Greek Traditions Community

Popular sports teams in Greece

1 - 5 of 5 Posts
xmelissaa

xmelissaa

Active member
I thought I'd do some research about some of the most popular teams in Greece. Soccer seems to be the most popular, and there is also a strong basketball fanbase. Did I miss anything? Should I add or subtract anything?

1. Olympiacos F.C - This is the biggest football club in Greece; their fans are known as “The Greece’s Red Army.” Olympiacos F.C has won the Greek Super League more times than any other team since its establishment.

2. Panathinaikos B.C - Founded in 1919, Panathinaikos B.C has won the most Greek Basket League championships, propelling it to be among the most popular sports teams in Greece.

3. AEK Athens F.C - AEK has one of the biggest and most passionate fan bases in Greece. The team has won three Greek cups and one Greek Super League trophy.

4. PAOK F.C - PAOK is the third-luckiest team in Greece. PAOK has fans all over Greece, indicating that they could be the next big football club following Olympiacos and AEK in terms of popularity.

5. Olympiacos B.C - Olympiacos B.C has won nine Greek Basketball League trophies, representing the team’s dominance in basketball. Its fans are dubbed ‘Red Angels' and are one of the most loyal fan bases in Greece.

6. Xanthi FC - Located in a small city in Thrace, Xanthi FC is the neighborhood's pride and joy. Although they’ve never won a domestic trophy, the team has captured the hearts of many people in the region.

7. Aris Thessaloniki F.C - Founded in 1914, Aris has a rich history. The club has won two Greek Cypriot championships, particularly in 1946 and 1979.

8. AEK Athens B.C - AEK Athens Basketball Club was the first-ever Greek club to reach the semifinals of a European competition. The team has dominated in domestic competitions, with eight Greek cup and three Greek Basket League titles.

9. A.C. PAOK - PAOK’s volleyball team is just as successful as its football team. The team has won 13 Greek Volleyball League championships, making it one of the most successful volleyball teams in Greece.

10. Olympiacos Piraeus BC - Olympiacos Piraeus BC is the second success story in Greek basketball, with nine Greek Basket League championships. Its fans are among the most rabid and passionate in the country.
 
Nice list. Sporting events in Greece are not family events, so if anyone decides to go then leave your kids at home. Become familiar with the major rivalries such as Panathinaikos and Olympiakos because these games become very violent, and you don't want to be caught up in the violence. Do not wear any Greek sports clothing anywhere unless you know where you are or it's the Greek national team. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but these rivalries are serious and you don't wear the rivals colors in neighborhoods that don't support them or you can almost be guaranteed to experience something.

Γαμώ τον ολυμπιακό! Παναθηναϊκός για μια ζωή! 13!
 
ellinasgolfer0320 said:
Nice list. Sporting events in Greece are not family events, so if anyone decides to go then leave your kids at home. Become familiar with the major rivalries such as Panathinaikos and Olympiakos because these games become very violent, and you don't want to be caught up in the violence. Do not wear any Greek sports clothing anywhere unless you know where you are or it's the Greek national team. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but these rivalries are serious and you don't wear the rivals colors in neighborhoods that don't support them or you can almost be guaranteed to experience something.

Γαμώ τον ολυμπιακό! Παναθηναϊκός για μια ζωή! 13!
Click to expand...
I didn't realize they weren't family outings! That's good to know. I guess it makes sense though because this might be typical of football culture throughout the world?
 
I’d say you've covered the major bases well. Considering the rich sports culture, you might also explore the impact of these teams on local cultures and rivalries, which are as intense and historic as the games themselves. If you're delving into international football comparisons, watching matches like omonoia fc vs krasava eny ypsonas fc matches can provide insights into how fan passion and team tactics vary across different leagues.
 
Last edited:
You’ve got the big football and basketball teams covered. You could maybe add a nod to the volleyball and handball fanbases since some clubs, like PAOK, have loyal followers there too. Watched a match in la grada once and the energy from the smaller, local teams really stood out—it’s wild how devoted fans can make a tiny club feel massive.
 
Last edited:
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Do younger generations still follow traditional Greek customs?

Lately I’ve been wondering how much traditional Greek culture is still being carried forward by younger generations, both in Greece and in the diaspora.

I’m not talking only about the big holidays or major family events, but the smaller everyday things too — name days, church traditions, hospitality, family meals, fasting periods, village festivals, coffee rituals, respect for elders, even certain sayings and customs. Do younger Greeks still actively participate in these traditions, or do they mostly happen because parents and grandparents keep them going?

I imagine the answer probably depends a lot on location, family, and lifestyle. Someone growing up in a village might have a different experience than someone in Athens or abroad. I’d love to hear from people of different ages, which traditions have stayed strong, which ones are fading, and are there any that younger generations are bringing back in new ways?

Best Christening Gifts for a Close Friend's Child?

What are some good christening gifts for the child of a close friend?

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to a Greek christening, and the last one I attended was for a relative, so I’m realizing I’m not completely sure what is considered appropriate these days.

Since this is the child of a close friend, I’d like to give something a little more meaningful than just a standard gift, but I also don’t want to overdo it. Are religious gifts like an icon, cross, or children’s Bible still common? Would money, jewelry, or something personalized be appropriate?

I’d also be interested to know whether there are certain gifts that are traditionally given by family members or the godparents that I should avoid duplicating.

What have you given for christenings recently, especially when the child belonged to a close friend? I’d love some ideas that feel thoughtful and appropriate.

What alternatives to Linktree offer robust customization for bio links?

Trying to level up my bio link setup because Linktree feels kinda stiff for what I want to do. I’ve been tweaking my branding this year and I need something that lets me mess with colors, layouts, maybe even some light animations without feeling boxed in. I’m running a mix of art commissions and small merch drops, so having more control would help a ton. If anyone’s found a link-in-bio tool that lets you get creative without needing to code like a pro, I’d love to hear what’s working for you.

Greek Easter Celebrations in Greece?

I’ve been thinking a lot about Greek Easter lately and realized I don’t actually know what it’s like to experience it in Greece itself.

I grew up with the traditions here, like church services, red eggs, the midnight “Christos Anesti,” and of course the big Sunday feast, but I’m curious how it all feels in Greece. Is the atmosphere different? More intense? More communal?

What are the days leading up to Easter like there, especially Holy Week? Are there specific customs, processions, or local traditions that stand out depending on the region?

I’ve also heard things about candles at midnight, fireworks, and entire towns participating, how true is that?

Would love to hear from anyone who has experienced it in Greece or grew up there. What are the moments that really define Greek Easter for you?

How did your family spend summers in Greece?

I’m curious how many of you spent summers in Greece growing up.

My experience was a little different. My parents both worked full time, so we never packed up and spent entire summers in Greece the way some Greek families did. But I had friends and cousins who seemed to disappear every June and come back just before school started, full of stories about village life, island beaches, family gatherings, and adventures with cousins.

I always found those stories fascinating and sometimes wished I had experienced that myself.

For those of you who did spend summers in Greece, what was it like? Did you stay in a village, a city, or on an island? What did your typical days look like? Are there any traditions, memories, or experiences that still stand out to you today? I'd love to hear your stories!
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top