G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Basketball) Explained

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Iraklis
Arena:Ivanofeio Sports Arena
Capacity:2,221
Location:Thessaloniki, Greece
Sponsor:N.G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis 1908
Ceo:Antonis Beinas
President:Antonis Beinas
Vice-Presidents:Giannis Kalyvas
Manager:Alexandros Anastasiadis
Coach:Charis Markopoulos
Assistants:Nikos Kampouris
Captain:Sarantis Mastrogiannopoulos

Iraklis B.C. (el|Ηρακλής Κ.Α.Ε., in Greek, Modern (1453-); pronounced as /iɾa'klis/) is a Greek professional basketball club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. Created in 1921, it serves as the professional men's basketball department of the multi–sport club of G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis. The club's colors are blue and white, inspired by the flag of Greece. They play their home matches at Ivanofeio Sports Arena. As of 2022, the club competes in the second–tier level Greek Elite League.

Iraklis Thessaloniki won the Greek National Championship in 1928 and 1935, and has also reached the Greek Cup final three times. Some of the greatest players in Greek, European and worldwide basketball have played for Iraklis Thessaloniki over the years including: Lefteris Kakiousis, Jure Zdovc, James Donaldson, David Ancrum, Walter Berry, Xavier McDaniel, Roy Tarpley, Nikos Chatzivrettas, Vasily Karasev, Lazaros Papadopoulos, Dimitris Diamantidis and Sofoklis Schortsanitis.

History

The parent athletic club of G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis was founded in 1908, and initially featured football. The club was named after Heracles (or Hercules), the mythical Greek demigod. The basketball team of Iraklis was established in 1921.[1]

Iraklis won the inaugural Greek League championship in 1928.[2] [3] To win the championship, Iraklis had to eliminate AEK Athens and Near East, before beating VAO in the championship game.[4] The team won its second Greek championship in 1935. Also in the team's history, three times Iraklis finished in second place in the Greek Championship (1936, 1962, and 1964), three times Iraklis has been a Greek Cup Finalist (1981, 1994, and 1996), and two times Iraklis made it to the semifinals of the European 2nd-tier level league Cup Winners' Cup.[5]

Iraklis reached the semifinals of the 1994–95 FIBA European Cup, where they competed against Taugrés.[6] Iraklis won the first game 79–78, but lost the next two games, to be eliminated 2–1 in a best of three series. In 1996, an Iraklis team led by former NBA players Xavier McDaniel and Roy Tarpley, reached the Greek Cup Final Four.[7] By beating Apollon Patras in the semifinal, Iraklis reached the final, where it then lost 85–74 to Panathinaikos. Iraklis has also twice competed in the top European continental competitions. The club played in the European top-tier level European Champions' Cup in the 1995–96 season, and also competed in the FIBA SuproLeague during the 2000–01 season.

Recent history (2005-present)

In 2006, Iraklis was relegated to the Greek A2 Basket League, after finishing 13th in the first-tier Greek League.[8] In 2010, after four seasons in the second-tier level Greek League, the team was promoted back up to the top-tier Greek Basket League.[9] After one season in the Greek top-tier level, Iraklis was again relegated down to the A2, with two matches left in the season.[10] At the end of the season, Iraklis chose to play in the third-tier level of Greek basketball, the Greek B Basket League, in order to clear its debts.[11] [12] [13] The club was promoted to the Greek A2 Basket League in 2013, after finishing 2nd in its group, and after Peristeri failed to receive financial clearance to participate in the league.[14]

In the 2018–19 season, Iraklis won the promotion playoffs of the Greek A2 League, and was promoted up to the top level Greek Basket League, for the first time in 8 years.[15] During the 2019–20 season, Iraklis is taking part in the Greek Basket League organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. The season started in October 2019 and was scheduled to end in June 2020. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the championship was terminated earlier. Iraklis took the 7th place with 29 points, having 9 wins and 11 losses in a total of 20 games. In the 2020–21 season, Iraklis returned to European competitions, taking part in the qualifying round of the Basketball Champions League and later on in the 2020–21 FIBA Europe Cup where the club reached the Top16 round having 3 wins and 1 loss. In the 2020–21 season Iraklis took the 10th place with 29 points, having 7 wins and 15 losses in a total of 22 games.

In European-wide competitions

See main article: Iraklis B.C. in international competitions.

Honours and titles

European competitions

Semifinalists (2): 1994–95, 1996-97

Domestic competitions

Champions (2): 1927–28, 1934–35

Runners-up (3): 1935–36, 1961–62, 1963–64

Runners-up (3): 1980–81, 1993–94, 1995–96

Champions (2): 1974–75, 1977–78

Home arena

See main article: Ivanofeio Sports Arena.

In earlier times, Iraklis played its home games at the Thessaloniki Forum. Iraklis currently plays its home games in the Ivanofeio Sports Arena, an arena with a seating capacity of 2,221.[16] The arena opened in 1987, and it was expanded to its current capacity in 1991. Ivanofeio is situated in the Thessaloniki city center, and it is owned by the GS Iraklis multi-sport club.[17]

Supporters

The most prominent supporters' club of the team is Aftonomi Thira 10 (meaning Autonomous Gate 10), a fan club with a total of 15 branches in Northern Greece.[18] The fan club is known for holding an antiracist stance, as it participates in the Ultras Antiracist Festival.[19] Other activities of the fan club include the publication of a magazine, and the conducting of an annual festival.[20] [21] Other minor supporters' clubs are SFISE, Blue Boys, A.P.A.T.S.I., and Iraklis Fan Club of Athens.[22] In a 2013 opinion poll, Iraklis was ranked as the 6th most popular basketball club in Greece, gathering 2.8% of the participating supporters' votes.[23]

Players

Depth chart

Notable players

Head coaches

Head CoachFromToTitles & Honors
align=left Makis Piritidisalign=center 1979align=center 1980
align=left Efthimis Kioumourtzogloualign=center 1980align=center 19811 Greek Cup Finalist 1981
align=left align=center 1987align=center 1987
align=left align=center 1987align=center 1990
align=left - Steve Giatzogloualign=center 1990
1996		align=center 1992
1996		1 Greek Cup Finalist 1996
align=left Theodoros Rodopolosalign=center 1992align=center 1992
align=left Ciko Awerbuckalign=center 1992align=center 1992
align=left Johnny Neumannalign=center 1992align=center 1993
align=left - Dragan Šakotaalign=center 1993
1998		align=center 1994
2000		1 Greek Cup Finalist 1994
align=left - Slobodan Subotićalign=center 1994
1995		align=center 1995
1995
align=left Tom Newellalign=center 1996align=center 1996
align=left Zoran Slavnićalign=center 1997align=center 1997
align=left Vangelis Alexandrisalign=center 1997
2015		align=center
align=left Makis Dendrinosalign=center 2000align=center 2000
align=left Lefteris Kakiousisalign=center 2004
2009		align=center 2005
2010
align=left Jure Zdovcalign=center 2006align=center 2006
align=left Darko Russoalign=center Nov 2010align=center Jan 2011
align=left Georgios Kalafatakisalign=center Jan 2011align=center Feb 2011
align=left Chris Chougkazalign=center Feb 2011align=center Sep 2011
align=left Makis Kalantaridisalign=center Sep 2011align=center Oct 2011
align=left Thodoris Albanisalign=center Oct 2011align=center Mar 2012
align=left Antonis Kyritsisalign=center Mar 2012align=center May 2012
align=left Dimitris Vatosalign=center May 2012align=center Jul 2012
align=left Thomas Kostopoulosalign=center Jul 2012align=center Jul 2013
align=left Dimitris Tsolakisalign=center Jul 2013align=center Sep 2013
align=left Stefanos Perkosalign=center Sep 2013align=center Apr 2014
align=left Giorgos Kyroudisalign=center Apr 2014align=center Nov 2014
align=left Giannis Damalisalign=center Nov 2014align=center Mar 2015
align=left Stefanos Perkosalign=center Mar 2015align=center Oct 2015
align=left Vangelis Alexandrisalign=center Oct 2015align=center Jan 2018
align=left Lefteris Chatzikyriakidisalign=center Jan 2018align=center Oct 2018
align=left Kostas Mexasalign=center Oct 2018align=center Jul 2019promoted to Greek Basket League
align=left Ioannis Kastritisalign=center Jul 2019align=center Jan 2020
align=left Ilias Kantzourisalign=center Jan 2020align=center Jul 2020
align=left Vangelis Ziagkosalign=center Jul 2020align=center Dec 2020
align=left Stergios Kalyvasalign=center Dec 2020align=center Feb 2021
align=left Thanasis Skourtopoulosalign=center Feb 2021align=center Oct 2021
align=left Stergios Koufosalign=center Oct 2021align=center Nov 2021
align=left Kostas Mexasalign=center Nov 2021align=center May 2022

See also

External links

Official websites

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tahidromos. 11 November 1921. Tahidromos Voriou Ellados . formation of the first team. 16 June 2020. Parliament Library. el.
  2. Web site: http://www.contra.gr/Basketball/Hellas/A1Basket/basket/h-xrysh-vivlos-toy-ellhnikou-prwtathlhmatos-mpasket.2818990.html . el:Η χρυσή βίβλος του ελληνικού πρωταθλήματος μπάσκετ . contra.gr . 4 June 2014 . 14 August 2015 . Giannopoulos, Nikos . el.
  3. Web site: http://www.eurohoops.net/el/2015/05/ellada/97943 . el:Θεσσαλονίκη: Μπασκετομάνα ή φτωχομάνα . EuroHoops.net . 29 May 2015 . 14 August 2015 . Mpakolas, Giorgos . el.
  4. Web site: http://www.iraklisbc.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94&Itemid=65 . el:Ιστορία . Iraklis BC . 27 August 2010 . 18 August 2015 . el .
  5. Web site: Iraklis club history. . 2008-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111003045321/http://www.iraklisbc.gr/site/content/category/6/23/31/ . 2011-10-03 . dead .
  6. Web site: http://www.sport24.gr/Basket/Eurocup/article367538.ece . el:Ταξίδι στο χρόνο από το 1968 έως σήμερα . sport24.gr . 16 April 2010 . 18 August 2015 . Maragousia, Antonia . el.
  7. Web site: http://www.pamesports.gr/279327/h-istoria-twn-telikwn-kypelloy-mpasket . el:Η ιστορία των τελικών Κυπέλλου Μπάσκετ . pamesports.gr . 9 February 2014 . 17 August 2015 . el . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063643/http://www.pamesports.gr/279327/h-istoria-twn-telikwn-kypelloy-mpasket . 24 September 2015 . dead .
  8. Web site: http://bluearena.gr/blog/2009/04/29/%CE%BA%CE%AC%CE%B8%CE%B5-%CF%87%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%AC-%CE%BA%CE%B9-%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%B1-%CE%BC%CE%AC%CE%B8%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%B1/ . el:Κάθε χρονιά κι ένα μάθημα . Bluearena.gr . 29 April 2009 . 16 August 2015 . el.
  9. Web site: http://bluearena.gr/blog/2010/05/29/%CF%86%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%B5-%CE%BC%CE%B5-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%81%CF%84%CE%AE-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%B9%CE%B2%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%8E%CF%86%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%BF/ . el:Φινάλε με γιορτή στο Ιβανώφειο . Bluearena.gr . 29 May 2010 . 16 August 2015 . el.
  10. Web site: http://www.sport24.gr/Basket/ElladaBasket/A1Basket/hraklhs-paniwnios-52-59.833164.html . el:Ηρακλής - Πανιώνιος: 52-59 . sport24.gr . 13 April 2011 . 16 August 2015 . Maragousia, Antonia . el.
  11. Web site: http://bluearena.gr/blog/2011/07/29/%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%BB%CF%8D%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CE%B7-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B5-%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%BB%CE%AE%CF%82/ . el:Διαλύεται η ΚΑΕ Ηρακλής . Bluearena.gr . 29 July 2011 . 14 August 2015 . el.
  12. Web site: http://bluearena.gr/blog/2011/08/01/%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%AF%CE%B6%CE%B5%CE%B9-%CE%BF-%CF%83%CF%87%CE%B5%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%BC%CF%8C%CF%82-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%B7-%CE%B2%CE%84-%CE%B5%CE%B8%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE/ . el:Αρχίζει ο σχεδιασμός για τη Β΄ Εθνική . Bluearena.gr . 1 August 2011 . 14 August 2015 . el.
  13. Web site: Οριστικά στη Β' Εθνική ο Ηρακλής . sport24.gr . 29 July 2011 . 16 August 2015.
  14. Web site: Ηρακλής: Ανεβαίνει Α2 . onsports.gr . July 3, 2013 . August 16, 2015 . Loutsi, Alexandra.
  15. Web site: Τα συγχαρητήρια του ΕΣΑΚΕ σε Ιωνικό και Ηρακλή. el. novasports.gr. 6 June 2019. 6 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190606132504/http://www.novasports.gr/basket/ellada/basket-league/article/457235/ta-sugharitiria-tou-esake-se-ioniko-kai-irakli/. dead.
  16. http://www.esake.gr/el/action/EsaketeamView?idteam=00000011&mode=4 Γήπεδο: Ιβανώφειο Χωρητικότητα: 2500 .
  17. http://stadia.gr/ivanofio/ivanofio.html Ivanofio Indoor Hall.
  18. Web site: Αυτόνομη Θύρα 10 Official site. http://www.iraklis-g10.gr/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=236&Itemid=40. el:Σύνδεσμοι ΑΘ10. el. 25 January 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721081454/http://www.iraklis-g10.gr/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=236&Itemid=40. 21 July 2011. dead.
  19. Web site: gazzetta.gr. http://www.gazzetta.gr/volley/volleyball-a1-women/item/91334-%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B9%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%84%CF%83%CE%B9%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C-%CE%BF%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C-%CE%BC%CE%AE%CE%BD%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%B1. el:Αντιρατσιστικό οπαδικό μήνυμα . 4 July 2010. el. 25 January 2011.
  20. Web site: Bluearena.gr. http://www.bluearena.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6429:-qq&catid=63:2009-10-14-13-33-45&Itemid=241. el:Το περιοδικό της "Αυτόνομης". 20 September 2010. el. 25 January 2011.
  21. Web site: Bluearena.gr. SICK 'N' BLUE festival στο Ιβανώφειο. 25 May 2010. el. 25 January 2011.
  22. Web site: Αυτόνομη Θύρα 10 Official site. http://www.iraklis-g10.gr/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1050&Itemid=41. el:Ανακοίνωση Συνδέσμων - ΓΣ - ΠΑΕ - ΚΑΕ. 2 January 2011. el. 25 January 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110106032035/http://www.iraklis-g10.gr/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1050&Itemid=41. 6 January 2011. dead.
  23. Web site: gazzetta.gr. http://www.gazzetta.gr/article/521539/ti-elavan-oles-oi-omades-sto-opadopsifisma-pics. el:Τι έλαβαν όλες οι ομάδες στο "οπαδοψήφισμα". 4 July 2013. el. 28 August 2015.

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