Socca football festival concludes in Rethymno

The Socca football festival has concluded its third consecutive year in Rethymno, Greece. The multi-day event featured four major tournaments: the TUI Champions League, the Aegean Cup for men and women, and the Diamond Cup for children in the U10 and U12 categories.

The men's national team secured the championship after defeating Croatia in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. In the semifinals, the team also achieved a notable 3-0 victory against Serbia.

Organizers reported significant local impact, with over 10,000 people passing through the Sochora stadium area. The event attracted more than 2,500 international visitors, utilizing 25 local hotels and contributing to the region's sports tourism and economic activity. Thanos Papadopoulos, CEO of the International Socca Federation and President of the Organizing Committee, noted the event's strong athletic, touristic, and social footprint for the city.