Misplaced Pages

Panetolikos

Full name	Pan-Aetolian Gymnastic and Educational Club
Nickname(s)	Καναρίνια (Canaries) Τίτορμος (Titormus)
Founded	9 March 1926; 98 years ago (1926-03-09)
Ground	Panetolikos Stadium
Capacity	7,321
Owner	Fotis Kostoulas
President	Gerasimos Belevonis
Head coach	Giannis Petrakis
League	Super League Greece
2023–24	Super League Greece, 9th of 14
Website	http://www.panetolikos.gr/
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Panetolikos Football Club (Greek: ΠΑΕ Παναιτωλικός), or with its full name officially romanized as Panaitolikós Gymnastikós Filekpaideftikós Sýllogos (Greek: Παναιτωλικός Γυμναστικός Φιλεκπαιδευτικός Σύλλογος; Pan-Aetolian Gymnastic and Educational Club), is a Greek professional football club. It is based in Agrinio, Greece. Panetolikos was founded in 1926 and is considered one of the historical clubs in Greece, currently participating in the Greek First Division. Some of the most well known players that started their career in the club are Stratos Apostolakis, former Greek recordman in international caps (96), and Petros Michos.

Team colors are yellow and blue. The club's symbol is Titormus, the ancient Aetolian hero and their motto is "Τίτορμος Αιτωλός Ούτος Άλλος Ηρακλής" (Títormos Etolós Oútos Állos Iraklís), translated as Titormus the Aetolian is another Heracles.

History

Formation and early years

Panetolikos was founded on Tuesday March 9, 1926 with the purpose, as stated in its statutes: "The development and intensification of Gymnastic and Racing, The -ETHIC- supervision and the possible after-school education of minors, through childhood and EASTERN or Sunday schools". People had the idea of creating the club they did the act: "Healthy mind in a healthy body". The unprecedented thought and goal of the founders, to provide education to the needy children through its Night Schools, added in its title the word "Educational Educator" and became an example to imitate all the Associations in Greece. Beyond sports, his social offer was enormous in very difficult times. Hundreds of poor children learned letters at Night Schools that worked and cared for themselves in society. This athletico-social organization has written glory pages for Agrinio. Sections of classic sports, volleyball, basketball, shooting, etc. were created although its football team was the one loved by Aetolians and Akarnans.

In the season 1954–55, Panetolikos participated for the first time in his history at the Pan-Hellenic Championship, as the club finished in the first position of the southern group of the regional championship as one of the six teams that took part in his final stage. In the 1960s, Panetolikos played in the Second National Championship and after relegation to the local (1972), he returned dynamically. In the spring of 1975 celebrates the rise to Alpha Ethniki. Panetolikos fought two seasons (1975–1977) and followed an unsuccessful return attempt. It followed for about twenty years where it was in the smallest category to return to the period 1975–76. In the first class, Panetolikos remained in the following year (1976–77), but then returned to the lower classes where the club remained for more than 30 years. Seven years later, Panetolikos was relegated from the 2nd and in the period 1984–85, Panetolikos conquered the championship of Gamma Ethniki.

Panetolikos winning Delta Ethniki's championship in 1989, Gamma Ethniki's championship in 1992 and 1996, and one year after Panetolikos touches the dream of returning to Alpha Ethniki, which the powerful of the season deprives him. The new millennium finds him on a downward course and is relegated to Delta Ethniki.

Kostoulas era

In the summer of 2005, the new Greek owner Fotis Kostoulas, coming from Sweden and wanting to take the reins of the city team from which he came, presented his plans for the future of the club and followed a radical refurbishment of the stadium. More specifically, the following projects were completed by the end of 2006: new turf, construction of a shelter above the western pit, renovation of the interior (changing rooms, cafe-bar, clubs, boutique shops), construction of new newspapers and suites, On the two platforms, regeneration of the surrounding area. In addition, in 2009, a new roofed frieze was built with a capacity of about 120 distinct seats above the small east stand.

2008–09 Season: Promotion to Second Division

Panetolikos won an epic play-offs tie against fellow third-tier side Rodos to win promotion to the Beta Ethniki for the 2009–10 season. The tie was played in Athens at the Nea Smyrni Stadium, in front of full house, with 8,000 loyal fans traveling from Agrinio to support the team. After going down 1–0 early, the team staged an impressive fight back to win the game 2–1 with two goals in the last 5 minutes. Scenes of joy followed as one of the better-supported teams in rural Greece won promotion. Now in the Football League, Panetolikos continue to get terrific support, both home and away.

2010–11 Season: Promotion to the Super League

After terrific performances inside and outside Agrinio, Panetolikos won the last three critical matches (Ethnikos-Panetolikos 0–1, Panetolikos-Diagoras Rodou 3–0 and Ilioupoli-Panetolikos 2–3) and promoted to Super League. The team's 2010 performances have set new records for the Football League championship: point record (75 gathered after 34 games), away wins record (10 wins out of 23 total). Panetolikos had celebrated their promotion at home with a Friendly match against Panionios, a Super League team, on 20 May 2011.

2011–12 Season: Demotion to the Football League

After a very bad second round of results at the Super League, Panetolikos demoted to the Football League. The chairman of the club, Mr. Kostoulas after seven years, resigned from his position. After this, the whole board resigned. Most of the players left the club, said that they wanted to return to their countries, or they want to play for other teams with better contracts.

2012–13 Season: Promotion to the Super League

With Mr. Kostoulas again as a president, Panetolikos got promoted to the Super League via play-offs after six difficult games, especially the last one with Olympiacos Volos, which Panetolikos won 1–2. After the end of the game, the city of Agrinio celebrated the promotion until dawn.

2013–14 & 2014–15 Seasons

The team had its most successful year so far in the First Division, finishing in the 8th place. In 2014–15 season, form of the team improved and finished First Division as 7th.

2015–16 & 2016–17 Seasons

Panetolikos finished in the 11th place in 2016 as well as in 2017.

2017–18 Season

The team finished at 8th place with good performances.

Stadium

Panetolikos Stadium (Greek: Γήπεδο Παναιτωλικού -Gipedo Panetolikou) is a football stadium in Agrinio, Greece. It is currently used for football matches, mainly as the home stadium of Panetolikos. It is located at Prousiotissis Street and it holds 7,500 people. Its highest attendance was 11,012 people during a match against Olympiacos in 1977. There are plans to increase the seating capacity of the stadium to 8,800 spectators. Nowadays the average attendance is 6,000.

Panetolikos Stadium has three stands. It has been used as a football ground since 1930, however, the first stand (the small one) was not constructed until the mid-1950s. The main west stand was built in the 1970s. Unfortunately, in the years that followed little else happened to the stadium, which gradually fell into disrepair. This was the situation until 2005, when the new owner of the club, Fotis Kostoulas, revealed his plans for the complete reconstruction of the stadium.

Stadium Situation: 2006–2011

The stadium features plastic seats, the club's offices, Panetolikos' boutique and coffee shops.

2006: The big stand was completely renovated, a brand new stand with a modern roof.

2010: The small stand was renovated, in the center a second level of seats with a roof was added.

2011: Works have begun after the promotion of the team to Super League in order to increase the capacity of the stadium by 1,400 seats approximately. Plus, additional lighting was added. Recently the lighting has finished, with the power of each light at 1,600 lux, which more than satisfies the Greek Super League and UEFA's 4 stars (where a team can play UEFA Champions League games) requirements.

2017: Scoreboard is added, completing the current renovation plans.

2019: Recently the Region of Western Greece has approved plans of further upgrade of the stadium, with the adding of exhibition centers, new seating stands and many other features.

Facilities

Panetolikos' training center, named "Emileon", in Municipal Apartment of Dokimi, Agrinio. Emileon, the training center that escapes from Greek standards and is approaching the European. Α real jewel, not only for the "canaries", but also for Greek sports as a whole. A jewel made by the president of Panetolikos, Fotis Kostoulas. Soccer fields, swimming pools, courts, tennis, basketball and beach volleyball create a unique place. A place that is enjoyed not only by the football players, but also by the citizens of Agrinio.

Supporters

Even though Agrinio is a small city, Panetolikos supporters known as "The Warriors" & "Guerreros" are known for their loyalty to their team. Supporters can roughly be categorized to Gate 6 which represents the most radical and young part of the team's fanbase and other fan unions which attract less radical and older Panetolikos fans. First division promotion has set in motion more Panetolikos fan clubs in Aetoloakarnania and northern Greece (Thessaloniki). Up until now, the prestigious fan clubs of the team are:

Gate 6

• 1. Warriors (Fan club in Agrinio, since 1981)
• 2. Guerreros (Fan club in Athens)
• 3. Brooklyn (Fan club in Agrinio, area of St. Demetrius)

Other fan clubs

• 4. LE.FI.PA. (Club of Panetolikos Fans in Agrinio)
• 5. S.F.P (Club of Panetolikos Supporters in Agrinio)

Nicknames

Panetolikos was given the nickname The Canaries (Greek: Τα καναρίνια) in the 1960s, due to the team's colour. Panetolikos is very proud of its nickname, thus its mascot is a canary with the name PANETOS.

Panetolikos was also given the nickname Titormus, from the ancient hero.

Another nickname is Agriniotes, because the team is settled in Agrínio

21st century league performances

Honours

National (7)

• Football League (Second Division)
  • Championships (2): 1974–75, 2010–11
• Gamma Ethniki (Third Division)
  • Championships (3): 1984–85, 1991–92, 1995–96
• Delta Ethniki (Fourth Division)
  • Championships (2): 1988–89, 2003―04

Regional (2)

• Mainland Greece Championship
  • Championship (1): 1955
• Youth Team, South Greece championship, 2nd and 3rd National Division
  • Championship (1): 2007

Crest and colours

Panetolikos crest depicts Titormus, the ancient hero of Aetolia. The club's motto (also depicted on the crest) is Τίτορμος Αιτωλός Ούτος Άλλος Ηρακλής, translated as Titormus the Aetolian is another Heracles. The colours of the team are yellow and blue or cyan.

Crest evolution

• 2009-2016
• 2016–present

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Current sponsorships:

• Great Shirt Sponsor: Shopflix
• Official Sport Clothing Manufacturer: Givova
• Golden Sponsor: Interwetten

Players

Current squad

As of 15 August 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  GRE Michalis Pardalos 2 DF  GRE Michalis Bakakis (captain) 3 DF  GRE Chrysovalantis Manos 4 DF  GRE Epaminondas Pantelakis 5 DF  ROU Sebastian Mladen 6 MF  GRE Sotiris Kontouris 7 FW  SRB Andrija Majdevac 8 MF  GRE Christos Belevonis (third-captain) 10 MF  ARG Facundo Pérez (on loan from Lanús) 11 FW  LBN Daniel Lajud 13 GK  ARG Lucas Chaves (on loan from Argentinos Juniors) 15 FW  ARG Sebastián Lomonaco (on loan from Godoy Cruz) 16 DF  CYP Christos Sielis 17 FW  GRE Vasilios Kakionis 18 MF  GRE Giannis Bouzoukis

No. Pos. Nation Player 19 FW  GRE Alexandros Voilis 20 MF  COL Andrés Roa 21 GK  GRE Efthymis Papazois 22 DF  ESP Fermín Ruiz 23 DF  GRE Georgios Agapakis 24 DF  ARG Pedro Silva Torrejón 25 MF  PAR Sergio Díaz 26 DF  BIH Jasmin Čeliković (on loan from Akhmat Grozny) 32 GK  GRE Antonis Stergiakis 35 DF  GRE Charalampos Mavrias 45 DF  GRE David Galiatsos 49 DF  SRB Nikola Stajić 54 DF  GRE Georgios Liavas (vice-captain) 77 MF  GRE Vangelis Nikolaou 90 MF  POR Miguel Luís

Club staff

Executive
Majority owner	Fotis Kostoulas
Chairman	Gerasimos Belevonis
Vice-President	Thomas Spyrou
Board Member	Kostas Takos
Board Member	Georgios Sotiropoulos
First team staff
Sport director	Makis Belevonis
Team manager	Marko Markovski
Head coach	Giannis Petrakis
Assistant head coach	Giannis Katsoulis
Assistant head coach	Michalis Epitropakis
Fitness coach	Nikos Lekatsas
Goalkeeper coach	Luigi Cennamo
Analyst	Alekos Psylias
Physiotherapist	Apostolos Vetsas
Physiotherapist	Alexandros Korovesis
Physiotherapist	Alexandros El Bana
Under-20s & academy coaching staff
Academy manager	Luciano
Under 19s head coach	Georgios Tarasis
Under 17s head coach	Dimitris Theodosiou
Under 15s head coach	Panagiotis Benekos

League performances

• Point system: 1959–60 to 1972–73: 3–2–1. 1973–74 to 1991–92: 2–1–0. 1992–93 onwards: 3–1–0.

League Participation

• Super League Greece (13): 1975–1977, 2011–2012, 2013–present
• Football League (30): 1962–1972, 1973–1975, 1977–1984, 1985–1987, 1992–1993, 1996–2001, 2009–2011, 2012–2013
• Gamma Ethniki (15): 1972–1973, 1984–1985, 1987–1988, 1989–1992, 1993–1996, 2001–2002, 2004–2009
• Delta Ethniki (3): 1988–1989, 2002–2004

Notable former players

• David Addy
• Angelos Charisteas
• Dimitrios Papadopoulos

Managerial history

• Nikos Anastopoulos (2000–01)
• Panikos Georgiou (2001)
• Dragan Simeunović (2004)
• Vasilis Xanthopoulos (2004–05)
• Stathis Stathopoulos (2005–06)
• Lysandros Georgamlis (2006–07)
• Vasilis Dalaperas (2007)
• Myron Sifakis (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008)
• Christos Vasiliou (2008)
• Vasilis Dalaperas (2008)
• Spyros Marangos (2008)
• Vasilis Xanthopoulos (2008)
• Nikos Kehagias (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009)
• Vasilis Dalaperas (2009)
• Siniša Gogić (July 1, 2009 – Jan 20, 2010)
• Giannis Dalakouras (Jan 19, 2010 – Jan 6, 2011)
• Babis Tennes (Jan 6, 2011 – Feb 9, 2012)
• Takis Lemonis (Feb 9, 2012 – April 11, 2012)
• Giannis Dalakouras (April 12, 2012 – June 30, 2012)
• Nikos Karageorgiou (July 3, 2012 – Jan 23, 2013)
• Makis Chavos (Jan 23, 2013 – May 18, 2015)
• Leonel Pontes (June 9, 2015 – Sept 28, 2015)
• Giannis Matzourakis (Oct 8, 2015 – Jan 17, 2017)
• Makis Chavos (Jan 19, 2017 – Jan 7, 2018)
• Traianos Dellas (Jan 11, 2018 – April 19, 2019)
• Luís Castro (May 30, 2019 – Oct 11, 2019)
• Makis Chavos (Oct 16, 2019 – Oct 28, 2020)
• Luciano (Oct 28, 2020 – Nov 10, 2020)
• Traianos Dellas (Nov 10, 2020 – Jun 5, 2021)
• Giannis Anastasiou (Jun 10, 2021 – Jun 30, 2023)
• Gabriel Schürrer (Jul 1, 2023 – Oct 3,2023)

References

1. "Titormus, the Aetolian, the emblem of Panetolikos" (in Greek). panetolikosac.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
2. "1960s-1970s". panaitolikos.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
3. "Tribute to the 60s'-70s': The songs that were listening to the Panetolikos Stadium" (in Greek). sport-retro.gr. 3 July 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
4. "1974-75 season" (in Greek). agriniomemories.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
5. "Panetolikos' tribute" (in Greek). sport-retro.gr. 9 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
6. "13 years tribute of Fotis Kostoulas in Panetolikos" (in Greek). sinidisi.gr. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
7. "From "croissant season" to the years of appreciation!" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
8. "Panetolikos won the promotion in the barrage game" (in Greek). sport24.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
9. ""In the history will stay, Agrinio we did Nea Smyrni"! (vids)" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
10. "It seals the promotion" (in Greek). naftemporiki.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
11. "The festivities for the historic promotion of Panetolikos" (in Greek). sport24.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
12. "Panetolikos: In the lounges with...helicopter" (in Greek). nooz.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
13. "Spectacular fiesta" (in Greek). enet.gr. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
14. "Panetolikos took the derby" (in Greek). enet.gr. 9 June 2013. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
15. "Celebration of Agrinio is celebrating the promotion of Panetolikos" (in Greek). news.gr. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
16. "2013-14 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
17. "2014-15 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
18. "2015-16 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
19. "2016-17 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
20. "2017-18 Super League ratings" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
21. "Panetolikos Stadium" (in Greek). panetolikos.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
22. "The...cage of yesterday and today" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
23. "The projects on the Panetolikos Stadium are in progress" (in Greek). agrinionews.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
24. "Electronic board at the Panetolikos Stadium" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
25. "Emileon official website" (in Greek). emileon.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
26. "EMILEON: Amusement Center for Agrinio and Panetolikos Training Center" (in Greek). eleftheriaonline.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
27. "The ornament of Agrinio" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
28. "The Warriors, Gate 6" (in Greek). warriors6.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
29. "Guerreros' history" (in Greek). guerrerosathens.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
30. "Panetolikos' mascot" (in Greek). agriniobestof.gr. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
31. "Titormus the Aetolian" (in Greek). agrinionews.gr. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
32. "Panetolikos F.C. squad" (in Greek). Super League Greece. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2020.

External links

Official websites

• Official website (in Greek)
• Panetolikos at Super League (in English and Greek)
• Panetolikos at UEFA
• Panetolikos at FIFA

v t e Football in Greece
Overview	Hellenic Football Federation List of Unions Awards By number of titles List of clubs List of venues
National teams	Greece men U-23 U-21 U-20 U-19 U-18 U-17 Greece women W U–19 W U–17 Greece Beach Soccer men Military football team
League competitions	Super League 1 Super League 2 Football League (defunct) Gamma Ethniki Delta Ethniki (defunct) Local Championships FCA Winners' Championship Panhellenic Championship (defunct) Champions Youth Leagues Top goalscorers Super League Football League Women's top division
Cup competitions	Greek Cup Super Cup League Cup (defunct) Gamma Ethniki Cup Amateurs' Super Cup Amateurs Cup Women's Cup
Miscellaneous	P.O.K. Greek football clubs in European competitions

• Panetolikos F.C.
• Association football clubs established in 1926
• Football clubs in Western Greece
• 1926 establishments in Greece
• Agrinio
• Multi-sport clubs in Greece