AEL Limassol B.C.

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PAYABL EKA AEL
PAYABL EKA AEL logo
NicknameΗ Βασίλισσα (The Queen)
Λέοντες (Lions)
Γαλαζοκίτρινοι (Yellow-Blues)
LeaguesDelasport Balkan League
OPAP Basket League
OPAP Basket Cup
Founded1967; 57 years ago (1967)
ArenaNicos Solomonides Arena
Capacity2,500
LocationLimassol, Cyprus
Team colorsYellow, Blue
   
Main sponsorPayabl.
EKA
PresidentMichael Loizides
Head coachKalia Papadopoulou
Team captainMarios Moniatis
OwnershipAEL Basketball Ltd
Championships1 FIBA Europe Challenge Cup
13 Cypriot Championships
9 Cypriot Cups
8 Super Cups
4 Division B Championships
2 Division B Cups
Retired numbers1 (15)
Websitehttps://ael-bc.com
Sports departments of AEL Limassol
Football
(Men's)		Basketball
(Men's)		Basketball
(Women's)
Bowling
(Men's)		Billiards
(Men's)		Handball
(defunct)
Cycling
(Men's)		Futsal
(Men's)		e-Sports
(Men's)
Hockey
(defunct)		Volleyball
(Women's)		Boxing
(Men's)

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 the professional basketball team of the AEL multi-sport club, based in Limassol, Cyprus. Nicknamed "the Queen of Cypriot Basketball",[1] AEL is a founding member of the Cyprus Basketball Federation and in the years since, the club has established itself as the most successful basketball team in Cyprus.[2][3][4][1][5][6]

AEL experienced two separate periods of near-total domestic dominance ,which are generally referred to as the 'two golden ages'. The first golden age refers to the period lasting from 1980 until 1989, during which, under the leadership of player–coach Giorgos Thyrotos, the club won 12 domestic trophies. The second golden age (2002–2010) is widely considered to have been the most successful period in the club's history,[2][4][5][6] as the club became the only sports club from Cyprus to have won a European trophy, having won the FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup in 2003. During this period, the club also set multiple Cypriot basketball records for the number of National Championships and Super Cups won in a row, and for the number of consecutive home-court victories achieved in EuroChallenge matches (25 in total).[1][2][7][5][6][8] Overall, the club has participated in 54 competitive finals both domestically and internationally, from which it has won a total of 37 major trophies, consisting of 13 Basket League titles, 9 Cypriot Cups, 8 Super Cups, 1 FIBA Europe Challenge Cup, 4 Division B titles and 2 Division B Cups.[1][3]

Since the start of the 2002–03 season, the club has accumulated an average win percentage of 62.28% in its European matches. Furthermore, starting from the 2003–04 season until the 2009–10 season, AEL managed to advance to at least the knockout phase of the FIBA EuroChallenge in each season, with the 2008 and 2009 seasons being of particular note, as the club qualified for the Final Four phase of the tournament, finishing in 3rd and 4th place respectively.[1][2][7][5][6][8] 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, Virtus Bologna, ASVEL, PAOK BC, Real Betis, Bandırma B.İ.K., BC Spartak Saint Petersburg, PBC Lokomotiv Kuban, Paris Basket Racing, PBC Ural Great, Azovmash Mariupol, G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki, Dexia Mons-Hainaut, BC Khimik, Liege Basket and CB Estudiantes.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

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, LaVell Blanchard, Goran Nikolić, Michael Antonio "Mike" King, Bryan Bracey, Michael McDonald, Michalis Kounounis, Ilian Evtimov, Goran Jeretin, Vassil Evtimov, Kęstutis Šeštokas, Giannis Giannoulis and Jerai Grant.

History[edit]

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

The basketball department of AEL was founded in 1966[17] with Michalis Nikolaidis being the pioneer and coach and the club was one of the founding members of the Cyprus Basketball Federation.[18] Nikolaidis, himself being a high school P.E. teacher, recruited various students (such as Georgios Thyrotos, Panikos Evzonas, Spyros Antoniou, Donis Kounounis, Andros Michaelides, Andreas Katsampis, etc.) which he considered suitable and formed the first basketball team of AEL, based in the open court "Oasis" located in Gladstonos Street, Limassol. Due to Nicolaides' methodical approach in his coaching style, he was able to produce a talented batch of basketball players.[19] As a result, the first distinction for AEL came early on (in 1972), when they finished second in the Cyprus Basketball League, behind the most dominant team of that period, PAEEK Kyrenia.[3][18][19]

In the following 1972–73 season, AEL progressed to its first Cyprus 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 its next "great leap".[19] 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.[19] In 1978 and 1980, the team completed the double, winning both the Cypriot Championship and the Cypriot Cup.[18][19][3] 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.[19] With these players, AEL won three more doubles (1982, 1983, 1985) and rightfully earned the nickname "Queen" of Cyprus basketball.[19]

From 1981 the technical leadership was taken over by captain George Thyrotos, who was both player and coach. Thyrotos became AEL's primary flag bearer for almost three decades, after having played for the club from 1967 until 1987, and, following his retirement as a player, he carried on as head coach until 1989.[18][19][3] Throughout this period, Thyrotos managed to secure multiple major trophies[19] for the club in each of these roles, which has led him to be often considered one of the team's greatest ever players.[20][21][22][3] Indeed, AEL became the dominant team in Cyprus in the 1980s, a decade in which it won twelve major trophies in total[23] (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".[18][19][3]

First Golden Age (1980–1988)
Season Cypriot Division A Cypriot Basketball Cup Cypriot Super Cup FIBA Saporta Cup FIBA Korać Cup
1979–80 Winners Winners DNQ ––– –––
1980–81 Playoffs Winners Qualifier
1981–82 Winners Winners –––
1982–83 Winners Winners Qualifier
1984–85 Winners Knockout round Winners Qualifier
1986–87 Winners Runners-up DNQ ––– Qualifier
1987–88 Winners Knockout round Runners-up Qualifier –––
1988–89 Playoffs Knockout round Winners Qualifier
  Winners;   Runners-up;   Final Four or better;   Last 16 or better; DNQ = Did Not Qualify

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

By the early 1990s however, the team began to display signs of its decline, due in part to the retirements of the team's core player group as well as from the transfers of two of the club's star players, Antonis Evzonas and Frikos Karagiannis, who had been transferred to 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, a string of poor signings ultimately brought the team to its knees - inevitably leading to the club's relegation to the second division at the end of the 1991–92 season.[19]

Following this catastrophic setback, the club appointed team veterans, Stavros Grigoriou, Dimitris Palalas and Marios Thrasyvoulides, as the three-member ruling panel in charge of the team's technical leadership.[19][18] Despite the fact that the vision of the ruling panel was oftentimes restricted by various external factors, the club nevertheless returned to the top-tier of Cypriot basketball the following year undefeated and in 1994 a major reconstruction effort commenced, with a strong focus on developing a robust team infrastructure, from which the talents of the next decade emerged, such as Georgios Palalas, Michalis Kounounis, Rakis Karagiannis, Lauris Hadjivassiliou and George Nikolaou.[19][18]

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's subsequent successes.[19] 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".[23][24]

Second Golden Age & various European successes (2002–2010)[edit]

The initial Dragan Raca era (2002–2005)[edit]

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, Konstantinos Perentos, 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).[8][23] AEL clinched the title with an astonishing record of 10 victories in 10 games. The victory signaled 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".[23][8] 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.[25]

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.[26] AEL retained the services of their previous season's top scorer in the Cup (Duane 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).[26] 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.[26] 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 despite a narrow 99–96 victory in the first game of the series, AEL were unstoppable in the second game which was held in front of a capacity crowd in Limassol as they defeated Keravnos 103–70. The third game proved to be the most significant of the series. AEL traveled to Nicosia knowing that an away win would almost certainly guarantee the second successive championship. The club once again rose to the occasion as they defeated Keravnos by 110–96. The final game of the Cyprus play-offs, as it proved to be, took place in Limassol on 16 April 2004. All 3.000 tickets for the game were sold-out several days in advance.[27]

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.[28] During the 2005–06 FIBA EuroCup (when the competition changed format) AEL passed the first group round by finishing second, eliminating both PAOK BC and Kallev Tallinn. However, after reaching the tournament's round of 16, the team finished last in the group and were eliminated from that season's competition.[29]

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 FIBA EuroCup season.[29][30] The group that AEL were drawn in the first round of the 2006–07 EuroCup season included former EuroLeague winners Virtus Bologna, French giants ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and Dutch side Astronauts Amsterdam.[29][30] Given the strength of the opposition, very few expected that AEL were likely candidates to qualify to the next round. However, following a surprise 88–83 victory over Virtus Bologna, followed by an upset against ASVEL where AEL won by 84–58, the club finished 2nd in their group and achieved the unimaginable by qualifying to the second round with four wins and two losses in total.[29] 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.[30] 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.[29][30] 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 they were nevertheless defeated away from home by 88–63 and 97–69.[29][30]

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

Main articles: FIBA EuroCup All-Star Day and Greek A1 Basketball League

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).[31] Previous iterations of the FIBA All-Star Games were held in Kyiv and Nicosia.[32] 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.[33][34] 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 the Rest of World team 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.[35][36][37] 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.[38] However, despite AEL's interest having been warmly received by officials from the Hellenic Basketball Association, the club ultimately opted against the move.[38][39]

Transformation from EuroChallenge contenders to EuroChallenge favourites (2008–2010)[edit]

It was during the two consecutive seasons that were to follow where AEL boasted perhaps its greatest European achievements.[40] 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.[41] 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.[41] 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).[41] Following a decisive 2–0 victory against Khmik in the quarter-finals.[42] 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.[41]

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.[43] 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, the board of AEL appointed Serbian coach, Miroslav Nikolic, in time for the Final 4 phase of the competition, this time being held in Bologna, Italy.[43] 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.[43]

Second Golden Age (2002–2010)
Season Cypriot Division A Cypriot Basketball Cup Cypriot Super Cup FIBA EuroChallenge FIBA Challenge Cup
2002–03 Winners Semi-finals DNQ ––– Winners
2003–04 Winners Winners Winners Last 16 –––
2004–05 Winners Semi-finals Runners-up Last 32
2005–06 Winners Runners-up Winners Last 16
2006–07 Winners Runners-up Winners Quarter-finals
2007–08 Semi-finals Winners Winners 3rd place
2008–09 Semi-finals Winners Winners 4th place
2009–10 Runners-up Semi-finals Winners Last 16
  Winners;   Runners-up;   Final Four or better;   Last 16 or better; DNQ = Did Not Qualify

Descent into obscurity, dissolution & reformation (2011–2017)[edit]

Following various changes to the club's administration that occurred between 2008 and 2012,[44] 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.[44] In addition to these issues, during the 2012–13 season, the club was also experiencing financial difficulties and at the end of the Basket League Regular Season, AEL finished in 6th place (out of 8 teams), thereby missing out on the League playoffs.[45] In October 2014, the club announced that the basketball section would be dissolved due to mounting financial difficulties.[46][2] 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.[47]

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.[48][2] 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).[48][49] Nevertheless, since the club's financial struggles persisted, the club had no choice but to continue competing in the Cyprus Basketball Division B, ultimately leading the club to the brink of collapse for a second time at the end of the 2016–17 season.[47]

Recent history (2018–present)[edit]

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

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, named AEL Basketball Ltd.[50] Benefiting from the new corporate structure, the club managed to settle a significant amount of its unpaid debts in order to return to Cypriot Basketball Division A.[51][52] In September 2018, under new administration, the club returned to the Cypriot top flight following a 5-year hiatus.[51][52] During the team's first season back at the top-tier of Cypriot Basketball, former 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.[53][54][55] 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.[49][56] 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.[57] 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.[58][59]

Gradual improvements & participation in the Balkan League (2023–)[edit]

The club currently competes in Cyprus Basketball Division A and the Cypriot Basketball Cup. Additionally, in 2023, AEL were invited to compete in the Balkan International Basketball League, a European regional basketball competition that features a closed league format,[60] marking the club's return to European basketball competitions following a thirteen-year absence.[60] 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.[61][62][63] 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.[64][65] AEL's first league victory came in their third match against their old rivals, ETHA Engomis, defeating them by 81–63.[66] During their fourth league game against arch-rivals, Apollon,[67] AEL secured an impressive victory away from home,[68] beating Apollon by 94–90.[69][70] In their fifth OPAP Basket League game of the season, AEL beat historic basketball club, PAEEK by 92–71 at Nicos Solomonides Arena.[71][72] In their sixth Basket League game of the season, AEL secured their fourth consecutive victory after beating Keravnos by 80–74 away from home,[73][74] thereby ascending to the top of the regular season table with Jordan Shepherd managing 37 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.[75][76] 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.[77][78][79] 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.[80][81]

On 21 November 2023, AEL began their 2023–24 BIBL campaign in Limassol with a stellar performance,[82][83] securing a fifty-one point margin in their victory[82] over Montenegrin club and fellow BIBL newcomers, KK Pljevlja by 93–42.[84][85][86] 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 extending their win-streak to eight consecutive victories in all competitions.[87][88] 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).[89][90][91] 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).[92] AEL subsequently defeated Achilleas Kaimakli by 82–41 in their ninth Basket League game of the season, extending their win-streak to seven consecutive matches.[93][94]

On 13 December 2023, AEL played their tenth game of the Basket League season in which they were defeated by 67–57 in a closely contested match[95] against league-leaders APOEL B.C. at Lefkotheo Stadium thereby bringing their seven-game win-streak in the league to a halt.[96][97] On 18 December 2023, AEL reclaimed its position at the top of the 2023–24 BIBL league table after beating KK Lovćen by 78–61 at the Nicos Solomonides Arena.[98][99][100] On 22 December AEL lost their eleventh Basket League match of the season against Anorthosis by 90–74.[101][102] Following the winter break, on 5 January 2024, AEL lost their twelfth Basket League match of the season to ETHA by 100–94, in a game that was finally decided after three overtime stoppages.[103][104] On 15 January 2024, AEL faced fellow Limassol club, Apollon in their thirteenth Basket League match of the season, defeating their long-term rivals by 98–64, for what was to be the highest point margin victory for AEL in the Limassol derby since 2010.[105][106] AEL then faced PAEEK on 20 January 2024, securing a narrow 86–81 victory over the latter team in their fourteenth Basket League game of the season.[107]

On 25 January 2024, AEL were defeated 74–62 by Anorthosis in the First Round of the OPAP Basket Cup.[108][109] On 29 January 2024, in their fifteenth Cyprus Basket League match of the 2023–24 season, AEL were defeated by Cypriot powerhouse, Keravnos B.C. by 71–62.[110][111] On 6 February 2024, AEL defeated KB Peja by 94–84 in their fifth match of the 2023–24 BIBL season.[112][113] On 8 February, AEL lost to KB Sigal Prishtina by 86–71.[114]

Recent years (2018–present)
Season Basket League Basket Cup Super Cup Balkan League GP W L Win% Pts + Pts – + / –
2018–19 5th First round DNQ — 22 7 15 31.82% 1,633 1,714 –81
2019–20 8th n/a[a] 16 4 12 25.00% 1,120 1,264 –144
2020–21 9th First round n/a[b] 18 1 17 5.56% 1,189 1,454 –265
2021–22 7th Runners-up DNQ 26 12 14 46.15% 2,051 2,165 –114
2022–23 5th First round Runners-up 22 10 12 45.45% 1,841 1,875 –34
2023–24 5th First round DNQ 1st 29 17 12 58.62% 2,286 2,064 +222
Total 133 51 82 38.35% +10,120 –10,536 –416
  Winners;   Runners-up;   Final Four or better;   Last 16 or better; DNQ = Did Not Qualify

Stadium[edit]

Main article: Nicos Solomonides Arena

"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."

— Milutin Aleksić, former star player, [42]

Initially, AEL's home ground was the "Oasis" open court located in Gladstone Street, Limassol.[19] By the 1990s however, AEL began playing their games at their new stadium near Franklin Roosevelt Street, Limassol. This stadium however maintained a limited capacity of just 1,000 spectators and, given the sport's rapidly growing popularity in Cyprus, this ultimately meant that an expansion of the stadium was necessary and from 2002 until 2005, while these renovation works were underway, the club temporarily moved to Apollon's stadium.[19] Since the 2004–05 season, AEL play their home games at their privately owned arena, (named the Nicos Solomonides Arena[c]) which has a total seating capacity of 2,500 seats.[115][116]

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.[115]

"It's not a pleasant event for a road team to play there, and AEL makes the most of it. One week after Virtus suffered there their only defeat so far, ASVEL arrived with a 19-point margin win from the first match, and lost 84-58. In English you spell it "O-U-C-H", in French "A-E-I", in ASVEL's case it's "A-E-L"."

— FIBA Europe press release, [117]

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.[115] The arena was named after the late Nicos Solomonides, one of the founders of AEL Limassol and a former president of the club.[115] 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.[118]

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.[119] On occasion, various critics have asserted that due to the close proximity between the players and AEL's supporters,[120][121][60] the atmosphere in the Arena may discourage opponent teams during live play, thereby creating an unfair disadvantage for the visitor team.[120][121][60]

Supporters & rivalries[edit]

Organised supporters celebrating AEL's victory over KK Lovćen in the 2023–24 BIBL.

AEL B.C. is often noted for maintaining a loyal fan-base, who are well known for actively supporting their team regardless of success or failure.[122] The organised supporters group of AEL Limassol is called SYFAEL (Greek: ΣΥ.Φ.ΑΕΛ – Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων ΑΕΛ, lit. 'AEL Supporters Association'), otherwise known as Thyra 3 (Greek: ΘΥΡΑ 3, lit. 'Gate 3').[123] 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.[123]

"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."

— Shay Shtriks, BIBL Sports Director & former International FIBA referee, [60]

SYFAEL are well known for the passionate atmosphere they create when the team plays at home at Nicos Solomonides Arena, particularly in European games. 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.[124] The club also shares fierce rivalries with Nicosia clubs, APOEL B.C. and Omonia B.C.[125][126] However, unlike the Cyprus Football League, where the respective football teams of the latter two have dominated in terms of trophies won, AEL is the most successful basketball team in Cyprus.[1][127]

"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."

— Theirry Wilquin, team manager of Dexia prior to their impending Final 4 clash against AEL, [128]

The club's supporters also maintain a shared friendly rivalry with Keravnos B.C., the latter of whom are also one of the most successful basketball teams in Cyprus.[129] During the 2000s, prior to the club's eventual decline, the rivalry between the supporters groups of both AEL and APOEL became particularly heated, leading to a significant rise in incidents of hooliganism during derby games.[130][131][132] On one occasion, members of SYFAEL attacked the APOEL team bus, breaking the bus windows and injuring two APOEL staff members in the process.[133][134]

SYFAEL did not attend any AEL games in the initial seasons since the club's return to the top-flight (2018—19, 2019—20, 2020–21, 2021—22) after choosing to abstain from the 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).[134][135] However, since SYFAEL's return to the arena (from the 2022–23 season onwards), the sport's domestic popularity has gradually increased, as have the incidents of fan violence.[135][136][137] SYFAEL 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.[60][121]

Colours & crest history[edit]

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.[138]

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.[139]

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).[139] As of 23 September 2022, AEL's logo featured an additional second star to commemorate its 2003 FIBA Europe Challenge Cup title.[140]

  • 1967–2004
    1967–2004
  • 2004–2022
    2004–2022
  • 2022–present
    2022–present

Mascot[edit]

Leontas ("Lion")[edit]

Leontas (Greek: Λέοντας, romanized: Lēontas, lit. 'Lion'") is the official mascot of AEL Limassol, who entertains fans during game breaks and participates in all entertainment events inside AEL's home court.[141][142]

Leontas has been featured consistently in AEL B.C.'s European matches hosted at the Nicos Solomonides Arena since at least the late 1990s,[141] and usually can be seen standing near the club's organised supporters, often chanting alongside them.[141][142]

Players[edit]

2023–24 PAYABL EKA AEL roster[edit]

As of 13 March 2024.[143][144]
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height
SG 17 United States Davis, Darrell 1.96 m (6 ft 5 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)
PF 24 United States Flowers, Tyrn 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
C 2 United States Grant, Jerai 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Head Coach

Kalia Papadopoullou (CYP)

Assistant Coach

Vassilis Tasias (CYP)

Team captain (C)

Marios Moniatis (CYP)

Honours[edit]

Continental competitions[edit]

Domestic competitions[edit]

  • 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[148]
  • Runners-up (3): 2000–01, 2009–10, 2010–11[148][149]
  • Winners (9): 1977–78, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982—83, 1984–85, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2008–09[24]
  • Runners-up (9): 1972–73, 1976–77, 1986–87, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2010–11, 2021–22[24]
  • Winners (8): 1985, 1988, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009[150]
  • Runners-up (5): 1987, 2004, 2011, 2022[150]
  • Winners (4): 1992–93, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
  • Winners (2): 2015–16, 2016–17

AEL B.C. statistics in Continental / Regional tournaments[edit]

Participation in Continental / Regional Tournaments[151]
Season Organisation Tier Competition Pos. GP W L Win%
2023–24 Delasport BIBL n/a [d] Balkan League TBD 9 6 3 66.67%
2009–10 FIBA Europe 3 EuroChallenge L16 12 4 8 33.33%
2008–09 FIBA Europe 3 EuroChallenge 4th 20 14 [e] 5 70.00%
2007–08 FIBA Europe 3 EuroCup 3rd 12 9 3 75.00%
2006–07 FIBA Europe 3 EuroCup QF 15 10 5 66.67%
2005–06 FIBA Europe 3 EuroCup L16 12 5 7 41.67%
2004–05 FIBA Europe 2 / 3 Europe League L32 14 8 6 57.14%
2003–04 FIBA Europe 2 / 3 Europe League L16 14 7 7 50.00%
2002–03 FIBA Europe 4 Challenge Cup W 10 10 0 100%
2001–02 FIBA Europe 3 Korac Cup 2R 8 2 6 25.00%
2000–01 FIBA Europe 3 Korac Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1999–00 FIBA Europe 3 Korac Cup 1R 2 0 2 0.00%
1998–99 FIBA Europe 3 Korac Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1997–98 FIBA Europe 3 Korac Cup PR 6 1 5 16.67%
1991–92 FIBA Europe 3 Korac Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1988–89 FIBA Europe 2 Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1987–88 FIBA Europe 2 Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1986–87 FIBA Europe 3 Korac Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1983–84 FIBA Europe 2 Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1982–83 FIBA Europe 2 Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1980–81 FIBA Europe 2 Saporta Cup PR 2 0 2 0.00%
1978–79 FIBA Europe 2 Saporta Cup PR 6 0 6 0.00%
Grand Total 157[f] 76 80 48.41%

  Winners   Runner-up   Final Four

L16 = Last 16;

1R = 1st Round;

2R = 2nd Round;

L32 = Last 32;

PR = Preliminary Round;

QF = Quarter Finals;

RS = Regular Season;

W = Winners.

Participation in Continental Final Fours[edit]

Main articles: 2002–03 FIBA Europe Regional Challenge Cup, 2007–08 FIBA EuroCup, and 2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge

All-time club rankings in FIBA EuroCup (Top 25)[edit]

FIBA EuroCup / FIBA Europe League all-time club rankings (2003–2007)[g][127]
Rank Club Nat. GP W L Win% Pts
1. Azovbasket Mariupol UKR 62 37 25 56.92% 74
2. Hapoel Nahariya ISR 50 34 16 68.00% 68
3. Khimki BC Moscow RUS 51 33 18 64.71% 66
4. Kiev Basket UKR 54 31 23 57.41% 62
5. Dynamo St. Petersburg RUS 35 30 5 85.71% 60
6. Marousi Athens GRE 47 29 18 61.70% 58
7. AEL Limassol CYP 54 29 25 53.70% 58
8. Unics Kazan RUS 36 27 9 75.00% 54
9. Hapoel Tel Aviv ISR 41 24 17 58.54% 48
10. Ural Great Perm RUS 42 24 18 57.14% 48
11. Fenerbahçe Beko TUR 31 22 9 70.97% 44
12. ECM Nymburk CZE 46 22 24 47.83% 44
13. CB Girona ESP 17 16 1 94.12% 32
14. Lokomotiv Rostov RUS 26 16 10 61.54% 32
15. Türk Telekom Ankara TUR 28 16 12 57.14% 32
16. Dexia Mons-Hainaut BEL 39 16 23 41.03% 32
17. BC Zenit Saint Petersburg RUS 26 14 12 53.85% 28
18. Joventut Badalona ESP 16 13 3 81.25% 26
19. Dynamo Moscow RUS 18 13 5 72.22% 26
20. KK Wloclawek POL 26 13 13 50.00% 26
21. JDA Dijon FRA 28 13 15 46.43% 26
22. Virtus Bologna ITA 16 12 4 75.00% 24
23. Aris Thessaloniki B.C. GRE 19 12 7 63.16% 24
24. Beşiktaş J.K. TUR 20 12 8 60.00% 24
25. CB Estudiantes ESP 16 12 4 75.00% 24
Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, Pts = Ranking points (each team receives two points for a win and one point for a draw).

List of victories in Continental / Regional campaigns[edit]

See table below to view AEL's performances in their continental / regional campaigns:[151]

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 3000[152]
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 Khimik Limassol (CYP) 70–65 2000
2007–08 FIBA EuroChallenge, Quarter Final 26 February 2008 BC Khimik Yuzhny (UKR) 87–76 1700
2007–08 FIBA EuroChallenge, 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, Regular Season 21 November 2023 KK Pljevlja Limassol (CYP) 93–42 2000
2023–24 Balkan International Basketball League, Regular Season 28 November 2023 KK Pljevlja Pljevlja (MNE) 72–51 500
2023–24 Balkan International Basketball League, Regular Season 18 December 2023 KK Lovćen 1947 Limassol (CYP) 78–61 2000[153]
2023–24 Balkan International Basketball League, Regular Season 6 February 2024 KB Peja Peja (KOS) 94–84 1500
2023–24 Balkan International Basketball League, Regular Season 12 March 2024 KB Peja Limassol (CYP) 85–80 1500
2023–24 Balkan International Basketball League, Final Four 12 April 2024 KB Peja Limassol (CYP) 99–94 2000

Team records & milestones[edit]

See table below for a list of AEL B.C.'s Cypriot basketball records and team milestones:[154]

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.[155]
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:[156] 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.[157]
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.[158][159][160][161]
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.[162][163]
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.[60][82]
(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.[82]

Head coaches[edit]

Period Name Nationality Trophies
1967–1979 Michalakis Nikolaides CyprusCYP 4
1980–1989 Georgios Thyrotos CyprusCYP 12
1989–1995 Stavros Grigoriou CyprusCYP 1[h]
1995–1999 George Triantaphyllides CyprusCYP 0
1999–2002 Vassilis Fragkias GreeceGRE 0
2002–2005 Dragan Raca SerbiaSRB 7
2005–2007 Igors Miglinieks LatviaLAT 4
2007–2008 Charles Barton United StatesUSA 2
2008–2009 Dragan Raca (2) SerbiaSRB 2
2009–2011 Miroslav Nikolic SerbiaSRB 0
2011–2017 Markos Asonitis CyprusCYP 5[i]
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 TROPHIES WON 37[j]

Notable former players[edit]

See also: Category:AEL BC players

Uniform manufacturers & club sponsors[edit]

Season Kit Suppliers Named Sponsors Main Sponsors Secondary Sponsors
2002–2003 Adidas EKA AEL Frantzis Motors –––
2003–2004 Reebok CYFAST
2004–2005 Champion DTL EKA AEL Christis Dairy
PRIVATBANK EKA AEL
2005–2007 Peak DTL EKA AEL SPE M. Geitonias
2007–2009 PROTEAS EKA AEL Melford Christis Dairy,

Love Cyprus

2009–2010 Caan Cytavision,

Melford

Pokka Coffee
2010–2011 Mass PROTEAS DAΝOI AEL
2011–2014 Caan METAQUOTES AEL Cytavision –––
2015–2017 Royal PALLARIS DEVS. AEL
2017–2018 Givova –––
2018–2019 Athlos EKA AEL MegaBetPlus,

CRI Group

Pizza Plus,

Pilacouris Ltd

2019—2021 Crossover
2021–2022 Caan Breinrock,

CRI Group

Pizza Plus,

Pilacouris Ltd,

Smart Assets

2022—2023 PAYABL EKA AEL Smart Assets,

CRI Group

Pilacouris Ltd,

Breinrock

2023– Vaat Smart Assets,

FlexCar,

PharmaVital,

G. Mouskis Group

Pilacouris Ltd,

Pagecorp Group,

CRONA Group,

Office Steps

AEL Limassol B.C. Women[edit]

See also: 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.[165] As of the 2022-23 Cyprus Basketball season, the Women's team is operated under the same administration that operates the men's team.[166] The current head coach of the Women's team is former AEL B.C. legend, Giorgos Palalas.[167]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Competition cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
  2. ^ Competition cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
  3. ^ 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"[citation needed]
  4. ^ Regional tournament sanctioned by FIBA Europe
  5. ^ 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.
  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. ^ This is a non-exhaustive list and only includes teams ranked 1-25.
  8. ^ 1 Division B title
  9. ^ 3 Division B titles & 2 Division B Cups
  10. ^ The above consists of 31 major top flight honors and 6 second division titles

External links[edit]

References[edit]

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