The much-anticipated clash between Manchester City, winners of the UEFA Champions League, and Sevilla, holders of the UEFA Europa League, is set to unfold at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus, Greece, on Wednesday, August 16.
The 2023 UEFA Super Cup will mark a significant event as it takes place on Greek soil. This encounter carries added historical significance as it marks the first UEFA club competition final to grace Greece since the memorable 2006/07 UEFA Champions League final in Athens, where AC Milan overcame Liverpool with a 2-1 victory.
Hosting its inaugural UEFA Super Cup, the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis becomes the 11th venue to hold this prestigious event, succeeding Monaco’s traditional role as host. The transition began in 2013 and has since seen the competition touch down in cities like Prague (2013), Cardiff (2014), Tbilisi (2015), Trondheim (2016), Skopje (2017), Tallinn (2018), Istanbul (2019), Budapest (2020), Belfast (2021), and Helsinki (2022).
Originally constructed for the 2004 Olympics, the stadium underwent a complete overhaul to accommodate the football tournament. Presently boasting a capacity of slightly over 30,000, the arena has resonated with the sounds of musical performances by global artists such as Rihanna, Aerosmith, 50 Cent, and the Sex Pistols. Known for its fervent atmosphere, the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis is a haven for passionate Olympiacos fans, adding a palpable energy to the forthcoming encounter.
France’s François Letexier has been appointed by the UEFA Referees Committee to officiate the match. With an accomplished career officiating in the French Ligue 1 since 2016 and overseeing international games, the 34-year-old referee is entrusted with ensuring a fair and memorable spectacle.
A noteworthy tidbit in the history of the UEFA Super Cup is that only one Greek player has ever graced its stage. Giourkas Seitaridis started for European champions Porto as they faced off against UEFA Cup winners Valencia in the 2004 competition, held at Monaco’s Stade Louis II.
The UEFA Super Cup, conceived by Dutch reporter Anton Witkamp, is an annual showdown that brings together the reigning champions of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.