A.E.K. Athens F.C: Athletic Union of Constantinople A.E.K. Athens Full name Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupoleos Nickname(s) Enosis (Union) Dikefalos Aetos (Double-Headed Eagle) Kitrinomavroi (Yellow-Blacks) Founded 13 April 1924 (89 years ago) Ground Olympic Stadium Athens, Greece Capacity 69,618 Website Club home page Yellow jersey with yellow shorts, yellow socks Established in Athens in 1924 by Greek refugees from Constantinople in the wake of the Greco-Turkish War, A.E.K. is one of the more successful clubs in Greek football, winning 29 national titles (including 11 Championships, 14 Greek Cups, 1 League Cup and 3 Super Cups) and the team has regularly appeared in European (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League) competitions. AEK is a member of the European Club Association. 1924--1939 Emblem of the Palaiologos dynasty and the Byzantine Empire Greek Orthodox Church flag In 1924, AEK adopted as their emblem the image of a double-headed eagle (Δικέφαλος Αετός -- Dikefalos Aetos). When AEK was created by Greek refugees from Constantinople in the years following the Greco-Turkish War and subsequent population exchange, the emblem and colours (yellow & black) were chosen as a reminder of lost homelands; they represent the club's historical ties to Constantinople. After all, the double-headed eagle is featured in the flag of the Greek Orthodox Church, whose headquarters are in Constantinople, and served as Imperial emblem under the Palaiologos dynasty. AEK's main emblem underwent numerous minor changes between 1924 and 1982. The design of the eagle on the shirt badge was often not identical to the design of the eagle depicted on official club correspondence, merchandise and promotional material. All designs were considered "official" (in the broadest sense of the word), however, it was not until 1982 that an identifiable, copyrighted design was established as the club's official, and shirt, badge. The emblem design was changed in 1989, and again in 1993 to the current shield design. The colours of yellow and black were adopted from AEK's connections with Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire. Nikos Goumas Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Nea Filadelfeia ("New Philadelphia"), a northwestern suburb of Athens, Greece. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home stadium of AEK Athens FC. It was named after a one-time club president, Nicholas Goumas, who contributed to its building and later upgrading. Since the demolition in 2003 of one of the most historical home grounds in Greece the Nikos Goumas Stadium -- AEK's home ground since 1930,[34] the club plays its home games at the 70,000-capacity "Spiridon Louis" (Athens Olympic Stadium) in Athens. Stadium name Capacity Years Agia Sofia Stadium 33,000 1928--03, 2015--present Athens Olympic Stadium 69,618 1985--87, 2004--present Records Record home attendance -- 74,473 v. Panathinaikos, 23 May 1986 Domestic[38] Super League Greece: 11 1939, 1940, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1979, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994 Greek Football Cup: 14 1932, 1939, 1949, 1950, 1956, 1964, 1966, 1978, 1983, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2011 Greek Super Cup: 3 1971 (unofficial), 1989, 1996 Greek League Cup: 1 1990 Athens FCA Championship (local level): 4 1940, 1946, 1947, 1950 European competitions Finalist in Balkans Cup (1) : 1967 Semi-finalist in UEFA Cup (1) : 1977 Quarter-Finalist in European Champion Clubs' Cup (1) : 1969 Quarter-Finalist in European Cup Winners Cup (2) : 1997, 1998 ============================================ Basketball Team: AEK was the first ever Greek team to participate in the European Championships (now called the Euroleague) Final Four, in 1966, which was held in Bologna, Italy. Two years later, AEK was the first-ever Greek team, not only to reach a European Cup Final, but also to win a European title. On April 4, 1968, AEK defeated Slavia Prague by a score of 89-82, in Athens before 120,000 spectators, 80,000 watching from inside the stadium and 40,000 watching from outside (the Guinness world record in basketball attendance). Total titles: 13 Domestic competitions Greek Championship Winners (8): 1958, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 2002 Greek Cup Winners (3): 1981, 2000 European competitions Euroleague Runners-up (1): 1998 Saporta Cup Winners (2): 1968, 2000 http://www.aekfc.gr/index.asp?a_id=903

• published: 12 Nov 2013
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