Ethnikos Piraeus F.C.
Full name | Ethnikos Piraeus 1923 (Εθνικός Πειραιώς 1923) | ||
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Founded | 21 November 1923 | ||
Ground | Moschato Municipal Stadium, Moschato, Attica | ||
Capacity | 800 | ||
Chairman | Ioannis Patlakas | ||
Manager | Vangelis Chantes | ||
League | Gamma Ethniki | ||
2022–23 | Gamma Ethniki (Group 5), 5th | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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Active departments of Ethnikos Piraeus | ||||||||||||||||||
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Ethnikos Piraeus F.C. (Greek: Εθνικός Πειραιώς) is a Greek football club based in Piraeus and its parent sports club is Ethnikos OFPF. The club was officially formed on 21 November 1923 as Keravnos Piraeus (English: Lightning), but existed unofficially since 1922. One year later the club was renamed to Young Boys Titan, after some players' secession that formed Peiraikos Podosfairikos Omilos (English: Piraeus' Football Group). The club was renamed to Ethnikos (English: National) on 23 December 1924, after it merged with Peiraikos Podosfairikos Omilos.
Ethnikos Piraeus is one of the founding members of Hellenic Football Federation in 1928, and represented Piraeus to the finals of the Panhellenic Championship's inaugural season in 1927–28. They have won the 1932–33 Greek Cup, thus they are one of the only 11 clubs that have won either the domestic championship or domestic the cup in Greece. Ethnikos was one of seven clubs, including AEK Athens, PAOK, Panathinaikos, Aris Thessaloniki, Olympiacos and Panionios, never to have been relegated from the league until 1990. They have also been involved in international football playing a number of friendlies against famous clubs such as Inter Milan, Galatasaray S.K., and Hungary national football team in the 1950s, and participated in the Balkans Cup on two occasions.[1] They have had a turbulent recent history, and are currently competing in the third division Gamma Ethniki.
Background
Known as the club of the upper classes of Piraeus (whereas Olympiacos has always been the team of the lower classes), Ethnikos was established in 1923 from a merger of local sides - Peiraikos Omilos FC and elements of Omilos Filathlon Piraeus - as Omilos Filathlon Piraeus - Faliro (Greek: Όμιλος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Φαλήρου) -meaning Fans' Club of Piraeus and Faliro- after the Piraeus-based football club Athletic and Football Club of Piraeus (Greek: Αθλητικός και Ποδοσφαιρικός Σύλλογος Πειραιώς), winner of the 1924 Athens-Piraeus Regional Championship,[2] split into two.[3][4]
From the break-up, one group, led by
The club's most significant teams, in terms of history and success, are their football and water polo teams, though football is the more popular sport.
History
Panhellenic Championship years
Prior to 1959–60 Greek football was played in regional championships (
1920s–1930s
Ethnikos was Piraeus Champion in 1927–28, but lost the national championship to Aris. The following year Ethnikos was Piraeus Champion once again, but the national championship was not played.
In 1932–33 Ethnikos won the Greek Cup, the club’s only major title. Ethnikos eliminated A.E.K. in the second round, Apollon in the Quarterfinals and Olympiacos in the Semifinals before meeting Aris in the Final. Ethnikos and Aris played to a 2–2 draw in Thessaloniki, but Ethnikos won the replay 2–1 and took the Cup.
In 1934–35 Ethnikos was again Piraeus Champion, and then champion of the South Division, while Aris was champion of the North Division, but Ethnikos and Aris were prevented from playing each other for the national championship due to preparation of the national team for the Balkan Cup.
Ethnikos won another Piraeus Championship in 1938–39, but lost the South Division by 2 points, just missing out on a chance to play for the national championship.
Ethnikos reached the Semifinals of the Greek Cup in 1938–39 and 1939–40, but lost to
1950s: the Puskás affair
The Ethnikos teams of the mid-to late 1950s are considered by many to be Ethnikos' greatest teams.
In 1955–56 Ethnikos finished 2nd in Greece, just 1 point behind champions Olympiacos.
In
Alpha Ethniki years
From
1960s
During the 1960s Ethnikos’ best league finishes were 5th in
Ethnikos reached the Semifinals of the Greek Cup twice during the 1960s. In 1967–68 Ethnikos lost in the Semifinals to Panathinaikos. The following year Ethnikos came desperately close to another Cup Final– after defeating PAOK 5–4 in the Quarterfinals, Ethnikos lost to Olympiacos 4–3 after extra time in the Semifinals.
1970s
In
Though never making another legitimate challenge for the league championship, Ethnikos remained consistently competitive during the 1970s, never finishing outside of the top 10.
Ethnikos twice had the league’s top scorer during the 1970s: in the 1974–75
Ethnikos’ two best runs in the Greek Cup in the 1970s were halted by PAOK. In 1972–72 Ethnikos lost to PAOK 3–2 in the Semifinals and in 1976–77 Ethnikos was defeated by PAOK in the Quarterfinals.
1980s
Ethnikos made decent 7th-place finishes in
In 1983–84 and 1985–86 Ethnikos reached the Quarterfinals of the Greek Cup but was then eliminated by Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, respectively. In 1983–84, Ethnikos eliminated Olympiacos in the round of 16 drawing both games (0–0 and 1–1) progressing through the away goals rule. Specifically, in the replay match, Ethnikos was playing roughly 60 minutes with 10 men and despite going 1–0 down at half time, managed to equalize at the last play of the match with a back header coming of the team's centre back Fotis Papadopoulos. It was a shock elimination of Olympiacos who was the heavy favorite of the tie.
In
The
In the
Relegation from Alpha Ethniki
1990s
After being relegated from Alpha Ethniki for the first time in 1989, Ethnikos bounced between A' and B' Ethniki throughout the 1990s. Since a last place finish in
The Ethnikos teams of the 1990s included several young players who would leave the club and become star players elsewhere, such as
2000s
After the 1999–00 season Ethnikos fell from Beta Ethniki to Gamma Ethniki for the first time. The club’s ultimate low point came when it fell from Gamma Ethniki and spent the 2003–04 season in Delta Ethniki.
In summer 2004 Ethnikos merged with A.O. Mani, the club maintained Ethnikos' logo and colors and continued to be based in Piraeus, but in name became Ethnikos Piraeus – A.O. Mani.[4] Ethnikos fans were very upset with the name change, but that problem was eventually solved, as the club was officially renamed Ethnikos Piraeus in 2007.[11]
In 2005–06 Ethnikos earned promotion back to Beta Ethniki in the final minute of the final match of the season. With time expiring, a
Their first season
2010s
Next season after having been found guilty of forgery during the winter transfer window, the club was forcibly relegated to the Delta Ethniki for the 2011/12 season. Ethnikos were placed in the Group 9 and relegated to the local amateur leagues at the 5th level of the Greek football pyramid, the lowest in their history.
In the 2012/13 season they were crowned Piraeus champions and also reached the Piraeus Cup final, but failed to win promotion to the Football League 2 via the play-offs. Ethnikos won the double in the 2013/14 season (Piraeus champions and Cup winners), and finally managed to return to the third tier of Greek football through the promotion play-offs where they topped the Group 9. The
The club celebrated its centennial anniversary with a victory over Agios Nikolaos (1–0) on 19 November 2023.
Balkans Cup
1976 competition
After Ethnikos finishing 4th in the 1974–75 Greek League and losing out on a
- March 17, 1976, Karaiskaki Stadium: Ethnikos - GNK Dinamo Zagreb1–0
- April 14, 1976, FK Dinamo Tirana- Ethnikos 2–0
- April 26, 1976, FK Dinamo Tirana3–4
- April 28, 1976, Karaiskaki Stadium: GNK Dinamo Zagreb- Ethnikos 2–1
1992 competition
The Balkans Cup had been limited to just 6 teams. Ethnikos participated as newly promoted team (according to the competition new rule) and qualified automatically to the semifinals, but did not manage to secure a place in the final, though they came close to achieve it in the second leg. The results:
- November 7, 1991, Yusuf Ziya Öniş Stadium: Sarıyer S.K. - Ethnikos 5–0
- November 20, 1991, Karaiskaki Stadium: Ethnikos - Sarıyer S.K.3–0
Stadiums
Karaiskakis Stadium (1923–2000)
In 2002 Olympiacos President
Despite that statement, all of the new stadium's seats were painted Olympiacos' red,[14] rather than a neutral color.
When the new Karaiskakis was completed in 2004, Ethnikos was struggling in Gamma Ethniki, and did not move into the stadium; the team instead continued to play most of its home matches in Nikaia Municipal Gymnasium (2002–2005), a small stadium in the Nikaia area of Piraeus, which is the traditional home of Proodeftiki F.C.
In 2005–06 Ethnikos moved to Georgios Kamaras Stadium in Rizoupoli (where Olympiacos played its home matches during the Karaiskakis renovations),[16] and played there one more season until the move to Elliniko in 2007.
Despite a clause in the contract of Olympiacos's long-term lease of the stadium, which states that Ethnikos may return to Karaiskaki whenever they wanted, but paying some fees for stadium-related maintenance costs, the team has opted not to return to Karaiskaki in the near future. The Chairman of Ethnikos has stated that whenever the team returns to the top division, the issue of returning to Karaiskaki will be revisited.
Karaiskakis Stadium is owned by the Hellenic Olympic Committee.[14]
Elliniko (2007–2014)
In August 2007 Ethnikos President Nikos Pirounias finalized a deal with the City of Ellinikon for use of the complex for 3 years with an option for a further 3 years.[17] The Olympic Baseball Centre's main stadium underwent renovations for football use, and Ethnikos began playing matches there during the 2007–08 season; the team played its first official match in its new home on October 20, 2007.[18] The facility became known as Elliniko Stadium, and is commonly referred to as Elliniko.
The complex was built on the site of the former
The complex also included new training pitches for both Ethnikos' first team and youth team.[18]
Ahead of the 2008–09 season renovations continued and seating capacity was increased to 9,000.
In 2024, Ethnikos is scheduled to use as a home ground the renovated Peace And Friendship stadium (SEF) which is located in the Neo Faliro – Kastella area where Ethnikos was founded. The stadium will be used for third division matches and will have at first, a capacity of 1.500 spectators.
Crest and colours
Ethnikos' crest has changed through times. The original club logo was a white cross in a blue coloured badge with the monotype E in the middle of the cross depicting the Greek flag. Later it was replaced by one with five blue and four white stripes having the club's name on the top of the badge, again resembling the Greek flag. After the 2011 takeover of the club by Alexis Aggelopoulos, the logo was changed once again to a more "modern" looking one. Throughout the entire club's history its colours were blue or
Kit evolution
1923–24
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1932–33
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1955–56
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1956–57
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1987–88
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1989–90
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2016–17
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Rivalries
Piraeus derby (football)
Since the two clubs were established in the mid-1920s, Ethnikos' traditional local rival has been Olympiacos, one of the two most popular and successful multi-sport clubs in Greece along with Panathinaikos.[21][22]
Ethnikos was founded on November 21, 1923 while Olympiacos was founded on March 10, 1925.
Olympiacos has never been relegated in football while Ethnikos has 4 relegations from the first division (1990, 1992, 1996, 1999)
In water polo Olympiacos has never been relegated while Ethnikos has been relegated twice (2009, 2012).
While a legitimate rivalry between Ethnikos and Olympiacos still exists in water polo (
Ethnikos and
Olympiacos's biggest win is 5–0 twice (1966, 1968) while Ethnikos's is 4–2 twice (1929, 1939)
Since 1960 and the introduction of A' Ethniki, Olympiakos won 53 times, Ethnikos 4 times and 15 matches ended as a draw.
Last win for Ethnikos is in 1986 in Olympic Stadium (2–0) while Olympiacos's is the last match they played each other in 1999 (0–3 for Olympiacos).
A recent point of contention for Ethnikos fans has to do with Karaiskakis Stadium. Karaiskakis is the traditional home of both Olympiacos and Ethnikos,[13] but only Olympiacos has played there since the stadium was rebuilt for use in the 2004 Summer Olympics.[14]
Players
Current squad
- As of 1 April 2021
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Personnel
Position | Name |
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Head coach | Vacant |
Assistant coach | Vacant |
Goalkeepers Coach | Vacant |
Physio | Vacant |
Physio | Vacant |
Honours
Domestic
- Panhellenic Championship (first tier)
- Greek Cup
- Piraeus Championship (Regional Championship, pre-Alpha Ethniki/Super League format)
- Winners (3): 1928, 1929, 1939
- Runners-up (12): 1925, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1946, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1959
- Beta Ethniki (second tier)
- Winners (1): 1991
- EPS Piraeus Championship (Regional Championship, after-Alpha Ethniki/Super League format)
- Winners (2): 2013, 2014
- Gamma Ethniki Cup
- Runners-up (1) : (2015)
- EPS Piraeus Cup (Regional Championship, after-Alpha Ethniki/Super League format)
- Winners (1): 2014
- Runners-up (1) : 2013
- Greek Easter Cup
- Winners (1) : 1937
Season-by-season
Panhellenic Championship years (until 1959)[2]
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(Note: National Championship not played in 1928–29 and 1934–35, seasons when Ethnikos won either the regional championship, or the South Greece championship)
Alpha Ethniki/Super League years (since 1959–60)[24]
Since 1927–28:
- 49 seasons in First tier of Greek football (9th–most in Greece) (1928, 1931–1936, 1939–1940, 1956–1959, 1960–1990, 1992, 1995–1996, 1998–1999)
- 10 seasons in Second tier of Greek football(1991, 1993–1994, 1997, 2000, 2007–2011)
- 12 seasons in Third tier of Greek football (2001–2003, 2005–2006, 2015–2019, 2022–2023)
- 4 seasons in Fourth tier of Greek football (2004, 2012, 2020–2021)
- 2 seasons in Local tier of Piraeus football (2013, 2014)
Records and statistics
Most appearances (A' Ethniki)
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Most appearances by a foreign player (A' Ethniki)
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Most goals (A' Ethniki)
Rank | Name | Goals |
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1 | Dimitris Chatziioannoglou (1960–1976) | 102 |
2 | Michalis Kritikopoulos | 79 |
3 | Andreas Antonatos | 54 |
4 | Panagiotis Kottidis | 54 |
5 | Kostas Batsinilas | 36 |
6 | Giorgos Karaїskos | 30 |
7 | Thanasis Intzoglou | 28 |
8 | Takis Eleftheriadis | 27 |
9 | Petros Leventakos | 25 |
10 | Tasos Mitropoulos | 25 |
Most goals by a foreign player (A' Ethniki)
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Top scorers by season
Coaches by season
Notable players
Notable coaches
- Nikos Alefantos
- Lysandros Georgamlis
- Lakis Petropoulos
- Ioannis Kyrastas
- Antonis Georgiadis
- Savvas Pantelidis
- Giannis Pathiakakis
- Spyros Livathinos
- Richie Barker
- Todor Veselinović
- Pietr Packert
- Manol Manolov
- Kazimierz Górski
- Nenad Starovlah
- Panos Markovic
- Walter Skocik
- Howard Kendall
Chairmen
- Dimitris Karellas: 1953–1988
- Misidis: 1988–Jan.1989
- Makis Zouboulidis: Jan.1989–1994
- Nikos Pateras / Alekos Giannakopoulos: 1994–1997
- Vasilis Tsiamakis: 1997-99
- Makis Psomiadis: 1999
- Belitsios: Jan.2000–02
- Delimanis: 2002–2003
- Nikos Pirounias: 2004–2011
- Alexis Aggelopoulos: 2011–2017
- Spyros Kotsopoulos: 2017–2019
- Dimitris Koulouris: 2021–2022
References
- ^ "Balkan Cup 1970-79". Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ a b c d e "Greece – Final Tables 1906–1959". RSSSF. 2004-08-01. Archived from the original on September 2, 2011.
- ^ a b "History brief". Ethnikara.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ a b c "Greece – Mergers and Name Changes". RSSSF. 2004-08-18. Archived from the original on 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "Olympiacos – Team History". Olympiacos Official Site (Greek). Archived from the original on 2009-08-02.
- ^ "Ethnikos Piraeus FC home page". Ethnikos Piraeus FC Official Site (Greek). Archived from the original on 2008-06-17. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ^ "Ethnikos polo players". Ethnikos.gr (Greek). Archived from the original on 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ^ "Ethnikos volleyball news". Ethnikos.gr (Greek). Archived from the original on 2009-08-19. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ^ "Ethnikos basketball news". Ethnikos.gr (Greek). Archived from the original on 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ^ kyanoleukos (2020-07-06). "Όταν ο Εθνικός έριξε «εξάρα» στον ΠΑΟ με μπροστάρη τον Μπατίστα! (BINTEO)". Κυανόλευκος (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
- ^ "New home, new name for Ethnikos". Ethnikos.gr (Greek). 2007-09-14. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
- ^ "League, Ethnkos 1–1 Messiniakos". Ethnikos.gr (Greek). 2006-05-17. Archived from the original on 2009-11-06. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
- ^ a b "Velodrome & Karaiskaki Stadium (1895 – 1964 – 2003)". Stadia.gr. Archived from the original on 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
- ^ a b c d "Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium". Stadia.gr. Archived from the original on 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
- ^ "Karaiskaki Stadium". Stadia.gr. 2002-02-24. Archived from the original on 2009-02-08. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
- ^ "Rizoupoli Stadium "Georgios Kamaras"". Stadia.gr. Archived from the original on 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
- ^ "...Pirounias in Ellinikon". City of Ellinikon Official Site (Greek). 2007-09-17. Archived from the original on 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
- ^ a b c d "Elliniko Stadium". Ethnikos.gr (Greek). Archived from the original on 2016-02-16. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ a b "Helliniko Olympic Complex". BBC. 2004-07-15. Archived from the original on 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ "The stadia & arenas for 2004". Stadia.gr. Archived from the original on 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ "All Time Champions". Hellenic Football Federation. Archived from the original on December 11, 2009.
- ^ "Greek Cups Winners". Hellenic Football Federation. Archived from the original on 2008-10-03.
- ^ "Olympiacos 2008 Champion". water-polo.gr. 2008-05-02. Archived from the original on 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
- ^ "Greece – Final Tables 1959–1999". RSSSF. 2003-08-03. Archived from the original on 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
External links
- (in Greek) Ethnikos Piraeus – official site
- (in Greek) Ethnikos Piraeus – official site
- (in Greek) Gate 14 Archived 2017-08-26 at the Wayback Machine – supporters' club site and forum
- (in Greek) Ultras 14 – supporters' club site
- (in Greek) Ethnikos.gr – independent news site