The recent match between Niki Volou and Kavala showcased the rise of the former, as they triumphed with a solid 2-0 victory at the municipal stadium. The match, part of the Super League 2 championship, saw explosive performances from both teams, but it was Niki who emerged victorious thanks to goals from Spiridis and Selimai.
Coach Stefanos Xirophtotos surprised many with his starting line-up, opting for Kryparakos for the first time and leaving out Litainas. Niki Volou lined up with the familiar 4-3-3 formation: Soulos guarded the net, backed by Apostolou, Blachos, Garofallou, and Gadelios from right to left. Silva worked as the defensive midfielder, with Tsilingiris and Doumtsis filling the center roles, and the front trio consisted of Spiridis on the right, Kryparakos on the left, and Aponzas leading the attack.
Kavala, managed by Kostas Anyfantakis, set up with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Astra was their goalkeeper, flanked by Katsouri and Anastasopoulos on the defense, with Tzamouris and D. Dermitsakis at center-back. The midfield unit included Kertzi and Gavriilidis, with Dalianopoulos and Kasemi on the wings. Lekas operated just behind Gekas. The match kicked off with excitement as Niki nearly scored early, but Aponzas missed the chance, sending the Colombian striker's attempt wide.
Both teams exchanged ferocious attacks, with Niki getting closer to the goal as Doumtsis took advantage of defensive lapses to set up his teammates. Just before halftime, Spiridis managed to net the first goal with luck on his side; his shot deflected off P. Dermitsakis and found the back of the net.
After the intermission, Niki continued threatening the Kavala defense, with various attempts pushing for the second goal. It came late, at the end of the match, when Selimai capitalized on Astra's save and scored, sealing the game for Niki. With this victory, the team aims to build momentum heading toward their next match against AE Larissa on December 15.
While excitement thrums through the community following the match, news for the Kavala airport paints a contrasting picture. According to recent statistics provided by Fraport, the operator of many Greek airports, the passenger movement at Kavala's 'Megas Alexandros' airport remains significantly lower compared to others across the country.
Data for January to November 2024 reveals Kavala airport's passenger count reached only 288,313, marking a -3.8% decline overall compared to previous years. Surprisingly, Kavala's performance set it as the smallest airport by traffic managed by Fraport, dwarfed by airports like Mytilene and Samos, which reported 65% and 86% more passenger traffic respectively.
Meanwhile, Thessaloniki's 'Makedonia' airport bucked trend with record numbers, expected to surpass 7 million passengers this year, indicating significant recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. An increase of 24% is also evident at Rhodes airport, highlighting the uplift seen at major air travel ventures.
The disparity between airport performances has raised concern among local tourism stakeholders. Kavala's steady decrease stands out starkly when juxtaposed against Thessaloniki's resurgence, leading to greater establishment and reliance on its well-connected and larger counterparts.
Kavala’s challenges are compounded by the current absence of low-cost airlines which previously contributed to high international traffic numbers. Once, during construction projects at Thessaloniki airport, many low-cost flights were temporarily laid over at Kavala, spiking passenger numbers by 26.4% back then.
Now, with no significant carriers operating from Kavala, the future of the airport and the tourism it could stimulate remains uncertain. It's become evident: as Thessaloniki thrives with more options for traveling, Kavala's options dwindle, and undoubtedly, the local economy feels the blow.
This mounting pressure feels all too familiar to residents whose football team is now finding success amid declining air travel numbers, emphasizing the contrasting narratives of local passion versus logistical reality.
