Panathinaikos F.C. facts for kids
 |
||||
| Full name | Παναθηναϊκός Αθλητικός Όμιλος Panathinaïkós Athlitikós Ómilos (Pan-Athenian Athletic Club) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Trifýlli (The Shamrock) Prássini (The Greens) |
|||
| Short name | PAO (Greek: ΠΑΟ) | |||
| Founded | 3 February 1908 as Football Club of Athens | |||
| Ground | Athens Olympic Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 69,618 | |||
| Owner | Giannis Alafouzos | |||
| President | Giannis Alafouzos | |||
| Head coach | Rui Vitória | |||
| League | Super League Greece | |||
| 2023–24 | Super League Greece, 4th of 14 | |||
|
||||
Panathinaikos Football Club, also known as Panathinaikos or PAO, is a professional football team from Athens, Greece. Its full name means "Pan-Athenian Athletic Club."
The club was started in 1908 as "Football Club of Athens" by Georgios Kalafatis. Panathinaikos plays in the Super League Greece, which is the top football league in Greece. They are one of the most successful clubs in Greek football history. They are also one of only three clubs that have never been moved down to a lower division.
Panathinaikos has won many major titles, including 20 Greek Championships and 20 Greek Cups. They have won both the league and the cup in the same season eight times! In the 1963–64 season, they won the Greek championship without losing a single game.
This club is the only Greek team to reach the UEFA Champions League final, which they did in 1971. They also made it to the semi-finals twice (1985 and 1996). Panathinaikos is also the only Greek team to play in the Intercontinental Cup (1971). They have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League two more times (1992 and 2002). They also reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup twice (1988 and 2003). In 1977, they won the Balkans Cup.
Panathinaikos is the second most popular football team in Greece. They play their home games at the Athens Olympic Stadium. Their traditional home ground is the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium. Panathinaikos has a big rivalry with Olympiacos. Their matches are called the "Derby of the Eternal Enemies."
Contents
- The Club's Story: A Journey Through Time
- Team Look: Crest and Colors
- Home Grounds and Training Facilities
- How the Club is Managed and Funded
- Panathinaikos Fans: Gate 13
- Team Records and Achievements
- Trophies and Honors
- Panathinaikos in European and Worldwide Competitions
- Current Players
- Contribution to the Greece National Team
- Club Staff and Management
- Images for kids
- See also
The Club's Story: A Journey Through Time
How Panathinaikos Began
Panathinaikos was founded on February 3, 1908. Giorgos Kalafatis and 40 other athletes started the club. They left their old club, Panellinios Gymnastikos Syllogos, because it stopped having a football team. The new club was first called "Podosfairikos Omilos Athinon" (Football Club of Athens). Their goal was to make football more popular in Athens and Greece. They also wanted to connect with other European football teams.
The first president was Alexandros Kalafatis, Giorgos's brother. Their first home ground was on Patission Street. They even brought in a coach from Oxford University, John Cyril Campbell, who was the first foreign coach for a Greek team. A famous Greek athlete, Konstantinos Tsiklitiras, played as goalkeeper for the new team.
In 1910, the club changed its name to Panellinios Podosferikos Omilos ("Panhellenic Football Club"). They also changed their colors to green and white. By 1914, the team was already one of the best in Greek football.
The Shamrock Symbol and a New Home
In 1918, the team chose the trifolium (a shamrock) as its symbol. This idea came from Michalis Papazoglou. The shamrock stands for harmony, unity, nature, and good luck. The club wanted a symbol that represented all of Athens, not just one part.
In 1921 and 1922, the team won the first two championships after World War I. The club grew quickly and needed a bigger home. They found land on Alexandras Avenue. After talking with the city of Athens, they were given the land in 1922. This new home became known as Leoforos (meaning "Avenue").
Moving to a permanent stadium led to another name change. On March 15, 1924, the club became Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos (PAO), meaning "All-Athenian Athletic Club." From then on, it became a club that played many different sports.
In 1926, the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) was created. The first official Greek Championship under the HFF happened in 1927.
Early Triumphs and Challenges
Panathinaikos won the championship in 1929–30 without losing a game. This was thanks to coach József Künsztler and star player Angelos Messaris. Other great players from this time included Antonis Migiakis and Diomidis Symeonidis. They famously beat their rivals Olympiacos 8–2, which is still their biggest win against them. Messaris scored three goals in that game!
In 1931, the club faced some problems. There was a disagreement about whether football should become professional. This caused a difficult period for the club. However, they won their first Greek Cup in 1940, beating Aris 3–1.
During World War II, many players joined the army. Sadly, Mimis Pierrakos was killed during the war. Other players also joined resistance groups.
After the war, Panathinaikos won another Greek Championship in 1949. New star players like Vangelis Panakis and Kostas Linoxilakis joined the team. They won again in 1952–53.
By 1959, the team had won seven of the last eight Athens Championships. In the same year, Mimis Domazos, who would become a legendary captain, joined the team. The new Alpha Ethniki league system started, and Panathinaikos won the first championship under this system.
The Golden 1960s and Bobek's Changes
The 1960s were a great time for Panathinaikos. They won the championship in 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1969, and 1970. They also won two more Greek Cups in 1967 and 1969. During this time, many older players retired, and young talents like Domazos, Antonis Antoniadis, and Kostas Eleftherakis joined the team.
Stjepan Bobek became the head coach in 1963. He changed the team's playing style and built a new team with young players. This was called "Bobek's rejuvenation." Under him, Panathinaikos won the 1964 Championship without losing a single game. This made them one of only two teams to win the Greek Championship undefeated.
The Road to Wembley with Puskás
In 1971, under the famous coach Ferenc Puskás, Panathinaikos reached the 1970–71 European Cup final. They were the first and only Greek team to do this. They lost 2–0 to Ajax at Wembley Stadium. On their way to the final, they beat teams like Everton and Red Star Belgrade. Key players included captain Mimis Domazos and Antonis Antoniadis, who was the top scorer in the competition with ten goals.
That same year, Panathinaikos also played in the 1971 Intercontinental Cup. They lost to the Uruguayan club Nacional.
In 1972, Panathinaikos won another championship. Antonis Antoniadis was the top scorer again with 39 goals, which is still a record in the Greek league.
In 1977, with coach Kazimierz Górski, Panathinaikos won both the league and the cup (a "double"). They also won the Balkans Cup in the same year.
The Vardinogiannis Years (1979–2012)
In 1979, Greek football became professional. The Vardinogiannis family bought the football part of PAO. Giorgos Vardinogiannis became president.
In the 1980s, Panathinaikos won two championships (1984, 1986), four more Greek Cups (1984, 1986, 1988, 1989), and the Greek Super Cup in 1988. A big star of this time was Dimitris Saravakos, known as "The Kid." He was a very skilled midfielder and a hero to the fans.
In the 1984–85 season, Panathinaikos reached the semi-finals of the European Cup. They were eventually knocked out by Liverpool. In 1987–88, they made it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. Dimitris Saravakos was the top scorer in that competition.
The 1990s were even more successful. Panathinaikos won four Greek championships (1990, 1991, 1995, 1996), four Greek Cups (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995), and two Greek Super Cups (1993, 1994).
In 1995–96, Panathinaikos reached the Champions League semi-finals. They beat Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, they faced Ajax. Panathinaikos won the first game away 1–0, which was a big surprise because Ajax had not lost in 22 international matches. However, Ajax won the second game 3–0, and Panathinaikos was out of the final.
In 2000, Giorgos Vardinogiannis stepped down as president. His nephew, Giannis Vardinogiannis, took over. In 2001–02 UEFA Champions League, Panathinaikos reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they were eliminated by Barcelona. They won the first game against Barcelona 1–0 at home. In the second game, they scored first but Barcelona came back to win.
In 2002–03, they reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals. They won the first game against FC Porto (who later won the trophy) but were eliminated after extra time in the second game.
In 2004, Panathinaikos won the championship and the Greek Cup, completing another "double." They beat Olympiacos 3–1 in the cup final.
The Alafouzos Era (2012–Present)
In 2012, the club faced serious financial problems. Giannis Alafouzos, the owner of Skai TV, came up with a plan. He took over the Vardinogiannis family's shares and made them available to fans. This allowed fans to contribute money and become part of the club's ownership. This new system aimed to make Panathinaikos a "supporter-owned" football club.
The first season under this new system was tough. Panathinaikos finished sixth in the league and did not qualify for European competitions for the first time in 16 years.
For the 2013–14 season, Yannis Anastasiou became manager. He built a team using young players from the club's academies and experienced foreign players. Despite doubts, the team had a very successful season. They finished fourth in the league and qualified for the Champions League. Panathinaikos also won the 2013–14 Greek Football Cup by beating PAOK 4–1.
In 2018, UEFA decided to ban Panathinaikos from playing in European competitions for three seasons due to financial fair play rules. This was a big disappointment for the fans.
In the 2021–22 season, under manager Ivan Jovanović, the team returned to European Competitions. They also won their 19th Greek Cup, beating PAOK 1–0 in the final. This ended an eight-year wait for a trophy.
A Close Call for the League Title
In the 2022–23 season, Panathinaikos had an amazing start. They had the longest unbeaten streak in Europe for that season, going 16 matches without a loss. They finished the regular season in first place. However, in the play-off round, they lost to Olympiacos, and AEK Athens managed to win the league title by a small margin.
Panathinaikos won the 2023–24 Greek Football Cup by beating Aris 1–0 in the final. This was their 20th Greek Cup title, and it secured their spot in the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. On October 30, 2024, the club announced that Rui Vitória would be its new coach.
Team Look: Crest and Colors
The Evolution of the Panathinaikos Crest
-
1908
-
1995–present
When the team started in 1908, white was the main color, and their first symbol was a football.
In 1911, the club's colors changed to green and white. In 1918, Michalis Papazoglou suggested the trifolium (shamrock) as the team's emblem. He was inspired by an Irish Canadian athlete who wore a shamrock. The shamrock was chosen because it represents harmony, unity, nature, and good luck. It was also a symbol that could represent all of Athens.
For many years, a large green or white shamrock was sewn onto the jersey. When football became professional, a new crest was designed. It included the club's initials and the founding year, 1908.
Today, green and white are the team's traditional colors. Green stands for health and nature, while white represents virtue. The uniform style has changed over the years, but green has always been the main color.
Home Grounds and Training Facilities
Panathinaikos' traditional home stadium since the 1920s is the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium. It's the oldest active football stadium in Greece, located in central Athens. It's often just called Leoforos, which means "Avenue" in Greek. This stadium is very historic and has been used by the Greece national football team and even by rival clubs sometimes.
In 1984, Panathinaikos moved to the newer Athens Olympic Stadium. They returned to Leoforos in 2000 after renovations. However, due to stricter rules, they had to move back to the Olympic Stadium in 2004.
As of October 2013, plans for a new stadium and the demolition of Leoforos were put on hold due to financial issues. The team returned to its traditional home ground once again.
The current president, Giannis Alafouzos, wants to renovate the stadium and increase its capacity. In 2022, the Greek government confirmed that new football and basketball stadiums will be built in the Votanikos area by 2026.
Panathinaikos used to train at Paiania since 1981. This is where many great players like Giorgos Karagounis and Angelos Basinas trained. In 2013, the club and its academy moved to the new Georgios Kalafatis Sports Center in Koropi, which the club now owns.
How the Club is Managed and Funded
Before 1979, football in Greece was amateur. Teams like Panathinaikos relied on money from club members. In 1979, Greek football became professional, and the Vardinogiannis family bought the football department. They owned the club for many decades.
In 2008, under pressure from fans, the Vardinogiannis family decided to reduce their ownership. New shareholders joined, and Nikos Pateras became the new president.
In 2011, financial problems led the club to sell many players to reduce costs. In 2012, Giannis Alafouzos came up with a plan for fans to help the club. He gave his shares to the "Panathenaic Alliance," allowing fans to become members and contribute money. This made Panathinaikos a "supporter-owned" football club. Members of the Alliance now elect the club's board of directors and president. Giannis Alafouzos was the first president elected under this system.
In 2013, the team moved its training center to Georgios Kalafatis Sports Center in Koropi, which is owned by the club.
Today, Panathinaikos is partly owned by its supporters. Giannis Alafouzos is the largest shareholder.
Panathinaikos Fans: Gate 13
Panathinaikos was started to make football popular for everyone in Athens and connect with European football.
Today, Panathinaikos is the second most popular football team in Greece. They have many fans in Athens, all over Greece, in Cyprus, and among Greeks living abroad. They are popular with people from all walks of life.
Panathinaikos fans hold records for the most season tickets sold (31,091 in 2010) and the highest average attendance for a season (44,942 in 1985–86).
The main organized fan group is called Gate 13. It was started in 1966 and is the oldest fan association in Greece. It has about 80 smaller fan clubs across Greece and Cyprus.
Gate 13 fans are known for using green fireworks, waving green flags, displaying banners, and creating colorful displays. They cheer loudly and constantly. Gate 13 has become a very important part of the club.
Panathinaikos fans have friendships with fans of Hungarian club Ferencváros and Austrian club Rapid Wien, mainly because they share green and white colors. They also have close ties with Dinamo Zagreb's "Bad Blue Boys" and A.S. Roma fans.
The Panathenaic Alliance, a group of fans, is a major owner of the football club. This makes Panathinaikos the only "supporter-owned" football club in Greece.
Team Records and Achievements
Mimis Domazos has played the most games for Panathinaikos, with 502 matches between 1959 and 1980. Striker Krzysztof Warzycha is second with 390 games. The goalkeeper with the most appearances is Takis Ikonomopoulos, with 303 games.
Krzysztof Warzycha is the club's top goal scorer with 288 goals in all competitions. He passed Antonis Antoniadis' record of 180 goals in 1998.
The highest number of fans at a Panathinaikos home game was 74,493. This was for a Greek League match against AEK Athens in 1986 at the Olympic Stadium.
Panathinaikos is one of only two clubs in Greek football history to finish a top-flight season (after 1959) without losing a single game. This happened in the 1963–64 season.
|
Top League Scorers
|
Most League Appearances
|
Players Who Played Only for Panathinaikos
| Player | Nationality | Position | First Match | Last Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vangelis Panakis |  |
Forward | 1950 | 1965 |
| Anthimos Kapsis | |
Defender | 1969 | 1984 |
| Giannis Goumas | |
Defender | 1994 | 2009 |
| Giannis Papantoniou | |
Midfielder | 1945 | 1958 |
| Frangiskos Sourpis | |
Defender | 1962 | 1973 |
Top Scorers in the Super League (by Season)
| Rank. | Nationality | Player | Times | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Antonis Antoniadis | 5 (Greek record) | 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 |
| 2 |  |
Krzysztof Warzycha | 3 | 1994, 1995, 1998 |
| 3 |  |
Djibril Cissé | 2 | 2010, 2011 |
| 4 | |
Dimitris Saravakos | 1 | 1991 |
| 5 | |
Nikos Liberopoulos | 1 | 2003 |
| 6 | |
Angelos Messaris | 1 | 1930 |
| 7 | |
Filippos Asimakopoulos | 1 | 1955 |
| 8 | |
Tasos Kritikos | 1 | 1936 |
| 9 |  |
Marcus Berg | 1 | 2017 |
Most Goals in a Single Season
| Rank. | Nationality | Player | Goals | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Antonis Antoniadis | 39 goals (Greek record) | 1971–72 (also second in Europe) |
Top Scorers in European Competitions
Uefa Champions League
| Rank. | Nationality | Player | Times | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Antonis Antoniadis | 1 | 1970–71 |
UEFA Cup
| Rank. | Nationality | Player | Times | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Dimitris Saravakos | 1 | 1987–88 |
Team Records in Greece
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Championships won without a loss | 2 (1929–30, 1952–53) |
| Championships won without a loss in the top league (after 1959) | once (1963–64) |
| Biggest win in a Greek Super Cup match | 3–0 (vs AEK, 1994) |
Trophies and Honors
| Type | Competition | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Super League Greece | 20 | 1929–30, 1948–49, 1952–53, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1976–77, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2003–04, 2009–10 |
| Greek Football Cup | 20 | 1939–40, 1947–48, 1954–55, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1976–77, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2003–04, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2021–22, 2023–24 | |
| Greek Super Cup | 3 | 1988, 1993, 1994 | |
| International | Balkans Cup | 1 | 1977 |
| Regional | Athens FCA Championship' | 17 | 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1937, 1939, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959 |
| Other | SEGAS Championship | 2 | 1910–11, 1922 |
| Easter Cup | 5 | 1940, 1947, 1952, 1954, 1957 | |
| Christmas Cup | 2 | 1949, 1955 | |
| Greater Greece Cup | 1 | 1970 |
- record
Winning the Double (League and Cup in one season)
- Winners (8): 1968–69, 1976–77, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1990–91, 1994–95, 2003–04, 2009–10
Winning the Treble (League, Cup, and Balkans Cup in one season)
- Winners (1): 1976–77 (This included the 1976–77 Alpha Ethniki, 1976–77 Greek Football Cup, and 1977 Balkans Cup)
Panathinaikos in European and Worldwide Competitions
- UEFA Champions League
- Runners-up (1): 1971
- Semi-finals (2): 1985, 1996
- Quarter-finals (2): 1992, 2002
- UEFA Europa League
- Quarter-finals (2): 1988, 2003
- Balkans Cup
- Winners (1): 1977
Panathinaikos in Worldwide Competitions
- Intercontinental Cup
- Runners-up (1): 1971
Current Players
|
|
Panathinaikos B Team and Youth Academy
|
|
In Spanish: 