Many, myself included, argue that Magnesia is one of the most beautiful regions of mainland Greece. The greater area of Volos is particularly famous for the picturesque mountain of Pelion and its proximity to the sea. Only a short drive away from the city, on the Pagasetic Gulf, lies the village of Kala Nera, which translates as “Good waters”. The village is home to AE Notiou Piliou 2002 (Sports Union of Southern Pelion), founded in 2002, often referred to simply as AE 2002. Although their name might not be very catchy, their ground makes up for it. Hidden among trees, a stone’s throw away from the beach, with great views of the mountain, the stadium embodies the charm of the area. The small, humble stands and the overgrown pitch only add to its character.

The penultimate fixture of the regional league’s second division found AE playing against Dafni Volou at home. Dafni, standing close to the top of table, needed a win to maximise their chances of going up, while the home side was just playing for the love of the game. The match was fairly balanced in the first half, with few chances for either side. As the game progressed into the second half, tension built as both sides missed chances. Dafni eventually managed to score in the dying moments of the game (97th minute!) and wild celebrations broke out which even led to a brief scuffle between upset fans—how typical. The situation de-escalated quickly and everyone went about their business in typical Greek fashion.