Keeping a small island football team afloat is a big and continuous effort. There are games away to pay for, uniforms, maintenance of the ground etc. etc.  Yes, much work goes into keeping the ball rolling.  The fundraising party for the Club, organized by President of the Odysseas Football Club, Aggelos Mavrokefalos from Frikes and held at Spavento Bar in Kioni by one of the patrons of the Club, Yiorgos Karantzis, was a way to raise some cash for the team and have some fun to (footy) boot.

Fans and team members piled into Spavento Bar, all lit up for Christmas, and as the drinks lubricated everyones' appetite for some winter sun, the party began, and continued into the early hours of the morning. Unlike the city celebrations of football, there were no cars set alight on Ithaca, although its' said there were a few slept in.

Football, as in most countries, is a religion, but on Ithaca, it is also means for the community of the island to pass the Winter months with some purpose.  It gets people together with a common goal, winning the Regionals.

Odysseas Football Club is based in Stavros, Ithaca.  Home games are played at the Yipedo between Stavros and Frikes. If you're on the island in Winter, pass by and lend your support.