PAOK FC
Full name	Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητικός Όμιλος Κώνσταντινουπολητων
Nickname(s)	(Double-Headed Eagle) "Δικέφαλος Αετός"
Founded	1926
Ground	Toumba Stadium (Capacity 28,701)
Chairman	Theodoros Zagorakis
Manager	Fernando Santos
League	Super League Greece (Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα)
2007-08	Super League, 9th
Home colours 　 Away colours

PAOK FC (Greek: ΠΑΟΚ - Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητικός Όμιλος Κωνσταντινουπολιτών - Panthessalonikios Athlitikos Omilos Konstantinoupoliton), Pan-Thessalonikan Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans, is a Greek association football club located in Thessaloniki, Greece. Football club names are a part of the sport 's culture reflecting century-old traditions This is a of lists of the use of Nicknames in football (soccer. The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in Heraldry and Vexillology. Toumba Stadium (Γήπεδο Τούμπας is a Football Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece owned by the multisports club A The following is a list of Association football stadia. They are ordered by their capacity, that is the maximum number of spectators that the Theodoros "Thodoris" Zagorakis (Θεόδωρος "Θοδωρής" Ζαγοράκης born October 27, 1971 in Kavala) is a retired The Super League Greece (Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα founded in 2006 is the highest professional football league in Greece. 2007-08 was the second season of the Super League's, and started on September 1, 2007. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη), Thessalonica, or Salonica is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία

Formed in 1926 by Greek refugees from Constantinople in the wake of the Greco-Turkish War, PAOK has grown to become the greatest football club in Macedonia. Greek refugees is a collective term used to refer to the Greeks from Asia Minor who were evacuated or relocated in Greece following the Treaty of Lausanne Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS Macedonia ( Μακεδονία, Makedonía,) is a geographical and historical region of Greece in southeastern Europe

The club currently competes in the Super League Greece. The Super League Greece (Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα founded in 2006 is the highest professional football league in Greece.

History

The Foundation & 1930s

PAOK is the historical continuation of the Hermes (Greek: Ερμής - Ermis) Sports Club, which was formed in 1875 by the Greek community of Pera, a district of Constantinople. Sports Departments AS PAOK Thessaloniki PAOK FC - Football Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS It was the need of Constantinople’s Greek residents to express and support their Greek spirit within Turkey that led to the creation of this club. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches The club won cup after cup proving that although the Greeks were a minority they continued to have a strong presence in the sporting sector. However, that situation did not last long and most players were forced to flee leaving behind a team consisting of residents of Constantinople renamed Politakia. Those who fled settled in Thessaloniki and in 1926 established PAOK which translated means the Panthessalonikan Athletic Club of Constantinople. A two headed Eagle combined with mourning black and white, a window onto the future, symbolizing their struggle for tomorrow and the victories they intended to win. This club history stretching back to the 19th century in effect makes PAOK one of Greece’s oldest athletic clubs.

The club’s first charter was approved on 20 April 1926 by means of decision of the Thessaloniki Court of First Instance (No. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 1926 ( MCMXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 822). PAOK's first emblem adopted in 1926 was a four-leaved clover and a horseshoe. An emblem is a pictorial Image, abstract or representational that epitomizes a Concept — e The leaves were green with the letters PAOK marked on each of them, a symbol devised by Kostas Koemtzopoulos (president of Pera Club) who took the idea from a packet of cigarettes he smoked.

The club’s founding members were:

After 2 months of preparation by the team following the club’s establishment it was decided that the team should compete against the other teams in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη), Thessalonica, or Salonica is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia The first match of the club was a win against Iraklis Thessaloniki on 26 July 1925 by 2-1. Departments Iraklis is considered one of the most historical and important Greek sport clubs and maintains departments in many sports including Events 657 - Battle of Siffin. 811 - Battle of Pliska; Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Two weeks later PAOK lost 5-2 to their worst rivals, Aris. Honours Football See also Aris FC Greek Championships

The vision of the club’s founders and the whole PAOK community of establishing a home ground became reality in 1928 following much effort and thus on December 12, 1930 the Syntrivaniou Football Ground was officially opened. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This was followed by a friendly match against Aris with PAOK winning 2-1.

The first professional contract was a document of historic importance. It was signed by the Club on 5th September 1928. The contract stipulated that the footballer Etien who had come from the Constantinople club Peraclub would be paid 4,000 drachmas per month. Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS Drachma, pl drachmas or drachmae (δραχμή pl δραχμές or δραχμαί (until 1982 is the name of An ancient currency unit found in many The contract was singed by Dr. Meletiou (PAOK Chairman) and Mr. Sakellaropoulos, Hon. Secretary.

Until March 20, 1929 the two clubs were rivals, competing against each other although both had been established by refugees from Constantinople. Events 1600 - The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden. Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. According to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is a person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race It was the Chairman of AEK Thessaloniki's which had been established in 1924-25 by the first wave of refugees who had come to Thessaloniki from Constantinople in 1922, Dr. Musa, who brokered the merger between Thessaloniki’s two refugee teams.

Following the merger with AEK Thessaloniki's in 1929, PAOK changed its emblem. The new emblem became the Double-headed eagle, which it remains to this day, and symbolizes the arrival of the club and the return to the roots and heritage of the refugees (Byzantium and Constantinople). An emblem is a pictorial Image, abstract or representational that epitomizes a Concept — e The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in Heraldry and Vexillology. This article is about the city See also Byzantine Empire. Byzantium ( Greek: Βυζάντιον Latin: la BYZANTIVM Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS The Double-headed eagle holds a sword and a crown, with its two heads looking East and West. The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in Heraldry and Vexillology. The difference between this emblem and that of AEK Athens, (which is also the symbol of the Eastern Orthodox Church), is that PAOK’s emblem has its wings folded and the colours are black and white (as opposed to AEK Athens Spread wings in yellow and black, signifying mourning for expulsion from the homeland. See also Athletic Union of Constantinople AEK FC (AEK - Αθλητική Ένωσις Κωνσταντινουπόλεως – Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupoleos

The first foreign coach in the history of the team was the German Rudolph Ganser, who served with PAOK for the 1931-1932 season.

1940s, 1950s &1960s - First accomplishments

In the foreground: Gates 4, 5, 6
In the background: Urban Areas of Toumba, Triandria, Eptapyrghion

Following World War II and the German Occupation of Greece, the team known as the ‘Two-Headed Eagle of the North’ entered upon a shining chapter in its career starting at the beginning of the 1950s. Toumba is a neighborhood on the eastern side of Thessaloniki, Greece. Triandria (Τριανδρία is a suburban city located in the northwestern part of the Thessaloniki metropolitan area and the Thessaloniki prefecture next to the World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Willi, an Austrian coach (1950-1952) who had worn the PAOK jersey in 1931-1932 established a young talent academy within the club which gave rise to leading names who later left their mark such as Leandros, Symeonidis, Giannelos, Margaritis, Giorgos Havanidis, and others.

1953 marked the beginning of PAOK’s golden age. During the summer transfer period, Kouiroukidis, Petridis, Progios, Geroudis, Kemanidis, Hourvouliadis, Hasiotis and Angelidis all joined the club. PAOK became all-powerful, winning the Thessaloniki championship for 3 successive years and becoming a worthy representative of Greece’s second largest city in the national championship. The legendary trio Yientzis, Kouiroukidis and Papadakis went down in history!

During 1957 the club managers envisioned a new football ground worthy of the team’s performance since the old ground had been annexed by the state. The search for a site led to the choice of a piece of land belonging to the National Defence Fund in the Toumba neighbourhood of eastern Thessaloniki, which in addition to offering unlimited free space was also an area closely associated with refugees from Asia Minor. Anatolia (Anadolu Ανατολία Anatolía) or Asia minor, comprising most of modern Turkey, is the geographic region bounded by the Black A total area of 30,000 x² was acquired by PAOK for a significant price, and construction of the new football ground began. M^2 redirects here For other uses see M². CM2 redirects here Lottery tickets were even issued to aid construction of the new stadium, which was eventually opened on 6 September 1959 by the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A minister or a secretary is a Politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional Government. Defence G. Themelis. Before the first kick off an Air Force plane dropped a ball on a fly-past as a symbolic donation from the armed forces. An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps, is in the broadest sense the national military or armed service Thanks to its new, large football ground, PAOK was ready to start a brilliant career which has lasted to this day, starting with the 1st Division established in October 1959.

At the opening of the 1st Division’s first championship on 25 October 1959 PAOK welcomed the Katerini team Megas Alexandros beating them 3-1. Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Katerini (Κατερίνη Old name Ekaterini Old name in Greek Αικατερίνη is a town in Central Macedonia Greece, the capital of Pieria Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' The team line-up was as follows: Zarko Michailovic (Yugoslavian) and Progios, Hasiotis, Raptopoulos, Giannelos, Kemanidis, Havanidis, Leandros, Kiourtzis, Kouiroukidis, Salousto and Nikolaidis. See also Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslavia ( Serbo-Croatian

The success of the 50s was followed by a decade during which PAOK had an average performance. One could say that it was as if it were building up its strength in the 60s to unleash it during the 1970s.

1970s - Rise of the Double-Headed Eagle of the North

The team became established as one of the best ever to play at Greek football grounds with players whose names became legendary for the Greek football. The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in Heraldry and Vexillology. It was a team which set several records. During that time, when the democratic political system had collapsed (1967-1974), PAOK was not only a football power, but it also became an antidictatorship power and Toumba stadium a place where the citizens-fans used Anti-junta slogans. A political system is a System of Politics and Government. It is usually compared to the Law system, Economic system, Cultural A dictatorship is usually defined as an autocratic Form of government in which the Government is ruled by a Dictator. A slogan is a memorable Motto or Phrase used in a Political, commercial, Religious and other context as a repetitive expression of PAOK managed to strike a blow to the traditional football powers of Athens, winning the Championship in 1976 and the Cup twice, in 1972 and 1974. Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's The Super League Greece (Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα founded in 2006 is the highest professional football league in Greece. Alpha Ethniki 1975-76 complete season Standings Match table The Greek Football Cup (Κύπελλο Ελλάδος commonly known as the Greek Cup, is a knockout cup competition in Greek football, run Alpha Ethniki 1971-72 complete season Standings Match table Alpha Ethniki 1973-74 complete season Standings Match table Play off 13th-15th place Panserraikos In Europe, PAOK made their best performance ever, qualifying for the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1973-74, where they were knocked out by the Italian team A.C. Milan. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to by the abbreviation Milan, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy

1980s and 1990s - Golden years and slow decline

During another sold-out football match - Although outbreaks of hooliganism have almost disappeared, police forces are on standby during derby matches

PAOK’s excellent performance continued during the 1980s with very few unsuccessful seasons. Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby (pronounced 'dur-bee' in American English and 'dar-bee' in British English after the city of Derby The high point came mid-decade when the team won its second Greek Championship in 1985, its first title since Greek football turned professional. Another characteristic of the '80's was the excessive fanaticism of the fans, which reached levels of Hooliganism never seen before yet began to move beyond Greece becoming a Europe-wide phenomenon. Fanaticism is an Emotion of being filled with excessive uncritical Zeal, particularly for an extreme religious or political cause or in Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία However, the obsession shown by fans also had a downside, translating in quite a few cases into episodes which entailed penalties being imposed on the club.

At European level, PAOK made a memorable appearance against Bayern Munich, where it was knocked out on penalties, possibly one of the best-ever performances by a Greek team in a European cup. FC Bayern München is a German Sports club based in Munich, Bavaria (München Bayern The 1990s started well with PAOK firmly among the top three teams in Greece. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία However, it was stigmatized by an extremely average-to-poor team performance under the chairmanship of Thomas Voulinos, who came into direct conflict with the fan club following serious Hooliganism episodes during a PAOK – Paris St. Germain match in UEFA Cup, which led to PAOK’s exclusion from UEFA European competitions for 5 years and very soon to financial ruin. Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, or PSG, is a French football club based in Paris. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. The Union of European Football Associations (Union des associations européennes de football is the administrative and controlling body for European football. In 1996 the change long demanded by PAOK fans came about. Voulinos handed over the reins of the club to Giorgos Batatoudis and an air of optimism was tangible everywhere in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη), Thessalonica, or Salonica is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia Numerous transfers of well-known players such as Zisis Vryzas, Spyros Marangos, Kostas Fratzeskos and others took place from the first season under new management. In 1997 PAOK eventually found a place in the UEFA Cup and team coach Angelos Anastasiadis (a legendary PAOK footballer from the past) made his debut on the PAOK bench. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. The team’s reappearance at European level was marked by the team's appetite for wins. After the elimination of legendary team Arsenal FC with a 1-0 win in Toumba Stadium and a 1-1 draw at Arsenal's home ground historic Highbury stadium. Toumba Stadium (Γήπεδο Τούμπας is a Football Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece owned by the multisports club A Highbury is an area in the London Borough of Islington. It lies between the following places Finsbury Park, north of Highbury PAOK was eliminated on the next round by the then powerful Atlético Madrid. Club Atlético de Madrid is a Spanish football club based in Madrid who play in the Primera División of La Liga.

The following year Anastasiadis was dismissed and Oleg Blokhin took his place only for a few months, as fans demanded the urgent return of Anastasiadis. Oleh Volodymyrovych Blokhin (born November 5, 1952) is a Ukrainian football coach He stayed for a season, was then succeeded by Ari Haan and then in December by Dusan Bajevic who took over the reins. Dušan Bajević ( Cyrillic:Душан Бајевић Greek: Ντούσαν Μπάγεβιτς Doúsan Báyevits; born 10 December

2000s up to 2006

Toumba Stadium

PAOK had firmly established its position among the teams that play in Europe every year but that was no longer enough. Toumba Stadium (Γήπεδο Τούμπας is a Football Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece owned by the multisports club A A place in the UEFA Champions League was the next target. See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club The team’s next steps were taken in 2001 with a win in the Greek Cup after 25 years in an unforgettable final against Olympiacos. The Greek Football Cup (Κύπελλο Ελλάδος commonly known as the Greek Cup, is a knockout cup competition in Greek football, run Playing at Nea Philadelphia, Athens, PAOK thrashed the then champions 2-4.

However, financial problems continued to plague the club and the team started to underachieve. Angelos Anastasiadis returned to the PAOK bench as coach in the summer of 2002. The season led to winning of yet another Cup (the second in the last three years) at the Toumba Stadium by defeating arch-rivals Aris 1-0.

Nevertheless, the following season PAOK - under the excellent management of Anastasiadis and although in accordance to a tight financial policy (in order to decrease it's debts) many key players left over the summer (Georgiadis, Okkas, Kafes) - managed to secure it's participation in the qualifying rounds of following year's Champions League by finishing third in the championship.

Despite great optimism among PAOK fans, the team failed to qualify for the 2004-2005 UEFA Champions League group stage, as they were knocked out by Maccabi Tel Aviv after the Greek club fielded a suspended player (Liassos Louka, a Cypriot midfield player who was still serving a two-match ban for his sending-off in a UEFA Intertoto Cup tie for former club Nea Salamis FC against FK Austria Wien on 8 July 2000) during the 1-2 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first-leg defeat by the Israeli team. See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club Maccabi Tel Aviv FC is an Israeli Association football club part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv sports club. FK Austria Wien is an Austrian football club which plays in the capital Vienna. See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club PAOK was punished with 3-0 loss and didn't manage to "turn the tables" in the second leg match (4-0 aggregate loss). After several more bad results, manager Anastasiadis resigned.

2007 - A New Beginning

In the summer of 2007, Theodoros Zagorakis became the new chairman of the club replacing the hated Yiannis Goumenos and thus ushered in a new era. Theodoros "Thodoris" Zagorakis (Θεόδωρος "Θοδωρής" Ζαγοράκης born October 27, 1971 in Kavala) is a retired One of the first actions was to create a plan for tackling PAOK's massive crippling debts and bring in an established manager in the form of Fernando Santos. In addition to that Zisis Vryzas decided to retire in the middle of the 2007-08 season and on January 6, 2008 played his last game. Zisis Vryzas (Ζήσης Βρύζας is a former football player 2007-08 was the second season of the Super League's, and started on September 1, 2007. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common On the following day Vryzas became the Technical Manager of PAOK FC. The Technical Director ( TD) or Technical Producer ( TP) is usually the most senior technical person within a Software Company, Theatrical

European Campaigns

PAOK fans of Gate4 after their team has just scored [1]

PAOK FC have played in the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup on many occasions, and made a name for themselves, both for their fanatically obsessed fans, and for eliminating a handful of European teams. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA.

PAOK's best Cup Winner's cup performance was in the 1973/74 season, when PAOK reached the quarter finals of the competition. Eliminating Legia Warsaw and Olympique Lyonnais on the way, PAOK were finally eliminated by A.C. Milan. Legia Warszawa ( pron ˈlɛgʲa varˈʂava Leg-ya Var-sha-va) is a Polish professional football club based in Warsaw Olympique Lyonnais (popularly known as OL, or simply Lyon) is a French football club based in Lyon. Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to by the abbreviation Milan, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy After a 3-0 defeat at the San Siro,PAOK was confined to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Toumba Stadium. For the town in the Province of Como, see San Siro (Como. For the saint after which these places are named see Syrus of Pavia or Syrus of Toumba Stadium (Γήπεδο Τούμπας is a Football Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece owned by the multisports club A Milan would later reach the final, only to lose it to 1. FC Magdeburg.

PAOK's most memorable appearance in the UEFA cup was on September the 30th, 1997, when PAOK managed to qualify to the second round at the expense of Arsenal FC. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. Having won by a single goal in Thessaloniki, PAOK was facing the prospect of going into extra time with 10 men and in foreign ground, with Arsenal leading 1-0 in Highbury with an early goal by Dennis Bergkamp. Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp (born May 10, 1969 in Amsterdam) is a retired Dutch Professional footballer At club level Yet three minutes from the end, a great individual effort from Zisis Vryzas provided the equaliser and PAOK qualified by 2-1 on aggregate. Zisis Vryzas (Ζήσης Βρύζας is a former football player Yet the club was eliminated in the second round by Atletico Madrid (5-2 in madrid and 4-4 in thessaloniki) in a tie that was marked by the two spectacular free-kicks scored by PAOK's specialist, Kostas Frantzeskos, both home and away. Club Atlético de Madrid is a Spanish football club based in Madrid who play in the Primera División of La Liga. Constantinos "Kostas" Frantzeskos (born January 4, 1969) is a Greek footballer best known for his deadly free-kick accuracy

PAOK's last good UEFA Cup campaign was in the 2001/2002 season, reaching the third round, only to be eliminated at the hands of PSV Eindhoven. Having eliminated FC Kärnten (4-0 on aggregate) and FK Marila Příbram (4-3 on aggregate), PAOK managed to defeat PSV in Toumba by 3-2. FC Kärnten is an Austrian football club based in Klagenfurt. Yet they were defeated 4-1 in the return leg at Eindhoven, leaving them two goals behind on aggregate, in a night that PAOK fans ponder as full of missed chances. This was the second time in two years that PAOK was eliminated in the competition by PSV.

PAOK FC holds the record for the most consecutive UEFA Cup appearances, having qualified for the UEFA Cup ten times in a row from 1995 to 2005. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. This record was broken in 2006, as PAOK were banned by UEFA from taking part in the 2006-07 season of the UEFA Cup, because of the club's long-unsettled debts. The Union of European Football Associations (Union des associations européennes de football is the administrative and controlling body for European football.

Gate 4

The fans from Gate 4 are known for their ruthlessness and intense love for the club. They've caused many upsets in Greece and Europe making them one of the most feared fans in Europe. They have a bad reputation but this only motivates them even more. The incident with Paris St. Germain in the 1992-1993 UEFA cup season resulted in a ban from European competitions. Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, or PSG, is a French football club based in Paris. This was one of many incidents surrounding Gate 4. They have a very close bond with the Grobari, the fans from Serbian side Partizan Belgrade. Grobari ( Serbian Cyrillic: Гробари are supporters of the Belgrade football club Partizan Belgrade. Helping each other in major clashes against rival clubs, the bond between the two groups surpasses friendship. They consider themselves to be Balkan-brothers.

Honours

Domestic

• Greek Championships

Winners (2): 1976, 1985

Runners-up (2): 1973,1978

• Greek Cup

Winners (4): 1972, 1974, 2001, 2003

Runners-up (12)*: 1939, 1951, 1955 , 1970 , 1971 , 1973, 1977 , 1978 , 1981 , 1983 , 1985 , 1992

(*) Record

Positioning in Greek league

International Tournaments

Current squad Athanasiadis Christodoulopoulos Conceicao Lakis Veron Ivić Sznaucner Arabatzis Contreras Melissis Chalkias Probable lineup for the 2008/9 season. The Super League Greece (Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα founded in 2006 is the highest professional football league in Greece. The Greek Football Cup (Κύπελλο Ελλάδος commonly known as the Greek Cup, is a knockout cup competition in Greek football, run The Super League Greece (Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα founded in 2006 is the highest professional football league in Greece. See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club FC Dynamo Kyiv (ФК Динамо Київ FK Dynamo Kyiv; Динамо Киев Dinamo Kiev) is a professional football Club from the Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to by the abbreviation Milan, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy Stefanos Athanasiadis currently plays for PAOK Thessaloniki. Stefanos Athanasiadis is a young striker for PAOK Thessaloniki Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (born December 19, 1986 in Thessaloniki) is a Greek footballer currently playing for Panathinaikos FC Sérgio Paulo Marceneiro Conceição ( pron 'sɛɾʒiu kõsɐi'sɐ̃ũ (born November 15, 1974 in Coimbra) is a Portuguese footballer Vassilis Lakis (Βασίλης Λάκης (born September 10 1976 in Thessaloniki) is a Greek footballer. Ricardo Matias Verón is an Argentine football Midfielder. He was born on January 22 1981, in the city of Santa Fe, capital Vladimir "Vladan" Ivić ( Serbian Cyrillic: Владимир Ивић - Владан born May 7, 1977 in Zrenjanin) Mirosław Sznaucner (born May 9, 1979 in Będzin) is a Polish professional footballer, currently playing as a defender Nikos Arabatzis (born March 10, 1984 in Serres) is a Greek footballer currently playing for PAOK FC. Pablo Andrés Contreras Fica (born September 11 1978 in Santiago de Chile) is a Chilean Football (soccer defender Playing career Christos Melissis was born on December 1 1982 in Edessa. Konstantinos "Kostas" Chalkias (Κώστας Χαλκιάς is a Greek footballer, born May 30, 1974 in Larissa, Number Nationality Player Position Birth Year Goalkeepers Konstantinos Chalkias GK 1974 77 Panagiotis Glikos GK 1985 40 Dimitris Kyriakidis GK 1986 Defenders / Wingers 3 Pantelis Konstaninidis DL/AML 1975 Vasilis Georgiou DL/AML 1988 27 Miroslaw Sznaucner DRL 1979 30 Pablo Contreras DC 1978 13 Stelios Malezas DC 1985 5 Christos Melissis DRC/DMC 1982 2 Nikos Arabatzis D/AMR 1984 26 Stelios Delibasis DR/AMR 1987 Midfielders 7 Sérgio Conceição ML 1974 22 Ricardo Matias Verón DMC 1981 6 Sotiris Balafas DMC 1986 18 Lambros Vangelis MC 1982 8 Stelios Iliadis DR/DMC/MC 1986 23 Vasilis Lakis AMR 1976 88 Giannis Pechlivanis DR/AMR 1988 Vladimir Ivić AMC 1977 14 Ivica Iliev AM/FRLC 1979 Forwards 10 Lazaros Christodoulopoulos AM/FC 1986 28 Stefanos Athanasiadis FC 1989 Ilias Anastasakos FC 1978 Official Squad Information (in Greek) Transfers 08-09 In Konstantinos Chalkias from Aris FC (Free) Ilias Anastasakos from Thrasyvoulos (Free) Vladimir Ivić from Aris FC (Free) Vieirinha (full name: Adelino André Vieira Freitas) from FC Porto (Loan) Pablo Contreras from S.C. Braga (Free) Out Daniel Fernandes to VfL Bochum (€1. Konstantinos "Kostas" Chalkias (Κώστας Χαλκιάς is a Greek footballer, born May 30, 1974 in Larissa, Panagiotis Glikos (born June 3, 1986) currently plays for PAOK Thessaloniki in the Super League Greece. Dimitris Kyriakidis (born June 24, 1986 in Kavala) is a Greek footballer currently playing for PAOK FC as a goalkeeper Mirosław Sznaucner (born May 9, 1979 in Będzin) is a Polish professional footballer, currently playing as a defender Pablo Andrés Contreras Fica (born September 11 1978 in Santiago de Chile) is a Chilean Football (soccer defender Stelios Melezas is a Defender who plays for PAOK Thessaloniki in the Greek Super League. Playing career Christos Melissis was born on December 1 1982 in Edessa. Nikos Arabatzis (born March 10, 1984 in Serres) is a Greek footballer currently playing for PAOK FC. Sérgio Paulo Marceneiro Conceição ( pron 'sɛɾʒiu kõsɐi'sɐ̃ũ (born November 15, 1974 in Coimbra) is a Portuguese footballer Ricardo Matias Verón is an Argentine football Midfielder. He was born on January 22 1981, in the city of Santa Fe, capital Sotiris Balafas (born August 19, 1986 in Arta) is a Greek footballer currently playing for PAOK. Lambros Vangelis is currently playing at PAOK Thessaloniki Football Club. Stelios Iliadis (born June 3, 1986 in Thessaloniki) is a Greek footballer currently playing for PAOK FC. Vassilis Lakis (Βασίλης Λάκης (born September 10 1976 in Thessaloniki) is a Greek footballer. Vladimir "Vladan" Ivić ( Serbian Cyrillic: Владимир Ивић - Владан born May 7, 1977 in Zrenjanin) Ivica Iliev (born 27 October, 1979 in Belgrade) is a Serbian Football (soccer Midfielder. Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (born December 19, 1986 in Thessaloniki) is a Greek footballer currently playing for Panathinaikos FC Stefanos Athanasiadis currently plays for PAOK Thessaloniki. Stefanos Athanasiadis is a young striker for PAOK Thessaloniki Ilias Anastasakos is a PAOK attacker who used to play for Asteras Tripolis, Apollon Athens, PS Kalamata, AEK Athens and Thrasivoulos Filis Konstantinos "Kostas" Chalkias (Κώστας Χαλκιάς is a Greek footballer, born May 30, 1974 in Larissa, See also Aris Thessaloniki Aris Thessaloniki Football Club is a Greek Football club that premiered on the 25th of March 1914 in Thessaloniki Ilias Anastasakos is a PAOK attacker who used to play for Asteras Tripolis, Apollon Athens, PS Kalamata, AEK Athens and Thrasivoulos Filis Thrasivoulos Filis is a football club based in Fyli, Attica, currently in the Greek B' Division. Vladimir "Vladan" Ivić ( Serbian Cyrillic: Владимир Ивић - Владан born May 7, 1977 in Zrenjanin) See also Aris Thessaloniki Aris Thessaloniki Football Club is a Greek Football club that premiered on the 25th of March 1914 in Thessaloniki Adelino André Vieira Freitas (born January 24, 1986 in Guimarães) more commonly known as Vieirinha (little Vieira is a Portuguese Futebol Clube do Porto ( pron futɨ'bɔɫ 'klub(ɨ du 'poɾtu - short FC Porto or FCP - is a Portuguese Sports club best known Pablo Andrés Contreras Fica (born September 11 1978 in Santiago de Chile) is a Chilean Football (soccer defender Sporting Clube de Braga ( pron 'spɔɾtĩg 'klub(ɨ dɨ 'bɾagɐ also known as Sporting Braga, is a Portuguese Sports club, from the Daniel Fernandes may refer to Daniel Fernandes (judoka, French Olympic judoka Daniel Fernandes (footballer, Canadian-born Portuguese VfL Bochum is a German football club based in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia. 1 million) Glen Salmon to Supersport United (Free) Elias Charalambous to Omonoia (Free) Viorel Frunză to Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ (Loan end) Ruud Knol (Free) Baiano Agenaldo (Free) Antonio González (Free) Kyriakos Tochouroglou (Free) Dimitris Orfanos (Free) Georgios Georgiadis (Retired - Now employed by PAOK F. Glen George Salmon (born December 24, 1977 in Harare, Zimbabwe) is a professional football (soccer from South Africa who plays for Supersport Supersport United' is a South African Football (soccer club based in Pretoria that currently competes in the Premier Soccer League Elias Charalambous (Ηλίας Χαραλάμπους (born September 9 1980 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a Cypriot Viorel Frunză (born December 6 1979 in Chişinău) is a Moldovan Striker, currently playing in Russia for PFC FC Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ is a Romanian football club based in Piatra Neamţ, established October 20, 1919. Ruud Knol (born 13 March 1981) is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Sparta Rotterdam. Antonio González may refer to Antonio González (field hockey Antonio González (athlete, see Athletics at the 1982 Central American Georgios Georgiadis (Γιώργος Χ Γεωργιάδης is a former Greek football (soccer player who last played for PAOK Thessaloniki FC. C. as scout) Goran Gavrancic (loan end) Notable players Greece Zisis Vryzas Theodoros Zagorakis Giorgos Koudas Giorgos Georgiadis Kostas Iosifidis Kostas Frantzeskos Nikos Alavantas Giorgos Kostikos Michalis Leontiadis Stavros Sarafis Sotiris Mavromatis Giorgos Mitsimbonas Kostas Orfanos Lakis Papaioannou Koulis Apostolidis Giannis Damanakis Vasilis Georgopoulos Giannis Gounaris Stefanos Borbokis Vasilis Borbokis Spyros Marangos Christos Dimopoulos Aris Karasavvidis Panagiotis Katsouris Panagiotis Kermanidis Pantelis Konstantinidis Kostas Lagonidis Dimitris Salpigidis Giorgos Skartados Christos Terzanidis Giorgos Toursounidis Konstantinos Chalkias Nikos Mihopoulos Vasilis Lakis Argentina Patricio Camps Bosnia and Herzegovina Rade Paprica Brazil Neto Guerino Colombia Adolfo Valencia Croatia Tonci Gabric Cyprus Ioannis Okkas Constantinos Charalambides Panayiotis Engomitis Elias Charalambous Egypt Hossam Hassan Ibrahim Hassan Abdel Sattar Sabry Magdy Tolba Shikabala England Paul Bannon Micky Quinn Mike Small Georgia Omar Tetradze Liberia Jo Nagbe Nigeria Ifeanyi Udeze Peru Percy Olivares Poland Marcin Mieciel Portugal Sergio Conceicao Daniel Marcio Fernandes Serbia Goran Gavrancic Ivica Iliev Vladimir Ivic Ivan Jurisic Mladen Furtula Turkey Fatih Akyel Notable Coaches Many famous coaches both Greeks and foreigners have served PAOK throughout its rich history. Goran Gavrančić ( Serbian Cyrillic: Горан Гавранчић born August 2, 1978 in Belgrade, Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia Zisis Vryzas (Ζήσης Βρύζας is a former football player Theodoros "Thodoris" Zagorakis (Θεόδωρος "Θοδωρής" Ζαγοράκης born October 27, 1971 in Kavala) is a retired Giorgos Koudas ( Greek: Γιώργος Κούδας is a retired attacking midfielder Georgios Georgiadis (Γιώργος Χ Γεωργιάδης is a former Greek football (soccer player who last played for PAOK Thessaloniki FC. Konstantinos Iosifidis (Greek Κώστας Ιωσηφίδης born 14 January 1952) is a retired Greek footballer. Constantinos "Kostas" Frantzeskos (born January 4, 1969) is a Greek footballer best known for his deadly free-kick accuracy Georgios Kostikos (Greek Γιώργος Κωστίκος born 26 April 1958) is a retired Greek footballer. Kyriakos "Koulis" or “Kirk” Apostolidis is a former Greek footballer who began his career in the North American Soccer League and finished it with Ioannis Damanakis (Greek Γιάννης Δαμανάκης born 2 October 1952) is a retired Greek footballer. Ioannis Gounaris (Greek Γιάννης Γούναρης born 6 July 1952) is a retired Greek footballer. Vassilis Borbokis (born 10 February 1969) is a former Greek Football (soccer player Dimitris Salpigidis or Salpingidis ( Greek: Δημήτρης Σαλπιγγίδης born 18 August, 1981 in Thessaloniki Christos Terzanidis (Greek Χρήστος Τερζανίδης born 13 February 1945) is a retired Greek footballer. Konstantinos "Kostas" Chalkias (Κώστας Χαλκιάς is a Greek footballer, born May 30, 1974 in Larissa, Vassilis Lakis (Βασίλης Λάκης (born September 10 1976 in Thessaloniki) is a Greek footballer. Patricio Alejandro Camps (born in Buenos Aires, January 22, 1972) is an Argentine Football (soccer player Neto Guerino (born in Brazil) is a former football forward. He played for PAOK FC from 1974 to 1983 and he scored 66 goals in 231 games Adolfo José Valencia Mosquera (born February 6, 1968 in Buenaventura, Colombia) is a Soccer Striker who has played all Tonči Gabrić (born November 11, 1961 in Split) is a former Croatian football player in Goalkeeper role Giannakis 'Ioannis' Okkas (born February 11, 1977 in Larnaca) is a Cypriot football Striker, who currently plays for Kostas Charalambides (Κώστας Χαραλαμπίδης (born July 25, 1981 in Nicosia) is a Cypriot football Midfielder Panayiotis Engomitis (born May 26, 1972 in Famagusta, Cyprus) is a Cypriot football midfielder who plays Elias Charalambous (Ηλίας Χαραλάμπους (born September 9 1980 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a Cypriot Hossam Ahmad Hussein ( Arabic:حسام حسن (born August 10, 1966) is an Egyptian Association football player Ibrahim Hassan Hussein ( Arabic:إبراهيم حسن (born August 10, 1966) is considered one of the best Egyptian and African Abdel Sattar Sabry (born June 19, 1974 in Cairo) is an Egyptian footballer currently with El Geish, as an Attacking Magdy Tolba مجدي طلبهEgyptian international midfielderParticipated in 1990 FIFA World Cup Born 24-02-1964 Clubs Zamalek Sporting Mahmoud Abd El Razek 'Shikabala', Egyptian soccer player born 5 March 1986 in Aswan, Egypt. Michael "Micky" Quinn, (born May 2 1962 in Everton Liverpool) is a retired English footballer. This article is about the footballer for information on the golfer see Mike Small (golfer. Omari Mihajlović Tetradze (Омари Михайлович Тетрадзе (born 13 October, 1969) is a Russian former football player of Georgian Joe Thunder Armstrong Nagbe (born September 2, 1968 in Nimba County) is a Liberian former football Midfielder. Ifeanyi Udeze (born 21 July, 1980) is a Nigerian football player Percy Celso Olivares Polanco (born June 5, 1968 in Lima) is a retired football defender from Peru. Marcin Mięciel (born December 22, 1975 in Gdynia) is a Polish footballer who plays for German club VfL Bochum Sérgio Paulo Marceneiro Conceição ( pron 'sɛɾʒiu kõsɐi'sɐ̃ũ (born November 15, 1974 in Coimbra) is a Portuguese footballer Daniel 'Dani' Márcio Fernandes (born September 25 1983 in Edmonton Alberta, Canada) is a Portuguese - Canadian footballer Goran Gavrančić ( Serbian Cyrillic: Горан Гавранчић born August 2, 1978 in Belgrade, Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia Ivica Iliev (born 27 October, 1979 in Belgrade) is a Serbian Football (soccer Midfielder. Vladimir "Vladan" Ivić ( Serbian Cyrillic: Владимир Ивић - Владан born May 7, 1977 in Zrenjanin) Mladen Furtula (born in Yugoslavia) is a former football Goalkeeper. Fatih Akyel (born December 26, 1977 in Istanbul, Turkey) is a Turkish football player who is currently playing for Some of the most important and successful are the following: Angelos Anastasiadis Greek Cup Winner 2003 with PAOK Dušan Bajević Greek Cup Winner 2001 with PAOK Walter Skocik Greek League Champion 1985 with PAOK Gyula Lorant Greek League Champion 1976 with PAOK Les Shannon Greek Cup Winner 1972 and 1974 with PAOK Managerial Executives PAOK Management Hierarchy President Theodoros Zagorakis 1st Vice President Ilias Violidis 2nd Vice President Ioannis Papadopoulos Technical Team Manager Zisis Vryzas Management Team Member Andreas Mandrinos Management Team Member Panagiotis Poikilidis Sponsorship Main Sponsors Main Sponsor: ΔΕΠΑ (DEPA) Main Sponsor: Puma Main Sponsor: Citibank Main Sponsor: LanNet Main Sponsor: Mexil Official Sponsor: Iliadis Constr. Angelos Anastasiadis (Άγγελος Αναστασιάδης (born 3 October, 1953) is a Greek football Head coach and former Dušan Bajević ( Cyrillic:Душан Бајевић Greek: Ντούσαν Μπάγεβιτς Doúsan Báyevits; born 10 December Gyula Lóránt ( February 6 1923, Kőszeg, Hungary – May 31 1981, Thessaloniki, Greece) also Les Shannon ( 12 March 1926 &ndash 2 December 2007) was an English football player and manager Theodoros "Thodoris" Zagorakis (Θεόδωρος "Θοδωρής" Ζαγοράκης born October 27, 1971 in Kavala) is a retired Giannis Papadopoulos (born 9 March 1989) is a Greek footballer currently playing for Olympiacos F Zisis Vryzas (Ζήσης Βρύζας is a former football player DEPA or Dimosia Epichirisi Paroxis Aeriou (ΔΗΜΟΣΙΑ ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΗ ΠΑΡΟΧΗΣ ΑΕΡΙΟΥ - ΔΕΠΑ is the public gas supply corporation of Greece Puma AG Rudolf Dassler Sport ( Puma) ( is a large German-based Multinational company that produces high-end Athletic shoes and other sportswear Citibank is a major international Bank, founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, later First National City Bank of New York. Official Sponsor: PAOK Mastercard Official Sponsor: Vodafone Official Sponsor: Amstel Sponsor: Gatorade Sponsor: Skoda Gianniris Sponsor: Entersoft Sponsor: Σουρωτή (Souroti) Sponsor: Jet Oil Sponsor: Papathanasiou Sponsor: Drive Rent a Car Sponsor: Ford Vrohidis Sponsor: Tsakiris Chips Sponsor: Alfa Systems Sponsor: Shot Energy Drink Sponsor: Imperio Argo Sponsor: Expert Electrics Sponsor: Citgo Sponsor: Weider Nutrition Sponsor: lalaland Facilities Before the start of a Super League game. MasterCard Worldwide ( is a multinational corporation based in Purchase, New York, USA. Vodafone is a Mobile network operator headquartered in Berkshire, England, UK. The Amstel is a river in the Netherlands which runs through the city of Amsterdam. Gatorade is a flavored non- carbonated Sports drink manufactured by the Quaker Oats Company, now a division of PepsiCo. Souroti ( Greek: Σουρωτή a rural village in the Thessaloniki prefecture of Greece is located 25 kilometers (16 miles outside of the city of Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following The Super League Greece (Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα founded in 2006 is the highest professional football league in Greece. Name: Toumba Stadium Location: Toumba District, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece Year Built: 1959 Capacity: 28,701 seats Ownership: A.S. PAOK Thessaloniki Interesting facts The 2007 Superleague statistics/census research states that almost 1,100,000 persons identified as PAOK supporters. Toumba Stadium (Γήπεδο Τούμπας is a Football Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece owned by the multisports club A Toumba is a neighborhood on the eastern side of Thessaloniki, Greece. Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη), Thessalonica, or Salonica is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia Macedonia ( Μακεδονία, Makedonía,) is a geographical and historical region of Greece in southeastern Europe Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία AS PAOK Thessaloniki looks over the Athletic departments of PAOK Thessaloniki. The Super League Greece (Σούπερ Λίγκα Ελλάδα founded in 2006 is the highest professional football league in Greece. In the same research it is stated that PAOK fans constitute 60% of Thessaloniki and 70% of Northern Greece (i. e. West, Central & Eastern Macedonia, and Thrace) football fans making PAOK the most popular team in Thessaloniki and Northern Greece generally with the greatest percentage per category. Angelos Anastasiadis is the only man to win titles with PAOK as both a player and a coach. Angelos Anastasiadis (Άγγελος Αναστασιάδης (born 3 October, 1953) is a Greek football Head coach and former He won the 1974 Cup and the 1976 League Championship as a player and also the 2003 Cup as a coach. On the other hand Kostas Iosifidis is the player with the most PAOK titles. He won two Cups (1972 & 1974) and two League Championships (1976 & 1985). He later worked in PAOK as the general manager. General Manager or GM for short is a descriptive term for certain executives in a Business operation Gyula Lorant died of a heart attack while coaching a PAOK-Olympiacos (0-0 at the time of the incident, 1-0 final score) derby on May 31, 1981, in Toumba Stadium. Gyula Lóránt ( February 6 1923, Kőszeg, Hungary – May 31 1981, Thessaloniki, Greece) also Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply Olympiacos Football Club Honours Total titles 63 Domestic League, Cups Derby (pronounced "dar-bee" /dˈɑːbɪ/ is a city in the East Midlands of England. Toumba Stadium (Γήπεδο Τούμπας is a Football Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece owned by the multisports club A Furthermore Panagiotis Katsouris died in 1998 in a car accident while an active player. PAOK F. C. is the only European football club to have a fan club in Fiji Islands, the famous PAOK Fiji Islands Fan Club. A fan club is a group that is dedicated to a well known person group idea (such as History) or sometimes even an inanimate object (such as a famous building Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य PAOK Fiji Islands Fan Club is a Fan club of the Greek football club PAOK FC based in Suva, Fiji Islands. External links PAOK Thessaloniki Football Club - Official Website (Greek) (English) PAOK Thessaloniki History - PAOK Thessaloniki History provided on behalf of Melbourne Club PAOK (English) PAOKworld- Most informative PAOK Thessaloniki Forum (Greek) (English) PAOKmania - PAOK Thessaloniki Supporters Downloads, Radio & News (Greek)