Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens, founded in 1908 by Giorgos Kalafatis. The club plays at the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium and competes in Super League Greece. Among their major achievements are 20 Greek Championships, 20 Greek Cups, and being the only Greek team to reach a UEFA Champions League final in 1971. They are one of three clubs never relegated from Greece's top division and hold the distinction of winning a championship undefeated in the 1963-64 season.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Panathinaikos was founded on February 3, 1908, originally as "Podosfairikos Omilos Athinon" (Football Club of Athens) by 17-year-old track and field athlete Giorgos Kalafatis. The club has undergone several name changes throughout its history, becoming Panellinios Podosferikos Omilos in 1911, and finally adopting the name Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos (PAO) in 1924. The club is based in Athens, Greece, and is one of the most successful teams in Greek football history.
Most recent season and achievements
In the 2023-24 season, Panathinaikos won their 20th Greek Football Cup by defeating Aris 1-0 in the final, securing their position in the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round. The club appointed Rui Vitória as their new coach on October 30, 2024.
History
Early years
Panathinaikos was founded by Giorgos Kalafatis in 1908 after he decided to break away from Panellinios Gymnastikos Syllogos following their decision to discontinue their football team. The founding members included Alexandros Kalafatis (the founder's brother) and several other athletes. The first president was Alexandros Kalafatis, and the team's initial ground was on Patission Street. John Cyril Campbell from Oxford University was brought in as the first foreign coach of a Greek team, while Konstantinos Tsiklitiras, the great Greek athlete, played as goalkeeper.
During the 1910s, the club faced challenges due to the Balkan Wars and World War I. In 1910, after internal disputes, Kalafatis and most players moved to a new ground in Amerikis Square, and the team won the 1911 SEGAS Championship. The club changed its name to Panellinios Podosferikos Omilos and adopted green and white colors. In 1918, the team adopted the trifolium (shamrock) as its emblem, proposed by Michalis Papazoglou. The final name change to Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos occurred on March 15, 1924.
Successful period
The 1960s marked the "Golden Decade" for Panathinaikos. Under Stjepan Bobek's guidance from 1963, the club underwent a rejuvenation process, changing to a 4-3-3 playing style and building a team based on young players. In 1964, they won the Championship undefeated, becoming one of only two teams to achieve this feat in Greek football's modern system.
The pinnacle came in 1971 under Ferenc Puskás, when Panathinaikos became the first and only Greek team to reach a UEFA Champions League final, losing 2-0 to Ajax at Wembley Stadium. They eliminated Jeunesse Esch, Slovan Bratislava, Everton, and Red Star Belgrade en route to the final. The team also played in the 1971 Intercontinental Cup, losing to Nacional.
Crisis and recovery
The 1970s and early 1980s saw periods of struggle and recovery. In 1979, Greek football turned professional, and the Vardinogiannis family purchased the football department. The 1980s brought success with championships in 1984 and 1986, multiple Greek Cups, and notable European runs, including reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 1985.
The 1990s proved even more successful, with four championships (1990, 1991, 1995, 1996) and four Greek Cups. In 1996, they reached the Champions League semi-finals again, defeating Ajax 1-0 away before losing 3-0 in the return leg.
Current period
The Alafouzos era began in 2012 when Giannis Alafouzos devised a plan to transfer Vardinogiannis' shares to fans through the Panathinaikos Alliance, creating a supporter-owned model. Despite financial challenges and UEFA exclusions due to Financial Fair Play breaches, the club has shown resilience. Recent highlights include winning the 2021-22 Greek Cup under Ivan Jovanović and achieving strong league performances, though they narrowly missed the 2022-23 championship to AEK Athens.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Panathinaikos has won 20 Greek Championships, making them one of the most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have also claimed 20 Greek Cups and 3 Greek Super Cups. The club has achieved the Double (Championship and Cup in the same season) eight times: 1968-69, 1976-77, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1990-91, 1994-95, 2003-04, and 2009-10. They accomplished a unique Treble in 1976-77, winning the Alpha Ethniki, Greek Football Cup, and Balkans Cup.
Continental and global competitions
Panathinaikos is the only Greek team to reach a UEFA Champions League final (1971) and the Intercontinental Cup (1971). They have reached the Champions League semi-finals twice (1985, 1996) and quarter-finals twice (1992, 2002). In the UEFA Cup/Europa League, they reached the quarter-finals twice (1988, 2003). The club won the Balkans Cup in 1977, adding to their continental achievements.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
The club's emblem evolution began with a simple football ball in 1908. In 1918, Michalis Papazoglou proposed the trifolium (shamrock) as the club's symbol, representing harmony, unity, nature, fertility, and good luck. Georgios Chatzopoulos, a club member and National Gallery director, designed the emblem. The trifolium was initially sewn on the heart side of jerseys and was large in size. With the advent of professionalism, the current crest was created, incorporating club initials and the founding year 1908.
Traditional home and away kits colors
Panathinaikos' traditional colors are green and white, with green representing health and nature, and white symbolizing virtue. Initially, players wore white in 1908, but colors changed to green and white in 1911. During the first years, the typical kit consisted of green shirts, white shorts, and green socks. In the 1930s, characteristic horizontal stripes were established, a design element that has been used periodically as primary or alternative kit design.
Traditional club anthem
The source material does not provide specific information about a traditional club anthem.
Traditional Rivals
Olympiacos
Panathinaikos holds a long-term rivalry with Olympiacos, with their encounters referred to as the "Derby of the Eternal Enemies." This rivalry represents one of the most intense in Greek football, with both clubs being among the most successful in the country's football history.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
Current sponsorships include Stoiximan as shirt sponsor, Adidas as sport clothing manufacturer, and official sponsors Cosmote, Vivartia, Piraeus Bank, and Avance. Additional supporters include Powerade and Marks & Spencer.
Nicknames
Panathinaikos is commonly known as "The Greens" due to their traditional green color. The club is also referred to as PAO (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos) and "The Trifolium" after their shamrock emblem.
Ownership and finances
The club has undergone significant ownership changes throughout its history. From 1979 to 2012, the Vardinogiannis family owned the football department. In 2012, Giannis Alafouzos facilitated the transfer of shares to the Panathinaikos Alliance, creating a supporter-owned model. Currently, Alafouzos through Sortivo International Ltd holds the largest shareholding at 74%, while the Panathenaic Alliance holds 15%.
Traditions and culture
Panathinaikos was founded with the aim of creating a team for all of Athens and connecting with European football movement. The club traditionally represents the old Athenian society and has strong support among the educated upper class, while also being popular across all social classes. The main organized supporters are known as Gate 13, established in 1966 as the oldest fan association in Greece.
Stadium
Panathinaikos' traditional home ground is the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium, the oldest active football stadium in Greece, located in the Ampelokipoi district of central Athens. The stadium has been the club's home since the early 1920s, though they have also used the Athens Olympic Stadium during various periods. Plans exist for a new stadium in the Votanikos area, with construction confirmed by the Greek government in 2022 for completion by 2026.
Panathinaikos
Club Information
Official Name
Panathinaikos
Founding Year
1908
Tactical Formation
4-3-3
Stadium Information
Stadium Name
Stadio Apóstolos Nikolaidis
Capacity
69.618
Address
Leoforos Alexandras, Ampelokipi
City
Athens, Hy Lạp
Surface
grass
Key Personnel
Head Coach
Jacob Neestrup Hansen
Head Coach Age
37 Age
Coach Nationality
DK
Coach Contract
01/07/2026 - 30/06/2028
Recent Honours
| Season | Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | VĐQG Hy Lạp | 🏆 2 |
| 2023-2024 | Cúp Quốc Gia Hy Lạp | 🏆 1 |
| 2023-2024 | Cúp Quốc Gia Hy Lạp | 🏆 2 |
| 2022-2023 | VĐQG Hy Lạp | 🏆 2 |
| 2022-2023 | VĐQG Hy Lạp | 🏆 1 |
Current Season Stats
| Competition | Rank | Matches | W-D-L | Points |
|---|
Goal Statistics
Super League (GRC)
3 Scored - 7 Conceded
Super League (GRC)
44 Scored - 26 Conceded
Europa League (UEFA)
11 Scored - 9 Conceded
Greek Cup
5 Scored - 2 Conceded
Europa Conference League (UEFA)
10 Scored - 7 Conceded