How Heraklion Became the Home of the Greek National Team

from Femminile - Issue 02 / Land of Women

The Island Where Women Were Always Kings

After decades of wandering, the Greek women’s national football team has finally found its Ithaca. We witnessed their match against Slovenia up close and understood why Greek players love playing in Crete—even if it means traveling to the southernmost tip of the country to do so.

The history of the Women’s National Team dates back to 1990. It was just a few years after the first official national championships were held in the country, and the number of women wanting to engage in the sport was rapidly increasing.

The newly formed team played its first match against an unexpected opponent: Taiwan. The game took place on August 29 of the same year at the Kallithea stadium, though the final score remains unknown. A year later, the team played its first official match against Italy, suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat. However, the journey had just begun.

In the following decades, the national team continued to fight but never managed to qualify for the finals of a major tournament. That changed in 2004, though their participation was not secured through qualification but as the host nation of the Olympic Games. They faced the USA, Australia, and Brazil in matches held in Crete and Patras. For years, the team kept moving from city to city, never having a permanent home. That all changed in October 2023, in a historic match against Ukraine. It was the day the national team officially found its home—on the southernmost edge of Greece: Crete.

Those who witnessed that historic victory against Ukraine will never forget it. The stands were packed, the crowd cheered relentlessly, and celebrations erupted at the final whistle. Eleni Markou, who scored the equalizer, will always remember that afternoon in Crete:

“We never expected what happened in those games against Ukraine in Crete. We were used to playing alone, just for ourselves. But the fans gave us incredible motivation to play for them too. Scoring a goal for the national team is something special. And then, hearing your name chanted from the stands—it gives you chills.”

Soula Spyridonidou, who netted the winning goal in the dying minutes, shared a similar sentiment: “The national team is my family, my second home. We’ve been together for years, building a fantastic atmosphere. What happened against Ukraine—we couldn’t believe it. We had never experienced anything like it.”

That victory was crucial in securing Greece’s first-ever qualification for the Euro 2025 playoff stage. Their opponent? Belgium—a team ranked much higher, featuring players competing in Europe’s top leagues. Once again, Crete played its part. Though the Greek team didn’t win, their goalless draw against such a strong side was proof that they were here to stay.

This February, the team reunited in Crete for the Women’s Nations League, this time competing for a place in the World Cup. Their first group-stage opponent was Slovenia, with the match scheduled for the evening of Friday, the 21st. Despite the biting cold, the game drew a solid crowd—mostly locals who had embraced the team and now followed them in every match.

From the opening minutes, Greece showed its competitiveness. Despite Slovenia’s pressure, Beatrix Sarri, who plays for Everton in England, scored with a brilliant chip to make it 1-0. The celebrations were full of passion. It was a promising start, but by halftime, the score was 1-1, leaving everything open.

As time passed, the cold became even harsher. Many photographers paced back and forth to stay warm, while fans huddled under the covered stands to shield themselves from the sea breeze and drizzling rain. An unusual sight for Crete, yet somehow fitting. Eventually, Slovenia found the winning goal, sealing a 2-1 victory. The Greek team fought hard until the end, searching for an equalizer, but none of their chances found the net.

However, no one from the crowd left early. They stayed, cheering and supporting the players. After the final whistle, many children rushed onto the field, eager to take photos with their favorite players.

“Look, that’s Sarri!” a group of three boys excitedly told each other as they watched her climb into the stands to greet her family. In the end, they all got their picture together.

Next up is a crucial match against Ireland in April. And, of course, it will take place in Crete—the place where the women’s national team finally found the home it had been searching for all these years.