Panetolikos F.C.

Panetolikos Football Club (Greek: ΠΑΕ Παναιτωλικός), or with its full name Panetolikós Yimnastikós Filekpedeftikós Síllogos (Greek: Παναιτωλικός Γυμναστικός Φιλεκπαιδευτικός Σύλλογος; Pan-Aetolian Gymnastic and Educational Club), is a Greek professional football club. It was based in Agrinio, Greece. Panetolikos was founded in 1926 and is considered one of the historical clubs in Greece, currently participating in the Greek First Division. Some of the most well known players that started their career in the club are Stratos Apostolakis, former Greek recordman in international caps (96), and Petros Michos.

Panetolikos
Full namePan-Aetolian Gymnastic and Educational Club
Nickname(s)Καναρίνια (Canaries)
Τίτορμος (Titormus)
Founded9 March 1926; 98 years ago (1926-03-09)
GroundPanetolikos Stadium
Capacity7,321
OwnerFotis Kostoulas
PresidentGerasimos Belevonis
Head coachGiannis Petrakis
LeagueSuper League Greece
2023–24Super League Greece, 9th of 14
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Team colors are yellow and blue. The club's symbol is Titormus, the ancient Aetolian hero and their motto is "Τίτορμος Αιτωλός Ούτος Άλλος Ηρακλής" (Títormos Etolós Oútos Állos Iraklís), translated as Titormus the Aetolian is another Heracles.[1]

History edit

Formation and early years edit

Panetolikos was founded on Tuesday March 9, 1926 with the purpose, as stated in its statutes: "The development and intensification of Gymnastic and Racing, The -ETHIC- supervision and the possible after-school education of minors, through childhood and EASTERN or Sunday schools".People had the idea of creating the club they did the act: "Healthy mind in a healthy body". The unprecedented thought and goal of the founders, to provide education to the needy children through its Night Schools, added in its title the word "Educational Educator" and became an example to imitate all the Associations in Greece. Beyond sports, his social offer was enormous in very difficult times. Hundreds of poor children learned letters at Night Schools that worked and cared for themselves in society. This athletico-social organization has written glory pages for Agrinio. Sections of classic sports, volleyball, basketball, shooting, etc. were created although its football team was the one loved by Aetolians and Akarnans.

In the season 1954–55, Panetolikos participated for the first time in his history at the Pan-Hellenic Championship, as the club finished in the first position of the southern group of the regional championship as one of the six teams that took part in his final stage. In the 1960s, Panetolikos played in the Second National Championship and after relegation to the local (1972), he returned dynamically.[2][3] In the spring of 1975 celebrates the rise to Alpha Ethniki.[4] Panetolikos fought two seasons (1975–1977) and followed an unsuccessful return attempt. It followed for about twenty years where it was in the smallest category to return to the period 1975–76. In the first class, Panetolikos remained in the following year (1976–77), but then returned to the lower classes where the club remained for more than 30 years. Seven years later, Panetolikos was relegated from the 2nd and in the period 1984–85, Panetolikos conquered the championship of Gamma Ethniki.

Panetolikos winning Delta Ethniki's championship in 1989, Gamma Ethniki's championship in 1992 and 1996, and one year after Panetolikos touches the dream of returning to Alpha Ethniki, which the powerful of the season deprives him. The new millennium finds him on a downward course and is relegated to Delta Ethniki.[5]

Kostoulas era edit

In the summer of 2005, the new Greek owner Fotis Kostoulas,[6] coming from Sweden and wanting to take the reins of the city team from which he came, presented his plans for the future of the club and followed a radical refurbishment of the stadium.More specifically, the following projects were completed by the end of 2006: new turf, construction of a shelter above the western pit, renovation of the interior (changing rooms, cafe-bar, clubs, boutique shops), construction of new newspapers and suites, On the two platforms, regeneration of the surrounding area. In addition, in 2009, a new roofed frieze was built with a capacity of about 120 distinct seats above the small east stand.[7]

2008–09 Season: Promotion to Second Division edit

Panetolikos won an epic play-offs tie against fellow third-tier side Rodos to win promotion to the Beta Ethniki for the 2009–10 season.[8] The tie was played in Athens at the Nea Smyrni Stadium, in front of full house, with 8,000 loyal fans traveling from Agrinio to support the team.[9] After going down 1–0 early, the team staged an impressive fight back to win the game 2–1 with two goals in the last 5 minutes. Scenes of joy followed as one of the better-supported teams in rural Greece won promotion. Now in the Football League, Panetolikos continue to get terrific support, both home and away.

2010–11 Season: Promotion to the Super League edit

After terrific performances inside and outside Agrinio, Panetolikos won the last three critical matches (Ethnikos-Panetolikos 0–1, Panetolikos-Diagoras Rodou 3–0 and Ilioupoli-Panetolikos 2–3) and promoted to Super League.[10] The team's 2010 performances have set new records for the Football League championship: point record (75 gathered after 34 games), away wins record (10 wins out of 23 total).[11] Panetolikos had celebrated their promotion at home with a Friendly match against Panionios, a Super League team, on 20 May 2011.[12][13]

2011–12 Season: Demotion to the Football League edit

After a very bad second round of results at the Super League, Panetolikos demoted to the Football League. The chairman of the club, Mr. Kostoulas after seven years, resigned from his position. After this, the whole board resigned. Most of the players left the club, said that they wanted to return to their countries, or they want to play for other teams with better contracts.

2012–13 Season: Promotion to the Super League edit

With Mr. Kostoulas again as a president, Panetolikos got promoted to the Super League via play-offs after six difficult games, especially the last one with Olympiacos Volos, which Panetolikos won 1–2.[14] After the end of the game, the city of Agrinio celebrated the promotion until dawn.[15]

2013–14 & 2014–15 Seasons edit

The team had its most successful year so far in the First Division, finishing in the 8th place.[16] In 2014–15 season, form of the team improved and finished First Division as 7th.[17]

ACF Fiorentina - Panetolikos FC in a preseason game in Moena, Italy (summer 2016)

2015–16 & 2016–17 Seasons edit

Panetolikos finished in the 11th place in 2016[18] as well as in 2017.[19]

2017–18 Season edit

The team finished at 8th place with good performances.[20]

Stadium edit

Panetolikos Stadium, inside view in 2006

Panetolikos Stadium (Greek: Γήπεδο Παναιτωλικού -Gipedo Panetolikou) is a football stadium in Agrinio, Greece.[21] It is currently used for football matches, mainly as the home stadium of Panetolikos. It is located at Prousiotissis Street and it holds 7,500 people. Its highest attendance was 11,012 people during a match against Olympiacos in 1977. There are plans to increase the seating capacity of the stadium to 8,800 spectators. Nowadays the average attendance is 6,000.

Panetolikos Stadium has three stands. It has been used as a football ground since 1930, however, the first stand (the small one) was not constructed until the mid-1950s. The main west stand was built in the 1970s. Unfortunately, in the years that followed little else happened to the stadium, which gradually fell into disrepair. This was the situation until 2005, when the new owner of the club, Fotis Kostoulas, revealed his plans for the complete reconstruction of the stadium.

Stadium Situation: 2006–2011[22]

The stadium features plastic seats, the club's offices, Panetolikos' boutique and coffee shops.

2006: The big stand was completely renovated, a brand new stand with a modern roof.

2010: The small stand was renovated, in the center a second level of seats with a roof was added.

2011: Works have begun after the promotion of the team to Super League in order to increase the capacity of the stadium by 1,400 seats approximately. Plus, additional lighting was added. Recently the lighting has finished, with the power of each light at 1,600 lux, which more than satisfies the Greek Super League and UEFA's 4 stars (where a team can play UEFA Champions League games) requirements.[23]

2017: Scoreboard is added, completing the current renovation plans.[24]

2019: Recently the Region of Western Greece has approved plans of further upgrade of the stadium, with the adding of exhibition centers, new seatingstands and many other features.

Facilities edit

Panetolikos' training center, named "Emileon", in Municipal Apartment of Dokimi, Agrinio.[25][26][27] Emileon, the training center that escapes from Greek standards and is approaching the European. Α real jewel, not only for the "canaries", but also for Greek sports as a whole. A jewel made by the president of Panetolikos, Fotis Kostoulas. Soccer fields, swimming pools, courts, tennis, basketball and beach volleyball create a unique place. A place that is enjoyed not only by the football players, but also by the citizens of Agrinio.

Supporters edit

Even though Agrinio is a small city, Panetolikos supporters known as "The Warriors"[28] & "Guerreros"[29] are known for their loyalty to their team. Supporters can roughly be categorized to Gate 6 which represents the most radical and young part of the team's fanbase and other fan unions which attract less radical and older Panetolikos fans. First division promotion has set in motion more Panetolikos fan clubs in Aetoloakarnania and northern Greece (Thessaloniki). Up until now, the prestigious fan clubs of the team are:

Gate 6

  • 1. Warriors (Fan club in Agrinio, since 1981)
  • 2. Guerreros (Fan club in Athens)
  • 3. Brooklyn (Fan club in Agrinio, area of St. Demetrius)

Other fan clubs

  • 4. LE.FI.PA. (Club of Panetolikos Fans in Agrinio)
  • 5. S.F.P (Club of Panetolikos Supporters in Agrinio)

Nicknames edit

Panetolikos was given the nickname The Canaries (Greek: Τα καναρίνια) in the 1960s, due to the team's colour. Panetolikos is very proud of its nickname, thus its mascot is a canary with the name PANETOS.[30]

Panetolikos was also given the nickname Titormus, from the ancient hero.

21st century league performances edit

SeasonDivisionPosition
2010–11Beta Ethniki1st
2011–12Super League15th
2012–13Beta Ethniki4th
2013–14Super League8th
2014–15Super League7th
2015-16Super League11th
2016–17Super League11th
2017–18Super League8th
2018–19Super League9th
2019–20Super League13th
2020–21Super League12th
2021–22Super League11th
2022–23Super League11th
2023–24Super League9th

Honours edit

National (7)

Regional (2)

  • Mainland Greece Championship
    • Championship (1): 1955
  • Youth Team, South Greece championship, 2nd and 3rd National Division
    • Championship (1): 2007

Crest and colours edit

Panetolikos crest depicts Titormus, the ancient hero of Aetolia. The club's motto (also depicted on the crest) is Τίτορμος Αιτωλός Ούτος Άλλος Ηρακλής, translated as Titormus the Aetolian is another Heracles.[31] The colours of the team are yellow and blue or cyan.

Crest evolution edit

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors edit

PeriodKit ManufacturerShirt Sponsor
1982–83DiadoraOPAP
1983–86New BalanceNew Balance
1989–91AsicsOPAP
1991–92Katsikis Keramopiia
1992–93LottoNational Insurance Company
1993–94Puma
1994–95Adidas
1995–96Pony
1996–98Umbro
1998–00Adidas
2000–01DiadoraInteramerican
2001–03PumaOPAP
2003–04Nike
2004–05PumaPoliteia Newspaper
2005–07NEBB
2007–08LottoNBGI Private Equity
2008–11OPAP
2011–13HummelGo Lucky
2013–14Umbro
2014–15TempoJoker
2015–16JomaPame Stoixima
2016–18LEGEAPame Stoixima
2018–19ZeusEmileon
2019–Givova

Current sponsorships:

  • Great Shirt Sponsor: Shopflix
  • Official Sport Clothing Manufacturer: Givova
  • Golden Sponsor: Interwetten

Players edit

Current squad edit

As of 21 May 2024[32]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
1GK  GREStefanos Kapino
2DF  GREMichalis Bakakis
4DF  GEOJemal Tabidze
5DF  ROUSebastian Mladen
6DF  GREMarios Oikonomou
7FW  GRENikos Karelis (captain)
8MF  GREChristos Belevonis
10MF  VENJuanpi
12DF  GREIlias Chatzitheodoridis
13GK  ARGLucas Chaves (on loan from Argentinos Juniors)
14MF  PORFrederico Duarte
15FW  ARGSebastián Lomonaco (on loan from Godoy Cruz)
18MF  GREGiannis Bouzoukis
19FW  GREAlexandros Voilis
22MF  PARSergio Díaz
23MF  GREGeorgios Xenitidis
No.Pos. NationPlayer
24DF  ARGPedro Silva Torrejón
26DF  ARGBruno Duarte (on loan from Deportivo Cuenca)
27MF  GEOLevan Shengelia
32GK  GREAntonis Stergiakis
33MF  FRAFranck Bambock (on loan from Fehérvár)
34MF  ARGFacundo Pérez (on loan from Lanús)
35DF  GRECharalampos Mavrias
45FW  GNBJoão Pedro
49DF  SRBNikola Stajić
54DF  GREGeorgios Liavas (third-captain)
55DF  GREPanagiotis Anastasopoulos
65MF  GRESotiris Kontouris
77MF  GREVangelis Nikolaou
80MF  ARGFranco Baldassarra (on loan from Platense)

Out on loan edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
GK  GRESotiris Ragias (at Zakynthos until 30 June 2024)
DF  GREIlias Lazaridis (at Tilikratis until 30 June 2024)

Club staff edit

Executive
Majority owner Fotis Kostoulas
Chairman Gerasimos Belevonis
Vice-President Thomas Spyrou
Board Member Kostas Takos
Board Member Georgios Sotiropoulos
First team staff
Sport director Makis Belevonis
Team manager Marko Markovski
Head coach Giannis Petrakis
Assistant head coach Giannis Katsoulis
Assistant head coach Michalis Epitropakis
Fitness coach Nikos Lekatsas
Goalkeeper coach Luigi Cennamo
Analyst Alekos Psylias
Physiotherapist Apostolos Vetsas
Physiotherapist Alexandros Korovesis
Physiotherapist Alexandros El Bana
Under-20s & academy coaching staff
Academy manager Luciano
Under 19s head coach Georgios Tarasis
Under 17s head coach Dimitris Theodosiou
Under 15s head coach Panagiotis Benekos

League performances edit

SeasonCateg. & Pos.W–D–LGoalsPointsSeasonCateg. & Pos.W–D–LGoalsPointsSeasonCateg. & Pos.W–D–LGoalsPointsSeasonCateg. & Pos.W–D–LGoalsPoints
1962–63Beta Ethniki 3rd15–8–540–16711979–80Beta Ethniki 5th17–5–1656–36391996–97Beta Ethniki 4th17–11–653–30622013–14Super League 8th11–9–1432–3342
1963–64Beta Ethniki 6th15–4–947–30621980–81Beta Ethniki 7th14–10–1436–34381997–98Beta Ethniki 6th14–11–955–42532014–15Super League 7th14–10–1041–2852
1964–65Beta Ethniki 2nd18–6–949–23751981–82Beta Ethniki 9th15–11–1244–36411998–99Beta Ethniki 13th11–8–1543–57412015–16Super League 11th9–8–1330–4635
1965–66Beta Ethniki 3rd14–9–742–25671982–83Beta Ethniki 3rd21–6–1153–33481999–00Beta Ethniki 8th14–8–1243–34502016–17Super League 11th8–7–1529–4031
1966–67Beta Ethniki 7th15–9–1045–32731983–84Beta Ethniki 17th13–9–1639–40352000–01Beta Ethniki 11th12–6–1239–45422017–18Super League 8th9–8–1331–4035
1967–68Beta Ethniki 5th12–8–1039–30621984–85Gamma Ethniki 1st21–14–564–28562001–02Gamma Ethniki 15th6–7–1724–46252018–19Super League 9th10–6–1434–4836
1968–69Beta Ethniki 7th14–7–1345–40691985–86Beta Ethniki 10th14–9–1549–53372002–03Delta Ethniki 2nd23–6–168–8762019–20Super League 12th6–11–1630–4829
1969–70Beta Ethniki 6th15–7–1247–33711986–87Beta Ethniki 16th13–10–1539–56362003–04Delta Ethniki 1st27–2–181–8832020–21Super League 13th6–10–1720–4428
1970–71Beta Ethniki 3rd17–7–1046–30751987–88Gamma Ethniki 9th15–9–1046–32372004–05Gamma Ethniki 9th14–3–1538–32452021–22Super League 11th10–7–1632–4837
1971–72Beta Ethniki 18th11–11–1628–40711988–89Delta Ethniki 1st22–4–872–27482005–06Gamma Ethniki 7th12–9–1133–27452022–23Super League 11th7–9–1732–5330
1972–73Regional 1st1989–90Gamma Ethniki 8th14–10–1445–40382006–07Gamma Ethniki 4th15–13–656–33582023–24Super League 9th9–9–1536–4936
1973–74Beta Ethniki 8th17–8–1347–31421990–91Gamma Ethniki 5th13–11–1032–28372007–08Gamma Ethniki 3rd18–8–858–2862
1974–75Beta Ethniki 1st22–10–675–27541991–92Gamma Ethniki 1st19–8–750–27462008–09Gamma Ethniki 2nd21–7–656–1470
1975–76Alpha Ethniki 15th3–13–1417–41191992–93Beta Ethniki 17th10–8–1631–46382009–10Beta Ethniki 7th13–11–1043–3650
1976–77Alpha Ethniki 17th9–8–1725–51261993–94Gamma Ethniki 8th10–16–845–35462010–11Football League 1st23–6–547–1975
1977–78Beta Ethniki 15th13–10–1565–49361994–95Gamma Ethniki 8th10–16–845–35462011–12Super League 15th7–7–1623–3728
1978–79Beta Ethniki 5th17–7–1448–46411995–96Gamma Ethniki 1st20–7–761–33672012–13Football League 4th20–13–755–2373
  • Point system: 1959–60 to 1972–73: 3–2–1. 1973–74 to 1991–92: 2–1–0. 1992–93 onwards: 3–1–0.

League Participation edit

  • Super League Greece (13): 1975–1977, 2011–2012, 2013–present
  • Football League (30): 1962–1972, 1973–1975, 1977–1984, 1985–1987, 1992–1993, 1996–2001, 2009–2011, 2012–2013
  • Gamma Ethniki (15): 1972–1973, 1984–1985, 1987–1988, 1989–1992, 1993–1996, 2001–2002, 2004–2009
  • Delta Ethniki (3): 1988–1989, 2002–2004

Notable former players edit

Managerial history edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Titormus, the Aetolian, the emblem of Panetolikos" (in Greek). panetolikosac.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  2. ^ "1960s-1970s". panaitolikos.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Tribute to the 60s'-70s': The songs that were listening to the Panetolikos Stadium" (in Greek). sport-retro.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  4. ^ "1974-75 season" (in Greek). agriniomemories.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Panetolikos' tribute" (in Greek). sport-retro.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  6. ^ "13 years tribute of Fotis Kostoulas in Panetolikos" (in Greek). sinidisi.gr. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  7. ^ "From "croissant season" to the years of appreciation!" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Panetolikos won the promotion in the barrage game" (in Greek). sport24.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  9. ^ ""In the history will stay, Agrinio we did Nea Smyrni"! (vids)" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  10. ^ "It seals the promotion" (in Greek). naftemporiki.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  11. ^ "The festivities for the historic promotion of Panetolikos" (in Greek). sport24.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  12. ^ "Panetolikos: In the lounges with...helicopter" (in Greek). nooz.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  13. ^ "Spectacular fiesta" (in Greek). enet.gr. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  14. ^ "Panetolikos took the derby" (in Greek). enet.gr. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  15. ^ "Celebration of Agrinio is celebrating the promotion of Panetolikos" (in Greek). news.gr. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  16. ^ "2013-14 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  17. ^ "2014-15 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  18. ^ "2015-16 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  19. ^ "2016-17 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  20. ^ "2017-18 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Panetolikos Stadium" (in Greek). panetolikos.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  22. ^ "The...cage of yesterday and today" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  23. ^ "The projects on the Panetolikos Stadium are in progress" (in Greek). agrinionews.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  24. ^ "Electronic board at the Panetolikos Stadium" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  25. ^ "Emileon official website" (in Greek). emileon.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  26. ^ "EMILEON: Amusement Center for Agrinio and Panetolikos Training Center" (in Greek). eleftheriaonline.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  27. ^ "The ornament of Agrinio" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  28. ^ "The Warriors, Gate 6" (in Greek). warriors6.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  29. ^ "Guerreros' history" (in Greek). guerrerosathens.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  30. ^ "Panetolikos' mascot" (in Greek). agriniobestof.gr. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  31. ^ "Titormus the Aetolian" (in Greek). agrinionews.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  32. ^ "Panetolikos F.C. squad" (in Greek). Super League Greece. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2020.

External links edit

Official websites