Nicos Solomonides Arena (Greek: Αίθουσα Νίκος Σολωμονίδης)[1] is an indoor arena in Limassol, Cyprus. It is the home venue of AEL Limassol B.C. and has a capacity of 2,500 seats.[2][3] The arena was named after club co-founder and president Nicos Solomonides.[4]
To klouvi (The Cage) (Greek: Το κλουβί) | |
 | |
| Former names | Melford Arena |
|---|---|
| Location | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Coordinates | 34°40′11.65″N 33°01′35.59″E / 34.6699028°N 33.0265528°E |
| Owner | AEL Limassol |
| Capacity | 2,500 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 2005 |
| Opened | October 26, 2005 |
| Tenants | |
| AEL BC | |
The stadium has been renamed on occasion for sponsorship reasons. It was initially named "Melford Arena" and subsequently rebranded as "Limassol Cooperative Bank Arena", until finally the stadium reverted to being called "Nicos Solomonides Arena". Colloquially however, the stadium is referred to by basketball fans and officials alike as "To Klouvi" (Greek: Το κλουβί, lit. 'The cage'"), which refers to the claustrophobic atmosphere produced when the stadium is at maximum attendance.[5] Various critics have asserted that the atmosphere created in the Arena leaves opponent teams at an unfair disadvantage due to the close proximity between themselves and AEL's supporters.[6][7][8]
Facilities
editAt the moment, the Arena features the club's offices, official club shop, a cafe-restaurant named "Yellow Pride Cafe", a workout area and 12 VIP boxes. The arena also houses official club offices for AEL's other sports departments.
New museum
editCommencing in 2022, construction has already broken ground to build an AEL Limassol Museum, which will include amongst others, the Club's trophy cabinet with the trophies won by each of AEL's sports departments, as well as framed photographs from historic events/game, a display collection featuring historic basketball jerseys worn by AEL B.C. as well as the jerseys worn by their European opponents during the club's second golden age.[9] As of 25 September 2023, the museum is under construction.[citation needed]
The stadium is also used by AEL's women's basketball and volleyball clubs.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Καλαθοσφαίρισης".
- ^ "FIBA Europe Secretary General Opens Lemesos Arena | FIBA Europe".
- ^ "Λεμεσός". ΑΡΧΗ ΑΔΕΙΟΔΟΤΗΣΗΣ ΣΤΑΔΙΩΝ (in Greek). 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ^ "FIBA Europe Secretary General Opens Lemesos Arena | FIBA Europe".
- ^ Cyprusbasket (8 January 2023). "ΑΕΛ: Με τον 6ο της παίκτη". Cyprus Basket. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ Cyprusbasket (21 December 2021). "Όταν η κερκίδα της ΑΕΛ έπαιρνε... φωτιά (vid)". Cyprus Basket. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ Κόκκινος, Ανδρέας (25 October 2021). "Στην ΑΝΤΕΠΙΘΕΣΗ η ΑΕΛ - «Ανεπιθύμητοι ΟΛΟΙ οι διαιτητές…»". Cyprus Basket. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "PAYABL EKA AEL Limassol joins Delasport Balkan League". balkanleague.net. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "Αποκτά το δικό της μουσείο η ΑΕΛ | AlphaNews.Live". www.alphanews.live (in Greek). Retrieved 26 September 2023.