The Superleague Greece (Greek: Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα) is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on 16 July 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 18 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 34 games each. As of May 2013, Superleague Greece is ranked 12th in the UEFA ranking of leagues, based on performances in European competitions over the last five years.
Since the foundation of the first official Panhellenic Championship in season 1927–28,[1] only six clubs have won the title, with the "big three" of Greater Athens (Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and AEK Athens) dominating and only PAOK, Aris and Larissa managing to break their dominance on a few occasions. The current champions are Olympiacos, who have bagged a total of 41 titles.
Clubs
Locations of the teams in Superleague Greece 2014-15
Team |
City |
Stadium |
Capacity |
Kalloni | Lesbos | Mytilene Municipal Stadium | 4,000 |
Asteras Tripoli | Tripoli, Greece | Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium | 7,717 |
Atromitos | Peristeri | Peristeri Stadium | 9,035 |
Veria | Veria | Veria Stadium | 7,000 |
Ergotelis | Heraklion | Pankritio Stadium | 26,240 |
Kerkyra | Corfu | Kerkyra Stadium | 3,199 |
Levadiakos | Livadeia | Levadia Municipal Stadium | 6,500 |
Niki Volos | Volos | Panthessaliko Stadium | 22,700 |
Olympiacos | Piraeus | Karaiskakis Stadium | 32,115 |
OFI | Heraklion | Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium | 8,500 |
Panathinaikos | Athens | Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium | 16,003 |
Panetolikos | Agrinio | Panetolikos Stadium | 7,500 |
Panthrakikos | Komotini | Komotini Municipal Stadium | 6,198 |
Panionios | Nea Smyrni | Nea Smyrni Stadium | 11,700 |
PAOK | Thessaloniki | Toumba Stadium | 28,703 |
PAS Giannina | Ioannina | Zosimades Stadium | 7,675 |
Platanias | Chania | Perivolia Municipal Stadium | 4,000 |
Skoda Xanthi | Xanthi | Skoda Xanthi Arena | 7,422 |
History
In the beginning (1906–1916), there was the Hellenic Association of Amateur Athletics (SEGAS) Panhellenic Championship, which was actually a local tournament among clubs from Athens and Piraeus. After the Balkan Wars and World War I Greece became larger and the first football clubs associations were founded, namely the Athens-Piraeus FCA (EPSAP) in 1919 - renamed Greece FCA (EPSE) in 1921 - and the Macedonia FCA in 1923. For the first time in 1923, the Panhellenic Champion was determined by a play-off game between the Athens-Piraeus and the Thessaloniki champions. However, this was not repeated the following year as the Greece FCA was split into Athens FCA and Piraeus FCA after a dispute.
Structure
At present, eighteen clubs compete in the Superleague, playing each other in a home and away series. At the end of the season, the bottom three clubs are relegated to Football League.[2] In their place, the top three teams from Football League are promoted. The number of teams to be relegated may change, depending on a licensing procedure that takes place at the end of the regular season.
The Superleague is currently entitled to two entrants into the UEFA Champions League. The Superleague champion directly enters the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. The second through fifth place teams in the Superleague enter a play-off for the second Greek entry. The play-off winner enters the UEFA Champions League's third qualifying round, a two-legged tie from which the winner advances to the play offs of the UEFA Champions League. The winner of the Greek Cup automatically qualifies for the UEFA Europa League, as well as the runners-up of the Superleague play-off.
In the play-off for the UEFA Champions League, the teams play each other in a home and away round robin. However, they do not all start with 0 points. Instead, a weighting system applies to the teams' standing at the start of the play-off mini-league. The team finishing fifth in the Superleague will start the play off with 0 points. The fifth place team’s end of season tally of points is used to calculate the sum of the points that other teams will have. The point difference of each of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th team from the fifth place team is then divided by five (if the result is a decimal number it is then rounded to a full number, with .5 or more being rounded up) and the resulting number respectively for each team is the number of points with which they will start the mini-league.[3]
Superleague Greece 2014-15 members
Club |
Position in 2013-14 |
Stadium |
Capacity |
Ref |
Asteras Tripoli | 7000500000000000000♠5th (5th after regular season) | Asteras Tripolis Stadium | 7,717 | [4] |
Atromitos | 7000400000000000000♠4th (3rd after regular season) | Peristeri Stadium | 10,200 | [5] |
Ergotelis | 7000700000000000000♠7th | Pankritio Stadium | 26,240 | |
Kalloni | 7001120000000000000♠12th | Mytilene Municipal Stadium | 4,000 | |
Levadiakos | 7000900000000000000♠9th | Levadia Municipal Stadium | 6,500 | [6] |
Niki Volos | 1st in Football League play offs(2nd in North Group in the regular season) | Panthessaliko Stadium | 22,700 | |
OFI | 7000600000000000000♠6th | Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium | 9,088 | [7] |
Olympiacos | 7000100000000000000♠Champions | Karaiskakis Stadium | 32,115 | [8] |
PAE Kerkyra | 2nd in Football League play offs(1st in North Group in the regular season) | Kerkyra Stadium | 6,685 | |
Panathinaikos | 7000200000000000000♠2nd (4th after regular season) | Apostolos Nikolaidis (Leoforos) | 16,988 | |
Panetolikos | 7000800000000000000♠8th | Panetolikos Stadium | 7,500 | |
Panionios | 7001130000000000000♠13th | Nea Smyrni Stadium | 11,700 | [9] |
Panthrakikos | 7001100000000000000♠10th | Komotini Municipal Stadium | 6,198 | [10] |
PAOK | 7000300000000000000♠3rd (2nd after regular season) | Toumba Stadium | 28,803 | [11] |
PAS Giannina | 7001110000000000000♠11th | Zosimades Stadium | 7,652 | [12] |
Platanias | 7001140000000000000♠14th | Perivolia Municipal Stadium | 4,000 | [13] |
Skoda Xanthi | 7001160000000000000♠16th* | Skoda Xanthi Arena | 7,361 | [14] |
Veria | 7001150000000000000♠15th | Veria Stadium | 7,000 | [15] |
Notes
- ^ The final positions for teams ranked 2–5 in regular season are being determined by the playoffs.[16]
- ^ Platanias' home 1,000-seater Maleme Stadium does not meet Superleague regulations. Pankritio Stadium may be used as backup if construction on Perivolia Stadium is delayed.[17]
Champions
List of Greek football champions
SEGAS and FCA championships
Greek Championship
Performance by club (1928–)
Club |
Champions |
Winning years |
Ref |
Olympiacos |
42 |
1931, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1966, 1967, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
[20][21] |
Panathinaikos |
20 |
1930, 1949, 1953, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1977, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2004, 2010 |
[22][23] |
AEK |
11 |
1939, 1940, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1979, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994 |
[24] |
Aris |
3 |
1928, 1932, 1946 |
|
PAOK |
2 |
1976, 1985 |
|
Larissa |
1 |
1988 |
|
Titles by city (1928–)
The 6 clubs that have won the championship are from a total of 4 cities
Statistics
Top three ranking (1928-)
Seasons in Alpha Ethniki and Superleague Greece
The number of seasons that each team (in alphabetical order) has played in the top division from 1959–60 until 2014–15. A total of 65 teams had competed in at least one season at the top division. Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and PAOK are the only teams to have played in the top division in every season since the league's inception in its modern form. The teams in bold participate in Superleague for the 2014–15 season.
Seasons |
Clubs |
56 |
Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, PAOK |
54 |
AEK, Panionios |
52 |
Aris |
51 |
Iraklis |
40 |
OFI |
38 |
Apollon Athens |
36 |
Ethnikos Piraeus |
26 |
Skoda Xanthi |
26 |
Larissa, Panachaiki |
23 |
Egaleo, Panserraikos |
21 |
Doxa Drama, PAS Giannina |
20 |
Apollon Kalamaria |
19 |
Kavala |
16 |
Ionikos, Pierikos, Veria |
15 |
Atromitos Athens, Levadiakos, Proodeftiki |
10 |
Kastoria |
9 |
Asteras Tripolis, Athinaikos, Ergotelis, Olympiakos Volos |
7 |
Fostiras, Kalamata, PAE Kerkyra, Niki Volos, Paniliakos, Trikala |
6 |
Panegialios, Panetolikos, Panthrakikos |
5 |
Edessaikos, Korinthos |
4 |
Akratitos, Ethnikos Asteras, Kallithea, Rodos, Vyzas |
3 |
Diagoras, Olympiakos Nicosia, Panelefsiniakos, Megas Alexandros, Platanias |
2 |
Kalloni, Chalkidona |
1 |
AEL Limassol, A.E. Nikaia, APOEL*, Aspida Xanthi, Atromitos Piraeus, Chalkida, EPA Larnaca, Goudi Athens, Makedonikos, Megas Alexandros Katerinis, Naoussa, Olympiakos Chalkida, Omonia Nicosia, Panargiakos, Pankorinthiakos, Thermaikos, Thrasyvoulos |
- APOEL avoided relegation in the 1973–1974 season, but were forced to play in the Cypriot A Division the following season due to the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus. Hence they are the only team to have played a single season in the Greek league and not been relegated.
Top division table (since 1959-60)
This index[25] is an overall record of all match results, points, and goals of every team that has played in Alpha Ethniki and Superleague championships since 1959. The table is accurate as of the end of the 2013–14 season (Top 30 as of the end of 2013–14). Points are based on 3–1–0 and no deductions are counted. Displayed teams with at least 15 appearances. More will be included.
Note: Ionikos had 5 points deduction in 2006-2007 season.
League or status at 2012–13 in Greek football:
Per geographic region
All the geographic regions of Greece have been represented by at least one club in the first national division. Attica has had the strongest presence with 22 clubs overall, followed by Macedonia and the Peloponnese. The regions of Epirus and the Ionian islands have been represented by only one club each. A total of 66 clubs have participated at the first tier so far.
Regions |
Τotal |
Teams |
Attica |
22 |
AEK Athens, Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos, Panionios, Apollon Athens, Ethnikos Piraeus, Egaleo, Ionikos, Proodeftiki, Athinaikos, Atromitos, Fostiras, Vyzas, Akratitos, Ethnikos Asteras, Kallithea, Atromitos Piraeus, Chalkidon Near East, Thrasyvoulos, A.E. Nikaia, Atromitos Piraeus, Goudi Athens |
Macedonia |
16 |
PAOK, Iraklis, Aris, Panserraikos, Doxa Drama, Kavala, Pierikos, Veria, Kastoria, Edessaikos, Megas Alexandros Katerini, Naoussa, Apollon Kalamaria, Thermaikos, Makedonikos, Megas Alexandros |
Peloponnese |
8 |
Panachaiki, Kalamata, Paniliakos, Panegialios, Korinthos, Asteras Tripoli, Panargiakos, Pankorinthiakos |
Cyprus |
5 |
Olympiakos Nicosia, AEL Limassol, EPA Larnaca, APOEL, Omonia Nicosia |
Thessalia |
4 |
Larisa, Olympiakos Volos, Trikala, Niki Volos |
Sterea Ellada |
4 |
Levadiakos, Panetolikos, Chalkida, Olympiakos Chalkida |
Aegean |
3 |
Rodos, Diagoras, Kalloni |
Crete |
3 |
OFI, Ergotelis, Platanias |
Thrace |
3 |
Skoda Xanthi, Panthrakikos, Aspida Xanthi |
Epirus |
1 |
PAS Giannina |
Ionian Islands |
1 |
Kerkyra |
Top scorers and appearances
Most appearances | Most goals |
A/A | Name | Appearances | Teams |
1. | Mimis Domazos | 536 | Panathinaikos, AEK |
2. | Nikos Nioplias | 509 | OFI, Panathinaikos, Chalkidona |
3. | Giorgos Koudas | 504 | PAOK |
4. | Thomas Mavros | 501 | Panionios, AEK |
5. | Savvas Kofidis | 493 | Iraklis, Olympiacos, Aris |
6. | Mimis Papaioannou | 480 | AEK |
- | Stathis Chaitas | 480 | Panionios, Larisa |
8. | Giorgos Skartados | 478 | Rhodes, PAOK, Iraklis, Olympiacos |
9. | Georgios Georgiadis | 476 | Doxa Drama, Panathinaikos, PAOK, Olympiacos, Iraklis |
10. | Dinos Kouis | 473 | Aris |
11. | Tasos Mitropoulos | 458 | Ethnikos Peiraeus, Olympiacos, AEK, Apollon Smyrni |
12. | Takis Nikoloudis | 453 | Iraklis, AEK, Olympiacos, Apollon Kalamaria |
13. | Angelos Kremmydas | 448 | Ethnikos Peiraeus, Panachaiki |
14. | Stelios Manolas | 447 | AEK |
15. | Dimitris Saravakos | 443 | Panionios, Panathinaikos, AEK |
16. | Theodoros Pahatouridis | 434 | Doxa Drama, Olympiacos, Ionikos |
17. | Giorgos Dedes | 429 | Panionios, AEK |
18. | Giannis Gounaris | 426 | PAOK, Olympiacos |
19. | Michalis Kritikopoulos | 422 | Panaigeialios, Ethnikos Piraeus, Olympiacos, Apollon Smyrni |
20. | Daniil Papadopoulos | 418 | Iraklis |
Foreign players |
1. | Krzysztof Warzycha | 390 | Panathinaikos |
2. | Predrag Đorđević | 375 | Paniliakos, Olympiacos |
3. | Toni Savevski | 357 | AEK |
4. | Daniel Batista | 316 | Ethnikos Piraeus, Olympiacos, AEK, Aris |
5. | Noni Lima | 291 | Panionios |
|
A/A | Name | Goals | Teams |
1 | Thomas Mavros | 260 | Panionios, AEK |
2. | Krzysztof Warzycha | 245 | Panathinaikos |
3. | Mimis Papaioannou | 234 | AEK |
4. | Giorgos Sideris | 229 | Olympiacos |
5. | Antonis Antoniadis | 187 | Panathinaikos, Olympiacos |
- | Alexandros Alexandris | 186 | Veria, AEK, Olympiacos, Larisa, Kalithea |
7. | Dimitris Saravakos | 186 | Panionios, Panathinaikos, AEK |
8. | Giorgos Dedes | 181 | Panionios, AEK |
9. | Nikos Anastopoulos | 179 | Panionios, Olympiacos, Ionikos |
10. | Michalis Kritikopoulos | 175 | Panaigialios, Ethnikos Piraeus, Olympiacos |
11. | Nikos Lyberopoulos | 167 | Kalamata, Panathinaikos, AEK |
12. | Demis Nikolaidis | 163 | Apollon Smyrni, AEK |
13. | Dinos Kouis | 142 | Aris |
14. | Kostas Nestoridis | 140 | AEK |
15. | Mimis Domazos | 139 | Panathinaikos, AEK |
16. | Georgios Georgiadis | 137 | Doxa Drama, Panathinaikos, PAOK, Olympiacos, Iraklis |
17. | Stavros Sarafis | 136 | PAOK |
18. | Giorgos Koudas | 134 | PAOK |
19. | Alekos Alexiadis | 132 | Aris, Panetolikos, Kastoria |
20. | Thanasis Intzoglou | 129 | Panionios, Ethnikos Piraeus |
|
Greek football clubs in European competitions
European Cup/ UEFA Champions League
UEFA Cup/ Europa League
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA ranking
As of 27 June 2014, The Greek Superleague ranks 12th in the UEFA coefficient Database, with 33.600 points.
Current national league ranking
- La Liga
- Premier League
- Serie A
- Bundesliga
- Portuguese Liga
- Ligue 1
- Eredivisie
- Ukrainian Premier League
- Russian Premier League
- Belgian First Division
- Süper Lig
- Super League Greece
- Swiss Super League
- Austrian Football Bundesliga
Broadcasting rights
Nova Sports (premium channel) have taken the broadcasting rights for all the teams of the Superleague Greece for €176 million until 2014.
A new agreement between Nova Sports (premium channel) and the Superleague clubs was finalised in the summer of 2011 for €168 million until 2015[26][27]
See also
References
External links
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