PAYABL EKA AEL
PAYABL EKA AEL logo
Nickname"Η Βασίλισσα"
"The Queen"
LeaguesDelasport BIBL
OPAP Basket League
OPAP Basket Cup
Founded1967 (1967)
ArenaNicos Solomonides Arena
Capacity2,500
LocationLimassol, Cyprus
Team colorsYellow, Blue
   
Main sponsorPayabl.
EKA
PresidentMichael Loizides
Head coachKalia Papadopoulou
Team captainMarios Moniatis
Championships1 FIBA Europe Challenge Cup
13 National Championships
9 National Cups
8 Super Cups
Retired numbers1 (15)
Websitehttps://ael-bc.com

AEL Limassol Basketball Club (Greek: Αθλητική Ένωση Λεμεσού, romanized: Athlitiki Enosi Lemesou, lit. 'Athletic Union of Limassol'), also known as PAYABL EKA AEL for sponsorship reasons and commonly referred to as AEL, is a professional basketball team of the major multi sports club, AEL Limassol, based in Limassol, Cyprus. The basketball club, nicknamed "The Queen", is one of the founding members of the Cyprus Basketball Federation and in the years since, the club has established itself as the most successful basketball team in Cyprus.

Since the club's inception, it has experienced two separate periods of domestic dominance, retroactively branded as AEL's two "golden ages". The club's first golden age generally refers to the period between 1980 and 1989, during which AEL, under the leadership of player–coach Giorgos Thyrotos, won 12 domestic trophies. It was however during the second golden age (2003–2009), where the club enjoyed the most successful period in its history,[1] winning 15 major trophies in 7 years and setting Cypriot records for the number of national championships and Super Cups won in a row and for being the only sports club in Cyprus to have ever clinched a European title, having won the 2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup.[2][3] Throughout its history, the club has participated in 54 competitive finals both domestically and internationally, from which AEL has won a total of 37 major trophies consisting of 13 Division A titles, 9 Cypriot Cups, 8 Super Cups, 1 FIBA Europe Challenge Cup, 4 Division B titles and 2 Division B Cups.[4]

From the start of the 2002–03 season, until the end of the 2009–2010 season, AEL boasted an average win percentage of 62.38% for their European games and they also managed to advance to at least the knockout phases of the FIBA EuroChallenge in each of these seasons, with the 2008 and 2009 seasons being of particular note, where the team qualified for the Final Four phase of the tournament, finishing in 3rd and 4th place respectively. During these successful campaigns, AEL also managed to defeat several European basketball giants across various iterations of FIBA Europe's top-tier continental competition, securing important victories against teams such as, Fenerbahçe S.K., Virtus Bologna, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, PAOK B.C., Real Betis, BC Khimki, Bandırma B.İ.K., BC Spartak Saint Petersburg, PBC Lokomotiv Kuban, Paris Basket Racing, Ural Great, Azovmash Mariupol, G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki and CB Estudiantes.

Certain notable players that once played for the club include Georgios Thyrotos, Duane Woodward, Milutin Aleksić, Frankie King, Giorgos Palalas, Haris Mujezinović, Remon van de Hare, Bruno Šundov, JamesOn Curry, Kenny Gabriel, Karim Souchu, Goran Nikolić, Michael Antonio "Mike" King, Bryan Bracey, Michael McDonald, Michalis Kounounis, Ilian Evtimov, Goran Jeretin, Vassil Evtimov, Kęstutis Šeštokas and Giannis Giannoulis.

History

Founding, early years & First Golden Age (1966–1988)

Team at Oasis Court in 1975.

The basketball department of AEL was founded in 1966[5] with Michalis Nikolaidis being the pioneer and coach and the club was one of the founding members of the Cyprus Basketball Federation.[6] Nikolaidis,

himself being a high school teacher of physical education, recruited his most promising students (such as Georgios Thyrotos, Panikos Evzonas, Spyros Antoniou, Donis Kounounis, Andros Michaelides, Andreas Katsampis, etc.) he considered suitable and formed the first basketball team of AEL, which was based in the open court in "Oasis" located in Gladstonos Street, Limassol. Nicolaides worked very hard and methodically to produce a talented batch of basketball players.[6][7][4]

The first distinction for AEL came in 1972, when they finished second in the Cyprus Basketball League, behind the most dominant team of that period, PAEEK Kyrenia, while in 1973 AEL played in its first cup final, losing to APOEL. Despite the fact that both opportunities to bring silverware to the club had failed, it was obvious that the foundations had been laid and the team was ready to take the next massive "leap".[7] The following year, in 1974, the team celebrated its first Cypriot Championship, with Dimitris Palalas, Lakis Silvestros, Giorgos Fotas and Michalis Loizidis slowly being added to the roster.[7]

Two more doubles followed, in 1978 and 1980, and from 1981 the technical leadership was taken over by captain George Thyrotos, who had a double role as a player and coach. Thyrotos – AEL's primary flag bearer for three decades – played for the club from 1967 until 1987 and following his retirement as a player, he carried on exclusively as head coach until 1989.[6][7]

The next batch of up and coming players that were to become the new stars of the team were Antonis Evzonas, Marios Thrasyvoulidis, Michalis Hadjineofytou, Stavros Stavrou, Marios Georgiou, Frikos Karagiannis, Melios Athanasiadis.[7] With these players, AEL won three more doubles (1982, 1983, 1985) and rightfully earned the nickname "Queen" of Cyprus basketball.[7]

Club legend, the late George Thyrotos participated in the AEL B.C. team during this era as a player (1967–80), as a player-manager (1980–87) and as head coach (1987–89).[4] Throughout this period, Thyrotos managed to secure multiple major trophies[7] for the club in each of these separate roles. For this reason, Thyrotos, who wore the number 15 jersey when playing for the club, is often considered AEL B.C.'s greatest player.[8][9][10][4] AEL became the dominant team in Cyprus in the 1980s, a decade in which it won twelve major trophies in total[11] (six national championships, four Cypriot Cups, and two Super Cups). Due to these unprecedented (as they were at the time) domestic successes, this has resulted in the time period between 1980 and 1989 being retroactively dubbed by the club itself as AEL's "First Golden Age".[6][7][4]

First Golden Age (1980–1988)
Season Cyprus Division A Cypriot Cup Cypriot Super Cup FIBA Saporta Cup FIBA Korać Cup
1979–80 W W DNQ ––– –––
1980–81 Playoffs W PR
1981–82 W W –––
1982–83 W W PR
1984–85 W PR W PR
1986–87 W F DNQ ––– PR
1987–88 W PR F PR –––
1988–89 Playoffs PR W PR
  Winners;   Runner-up;   Final Four;   Knockout Round; DNQ = Did Not Qualify

Decline, relegation & return to glory (1989–2001)

(l-r): Dimitris Palalas, Jonathan Roberts, Michael Loizides and Stavros Georgiou (circa 1992)

In the early 1990s, however, the team had begun to display signs of its decline. This was due in part to the retirements of the great players of the 1980s as well as the loss of two star players, Antonis Evzonas and Frikos Karagiannis, who had been transferred to other teams (POL and Keravnos). Another factor which greatly influenced the team's decline was that other Cypriot teams started to sign foreign players and whilst AEL also participated in this practice, the misjudgment of many events brought the team to its knees and it was eventually relegated to the second division in 1992.[7]

Stavros Grigoriou, Dimitris Palalas, Marios Thrasyvoulides who took over the technical leadership at times could not impose what they wanted. The following year they returned to the top-tier undefeated and in 1994 they began a major reconstruction effort, with a strong focus on developing robust infrastructure departments, from which the talents of the next decade emerged, such as Georgios Palalas, Michalis Kounounis, Rakis Karagiannis, Lauris Hadjivassiliou and George Nikolaou, amongst others.[7][6]

By the summer of 1996, George Triantaphyllides was hired at the helm of the technical leadership. The fans of AEL, disappointed by the relegation of the football team, found "refuge" in the basketball team. The passion of George Triantaphyllides for basketball in combination with the unwavering support from the basketball club played a massive role in AEL B.C.'s subsequent successes.[7] Despite the seemingly abysmal start to millennium for AEL, the club nevertheless managed to close the decade with moderate success, by reaching the 1998–99 Cypriot Basketball Cup Final, against Keravnos B.C. Even though AEL lost the game by 78–49, the team's significant overhaul during the mid-1990s was finally beginning to yield results on the court and it was becoming all the more apparent that AEL was on the cusp of another "golden era".[11][12]

Second Golden Age & various European successes (2002–2009)

The initial Dragan Raca era (2002–2005)

2003 FIBA Challenge Cup victory celebrations.

In 2002, AEL appointed Dragan Raca as head coach, a former player of the club that had retired from playing at the end of the 2001–02 CBL season, with his managerial duties commencing from the start of the 2002–2003 season. As the season progressed, it was becoming all the more apparent that with Raca's coaching prowess, in combination with the technical abilities possessed by the club's three star players at the time, Georgios Palalas, Michalis Kounounis and Duane Woodward, AEL was a force to be reckoned with and a serious title contender at least on a domestic level. Against all odds, on the 13th February 2003, AEL was crowned with its only European title after winning the newly established 2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup (South Conference).[1][11]

AEL clinched the title with an astonishing record of 10 victories in 10 games. The victory signalled the beginning of the team's European successes in the years that were to follow and between 2002 and 2010, AEL enjoyed the most successful period in its history once again retaining its title as the "Queen of Cypriot Basketball".[11][1] The particular tournament was only organised in this format for one season. It was thereafter merged with the FIBA Europe Champions Cup to form the FIBA Europe Cup (2003–2005). The list of winners of FIBA's Conference South include AEL, Aris B.C., PBC Academic, Tuborg Pilsener, Banvit.[13] Following their unexpected success in the Challenge Cup, they were awarded a berth in the FIBA Europe League and in the following season, AEL officially made their debut at the top level of FIBA Europe competitions.[14] AEL retained the services of their previous season's top scorer in the Cup (Dwayne Woodward with an average 26.7 PPG) as well as the services of local up-and-coming star Konstantinos Perentos (with an average 12 PPG and 4 RPG in the previous season).[14]

Former Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard, Frankie King playing for the club.

In the season that followed, AEL participated as Cypriot champions in the newly established FIBA Europe League whereby they qualified from the group phase after eliminating both Peristeri and Paris Basket Racing. However, the club was subsequently eliminated by Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Round of 16.[14] Domestically AEL won the treble by winning the Cypriot Championship, Cypriot Basketball Cup and Cypriot Super Cup.They faced Keravnos in the championship final and although the first game of the series was very tight with the Nicosia team managing a 99–96 win, the second game was held in front of a capacity crowd in Lemesos and EKA AEL were unstoppable offensively. They defeated Keravnos 103–70. The third game proved to be the most significant of the series. EKA AEL travelled to Nicosia knowing that an away win would almost certainly guarantee the second successive championship. The Lemesos team once again rose to the occasion and played attractive basketball. The final score was 96–110 for EKA AEL. The final game of the Cyprus play-offs, as it proved to be, took place in Lemesos on 16 April 2004. All 3.000 tickets for the game were sold-out several days in advance.[15] In 2004–05, AEL secured another double by winning both the Cypriot Division A and Super Cup. They also came close to repeating their previous achievement during the 2004–05 FIBA Europe League, but, despite being tied in victories with 4th-placed Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C., they were behind on points differential statistics and thus finished 5th (the top four teams qualify to the next round), and were eliminated from the competition in the group phase.[16]

Fortmer center of Charlotte Hornets, Michael McDonald

During the 2005–06 FIBA EuroCup (when the competition changed format) AEL passed the first group round by finishing second, eliminating PAOK BC and Kallev Tallinn. However, after reaching the second round (round of 16), the team finished last in the group and were eliminated from that season's competition.[17] Despite the fact that the club was facing tougher opposition in comparison to the opposition it had faced in previous European campaigns, the effort to reach the quarter-finals was finally achieved during the 2006–07 Basketball season.[17][18]

The group that AEL were drawn in the first round of that year's competition included former European Champions Virtus Bologna, french giants, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and Astronauts Amsterdam.[17][18] Given the strength of AEL's opposition, very few believed that AEL had a chance to qualify to the next round. However, after a surprise victory against Virtus Bologna with a scoreline of 88–83, followed by an upset against the French giants Villeurbanne by 84–58, the club came 2nd in their group and achieved the unimaginable by qualifying to the second round with four wins and two losses in total.[17] Unlike the previous season, in which AEL finished with 0 points in the second round, in the 2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, AEL who were in the same group with CB Estudiantes, Liege Basket and BC Šiauliai, finished second with 5 victories and 1 defeat – tied with the Estudiantes because of the matches between them. AEL beat Estudiantes 63–62 in order to reach the quarter-finals.[18] AEL made it all the way to the EuroCup Quarter-Finals before getting ousted by Ukrainian side Azovmash Mariupol in the three-game play-off series, the best ever performance of a Cypriot club in any European club competition at the time.[17][18] Indeed, the club's dream to reach the Final Four stage of FIBA's top-tier competition, still remained elusive to them as they were eliminated from the competition by the Ukrainian team Azovmash 2–1 in victories. AEL won at home 85–79 but were beaten away 88–63 and 97–69.[17][18]

Organising the FIBA EuroCup All-Star Day Limassol & interest to join Greek A1 Basketball League (2006–2008)

Milutin Aleksic playing for AEL.

AEL also played a detrimental role in FIBA's decision to host the FIBA EuroCup All-Star Day in Limassol for three consecutive seasons (2006–2008).[19] Previous iterations of the All Star games were held in Kyiv and Nicosia.[20] The tournament was played from 2004 until 2008, and during each iteration, the AEL team made various contributions to the rosters of the two competing teams, Rest of World & Europe. Namely, AEL's coach, Dragan Raca, was selected as coach of Europe's All Star team on two occasions, in 2004 and 2005.[21][22] Indeed, Milutin Aleksić was selected on three separate occasions to represent the latter team (2006, 2007, 2008) whereas Michalis Kounounis was also selected once during Europe's 2005 All–Star team as was Michael McDonald, who was selected to represent the 2005 Rest of World team. Duane Woodward was selected to play on behalf of rest of world on two occasions (2004, 2008), on one occasion playing against Giorgos Palalas who was selected as part of Europe's 2004 All Star team. Frankie King also was selected for the Rest of World All Star team in 2007. Finally, Ryan Randle took part in and won the 2007 FIBA EuroCup All-Star Day Slam-Dunk Contest.[23][24][25]

In addition to the above, during the 2008 off-season, AEL B.C. officials indicated that they would be interested in abandoning the Cyprus Basketball Division A to join the Greek A1 Basketball League, commencing from the 2008–09 season. However, despite AEL's interest having been warmly received by officials from the Hellenic Basketball Association, the club ultimately opted against the move.[26]

Transformation from EuroChallenge contenders to EuroChallenge favourites (2008–2009)

Karim Souchou during EuroChallenge clash against B.C. Spartak Saint Peteresburg.

It was during the two consecutive seasons that were to follow where AEL boasted perhaps its greatest European achievements.[27] During the 2007–08 FIBA EuroChallenge season, AEL achieved a EuroChallenge season record of 8-2 (both losses occurring on the road and by a maximum margin of five points), Additionally, AEL successfully maintained an average of 81.9 PPG, with an average OPPG of 71.8, which was the highest average margin of all the Final Four teams in that season. It also marked the first time AEL lost a home game in the EuroCup since 31 January 2006.[28] Furthermore, AEL's star player, Milutin Aleksic, lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals and during this season, Aleksić held that season's highest field goal percentage in a single game by connecting on all of his nine shots from the field in AEL's 103–80 win over KK Zagreb.[28] AEL also drew more fouls than any other club in the EuroChallenge (25.3 fouls per game), and stole more balls than any other club in that season's EuroChallenge (10.3 steals per game).[28] Following a decisive 2–0 victory against Khmik in the Quarter Finals.[29] AEL would then eventually progress to the 2008 FIBA Europe Cup Final 4, facing Dexia Mons-Hainaut in the semi-final, however AEL surprisingly lost the match by 70–55. They nevertheless claimed 3rd place in that season's competition, after having defeated Tartu Rock in the consolation final.[28]

During the 2008-09 FIBA EuroChallenge season, Dragan Raca led AEL into the EuroChallenge Final Four for a second season in a row and the team was looking like it had regained its confidence following the disappointment during last season's competition. Despite AEL's European achievement that season, AEL faced a string of disappointing results in the domestic league, which eventually culminated in AEL losing 2–0 in the Cypriot league play-off semi-finals to APOEL.[30]

Due to the team's poor domestic performances, AEL decided to sack Raca and his assistant coaches Mike Protics and Thanasis Mastoris. Immediately following Raca's sacking by the club, AEL appointed Serbian coach, Miroslav Nikolic, in time for the Final 4 phase of the competition, this time being held in Bologna, Italy.[30] However, this last minute managerial change would eventually prove to be fruitless, as AEL lost in the Semi Final to Virtus Bologna by 83–69. The club also lost against Triumph Lyubertsy during the consolation final by 94-82 and finished the tournament in 4th place.[30]

Second Golden Age (2002–2009)
Season Cyprus Division A Cypriot Cup Cypriot Super Cup FIBA EuroChallenge FIBA Challenge Cup
2002–03 W SF W ––– W
2003–04 W W F L16 –––
2004–05 W 1R W L32
2005–06 W F W L16
2006–07 W F W QF
2007–08 SF W W 3rd
2008–09 SF W W 4th
  Winners;   Runner-up;   Final Four;   Knockout Round; DNQ = Did Not Qualify

Descent into obscurity, dissolution & reformation (2010–2017)

Palalas playing for AEL during the 2010–11 season.

Following various administrational changes that occurred between 2008 and 2012,[31] combined with the sudden departure of most of the club's key players, AEL's on-court performances struggled greatly, which left the formerly unstoppable force of Cypriot basketball looking like a shadow of its former self.[31]

In addition to these issues, during the 2012–13 season, the club was also experiencing financial difficulties and at the end of the regular Basket League season, AEL finished in 6th place (out of 8 teams), thereby missing out on the League playoffs.[32] In October 2014, the club announced that the basketball section would be dissolved due to mounting financial difficulties.[33] However, despite the club's initial decision to dissolve the basketball team, AEL Limassol nevertheless announced that it would re-establish the club for the following season with the team competing in Cyprus Basketball Division B.[34] The financial difficulties that the club faced still continued to burden the newly formed team and the Cyprus Basketball Federation prohibited AEL from joining the Cypriot top-flight as long as the club's debts remained unsettled and irrespective of whether they managed to achieve qualification via their final Division B position.[35]

Ironically, AEL won the Division B championship three years in a row (2015, 2016, 2017), as well as the Division B Cup twice (2015, 2016).[35][36] Nevertheless, the club had no choice but to continue competing in the Cypriot second division while the club's financial struggles persisted, eventually leading the club to the brink of collapse for a second time at the end of the 2016–17 season.[34]

Return to Division A & reaching two Cup finals (2018–2022)

Constantinos Grivas playing for AEL in 2022.

With another dissolution appearing imminent, a consortium of around 20 local businessmen and AEL supporters took control of the basketball club and thereafter formed a limited liability company (AEL Basketball Ltd).[37] The club, benefitted by the new corporate structure, managed to settle a significant amount of its unpaid debts with the scope for the club to finally return to Cypriot Basketball Division A.

In September 2018, under new administration, the club returned to the Cypriot top flight following a 5-year hiatus. During the team's first season back at the top-tier of Cypriot Basketball, ageing club legend, Giorgos Palalas, who was contemplating his retirement following the end of the 2017–18 season, instead chose to rejoin the newly formed team for the 2018–19 season after which he decided to retire from playing.[38][39][40] Since then, the club's final league positions for the 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons were 5th, 8th, 9th, 7th and 5th, respectively.[36][41]

During this period, the club also reached the 2022 Cypriot Cup final but they were ultimately unable to claim the trophy, losing the game to Keravnos B.C. by a scoreline of 87–55.[42] By reaching the 2022 cup final, AEL also qualified for the 2022 Cypriot Super Cup final once again against Keravnos (who were the 2021–22 double winners), however AEL also lost this match by a scoreline of 89–74.[43][44]

Gradual improvements & participation in the Balkan International Basketball League (2023–)

Kalia Papadopoulou giving instructions during clash with KK Pjlevjla in the 2023–24 BIBL.

The club currently competes in Cyprus Basketball Division A and the Cypriot Basketball Cup. Additionally, in 2023, PAYABLEKA AEL were invited to compete in the Balkan International Basketball League, a European regional basketball competition that features a closed league format.[45] This marks the club's return to European basketball competitions following a 14-year absence.[45]

In AEL's first match of the 2023–24 Division A season, the team was defeated by reigning double–champions, AEK, in a 94–96 game thriller that was decided after two overtime stoppages at Nicos Solomonides.[46][47][48] Following this closely tied league match, AEL then faced the 2022–23 Cypriot Cup & 2023 Super Cup runners–up, Anorthosis Famagusta away from home, losing the match 91–78.[49][50] AEL's first league victory came in their third match against their old rivals, ETHA Engomis, defeating them by a scoreline of 81–63.[51] During their fourth league game against arch-rivals, Apollon,[52] AEL secured an impressive victory away from home,[53] beating Apollon by 94–90.[54][55] In their fifth OPAP Basket League game of the season, AEL beat historic basketball club, PAEEK by 92–71 at Nicos Solomonides Arena.[56][57] In their sixth Basket League game of the season, AEL secured their fourth consecutive victory after beating Keravnos by 80–74 away from home,[58][59] thereby ascending to the top of the regular season table with Jordan Shepherd managing 37 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.[60][61] AEL maintained its position at the top of the Basket League table by beating APOP by 82–53, the team's fifth consecutive victory for the 2023–24 OPAP Basket League season.[62][63][64] AEL's unbeaten run in the Basket League was further extended after defeating Enosis Neon Paralimni away from home by 78–70 in their eighth match of the season, extending their streak to six consecutive victories.[65][66]

Jordan Shepherd during AEL's debut in the 2023–24 Delasport BIBL.

On 21 November 2023, AEL began their 2023–24 BIBL campaign in Limassol with a stellar performance,[67][68] securing a fifty-one point margin in their victory[67] over Montenegrin club and fellow BIBL newcomers, KK Pljevlja by 93–42.[69][70][71] On 28 November 2023, AEL once again defeated KK Pljevlja in their return match in Montenegro by a score of 72–51, thus securing their second consecutive victory in the 2023–24 BIBL season and raising their win-streak to eight consecutive victories in all competitions.[72][73] Following the strong start to their 2023–24 season, on 30 November 2023 AEL next faced Montenegrin side, KK Lovćen, in their third Delasport BIBL match of the season, once again playing away from home in Cetinje, Montenegro. Despite a strong start to the game, AEL ultimately lost to the Montenegrin side by a three point margin (78–75).[74][75][76] This marks the team's first defeat of the 2023–24 BIBL season and AEL's first defeat since their 15 October 2023 away defeat to Anorthosis B.C. in the OPAP Basket League, thereby bringing a stop to AEL's eight game win streak (in all competitions).[77]

Recent years (2018–present)
Season Division A Cypriot Cup Super Cup Delasport BIBL W L Win% Pts + Pts – + / –
2018–19 5th 1R DNQ ––– 7 15 31.82% 1633 1695 –62
2019–20 8th n/a[lower-alpha 1] 16 4 12 25.00% 1120 1264 –144
2020–21 9th 1R n/a[lower-alpha 2] 1 17 5.56% 1189 1434 –245
2021–22 7th F DNQ 12 14 46.15% 2051 2165 –114
2022–23 5th 1R F 10 12 45.45% 1841 1875 –34
2023–24[lower-alpha 3] 5th TBD DNQ 2nd 8 3 72.73% 919 779 +140
Total 42 73 36.52% +8753 –9212 –459
  Winners;   Runner-up;   Final Four;   Knockout Round; DNQ = Did Not Qualify

Indoor arena

Nicos Solomonides circa 2005

During the first years of the club's existence, their home ground was the open court "Oasis", located in Gladstone Street, Limassol. By the 1990s however, AEL began playing their games at their new stadium near Franklin Roosevelt Street, Limassol. This stadium however had a capacity of 1,000 spectators and, given the sport's accelerating growth in popularity in Cyprus, meant that an expansion of the stadium was necessary and from 2002 until 2005, while the renovation works were underway, the club temporarily moved to Apollon's stadium.[7]

Since the 2004–05 season, AEL play their home games at their privately owned arena, (named the Nicos Solomonides Arena[lower-alpha 4]) which has a total seating capacity of 2,500 seats.[78][79] In October 2005, FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin was present during the opening ceremony of AEL's new arena in order to officiate the opening ceremony of the stadium for competitive play for the 2005–06 season. AEL began its tenure at the Arena with a victory, beating Estonian side BC Kalev 67–49 in the EuroCup.[78]

At the moment, Nicos Solomonides Arena is also home to the club's offices, official club shop, an AEL themed cafe-restaurant named "Yellow Pride Cafe", a workout area and 12 VIP boxes. The arena also houses club offices for AEL's other sports departments.[78] The arena was named after the late Nicos Solomonides, one of the founders of AEL Limassol and a former president of the club.[78]

The arena is more commonly referred to by basketball fans as "To Klouvi" (Greek: Το Κλουβί, lit. 'The Cage'), which refers to the claustrophobic atmosphere that is created when the stadium is at maximum attendance.[80] On occasion, various critics have asserted that due to the close proximity between the players and AEL's supporters,[81][82][45] the atmosphere in the Arena may discourage opponent teams during live play, thereby creating an unfair disadvantage for the visitor team.[81][82][45] During the official press conference immediately prior to the commencement of the Final Four phase of the 2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Theirry Wilquin, team manager of Dexia Mons-Hainaut (one of the four participating teams), stated the following in anticipation of AEL and Dexia's impending semi-final match:[83]

"We're here to win. In any situation you meet a team as strong as AEL you have 50-50 chance to win. When you play them at home it turns to 75-25 in their favor. Their fans give them a big advantage."[83]

Nicos Solomonides Arena.

Discussing the arena's supposed home-court advantage during the 2007–08 FIBA EuroCup season, former EuroCup All-Star and AEL B.C. legend, Milutin Aleksić, stated the following in an interview with FIBA Europe:[29]

"This is a very hard place to play. Just look at the good teams we haven't lost to here. (Virtus) Bologna, Estudiantes, Azovmash, (Asvel) Villeurbanne - a lot came last year and lost. That means we have very big home advantage."[29]

In 2022, the club announced its intention to build a museum dedicated to the achievements of the various departments of AEL sports club, which will include among others, the club's trophy cabinet, framed photographs from historic events/games, a display collection featuring historic basketball jerseys worn by AEL B.C. as well as the jerseys worn by their European opponents during the club's second golden age.[84]

Supporters & rivalries

Members of SYFAEL

The organised supporters group of AEL Limassol is SYFAEL (Greek: ΣΥ.Φ.ΑΕΛ – Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων ΑΕΛ, lit. 'AEL Supporters Association'), otherwise known as Thyra 3 (Greek: ΘΥΡΑ 3, lit. 'Gate 3').[85] Founded in 1989, they are one of the largest and most historic organised fan clubs in Cyprus. They also support other clubs within the AEL sports club, particularly the football and volleyball clubs.[85]

As is the case with the football department of the club, AEL B.C. share a strong rivalry with fellow Limassol basketball club, Apollon B.C. The club also shares fierce rivalries with Nicosia clubs, APOEL B.C. and Omonia B.C. Although the latter two teams' football counterparts have dominated in terms of trophies won, contrastingly AEL is the most successful basketball team in Cyprus. SYFAEL are well known for the passionate atmosphere they create when the team plays at home at Nicos Solomonides Arena, particularly in European games and when facing arch-rivals APOEL B.C.[86][87]

During the 2000s, prior to the club's eventual dissolution, the rivalry between the supporters groups of both AEL and APOEL became even more heated and there was a significant rise in incidents of hooliganism during derby games.[88][89][90] On one occasion, members of SYFAEL attacked the APOEL team bus, breaking the bus windows and injuring two APOEL staff members in the process.[91][92]

Nevertheless, since the club's initial dissolution, the rate of hooligan—related incidents at basketball events had drastically decreased, as had the public interest in the sport in general. However, since SYFAEL's return to the arena (from the 2022–23 season), the sport's domestic popularity has gradually increased, as have the incidents of fan violence.[93][94] SYFAEL did not attend any of AEL's matches during the club's recent reformation (2018—19, 2019—20, 2020–21, 2021—22) after choosing to abstain from attending matches in protest of the new mandatory fan identification cards imposed by the C.S.O. – Cyprus Sports Organisation (Greek: Κ.Ο.Α. – Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Αθλητισμού).[92]

AEL B.C. supporters celebrating with players after the team's first ever match in the Delasport BIBL.

SY.F.AEL have also accompanied the club to various European destinations to show their support, gaining admiration from professional Basketball Organisations such as representatives from FIBA Europe, the Cyprus Basketball Federation and the Director of the Balkan International Basketball League.[45][82] Announcing AEL's participation in the 2023–24 Balkan League season, former FIBA referee and current BIBL Sports Director Shay Shtriks, stated the following:[45]

"AEL is a historic and very successful team in Cyprus and a very well-known entity in Europe also with great achievements in the past and truly amazing supporters! I had the chance to witness this myself several times during my times as International FIBA referee and since then AEL and the people of Limassol have a special place in my heart."[45]

The club's supporters also share rivalries with Apollon B.C.,[95] Omonoia B.C. as well as a shared friendly rivalry with Keravnos B.C., the latter of whom are also one of the most successful basketball teams in Cyprus.[96]

Colours & crest history

2023–24 Home Kit (BIBL matches only)

AEL traditionally wear yellow jerseys and yellow shorts when playing at home and navy blue jerseys and navy blue shorts when playing away. As from the 2023–24 BIBL season, AEL's home uniform consists of a black jersey with yellow/blue accents and black shorts with yellow/blue stripes.

From the basketball club's inception in 1967 up until the end of the 2004–05 season, AEL B.C. used the same logo as its parent club (as did all departments of AEL sports club). This logo consisted of an outer navy blue ring containing therein a yellow circle bearing the circularly shaped initials of the club (ΑΕΛ) in navy blue.

Since 2005 however, all of the departments of AEL sports club have adopted unique logos to differentiate between each separate department. AEL B.C.'s original logo was re-worked so as it contained a stylized basketball in the center of the logo which is encircled by an additional ring containing the words "BASKETBALL" and "1967”, denoting the year the club was founded.

Additionally, a star was added above the logo commemorating the 10 championship titles AEL had won throughout its history (a feat achieved in the previous season).[97]

As of 23 September 2022, AEL's logo featured an additional second star to commemorate its 2003 FIBA Europe Challenge Cup title.[98]

Mascot

Leontas ("The Lion")

Leontas (Greek: Λέοντας, romanized: Lēontas, lit. 'Lion'") is the first official mascot of AEL B.C. He entertained fans of all ages during game breaks, gave away presents, and participated in all entertainment events inside the court. Leontas was featured consistently from the late 1990s[99] until approximately 2010 in the team's European games hosted at the Nicos Solomonides Arena, standing near the club's organised supporters and even participating in the supporters chants sung during matches.[99]

The mascot was, however, retired for a period of time as a result of AEL's financial struggles and eventual dissolution in the 2010s. Indeed, Leontas did not appear in any of the team's matches for more than a decade, until his return on 21 November 2023 in the club's debut in the 2023–24 Balkan International Basketball League.[100]

Players

2023–24 PAYABL EKA AEL roster

As of 25th November 2023.[101][102]
PlayersCoaches
meHt.
F 32 United States Henry, Phil 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
PG 13 Cyprus Moniatis, Marios 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
PF 30 Cyprus Georgiou, Marios 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
G 7 United States Shepherd, Jordan 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
PG 23 Cyprus Christofides, Michalis 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
G 11 Cyprus Armakolas, Georgios 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
SG 1 Cyprus Markou, Panagiotis 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
PG 12 Cyprus Evzonas, Christos 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
G/F 3 Cyprus Vakis, Alexios 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
PG 5 United States McClure, Kyran 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
C 22 Canada Makuoi, Adong 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
PF 24 United States Flowers, Tyrn 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
Head Coach

Kalia Papadopoullou (CYP)

Assistant Coach

Vassilis Tasias (CYP)

Team captain (C)

Marios Moniatis (CYP)

Honours

Continental competitions

Domestic competitions

  • Winners (13) (record): 1973–74, 1977–78, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1987–88, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07[104]
  • Runners-up (3): 2000–01, 2009–10, 2010–11[104][105]
  • Winners (9): 1977–78, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982—83, 1984–85, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2008–09[12]
  • Runners-up (9): 1972–73, 1976–77, 1986–87, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2010–11, 2021–22[12]
  • Winners (8): 1985, 1988, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009[106]
  • Runners-up (5): 1987, 2004, 2011, 2012, 2022[106]
  • Winners (4): 1992–93, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
  • Winners (2): 2015–16, 2016–17

Continental campaigns

The table below is a list AEL's performances in their European Campaigns:[107]

Season Tier Competition Pos. GP W L Win %
2023–24[lower-alpha 5] n/a Delasport BIBL 2nd 3 2 1 66.67%
2009–10 3 FIBA EuroChallenge L16 12 4 8 33.33%
2008–09 3 FIBA EuroChallenge 4th 20 14 [lower-alpha 6] 5 70.00%
2007–08 3 FIBA EuroCup 3rd 12 9 3 75.00%
2006–07 3 FIBA EuroCup QF 15 10 5 66.67%
2005–06 3 FIBA EuroCup L16 12 5 7 41.67%
2004–05 3 FIBA Europe League L32 14 8 6 57.14%
2003–04 3 FIBA Europe League L16 14 7 7 50.00%
2002–03 4 FIBA Challenge Cup W 10 10 0 100%
2001–02 3 FIBA Korac Cup 2R 8 2 6 25.00%
2000–01 3 FIBA Korac Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1999–00 3 FIBA Korac Cup 1R 2 0 2 0.00%
1998–99 3 FIBA Korac Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1997–98 3 FIBA Korac Cup PR 6 1 5 16.67%
1991–92 3 FIBA Korac Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1988–89 2 FIBA Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1987–88 2 FIBA Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1986–87 3 FIBA Korac Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1983–84 2 FIBA Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1982–83 2 FIBA Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1980–81 2 FIBA Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1978–79 2 FIBA Saporta Cup PR 6 0 6 0.00%
Total 152 72 79 47.37%

  Winners   Runner-up   Final Four

PR = Preliminary Round;

1R = First Round;

2R = Second Round;

TBD = To be determined;

 L32 = Last 32;

L16 = Last 16;

QF = Quarter Finals;

GS = Group Stage.

Participations in European Final Four

2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Final Four (Limassol)

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
12 Feb. 2003
 
 
Cyprus Apollon Limassol B.C.52
 
13 Feb. 2003
 
Cyprus EKA AEL73
 
Cyprus EKA AEL92
 
12 Feb. 2003
 
Bosnia and Herzegovina Igokea82
 
Bosnia and Herzegovina Igokea79
 
 
Romania ACS Progresul Pecica64
 

2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, Final Four (Limassol)

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
18 April
 
 
Estonia Tartu University Rock82
 
20 April
 
Latvia Barons LMT88
 
Latvia Barons LMT63
 
18 April
 
Belgium Dexia Mons-Hainaut62
 
Belgium Dexia Mons-Hainaut70
 
 
Cyprus Proteas EKA AEL55
 
Third place
 
 
20 April
 
 
Estonia Tartu University Rock70
 
 
Cyprus Proteas EKA AEL79

2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Final Four (Bologna)

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
 
 
 
France Cholet81
 
 
 
Russia Triumph Lyubertsy78
 
France Cholet75
 
 
 
Italy Virtus Bologna77
 
Italy Virtus Bologna83
 
 
Cyprus Proteas EKA AEL69
 
Third place
 
 
 
 
 
Russia Triumph Lyubertsy94
 
 
Cyprus Proteas EKA AEL82

Historic victories in continental tournaments

See table below to view AEL's performances in their European Campaigns:[107]

Season Competition Date Opponent Location Score Attendance
1997–98 FIBA Korac Cup 1998, Preliminary Round 19 November 1997 Hapoel Galil Elyon Limassol (CYP) 88–83 500
2001–02 FIBA Korac Cup 2002, Elimination Round II 17 October 2001 Roseto Basket Limassol (CYP) 20–0 —
2001–02 FIBA Korac Cup 2002, Elimination Round II 24 October 2001 Roseto Basket Roseto Degli Abruzzi (ITA) 20–0 —
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Group C 29 October 2002 Nikol Fert Limassol (CYP) 84–75 350
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Group C 6 November 2002 HKK Brotnjo Citluk (BIH) 75–74 500
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Group C 13 November 2002 BC Zrinjevac Limassol (CYP) 82–70 800
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Group C 4 December 2002 Nikol Fert Gostivar (FYROM) 87–67 300
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Group C 11 December 2002 HKK Brotnjo Limassol (CYP) 94–83 1500
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Group C 18 December 2002 BC Zrinjevac Zagreb (CRO) 77–72 900
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Quarter-Finals 7 January 2003 HKK Brotnjo Limassol (CYP) 97–74 1500
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Quarter-Finals 9 January 2003 HKK Brotnjo Limassol (CYP) 95–78 1500
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Semi-Finals 12 January 2003 Pizza Express Apollon Limassol (CYP) 73–52 2000
2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, Final 13 January 2003 KK Igokea Limassol (CYP) 92–82 3500
2003–04 FIBA Europe League, Qualifying Round 18 November 2003 KK Hemofarm Vrsac (SCG) 75–68 1500
2003–04 FIBA Europe League, Qualifying Round 25 November 2003 Dexia Mons-Hainaut Limassol (CYP) 69–68 1200
2003–04 FIBA Europe League, Qualifying Round 2 December 2003 BC Khimki Limassol (CYP) 87–68 2000
2003–04 FIBA Europe League, Qualifying Round 16 December 2003 Paris Basket Racing Limassol (CYP) 72–67 2000
2003–04 FIBA Europe League, Qualifying Round 13 January 2004 ANWIL Wloclawek Wloclawek (POL) 68–54 2500
2003–04 FIBA Europe League, Qualifying Round 20 January 2004 GS Peristeri Limassol (CYP) 63–57 2500
2003–04 FIBA Europe League, Qualifying Round 3 February 2004 Dexia Mons-Hainaut Mons (BEL) 81–76 1700
2004–05 FIBA Europe League, Group D 2 November 2004 KK Belgrade Limassol (CYP) 81–79 1000
2004–05 FIBA Europe League, Group D 30 November 2004 Iraklis Thessalonikis Limassol (CYP) 88–77 1200
2004–05 FIBA Europe League, Group D 7 December 2004 Olympia Larissas Limassol (CYP) 89–80 1200
2004–05 FIBA Europe League, Group D 23 December 2004 KK Belgrade Belgrade (SRB) 20–0 –
2004–05 FIBA Europe League, Group D 12 January 2005 Khimik Yuzhny Limassol (CYP) 83–64 1800
2004–05 FIBA Europe League, Group D 18 January 2005 Paris Basket Racing Limassol (CYP) 64–58 1800
2004–05 FIBA Europe League, Group D 1 February 2005 Iraklis Thessaloniki Thessaloniki (GRE) 89–87 500
2004–05 FIBA Europe League, Group D 8 February 2005 Olympia Larissas Larissa (GRE) 73–69 100
2005–06 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 26 October 2005 BC Kalev Limassol (CYP) 67–49 1500
2005–06 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 2 November 2005 PAOK B.C. Thessaloniki (GRE) 75–74 500
2005–06 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 9 November 2005 Fenerbahçe S.K Limassol (CYP) 82–81 3000
2005–06 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 15 November 2005 BC Kalev Tallinn (EST) 71–65 1500
2005–06 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 23 November 2005 PAOK B.C. Limassol (CYP) 84–67 1500
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 14 November 2006 Amsterdam Astronauts Limassol (CYP) 82–49 1200
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 21 November 2006 Virtus Europonteggi Bologna Limassol (CYP) 88–83 3100
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 29 November 2006 Adecco ASVEL Villeurbanne Limassol (CYP) 84–58 3500
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 1 4 December 2006 Amsterdam Astronauts Amsterdam (NED) 95–79 350
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 16 January 2007 Liege Basket Limassol (CYP) 70–64 2500
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 23 January 2007 BC Siauliai Siauliai (LTU) 85–79 850
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 30 January 2007 Club Estudiantes Limassol (CYP) 63–62 3500
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 13 February 2007 Liege Basket Liege (BEL) 77–58 1000
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 20 February 2007 BC Siauliai Limassol (CYP) 94–85 2100
2006–07 FIBA EuroCup, Quarter Final 9 March 2007 Azovmash Mariupol Limassol (CYP) 85–79 3450
2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 20 November 2007 BC Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk (UKR) 64–53 5000
2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 27 November 2007 BC Dnipro Limassol (CYP) 104-69 600
2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 19 December 2007 KK Zagreb Limassol (CYP) 103-80 1100
2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 15 January 2008 Olympia Larissas Limassol (CYP) 91–71 800
2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 22 January 2008 Spartak St. Petersburg St. Petersburg (RUS) 81–77 800
2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 29 January 2008 Spartak St. Petersburg Limassol (CYP) 72–71 2500
2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, Round 2 19 February 2008 BC Khimki Limassol (CYP) 70–65 2000
2007–08 FIBA EuroChallenge, Quarter Final 26 February 2008 BC Khimki Yuzhny (UKR) 87–76 1700
2007–08 FIBA EuroChallenge, Final 4 – Consolation Final 20 April 2008 Tartu Rock Limassol (CYP) 79–70 2000
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Qualifying Round 1 22 October 2008 BC Donetsk Limassol (CYP) 79–55 1200
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Qualifying Round 2 4 November 2008 Banvit BC Bandirma (TUR) 100-93 650
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Qualifying Round 2 11 November 2008 Banvit BC Limassol (CYP) 89–72 2000
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Group D 25 November 2008 BC Siauliai Limassol (CYP) 102–76 1000
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Group D 9 December 2008 Allianz Swans Limassol (CYP) 86–62 1000
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Group D 6 January 2009 Eiffel Towers Limassol (CYP) 95–77 1200
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Group D 13 January 2009 Allianz Swans Gmunden (AUT) 85–77 1000
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Last 16 27 January 2009 Cajasol Sevilla (ESP) 64–56 1400
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Last 16 3 February 2009 Ural Great Limassol (CYP) 102–75 1200
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Last 16 10 February 2009 Lokomotiv Rostov Rostov-on-Don (RUS) 87–69 2000
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Last 16 24 February 2009 Cajasol Limassol (CYP) 88–78 800
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Last 16 10 March 2009 Lokomotiv Rostov Limassol (CYP) 74–60 500
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Quarter-final 17 March 2009 EclipseJet MyGuide Amsterdam Limassol (CYP) 82–72 2000
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge, Quarter-final 19 March 2009 EclipseJet MyGuide Amsterdam Amsterdam (NED) 83–72 2000
2009–10 FIBA EuroChallenge, Group D 24 November 2009 Cedevita Zagreb Limassol (CYP) 81–73 500
2009–10 FIBA EuroChallenge, Group D 8 December 2009 Elan Chalon Limassol (CYP) 72–69 500
2009–10 FIBA EuroChallenge, Group D 5 January 2010 Dexia Mons-Hainaut Limassol (CYP) 86–68 500
2009–10 FIBA EuroChallenge, Group D 2 February 2010 EiffelTowers Den Bosch Limassol (CYP) 87–85 500
2023–24 Balkan International Basketball League, Group Stage 21 November 2023 KK Plevlja Limassol (CYP) 93–42 1800
2023–24 Balkan International Basketball League, Group Stage 28 November 2023 KK Plevlja Pljevlja (MNE) 72–51 500

Team records & milestones

See table below[108]

Date Milestone
1966: The Cyprus Basketball Federation is formed with AEL being one of the Federation's founding members.
1974: AEL wins its first national championship.
1977: AEL becomes the first Cypriot basketball club to participate in a European competition.
1983: AEL defeats Ethnikos Achnas 177–39, setting dual Cypriot league records for most points scored in a single game and for obtaining the highest point differencial in a single game; As of 1st September 2023, this record still stands.[109]
1983: AEL sets a Cypriot record for number of Cypriot Basketball Cups won in a row – four (1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983)
13/02/2003: AEL writes a golden page in the history of Cypriot sport and athletics after it conquers the 2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, South Conference, undefeated.
28/04/2007: AEL becomes the only team in Cyprus to win five consecutive championships in a row (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007).
18/04/2008: AEL becomes the first Cypriot Basketball team to participate in the final four of a major European competition, doing so in the 2007–08 FIBA EuroChallenge in Limassol, eventually finishing third.
25/04/2009: AEL becomes the only Cypriot Basketball team to participate in FIBA European final four stages in two consecutive seasons, doing so in the 2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge in Bologna eventually finishing fourth.
17/10/2009:[110] AEL becomes the record holder in the number of Super Cups won in a row – five (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
02/02/2010: AEL holds the record for the longest undefeated streak in European competition at Nicos Solomonides Arena with AEL reaching 25 wins on the trot (14/11/2006–02/02/2010).
01/07/2022: AEL announces that it will officially retire the #15 jersey in tribute of club legend, George Thyrotos for his service to the club.[111]
23/10/2022: During a league game against Anorthosis Famagusta, which AEL won by 103–70, the team scored a total of 21 three-pointers and, as such, they were merely a single three-pointer away from matching the European basketball record for the most team three-pointers scored in a single game, which is currently held by Anadolu Efes S.K. with 22 three-pointers scored. This achievement has also set another Cypriot record for the club.[112][113][114][115]
19/03/2023: AEL appoints Kalia Papadopoulou, former star player for AEL B.C. Women, as head coach of the men's first team and thus, AEL becomes the first professional basketball club in Europe to be managed by a female head coach.[116]
21/11/2023: (1) During their first match of the 2023–24 BIBL season against KK Plevlja, AEL won the game by a 51 point margin (93–42), which marks this victory as AEL's highest point-margin victory in continental competitions.[45][67]
(2) Additionally, AEL's match against KK Plevlja also marks the first occasion in the history of European professional basketball where a female head coach (Kalia Papadopoulou) led one of the teams in a continental men's professional basketball tournament.[67]

Head Coaches

Period Name Nationality Trophies
1967–1979 Michalakis Nikolaides CyprusCYP 4
1980–1989 Georgios Thyrotos CyprusCYP 12
1990–1995 Stavros Grigoriou CyprusCYP 1[lower-alpha 7]
1996–1999 George Triantaphyllides CyprusCYP 0
1999–2002 Vassilis Fragkias GreeceGRE 0
2002–2005 Dragan Raca (1) SerbiaSRB 7
2005–2007 Igors Miglinieks LatviaLAT 4
2007–2008 Charles Barton United StatesUSA 2
2008–2009 Dragan Raca (2) SerbiaSRB 2
2009–2010 Miroslav Nikolic SerbiaSRB 0
2011–2017 Markos Asonitis (1) CyprusCYP 5[lower-alpha 8]
2018–2019 Michael Koch West GermanyGER 0
2019–2020 Dimitris Sarikas GreeceGRE 0
2020–2021 Milan Nisic RomaniaROM 0
2021–2023 Markos Asonitis (2) CyprusCYP 0
2023– Kalia Papadopoulou CyprusCYP 0
TOTAL 37

Notable former players

Uniform manufacturers & club sponsors

Season Kit Suppliers Named sponsors Team sponsors Official supporters
1999–2002 Reebok EKA AEL Frantzis Motors –––
2002–2003 Adidas
2003–2005 Peak SPE M. Geitonias
2005–2006 Champion DTL EKA AEL CYFAST
2006–2007 Peak PrivatBank EKA AEL Melford
2007–2009 Proteas EKA AEL Christis Dairy
2009–2011 Caan Proteas AEL Cytavision,

Melford

 Pokka Coffee
2011–2012 Proteas DaΝoi AEL
2012–2013 Mass MetaQuotes AEL Cytavision –––
2013–2014 Caan
2015–2017 Royal Pallaris Developers AEL
2017–2018 Givova –––
2018–2019 Athlos EKA AEL MegaBetPlus,

Royal Pine,

CRI Group

 Pizza Plus,

Pilacouris Ltd

2019—2021 Crossover
2021–2022 Caan Breinrock,

CRI Group

 Pizza Plus,

Pilacouris Ltd,

Finigold,

CS Stylianides

2022—2023 PAYABL EKA AEL Smart Assets,

CRI Group

Pilacouris Ltd,

Breinrock

2023– Vaat Smart Assets,

Flexcar,

Breinrock,

Pilacouris Ltd,

Pagecorp Group

 Hellenic Cargo,

Office Steps,

ACS,

PharmaVital

AEL Limassol B.C. Women

AEL also maintains a women's team, which is also nicknamed The Queen, which currently competes in the Cyprus Women's Basketball Division A and is one of the most successful clubs in Cyprus.

AEL Women B.C. logo.
AEL Women B.C. logo.

As of the 2022-23 Cyprus Basketball season, the Women's team is operated under the same administration that operates the men's team.

The current head coach of the Women's team is former AEL B.C. legend, Giorgos Palalas.

The women's club also participates regularly in European competitions such as the EuroChallenge Women.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Competition cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
  2. ↑ Competition cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
  3. ↑ Italics denote that the season is ongoing
  4. ↑ The stadium was initially called "Melford Arena" for sponsorship reasons. Subsequently, the arena was renamed the "Cooperative Bank Arena", until it finally reverted back to "Nicos Solomonides Arena"
  5. ↑ Italics denote that the season is ongoing.
  6. ↑ Out of the twenty European games that AEL played during the EuroChallenge season, one result included a draw against BC Donetsk in the first qualifying round.
  7. ↑ 1 Division B title
  8. ↑ 3 Division B titles & 2 Division B Cups
AEL B.C. socials & websites: Sports club website & fan socials:

References

  1. 1 2 3 "🏀 Να ποιο ήταν το πιο συμβολικό σου παιχνίδι κ. Mάικ! - BasketBall Stories" (in Greek). 24 June 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  2. ↑ https://www.fibaeurope.com/pageID_GZbMg38uHqwSIzP3aeoVq3.compID_GhGQt8GfIDMbPDh5-5m5,3.season_2003.roundID_3574.html
  3. 1 2 "FIBA EuroCup Challenge: All-Time Winners". www.linguasport.com. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "ΚΑΛΑΘΟΣΦΑΙΡΑ ΑΝΔΡΩΝ". ΑΕΛ | ΑΘΛΗΤΙΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ ΛΕΜΕΣΟΥ. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Σωματεία - Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Καλαθοσφαίρισης". www.cbf.basketball. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ιστορια".
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Georgiou, Giorgos Chr. (2010). 80 Χρόνια ΑΕΛ: Ταξίδι στο Όνειρο (in Greek). Limassol, Cyprus: Printco Ltd. pp. 473–475.
  8. ↑ Cyprusbasket (20 September 2021). "ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΗ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΥ – Γιώργος Θυρώτος, ο αρχηγός του Τάκη Μιχαήλ". Cyprus Basket. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  9. ↑ "🏀 Έτσι απλά… Γιώργος Θυρώτος! - BasketBall Stories" (in Greek). 30 June 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Polignosi. "Θυρώτος Γιώργος". www.polignosi.com. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "ΤΙΤΛΟΙ".
  12. 1 2 3 "Κύπελλο Ανδρών - Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Καλαθοσφαίρισης". www.cbf.basketball. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "FIBA EuroCup Challenge: All-Time Winners". www.linguasport.com. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 FIBA Europe, FE. "FIBA Europe 2003-04 Predicitions".
  15. ↑ FIBA Europe. "Cyprus: Lemesos Win Title".
  16. ↑ FIBA Europe. "FIBA Summary of AEL B.C.'s 2004 European campaign".
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 FIBA Europe. "FIBA Summary of AEL B.C.'s 2005 European campaign".
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 FIBA Europe. "FIBA Summary of 2007 AEL season".
  19. ↑ FIBA EUROPE. "FIBA EUROPE LEAGUE ALL STAR DAY SET FOR CYPRUS".
  20. ↑ FIBA EUROPE. "FIBA EUROPE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN CYPRUS".
  21. ↑ FIBA Europe. "EUROCUP ALL STAR GAME STREAMING LIVE".
  22. ↑ FIBA Europe. "ALL-STAR DAY ROSTERS FINALISED".
  23. ↑ FIBA Europe. "Randle Dunks His Way To Title".
  24. ↑ FIBA Europe. "EUROPE 102 VS 106 REST OF THE WORLD".
  25. ↑ FIBA Europe. "Participants Relish All Star Experience".
  26. ↑ "Proteas EKA AEL want to play in Greek A1 league". Cyprus Mail. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  27. ↑ FIBA Europe. "Good News, Bad News: AEL Are For REAL".
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