Greek Basket League

"A1 Ethniki" redirects here. For other uses, see A1 Ethniki (disambiguation).
Greek Basket League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2015–16 Greek Basket League
Sport Basketball
Founded 1927
Inaugural season 1927–28
CEO Giorgos Chalvatzakis
No. of teams 14
Country  Greece
Continent European Union FIBA Europe (Europe)
Most recent champion(s) Olympiacos (11th title)
Most titles Panathinaikos (34 titles)
TV partner(s) OTE Sport
Nova Sports
Level on pyramid 1st Tier (Greece)
Relegation to Greek A2 Basket League - 2nd Tier
Domestic cup(s) Greek Cup
Official website Esake.gr (Greek)
Esake.gr (English)

The Greek Basket League (GBL), often referred to as the Greek Basketball League, Greek A1 Basketball League, or Greek Basketball Championship (originally called Panhellenic Basketball Championship), is the 1st tier professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA (Greek: ΕΣΑΚΕ). The league is also known as the Greek Basket League Scratch (Greek: Μπασκετ Λιγκ Σκρατς) for sponsorship reasons.

It is ranked as one of the top 3 level national domestic leagues in European basketball by the European national basketball league rankings. It consists of 14 teams and runs from October to June, with teams playing 26 games each during the regular season, and the top 8 teams then competing in the playoffs. The first official Greek Basketball Championship was held in the 1927–28 season. The league first held a playoffs round in the 1986–87 season.

History

Basketball first came to Greece in the year 1910. By the 1927–28 season, the first official championship began. There have been four different official championship eras. The first era was the Panhellenic Championship (Πανελλήνιο Πρωτάθλημα), which lasted from the 1927–28 to 1962–63 seasons, when the champions of every regional district played each other to decide the Greek Champion. The second era started in the 1963–64 season, when the A National Category (Α' Εθνική Κατηγορία) was founded.

In 1969, the Hellenic Basketball Federation (E.O.K.) took over the duties of overseeing the competition, and did so until the year 1992. The third era of the championship existed between the 1986–87 and 1991–92 seasons, when the first division A1 National Category (Α1 Εθνική Κατηγορία), with a regular season and playoffs, and the second division A2 National Category (Α2 Εθνική Κατηγορία) were formed. The fourth era of the championship began in the 1992–93 season, when the Hellenic Basketball Clubs Association (HEBA) took over the competition and renamed the first division the HEBA A1 (ΕΣΑΚΕ Α1). The league was then renamed to Greek Basket League (Ελληνικό Μπαςκετ Λιγκ), starting with the 2010–11 season.

The Greek League has been one of the most competitive basketball leagues in Europe through the years, and it was widely regarded as the second best national domestic league in the world, after only the NBA, in the 1990s decade. It currently ranks among the best national domestic leagues in the world (excluding the NBA), such as Liga ACB in Spain and VTB United League (counts as the domestic league for Russian clubs). It is considered one of the top 3 European national domestic leagues under the European national basketball league rankings. The league has several great powers which belong to the most traditional European basketball clubs, especially the Euroleague giants Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Other clubs that have had significant successes throughout the history of Greek basketball are AEK and Aris. Along with PAOK, the aforementioned clubs are the most successful and widely supported in Greece.

Despite the championship having been contested 74 times, only nine different clubs have won it so far. The dominating club has always been Panathinaikos, having claimed the championship 34 times. Since the foundation of the A National Category in the 1963–64 season, only two teams have participated in every season of the competition, Panathinaikos and Aris.

Logo

The main elements of the logo were changed in 2013.[1]

Promotion and relegation

The championship, in its current form, has been organized since the 1992–93 season by the Hellenic Basketball Clubs Association (HEBA). 28 pro Greek basketball teams are split into two different divisions. The first division championship, which is called the "A1", in which 14 teams compete for the Greek National Championship, and the second division championship, which is called the "A2", in which 14 teams compete for the second division crown. The bottom two place finishing teams each year in the A1 division standings are relegated to the A2 division, due to poor performance. While conversely, the top two teams each year from the A2 division are promoted to the A1 division, due to good performance.

Arena standards

Currently, Greek clubs must play their home games in arenas that seat at least 1,000 people in order to play Greek domestic league matches. Several Greek clubs have two arenas that they primarily use. One for domestic Greek League matches, and one for European-wide matches.

Greek clubs that play in the Euroleague or the Eurocup, must play their home games in those leagues in arenas that fit the arena standards of those leagues. Currently, a 5,000 seat arena minimum for the Euroleague, and a 3,000 seat arena minimum for the Eurocup.

Current clubs

The clubs for the 2015–16 season:

Club Position
2014–15
Greek League Arena Capacity Euroleague/Eurocup Arena* Capacity
AEK
5th
OAKA Indoor Hall, Marousi
19,250
OAKA Indoor Hall, Marousi
19,250
Apollon Patras
10th
Apollon Patras Indoor Hall, Patras
3,500
Apollon Patras Indoor Hall, Patras
3,500
Aris
4th
Alexandrio Melathron, Thessaloniki
5,138[2]
Alexandrio Melathron, Thessaloniki
5,138
Arkadikos
2nd (A2)
Tripoli Indoor Hall, Tripoli
1,100
Kavala
1st (A2)
Kalamitsa Indoor Hall, Kavala
1,650
Kolossos
7th
Venetoklio Indoor Hall, Rhodes
1,700
Koroivos
8th
Amaliada Indoor Hall, Koroivos
2,000[3]
Lavrio
3rd (A2)
Lavrio Indoor Hall, Lavrio, Greece
1,700
Nea Kifissia
11th
Zirineio Indoor Hall, Kifisia
1,500
Olympiacos
1st
Peace and Friendship Stadium, Piraeus
12,000
Peace and Friendship Stadium, Piraeus
12,000
Panathinaikos
2nd
OAKA Indoor Hall, Marousi
19,250
OAKA Indoor Hall, Marousi
19,250
PAOK
3rd
PAOK Sports Arena, Pylaia
8,500[4]
PAOK Sports Arena, Pylaia
8,500
Rethymno Cretan Kings
6th
Rethymno Indoor Hall, Rethymno
1,600
Trikala
12th
Trikala Indoor Hall, Trikala
2,500

Championship history

Title holders

Performance by club

Titles Club Years
34 Panathinaikos 1945–46, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1953–54, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14
11 Olympiacos 1948–49, 1959–60, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2011–12, 2014–15
10 Aris 1929–30, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91
8 AEK 1957–58, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1969–70, 2001–02
6 Panellinios 1928–29, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1952–53, 1954–55, 1956–57
2 Iraklis 1927–28, 1934–35
PAOK 1958–59, 1991–92
1 Near East 1935–36
Athens University 1936–37

A1 Finals

Season Home court advantage Result Home court disadvantage 1st of Regular Season Record
1986–87
Aris
3–0
Panionios Aris
18–0
1987–88
Aris
3–0
PAOK Aris
18–0
1988–89
Aris
3–1
PAOK Aris
17–1
1989–90
Aris
20–2
1990–91
Aris
4–2
PAOK Aris
20–2
1991–92
PAOK
4–1
Olympiacos PAOK
20–2
1992–93
Panathinaikos
1–3
Olympiacos PAOK
22–4
1993–94
Olympiacos
3–2
PAOK Olympiacos
22–4
1994–95
Olympiacos
3–2
Panathinaikos Olympiacos
24–2
1995–96
Olympiacos
3–2
Panathinaikos Olympiacos
24–2
1996–97
Olympiacos
3–1
AEK Olympiacos
21–5
1997–98
Panathinaikos
3–2
PAOK Panathinaikos
21–5
1998–99
Olympiacos
2–3
Panathinaikos Olympiacos
21–5
1999–00
Panathinaikos
3–0
PAOK Olympiacos
21–5
2000–01
Panathinaikos
3–2
Olympiacos Panathinaikos
22–4
2001–02
AEK
3–2
Olympiacos AEK
23–3
2002–03
Panathinaikos
3–1
AEK Panathinaikos
21–5
2003–04
Panathinaikos
3–0
Maroussi Panathinaikos
22–4
2004–05
Panathinaikos
3–1
AEK Panathinaikos
22–4
2005–06
Panathinaikos
3–0
Olympiacos Panathinaikos
24–2
2006–07
Panathinaikos
3–2
Olympiacos Panathinaikos
24–2
2007–08
Panathinaikos
3–2
Olympiacos Panathinaikos
23–3
2008–09
Olympiacos
1–3
Panathinaikos Olympiacos
25–1
2009–10
Panathinaikos
3–1
Olympiacos Panathinaikos
25–1
2010–11
Olympiacos
1–3
Panathinaikos Oiympiacos
26–0
2011–12
Olympiacos
3–2
Panathinaikos Olympiacos
23–1
2012–13
Olympiacos
0–3
Panathinaikos Olympiacos
25–1
2013–14
Panathinaikos
3–2
Olympiacos Panathinaikos
25–1
2014–15
Olympiacos
3–0
Panathinaikos Olympiacos
25–1

A1 finals participation by Club

Club W L Total
Panathinaikos
15
5
20
Olympiacos
7
12
19
Aris
4
0
4
PAOK
1
6
7
AEK
1
3
4
Panionios
0
1
1
Maroussi
0
1
1

Number of seasons in the A and A1 National Categories by club (1963–64 - 2014–15)

The number of times that clubs participated in the top A National Category, while it existed from the 1963–64 season to the 1985–86 season. As well as the number of times that clubs have participated in the top A1 National Category, since it began with the 1986–87 season. Only two clubs, Panathinaikos and Aris, have played in the top division every year since its formation.

Club Times
Panathinaikos
53
Aris
53
PAOK
52
AEK
50
Olympiacos
50
Panionios
44
Iraklis
41
Sporting
31
Apollon Patras
31
Panellinios
30
Maroussi
24
Peristeri
22
Pagrati
17
Gymnastikos
12
HANTH
12
Ionikos Nikaias
12
Kolossos
10
Dimokritos
9
Dafni
8
Irakleio
8
Ilysiakos
8
Club Times
Near East
7
Papagou
7
Olympia
7
Makedonikos
6
Esperos
6
Kavala
6
Rethymno
6
KAOD
5
VAO
5
Ionikos NF
4
Triton
4
Amyntas
4
Ikaros
4
AE Larissas
3
AENK
3
Trikala Aries
3
Panelefsiniakos
3
Egaleo
3
Aetos
3
Trikala 2000
2
Olympias Patras
2
Club Times
Anatolia
2
HAN Nikaias
2
Apollon Kalamarias
2
Niki Volou
2
Philippos
2
Milon
2
Ampelokipoi
2
Peiraikos
2
Koroivos
2
Arkadikos
1
Lavrio
1
MENT
1
Pierikos
1

The best regular season records in the history of the A and A1 National Categories (19632015)

[5][6]

The A and A1 National Category (19632015)

Season Team Regular Season
Record
Playoff Record Final Record
(Including Playoffs)
Final Season
Result
1985–86 Aris
26-0
0-0
26-0
Champion
1967–68 AEK
22-0
0-0
22-0
Champion
1975–76 Olympiacos
22-0
0-0
22-0
Champion
1986–87 Aris
18-0
3-0
21-0
Champion
1987–88 Aris
18-0
3-0
21-0
Champion
1979–80 Panathinaikos
16-0
12-2
28-2
Champion
2010–11 Olympiacos
26-0
6–3
32–3
Finalist
1984–85 Aris
25-1
0-0
25-1
Champion
2009–10 Panathinaikos
25-1
8-1
33-2
Champion
2008–09 Olympiacos
25-1
6-3
31-4
Finalist

The best overall season records of the HEBA A1 (19922015)

Season Club Regular Season
Record
Playoff Record Final Record Final Season
Result
2009–10 Panathinaikos
25–1
8–1
33–2
Champion
2014–15 Olympiacos
25–1
8–1
33–2
Champion
2013–14 Panathinaikos
25–1
8–2
33–3
Champion
2005–06 Panathinaikos
24–2
8–0
32–2
Champion
2010–11 Panathinaikos
24–2
8–1
32–3
Champion
2010–11 Olympiacos
26–0
6–3
32–3
Finalist
2006–07 Panathinaikos
24–2
8–2
32–4
Champion
2011–12 Olympiacos
23–1
8–2
31–3
Champion
2008–09 Olympiacos
25–1
6–3
31–4
Finalist
1995–96 Olympiacos
24–2
8–3
31–5
Champion
2007–08 Panathinaikos
23–3
8–2
31–5
Champion
1994–95 Olympiacos
24–2
7–3
31–5
Champion
2013–14 Olympiacos
24–2
7–3
31–5
Finalist
2012–13 Panathinaikos
22–4
8–0
30–4
Champion
2012–13 Olympiacos
25–1
5–3
30–4
Finalist
1994–95 Panathinaikos
24–2
6–3
30–5
Finalist
2008–09 Panathinaikos
22–4
8–1
30–5
Champion
1993–94 Olympiacos
22–4
8–2
30–6
Champion
2004–05 Panathinaikos
22–4
8–3
30–7
Champion

Greek basketball clubs in European-wide competitions

Euroleague

Rank Club Appearances Years
1.
Panathinaikos
36
1962, 1963, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001†, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
2.
Olympiacos
27
1961, 1977, 1979, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
3.
AEK
14
1959, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
4.
Aris
11
1980, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2007, 2008
5.
PAOK
7
1960, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
6.
Iraklis
2
1996, 2001†
7.
Panionios
2
1997, 2009
8.
Peristeri
2
2001, 2002
9.
Panellinios
1
1958
10.
Maroussi
1
2010
Club Champions Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
Panathinaikos 1995–96, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11 2001† 1971–72, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2004–05, 2011–12 1981–82*, 1996–97, 2005–06, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
Olympiacos 1996–97, 2011–12, 2012–13 1993–94, 1994–95, 2009–10, 2014–15 1998–99, 2008–09 1978–79*, 1992–93, 1995–96, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2013–14
AEK 1997–98 1965–66, 2000–01 1964–65
Aris 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90 1990–91
PAOK 1992–93

FIBA Saporta Cup

Club Champions Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
AEK 1967–68, 1999–00 1969–70 1971–72, 1988–89
PAOK 1990–91 1991-92, 1995–96 1989–90 1984–85
Aris 1992–93 1993–94, 1998–99
Maroussi 2000–01
Panathinaikos 1968–69, 1997–98 1979–80, 1983–84
Iraklis 1994–95, 1996–97 1999–00
Olympiacos 1975–76
Panionios 2001–02

FIBA Korać Cup

Club Champions Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
Aris 1996–97 1984–85 1997–98
PAOK 1993–94
Panionios 1993–94, 1998–99 1989–90, 1992–93, 1994–95
Maroussi 2001–02 1999–00
Peristeri 1993–94, 1996–97, 1997–98

Eurocup

Club Champions Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
Aris 2005–06 2009–10
Makedonikos 2004–05
Panellinios 2009–10
Maroussi 2004–05
PAOK 2004–05

Awards, statistics & players

Sponsors and supporters

See also

References

External links

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