Legends and Lidl helping Greek children fall in love with football

Staged in the city’s famous Aristotelous Square following Tuesday's UEFA Executive Committee meeting, the festival united local boys and girls with Greece's EURO 2004 winners Theo Zagorakis, Giorgios Karagounis, Vasilios Tsiartas, Angelos Basinas and Dimitrios Papadopoulos, the nation's all-time record women's goalscorer Dimitra Panteliadou, UEFA director of women's football Nadine Kessler and EURO legends Oliver Bierhoff and Aljoša Asanović.

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) president Makis Gkagkatsis opened the event to celebrate the Football in Schools programme, which has helped millions of kids enjoy the game since its launch in 2020

"It's very important that children can take part in sports," said Mr Čeferin. "Maybe less than one per cent will be professional footballers, but they will be healthier, happier and understand the importance of team spirit. At UEFA, we care about children, we want to bring football closer to them and that’s why events like this are so important."

A young player shows her skills in front of the legends

The event came as the HFF marks its 100th anniversary, making it an extra-special occasion for the hosts in an important sporting city.

"It is a great honour for Thessaloniki to host this event," said Mr Gkagkatsis. "The city has a long and proud sporting tradition, making it the perfect setting for such a celebration. We welcomed some great legends of European football, including members of Greece's historic EURO 2004 winning team, and it is wonderful to see players of such calibre embracing this initiative, spending time with children and sharing their experiences in such an enjoyable, inspiring and educational environment."

Football in Schools: Seven million success stories

Focused on fun, inclusion and friendship, the Football in Schools programme has now helped to introduce more than 7.6 million children to the game, in 41,500 schools. It has also trained 111,000 teachers, involved 15,500 volunteers and supported 4,400 festivals and events like this one in Thessaloniki.

The Football in Schools festival took place at Thessaloniki's famous Aristotelous SquareUEFA via Getty Images

Adopted by all 55 European football associations, Football in Schools also creates important links between schools and clubs, helping children progress from an initial footballing experience towards regular, organised participation.

By 2028, we will have invested €22 million in Football in Schools, extending an initiative designed to ensure that children can enjoy the game regardless of their background, ability or location. Its impact stretches beyond football skills, using the game to promote physical activity and teach values including leadership, cooperation, respect and fair play.

Lidl supporting active lifestyles through football

Football in Schools has also been boosted by Lidl's arrival earlier this year as a strategic partner, and they supported the Thessaloniki festival by providing water, fresh fruit and healthy snacks to keep the young players hydrated and energised throughout the day.

Lidl's involvement reflects a broader, long-term commitment to our wider grassroots football programme as we work together to promote healthy, active lifestyles through conscious nutritional choices and participation in safe and enjoyable sporting environments.

A dedicated Lidl station provided fruit and snacks for the participants

Rebuilding the game for Greece's next generation

Football in Schools is an important part of the HFF's drive to make the game more accessible for young players as it strengthens its foundations across the country.

Festivals, small-sided games and educational sessions are helping children develop movement and football skills while learning about teamwork, respect and well-being.

"We want schools to become a place where children can discover football in a fun, safe and inclusive environment," explained Laura Dimitriou, HFF director of strategic development. "We work closely with schools and PE teachers, because they are key to making the programme sustainable. We provide support, guidance and appropriate activities that can easily be integrated into the school environment, while giving teachers the confidence and tools to deliver them."

This work forms part of the federation’s wider grassroots strategy, which is expanding participation while introducing a more consistent philosophy for developing young players. Through the Anagennisi (meaning "rebirth") programme, children progress through age-appropriate formats designed to provide more touches of the ball, greater involvement and more opportunities to learn, create and make decisions.

Greece's EURO 2004-winning captain Theo Zagorakis takes on a young opponent in Thessaloniki

"Success for us is not only about numbers," Dimitriou said. "We also look at participation, girls' involvement, teacher engagement and, ultimately, whether children develop a lasting interest in football and physical activity. At this stage, it is not about winning or producing the next champion. It is about giving every child the opportunity to participate, enjoy the game and feel part of a team. If a child leaves the session wanting to play again, then we have already achieved something important."

In Thessaloniki, there was no doubting the children's appetite for the game, helped by local coaches and volunteers as well as some of the game's biggest names.

Greek football reflects its past 100 years of growth this week, but with programmes like Football in Schools in place, we can be sure the game's grassroots future is in safe hands.

"This is exactly what football should be about," said Mr Gkagkatsis. "We want children to engage with the game from a very young age, in a positive atmosphere free from negativity and toxicity, where they can learn from their idols and develop important values through football."