Apoel face Olympiakos in a Nicosia derby.

But not everyone is happy with the new venue: the Green party yesterday complained that the ground was being opened when the road network in the area was in a state of chaos and a ‘spaghetti junction’ was still under construction.

The fringe party added that 300 tonnes of precious drinking water are being used to water the stadium’s pitch every day.

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