Similarly to Group A, there are three matches left in Group B of the A EPSA, with Holargos leading the standings and Doxa Vironos in second place, chasing a miracle. I had already covered the match that Holargos played against Iraklio at home, but now it was time to pay Iraklio a visit. Their team aren’t safe from the relegation zone and need a win to maximise their chances of staying in the first regional division. Holargos need at least one win and one draw in their next three matches to secure the title, regardless of other results. It wasn’t very long ago that they were 12 points clear of Doxa, but a few recent draws and defeats have narrowed the gap with second place. A win today would also be valuable for the team’s morale.

As soon as we arrived at the stadium, a memory came back to me: I had once played football there as a teenager with my school team. Iraklio’s ground is quite iconic — it’s built above the motorway, like a bridge, with cars passing underneath. The pitch is artificial and considerably narrower than a standard 11-a-side, which can often be a challenge for the visiting team.

I didn’t have a great feeling about today’s match. I’d slept poorly, the weather was particularly grey, and everyone seemed more nervous than usual. The game kicked off, and chants urging an away win filled the air. But it didn’t take long for the home side to score. After a scramble in the Holargos penalty area, Iraklio’s player found himself in the right place and sent the ball into the net. After that, the away side largely dominated the game but just couldn’t find the net. As the minutes ticked by, frustration grew; more and more scuffles broke out between players, and Holargos missed one chance after another. Around the 80th minute, the home side were shown a red card, but Holargos didn’t manage to take advantage of it. Players and fans alike were left with a bitter feeling, as Doxa Vironos had won and the gap with second place had narrowed even further. They now need one win and one draw in their remaining two games.