Greek Basket League
Founded | 1927 (1927) |
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First season | 1927–28 |
Country | Greece |
Confederation | FIBA Europe |
Number of teams | 14 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | A2 Basket League |
Domestic cup(s) | Greek Cup |
International cup(s) | EuroLeague Basketball Champions League FIBA Europe Cup |
Current champions | Panathinaikos OPAP (36th title) |
Most championships | Panathinaikos (36 titles) |
Commissioner | Vangelis Galatsopoulos |
TV partners | ERT Cosmote Sport |
Website | esake.gr (Greek) esake (English) |
2018–19 Greek Basket League |
The Greek Basket League (GBL), often also referred to as the Greek Basketball League, Greek A1 Basketball League, or Greek Basketball Championship (originally called Panhellenic Basketball Championship), and known as the betshop.gr Basket League for sponsorship reasons, is the first tier professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA (Greek: ΕΣΑΚΕ), under the legal authority of the Hellenic Basketball Federation (E.O.K.). The league is also known as the Betshop.gr Basket League for sponsorship reasons.[1]
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.[2] The first official Greek Basketball Championship was held in the 1927–28 season. The league first held a playoff round in the 1986–87 season.
The league has always been ranked as one of the top 3-5 level national domestic leagues in European basketball, since league rankings began. For further information, see historical European national basketball league rankings, and European national basketball league rankings.
Greek basketball clubs in international competitions
Contents
1 History
2 Brand
2.1 Name
2.2 Sponsors
2.3 Logo
3 Regulations
3.1 Arena standards
3.2 Foreign players
4 Current clubs
5 Statistics
5.1 Title holders
5.2 Performance by club
5.3 A1 Finals
5.4 A1 finals participation by club
5.5 Number of seasons in the Panhellenic Championship (1928–1963)
5.6 Number of seasons in the A and A1 National Categories by club (1963–64–2018–19)
5.7 Number of seasons in the top-tier level Greek Basket League in total (1928 to 2018–19)
5.8 Best regular season records in the history of the A and A1 National Categories (1963–2015)
5.9 A and A1 National Category (1963–2018)
5.10 The best overall season records of the HEBA A1 (1992–2015)
5.11 Greek basketball clubs in European and worldwide competitions
5.12 Awards and players
5.13 All-time stats leaders
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
History
Basketball first came to Greece in the year 1910. The first Greek basketball championship took place in the 1927–28 season, the first fully organized Greek basketball championship began. The league was originally organized by the Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association (SEGAS). 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), or Alpha National Category 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 1988–89 season, marked the first time that Greek Basket League teams were allowed to have foreign players on their rosters.[3]
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 (Ελληνική Μπάσκετ 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, VTB United League (counts as the domestic league for Russian clubs), and BSL in Turkey. It has always been considered one of the top 3-5 European national domestic leagues under the historical European national basketball league rankings and European national basketball league rankings.
The league has several European historical basketball powers, which also belong to some of the most traditional European basketball clubs, especially Panathinaikos,
Olympiacos and AEK (which had great success in the 1960s), which are three of the most successful European basketball clubs of all-time.
Also, Aris, led by Nikos Galis, Panagiotis Giannakis, and Slobodan "Lefteris" Subotić, was the dominant Greek club, and one of the most powerful European teams in the 1980s. Other clubs that have had significant success throughout the history of Greek basketball, as well as
success in European basketball, are PAOK and Panellinios.
The first five aforementioned clubs (Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, AEK, Aris and PAOK), are also the most widely supported by fans in Greece.
Despite the championship having been contested 78 times, only nine different clubs have won it so far. The dominating club has usually been Panathinaikos, having claimed the championship 37 times. Since the foundation of the Alpha National Category in the 1963–64 season, only two teams have participated in every season of the competition, Panathinaikos and Aris.
Brand
Name
- 1927–28 to 1962–63: Panhellenic Championship
- 1963–64 to 1985–86: Alpha (A) National Category
- 1986–87 to 1991–92: Alpha1 (A1) National Category
- 1992–93 to 2011–12: HEBA Alpha1 (A1)
- 2012–13 to present: Greek Basket League
Sponsors
- betshop.gr
- OPAP
- Scratch
- Stoiximan.gr
- Champion
- Spalding
- Cosmote
- Germanos
- Visit Greece
- Gatorade
Logo
The main elements of the logo were changed in 2013.[4]
2012–2013
2013–present
Regulations
The championship, in its current form, has been organized since the 1992–93 season by the Hellenic Basketball Clubs Association (HEBA). 30 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 16 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.
Foreign players
Greek Basket League teams were first allowed to have foreign (non-Greek) players on their rosters in the 1988–89 season.[5]
Under the league's current foreign player rules, Greek Basket League teams must have at least 6 Greek players on their active 12 man game rosters. Each team is allowed to have up to 6 foreign (non-Greek) players, on their active 12 man game roster. There are no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed by country of origin. Meaning that for example, any team in the league could sign up to 6 American players, or up to 6 Canadian players, or up to 6 players from European countries, etc.[6]
Current clubs
Athens teams
AEK
Holargos
Panathinaikos
Panionios
Peristeri
Aris
PAOK
The clubs for the 2018–19 season:
Club | Position 2017–18 | Greek League Arena | Capacity | EuroLeague/EuroCup Arena* | Capacity |
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AEK | 5th | Nikos Galis Olympic Indoor Hall, Marousi | 19,250 | Nikos Galis Olympic Indoor Hall, Marousi | 19,250 |
Aris | 9th | Alexandrio Melathron, Thessaloniki | 5,138[7] | Alexandrio Melathron, Thessaloniki | 5,138 |
Holargos | 2nd (A2) | Antonis Tritsis Indoor Hal, Cholargos | 1,665 | ||
Ifaistos Limnou | 11th | Nikos Samaras Indoor Hall, Myrina | 1,260 | ||
Kolossos Rodou | 8th | Venetoklio Indoor Hall, Rhodes City | 1,700 | ||
Kymi | 7th | Tasos Kabouris Kanithou Indoor Hall (Chalcis) | 1,620 | ||
Lavrio | 6th | Lavrio Indoor Hall, Lavrio | 1,700 | ||
Olympiacos | 2nd | Peace and Friendship Stadium, Piraeus | 12,000[8] | Peace and Friendship Stadium, Piraeus | 12,000 |
Panathinaikos | 1st | Nikos Galis Olympic Indoor Hall, Marousi | 19,250 | Nikos Galis Olympic Indoor Hall, Marousi | 19,250 |
Panionios | 12th | Nea Smyrni Indoor Hall, Nea Smyrni | 2,000 | ||
PAOK | 3rd | PAOK Sports Arena, Pylaia | 8,500[9] | PAOK Sports Arena, Pylaia | 8,500 |
Peristeri | 1st (A2) | Peristeri Indoor Hall, Peristeri | 4,000 | Peristeri Indoor Hall, Peristeri | 4,000 |
Promitheas Patras | 4th | Dimitris Tofalos Arena, Patras | 4,150 | Dimitris Tofalos Arena, Patras | 4,150 |
Rethymno Cretan Kings | 10th | Rethymno Indoor Hall, Rethymno | 1,600 |
*Arenas that meet Euroleague Basketball Company European arena requirements, and where the clubs play their home games at if they are competing in the EuroLeague and/or the EuroCup.
Statistics
Title holders
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Performance by club
Titles | Club | Years |
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36 | 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, 2016–17, 2017–18 |
12 | Olympiacos | 1948–49, 1959–60, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
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 | Regular Season Record |
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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 | r.r. | PAOK | PAOK | 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 Bravo | 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 TIM | 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 | Olympiacos | 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 |
2015–16 | Olympiacos | 3–1 | Panathinaikos | Olympiacos | 25–1 |
2016–17 | Olympiacos | 2–3 | Panathinaikos Superfoods | Olympiacos | 25–1 |
2017–18 | Panathinaikos Superfoods | 3–2 | Olympiacos | Panathinaikos | 26–0 |
A1 finals participation by club
Club | W | L | Total |
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Panathinaikos | 17 | 6 | 23 |
Olympiacos | 8 | 14 | 22 |
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 Panhellenic Championship (1928–1963)
The number of times that clubs participated in the league's original format, the Panhellenic Championship.
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Number of seasons in the A and A1 National Categories by club (1963–64–2018–19)
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.
- 1963–64 to 1985–86: Alpha (A) National Category
- 1986–87 to 1991–92: Alpha1 (A1) National Category
- 1992–93 to 2009–10: HEBA Alpha1 (A1)
- 2010–11 to present: Greek Basket League
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Number of seasons in the top-tier level Greek Basket League in total (1928 to 2018–19)
The total number of times that each club has played in the top-tier level Greek Basket League, through all of its different league formats.
- 1927–28 to 1962–63: Panhellenic Championship
- 1963–64 to 1985–86: Alpha (A) National Category
- 1986–87 to 1991–92: Alpha1 (A1) National Category
- 1992–93 to 2009–10: HEBA Alpha1 (A1)
- 2010–11 to present: Greek Basket League
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Best regular season records in the history of the A and A1 National Categories (1963–2015)
[11][12]
- 1963–64 to 1985–86: Alpha (A) National Category
- 1986–87 to 1991–92: Alpha1 (A1) National Category
- 1992–93 to 2009–10: HEBA Alpha1 (A1)
- 2010–11 to present: Greek Basket League
A and A1 National Category (1963–2018)
Season | Team | Regular Season Record | Playoff Record | Final Record (Including Playoffs) | Final Season Result |
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1985–86 | Aris | 26-0 | — | 26-0 | Champion |
1967–68 | AEK | 22-0 | — | 22-0 | Champion |
1975–76 | Olympiacos | 22-0 | — | 22-0 | Champion |
1986–87 | Aris | 18-0 | 3-0 | 21-0 | Champion |
1987–88 | Aris | 18-0 | 3-0 | 21-0 | Champion |
2017–18 | Panathinaikos Superfoods | 26-0 | 8-2 | 34-2 | Champion |
1979–80 | Panathinaikos | 16-0 | 12-2 | 28-2 | Champion |
2010–11 | Olympiacos | 26-0 | 6–3 | 32–3 | Finalist |
The best overall season records of the HEBA A1 (1992–2015)
Season | Club | Regular Season Record | Playoff Record | Final Record | Final Season Result |
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2017–18 | Panathinaikos Superfoods | 26–0 | 8–2 | 34–2 | Champion |
2009–10 | Panathinaikos | 25–1 | 8–1 | 33–2 | Champion |
2014–15 | Olympiacos | 25–1 | 8–1 | 33–2 | Champion |
2015–16 | 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 |
2016–17 | Panathinaikos Superfoods | 25–1 | 6–3 | 31–4 | Champion |
Greek basketball clubs in European and worldwide competitions
Awards and players
All-time stats leaders
- Of the HEBA fully professional era Greek Basket League, 1992–93 to present. The officially recognized league stats leaders.
- Through June 17 of the 2017–18 season.
- *Currently active players in the league.
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See also
- Greek Cup
- Greek basketball clubs in international competitions
- Greek A2 Basket League
- HEBA Greek All-Star Game
- HEBA
- Basketball in Greece
References
^ Συμφωνία ΕΣΑΚΕ - Stoiximan.gr για τη Basket League (in Greek).
^ Με 8 τα playoffs, μπόνους στους 2 πρώτους (in Greek).
^ Και οι (πρώτοι) ξένοι ήταν εννιά (in Greek).
^ (in Greek) Νέο λογότυπο για το πρωτάθλημα! sentragoal.gr
^ Και οι (πρώτοι) ξένοι ήταν εννιά (in Greek).
^ Πέρασε η πρόταση του Παναθηναϊκού για τους ξένους (in Greek).
^ Capacity 5.138 seats. Archived 2015-09-26 at the Wayback Machine
^ Έτοιμο το ΣΕΦ για τον τελικό Ολυμπιακός-Ραβένα(pics) (in Greek).
^ worldstadiums.com Stadiums in Greece.
^ ESAKE Official website Greek League Champions
^ ESAKE.gr Basket League ΟΠΑΠ: Το ρεκόρ του Ολυμπιακού. (in Greek)
^ ESAKE.gr Τα... χτένια του Ολυμπιακού!. (in Greek)
External links
Official website (in Greek)
Official English website (in English)
Greek Basket League Highlights (in Greek)
Greek Basketball (Men) Eurobasket.com (in English)
Official Hellenic Basketball Federation Site (in Greek)