OFI Crete prepares for historic Europa League debut against Hoffenheim

OFI Crete is preparing for its historic debut in the UEFA Europa League League Phase, set to take place at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion on September 17, 2026, against the German club Hoffenheim. Ticket demand has been high, with over 12,000 sold, leading the club to open an additional section, Gate 16, to accommodate fans.

Manager Christos Kontis has announced the squad for the match, confirming that Nikolaou and Marinakis will be unavailable due to fitness issues. However, the team receives a boost with the return of Sielis and Iseka. During his pre-match press conference, Kontis emphasized that the team views this competition as a significant opportunity to compete at a high level and accumulate points to advance from the league phase, rather than just enjoying the experience.

Following their weekend match against Olympiacos, the squad focused on recovery and final tactical preparations at the VAK training center. The team aims to utilize its home-field advantage in this opening fixture to secure a positive result against the Bundesliga side.