Developing football in Greece
Article summary
Greece's triumph at UEFA EURO 2004 represents the pinnacle of the country's long-standing involvement in football.
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Overview
Good governance and sound financial principles are underpinning Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) plans, following the adoption of new statutes in light of the findings from a holistic study of the state of Greek football, with "sustainable football" the core message. Ongoing challenges remain hooliganism and match-fixing, but the HFF continues to collaborate with clubs, players, referees and the national authorities to stamp out these scourges.
While major projects include a new House of Greek Football – which will house the HFF and a museum of Greek football – huge amounts of work are being put into grassroots projects to bring more people into the game. In 2019/20, 685 men and 39 women held UEFA Grassroots leaders certificates; by the following campaign, those numbers had risen to 1,866 and 169 respectively.
A strategy to continue the development of women's football remains a major priority, with the number of registered clubs haven risen 29% from 2019 to 2022 – 239 sides are now involved. Moreover, 2022 saw the first women's futsal tournament organised in Greece, with 14 teams involved.
"The Hellenic Football Federation will continue its efforts to develop football for all, in particular in this challenging post-pandemic era. Football remains a passion for all Greeks and our dream is to see as many people involved as possible."
Panagiotis Baltakos, Hellenic Football Federation president
UEFA support
UEFA has supported the HFF through its development programmes in coaching education, referee training, the development of women's football and campaigns focused on mental health issues as well as projects to combat anti match-fixing and doping. UEFA HatTrick investment funding, meanwhile, has helped infrastructure development by building training centres in the HFF's 42 regional divisions.
UEFA Foundation for Children in Greece
Set up in 2015, the UEFA Foundation uses football as a vehicle to help improve children's lives by supporting hundreds of campaigns and projects across Europe and around the world.
RISE – Beyond Goals 2
Beyond Goals 2 is the second phase of ActionAid Hellas’ RISE programme aimed at deepening and scaling up its impact. The programme is led by international football player Dimitris Papadopoulos, who was inspired to create a football-based programme that would provide marginalised children with life values and skills affording them a better life with dignity and greater opportunities to develop themselves and their communities.
Timeline
Association history
National team history
President
Panagiotis Baltakos
Nationality: Greek
Date of birth: 4 April 1954
General secretary
Iakovos Filippousis
Nationality: Greek
Date of birth: 1 December 1965