Hellenic Hoops - Nifel's Intro to ESAKE

Nifel's Introduction to ESAKE

By Stojan-Silvij "Nifel" Koshevski

"...schoolyards were suddenly full of you men...trying to imitate the moves of Galis and Yannakis..."

After the huge achievements of the Hellenic NT in the mid and late 80’s the sport of basketball had a huge boost in Greece. The gyms and the schoolyards were suddenly full of young men playing hoops and trying to imitate the moves of Galis and Yannakis.

This sudden interest towards basketball was further reinforced by the success of the Hellenic clubs, and especially Aris, in the European competitions. It was time for a professional league to be created, to replace the semi-professional championship that existed up to that point.

ESAKE (Ellinikos Syndesmos Anonymon Kalathosferikon Etairion or Hellenic Association of Basketball Companies) was born. It was 1992. Before the commencing of the first ESAKE (or ESAK, as it was known back then) Aris Thessaloniki was the absolute dominant club in the country. 7 championships in a row, 5 Hellenic cups in 7 years and 3 European final fours.

However, it was another Thessaloniki team to win the first ESAKE league. PAOK Thessaloniki, or the “eternal second”, as it was also known for always losing to Aris in the final series. PAOK had already made a name for themselves by winning the European cup the previous year, and also by losing a second one by Real Madrid on the buzzer.

Following the first year of ESAKE , pro basketball in Hellas was hit by a storm of changes. A professional league meant the need for more money, and in Hellas money equals Athens. The Athenian teams which in their vast majority had played small roles in Hellenic basketball during the 80’s, started signing big names, and expensive players. Especially Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, taking advantage of their economical strength and their huge fan base, managed to create initially competitive teams, before they became Hellenic and then European powerhouses.

Olympiakos won the next 5 championships, but none of them was easy to be won. The "Reds" had to face strong opposition by Panathinaikos, PAOK, and later AEK. Meanwhile the Hellenic teams were dominating European competitions, winning several of them, and also participating in a number of European finals and final fours.

Following the 5 years of Olympiakos’ domination, it was the turn of Panathinaikos to dominate the championship by winning it 4 times in a row. After a small “break” in 2002, when AEK won the title after a thriller final series against Olympiakos, the "Greens" of Panathinaikos were again the Champions for the season 2002-2003.

ESAKE Team Histories in Brief

AEK: The first Hellenic team to win a European Trophy (Saporta Cup, 1968). Runner-up of Euroleague 1999, and winner of another Saporta cup in 2000. Also winner of 8 Hellenic championships and 3 Hellenic cups.

Makedonikos Kozani: Originally a small, neighbourhood, team from the suburb Neapolis of Thessaloniki, moved to the western Macedonian city of Kozani in 2002. A new stadium is currently being built at the city, to accommodate the club.

Apollon Patras: The representative of the Peloponessian peninsula. Blossomed during the mid 90’s, when posed a very dangerous opponent to all ESAKE teams. Reached the cup final in 1996, and lost at the buzzer to Olympiakos.

Maroussi: A small suburban team from Athens, that within a few years managed to get promoted several divisions, reach the first division (ESAKE), win a European cup (Saporta cup, 2001), and now competes for the championship. Financially sound, lacks the support of a large fan base, something that has prevented their owners to invest even more money on the team.

Aris Thessaloniki: The “emperor” of the 80’s. The club has won 10 Hellenic championships and 7 Hellenic cups. Also 1 Korac Cup (1997), 1 Saporta cup (1993), and 1 Champions Cup (2003).

Olympiakos Piraeus: The only Hellenic team to have achieved the “Triple Crown” (Euroleague, Domestic championship, and domestic national cup, in 1997). Euroleague Runner up twice. Winner of 9 Hellenic championships and 7 Hellenic cups.

Ilisiakos: The first team from A2 to ever participate in a Hellenic Cup Final 4. Finished 3^rd in A2 in 2003 but got promoted to A1, since Palaio Falero, the team that finished 2^nd, did not fulfill the financial requirements to get promoted.

Panionios: The only team from Athens that posed a threat to the teams of Thessaloniki during the 80’s. Has dedicated fans, that primarily come from Nea Smyrni, a part of Piraues. It is the team in which Fanis Christodoulou spent most of his career. They have won 1 Hellenic cup.

Ionikos NF: Another small team from Athens that blossomed in recent years. Recently moved to Loutraki, a small town in the county of Korinth. Despite the signing of good players during the summer, they suffer and it is already difficult to avoid relegation.

Panathinaikos: Winner of 3 Euroleagues (1996, 2000, 2002). Champion of the 5 of the last 6 Hellenic Championships). Over the years have signed players like Dominique Wilkins, John Salley, Byron Scott, Dejan Bodiroga. Arguably, the most successful team in Europe of the last decade. They have won 24 Hellenic championships and 7 Hellenic cups.

Irakleio: The team is the representative of the island of Crete. It is about to move to a brand new gym.

PAOK Thessaloniki: Winner of 2 Hellenic championships, and 2 Hellenic cups. Also winner of 1 Korac (1994) and 1 Saporta Cup (1991, runner up in 1992 and 1996). It is the team where Peja Stojakovic begun his professional career.

Iraklis Thessaloniki: The “Old one” as known among the fans, is the third team of Thessaloniki, with the fewest, but most passionate fans in the city.

Peristeri: A highly organized, and dedicated to basketball, club. One of the few clubs that focus on youth teams. Suffered financially since the departure of its president and sponsor in 2001. Attempts were made during the summer to merge the team with Panellinios, and later with Near East, in order to solve the financial problems. Neither of these attempts was successful. The club raised players like Marco Jaric and Milan Gurovic. Still a very strong team, and for many people, a contender for the finals.

Hellenic Hoops Home

InterBasket.Net Home

InterBasket.Net Forums

ESAKE Team Histories in Brief
	AEK: The first Hellenic team to win a European Trophy (Saporta Cup, 1968). Runner-up of Euroleague 1999, and winner of another Saporta cup in 2000. Also winner of 8 Hellenic championships and 3 Hellenic cups.	Makedonikos Kozani: Originally a small, neighbourhood, team from the suburb Neapolis of Thessaloniki, moved to the western Macedonian city of Kozani in 2002. A new stadium is currently being built at the city, to accommodate the club.
	Apollon Patras: The representative of the Peloponessian peninsula. Blossomed during the mid 90’s, when posed a very dangerous opponent to all ESAKE teams. Reached the cup final in 1996, and lost at the buzzer to Olympiakos.	Maroussi: A small suburban team from Athens, that within a few years managed to get promoted several divisions, reach the first division (ESAKE), win a European cup (Saporta cup, 2001), and now competes for the championship. Financially sound, lacks the support of a large fan base, something that has prevented their owners to invest even more money on the team.
	Aris Thessaloniki: The “emperor” of the 80’s. The club has won 10 Hellenic championships and 7 Hellenic cups. Also 1 Korac Cup (1997), 1 Saporta cup (1993), and 1 Champions Cup (2003).	Olympiakos Piraeus: The only Hellenic team to have achieved the “Triple Crown” (Euroleague, Domestic championship, and domestic national cup, in 1997). Euroleague Runner up twice. Winner of 9 Hellenic championships and 7 Hellenic cups.
	Ilisiakos: The first team from A2 to ever participate in a Hellenic Cup Final 4. Finished 3^rd in A2 in 2003 but got promoted to A1, since Palaio Falero, the team that finished 2^nd, did not fulfill the financial requirements to get promoted.	Panionios: The only team from Athens that posed a threat to the teams of Thessaloniki during the 80’s. Has dedicated fans, that primarily come from Nea Smyrni, a part of Piraues. It is the team in which Fanis Christodoulou spent most of his career. They have won 1 Hellenic cup.
	Ionikos NF: Another small team from Athens that blossomed in recent years. Recently moved to Loutraki, a small town in the county of Korinth. Despite the signing of good players during the summer, they suffer and it is already difficult to avoid relegation.	Panathinaikos: Winner of 3 Euroleagues (1996, 2000, 2002). Champion of the 5 of the last 6 Hellenic Championships). Over the years have signed players like Dominique Wilkins, John Salley, Byron Scott, Dejan Bodiroga. Arguably, the most successful team in Europe of the last decade. They have won 24 Hellenic championships and 7 Hellenic cups.
	Irakleio: The team is the representative of the island of Crete. It is about to move to a brand new gym.	PAOK Thessaloniki: Winner of 2 Hellenic championships, and 2 Hellenic cups. Also winner of 1 Korac (1994) and 1 Saporta Cup (1991, runner up in 1992 and 1996). It is the team where Peja Stojakovic begun his professional career.
	Iraklis Thessaloniki: The “Old one” as known among the fans, is the third team of Thessaloniki, with the fewest, but most passionate fans in the city.	Peristeri: A highly organized, and dedicated to basketball, club. One of the few clubs that focus on youth teams. Suffered financially since the departure of its president and sponsor in 2001. Attempts were made during the summer to merge the team with Panellinios, and later with Near East, in order to solve the financial problems. Neither of these attempts was successful. The club raised players like Marco Jaric and Milan Gurovic. Still a very strong team, and for many people, a contender for the finals.