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When at the start of 1930 George Kalafatis (inspirator and establisher of PAO) brought from Paris to Greece two till then unknown games, basketball and volleyball (and a few uniforms) he might not have imagined the glamour and the glory which he would get some years later from the basketball department of Panathinaikos Athletic Club. The basketball department of the union was established in 1937 and won the Greek Championship for the first time in 1946. The constitution of 1st division in 1963 found our team to have already achieved seven titles ( 1946, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1961, 1962 ) ever since then Panathinaikos has been rewarded a Championship another twelve times . At the same time creating traditions and premershies which still haven not been surpassed. We can easily assume that half of the championships have been obtained by Panathinaikos. Its domination is also obvious to the Cup of Greece since they have the most conquests ( along with ARIS Thessalonikis ) during the years 1979, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1993 and 1995. Thirty-six trifolium players have participated in the men national team. No other team in Greece has succeeded in doing this. The record of the most aggressive points and wins has not been beaten yet even though Panathinaikos has not raised championship for thirteen years. Also from PAO constitution and with every teams no other team has yet had more victories than PAO ( except for Aris Thessalonikis ). Panathinaikos was the first team to make Greek basketball known outside from our country �s border. The differentations of the years 1969 (to the fourth of the Cup Winners Cup), in 1971 (the first contact with quadruplet of the Champions Cup, Panathinaikos stays out of the finals from the all powerful then Inis Vareze), in 1982 ( sixth of Champions Cup) and in 1984 ( the fifth in Cup Winners Cup) made Panathinaikos a competent opponent against teams fairly superior in that season. PAO continual presence ( since 1961 ) in the European Organizations was interrupted during 1991-92 period when they were unable to be put in the classification of that period, PAO did not qualify for the European Organizations despite the seven �available� tickets. During the period 1993-94 PAO is reborn with superior targets, supported from players with important things to offer and important names in the European Basketball. At the end of the year we find PAO participating for the first time in the FINAL - FOUR in Tel-Aviv Panathinaikos ranked third. Also third PAO came into the next FINAL-FOUR which was conducted in ZARAGOZA in Spain. The third and continual participate in the FINAL-FOUR was to be special for Panathinaikos and his funs. The valuable cup of the Europe Championship comes to Greece, is painted green and stays in Athens for one year. In 1997 the team won the Intercontinental cup. In the years 1998-2000, Panathinaikos is the Greek basketball king. The team wins three Greek championships and a european chamrionship in 2000. |
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