Under a Drone-Lit Sky: AEK’s Spectacular 14th Championship Fiesta

AEK players and unit observe winning the Greek championship. Credit: AMNA/Georgia Panagopoulou

The infinitesimal the last whistle blew successful the derby against Olympiacos, an unthinkable drone amusement lit up the entity supra the “Agia Sophia-Allwyn Arena” to observe the 14th title successful AEK’s history. Illuminating the nighttime sky, the drones formed “Champions 2026,” the AEK crest, the stadium itself, the iconic “Double-Headed Eagle,” and the league trophy—a spectacle disposable crossed Nea Filadelfeia and beyond.

Meanwhile connected the pitch, AEK unit worked feverishly to acceptable the signifier for the trophy presentation. DJs spun tracks, a dazzling airy amusement commenced, and thousands of yellowish flags and neon wristbands were distributed to the crowd. On the stadium’s large screens, a tribute video honored the teams down the club’s erstwhile 13 league titles.

Next came a video connection from nine proprietor Marios Iliopoulos, highlighting the AEK History Museum and summarizing a spectacular multi-competition season.

The absorption past shifted backmost to the writer arsenic children from the club’s academies sang “Ena to Chelidoni” (A Solitary Swallow), written by Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis and composed by Mikis Theodorakis, followed by the duo’s evocative “Tis Dikaiosynis Ilie Noite” (Sun of Justice). For the expansive finale, the full stadium joined successful a roaring rendition of the AEK anthem.

AEK: Champions 2026

AEK supporters observe the eventual prize successful Greek football. Credit: AMNA/Georgia Panagopoulou

Following a poignant tribute to the supporters who person passed distant successful caller years, cameras chopped to the locker room, capturing the players and coaching unit preparing for their expansive entrance. Everyone donned “Champions 2026” t-shirts, which listed each contributor to this year’s rubric connected the back. On the pitch, 12 violins and 2 cellos acceptable the mood, archetypal playing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” earlier transitioning into the iconic anti-fascist anthem “Bella Ciao.”

Owner Marios Iliopoulos past made his entrance, celebrating his archetypal title since acquiring the bulk involvement from Dimitris Melissanidis connected June 22, 2024. In an affectional 20-minute speech, the AEK person spoke astir the historical hardships the nine has overcome and the regular struggles of the Greek people. He promised adjacent greater triumphs ahead.

Super League Deputy President Katia Koxenoglou brought retired the trophy connected behalf of the league, accompanied by AEK CEO Minas Lysandrou. One by one, from the kit men and coaching unit to the players, the squad emerged from the passageway to deafening cheers.

Last retired were the captains: Harold Moukoudi, Domagoj Vida, and Petros Mantalos—the second securing his spot successful folklore having besides lifted the trophy successful 2018 and 2023. Then, pursuing a brief, cinematic stunt reminiscent of Mission: Impossible, the trophy abruptly appeared successful the rider spot of “Super Mario” Iliopoulos’s existent racing car. He handed it implicit to the 3 captains, who hoisted it into the Nea Filadelfeia entity amidst implicit pandemonium.

It was the eventual greenish airy for a historical party, uniting everyone successful the “yellow-and-black” household wrong the stadium, connected the streets of Nea Filadelfeia, and crossed each country of the globe wherever AEK fans reside.