GREEK Cypriot fans had a lot to cheer about yesterday on a magnificent night for Cypriot football. At Nicosia’s GSP stadium, the Cypriot fans outnumbered the Turkish Cypriots, who had crossed checkpoints to watch Turkish outfit Trabzonspor play against Anorthosis, the first time a Turkish tam has played in Cyprus for over 30 years.
Police officers were out in force but any fears of violence proved ungrounded as the game finishing without the slightest incident. Unavoidably, provocative chanting rang out throughout the match and things may have been worse had Anorthosis not won.
Police checks were firm but fair and security overall was excellent, a fact also attested to by Turkish reporters covering the event. A couple of cartons were flung onto the field, but other than that everything went like clockwork.
Teams from both sides had played low-profile friendlies in the past without incident, but police were not taking any chances. Lining the roads outside the GSP stadium, fans were subjected to triple checks. A journalist was berated by officers for carrying coins, which were banned along with lighters, plastic bottles, banners bearing political slogans and fireworks.
When a group of Turkish Cypriots tried to unfurl two small Turkish flags, there were roars of disapproval from Greek Cypriots, some of whom chanted “Turks, you will die on Greek soil.”
Vendors in the stadium were allowed to give change in pound notes, no coins, and made a quick buck out of the situation.
Two minutes from full time, an announcement (heard only once, and only in Greek) advised Turkish Cypriots to stay in their seats until the “Greek fans” left the stadium.
The final whistle was met with chants of “Cyprus is Greek” by Greek fans, as Anorthosis players approached the stands and gave the signal for the traditional “Ol?!” cries.
The Greek Cypriot crowd included thousands of non-Anorthosis supporters who flocked to the stadium because of the game’s political undertones.
“This is not a normal football game,” said Andreas Adonis, 28, an IT technician. “It is not my team, I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t for Anorthosis playing against a Turkish team,” he said. “I think that reflects the sentiment of many people.”
Some 1,500 Turkish Cypriot fans were segregated from the rest of the crowd, cordoned off with reels of barbed wire and police.
“This is a great game for friendship,” said Turkish Cypriot Ahmet Sukri, 31. “Maybe we can also start playing among ourselves.” There are no official fixtures between Greek and Turkish Cypriot teams.
The game had been billed by many as the ultimate grudge match, being the first official football encounter between a Greek Cypriot and Turkish side since the invasion in 1974.
The match was the first leg of a Champions League qualifier, and Anorthosis will need to defend their 3-1 lead when they travel to Trabzonspor in Turkey for the return leg.
