Elite League: Tribute to the 2025-26 season

The Jambol of the new 2025-26 season in the Elite League finds the category in its fourth season with that particular name and this particular philosophy of new players and as much healthy competition as possible between the teams. But there is no complacency, despite the particularly increasing interest in what is fascinating in each race. This will also be justified in the central motto of the category “Expect the UXPECTED”, waiting for the unexpected.

The agreement with public television now puts the Elite League in every Greek home. The Financial Fair Play, in which all teams agreed, creates security and equity conditions for 16 gladiators. The prediction of automatically winning a team that closes the regular season with three or more wins from the latter further increases the interest in the 30 -race marathon at the top of the standings.

But what about racing? There, if there is interest! Some groups may have theoretically strengthened and distinguished, but the category has shown that it is … special in the production of great surprises and, practically, any gladiator can defeat them all and lose everyone. We are expected to watch the season we have in front of us.

What follows is a… manual of the class. The “instructions for use” for the 16 teams as presented at its (presumably) more fluid and ambiguous championship in Greek basketball.

Head

Return to the basketball level of the Elite League after 17 years for the Chalkida team! The AACH merged with the neighboring team of Hermes Schimatari (essentially absorbed the club), which had a presence in the two previous races of the category, last year in 12th place in the regular season and won its stay in the play-out. The merger was approved just a week ago. Timonieris Nikos Economou will lead the new effort from the bench and moves from Schimatari along with Mitsimbona, Samartzic, Zervos. Players with extensive experience in the category have already been acquired (Paparekas, Melissaratos, Dimitris Geromichalos) and is returning to the American machine gun Jacques Bryant.

AIGALEU

Another old acquaintance in the category found the way to the lounges! After 16 years of absence, Aigaleo was promoted to the Elite League after a two -year championship in National League 1. The administration renewed confidence in the face of Dimitris Papadopoulos, who achieved the rise. Two players (Zaraidonis, Velkos) were left from last year’s roster and the additions are both to players with earlier experience in the class, but also younger who want to evolve through the club. The two foreign Maalik Kartrait and Kevon Viles have experience in European championships.

Vikos Falcons Ioannina

If last year’s first season of the team from Epirus in the Elite League was that of the establishment (7th place with a record 15-15), this year’s second is expected to be the … take-off for hawks. The 35 -year -old Michalis Michelakos, who took over after his successful course with Korivos Amaliada, has to manage a rich roster and (with the exception of Dimitris Grava) completely new. With newly acquired players in the category (Mastrogiannopoulos, Diamantakos, Kamberidis, Arnokouros) and two American guard, of which the “Kontorevithoulis” (1m73) stands out.

DAPHNE

Daphne’s Express, which started eight years ago from the depths of the local categories of ESKA and succeeded in continuous ascents brings the team back to the level of the Elite League. Daphne has played 11 seasons in A2 and has won the title in 1998-99. Kostas Tzivelekas remains on the steering wheel and on the bench takes over a twin, Alexandros Paraskevopoulos and George Kerasovitis, who retired from the parquet. With six players from last year’s team in the current roster, he seems to trust the trunk and added height with Filippakos and Draskovic.

DOXA LEKADAS VIKOS COLA

The Ionian Islands representative is a steady force in the category, having been involved for the third consecutive period at this level. Last summer, a total lifting was attempted, though the team finished 8th in the regular season. In the place of Nikos Kalambakos on the bench, Thodoris Terzis took over, only two players (Sahpatzidis, Legikas) were left by last year’s roster and most of them (Tzolos, Stavrakoukas, Koussis, Fitros) have an earlier experience. And American Terrel Allen e.g. He wrote kilometers last year with Pan -Erythra.

Crotch

If the appetite comes by eating, as the well -known proverb states, then after last year’s participation in the Final Four … what? The Ilia spokesman in the category is one of the most stable teams at all levels, both economical and racing, but also in the promotion/development of new players. Thanasis Yaples took over as coach, with an earlier term in both the category and higher levels. In this light, the team’s aid were also made, with players who have a strong motivation to show things. Colin Slater, one of the two Americans in the team, has experience in the category in two teams.

LAVRY

Ten years in the lounges of Greek basketball (GBL) Lavrio stayed and lived very intense moments. The cycle ended last summer with the team’s relegation and it will be shown from this season whether the 6th period in the Elite League history will be transitional. Savvas Symeonidis, who has been a member of the technical leadership for two years (2022-24) and has an earlier term in the category, is called upon to undertake the work of … return. The roster, of course, changed dramatically, only many young players were left and young players came, with Orpheus Stasinos older.

Fighters experimental

Another team that managed to get back to the category from the National League 1 after eight years. The pine fighters have won the rise with a very youthful team and in this style they want to continue to the most demanding level. The “grandfather” of the team Dimitris Kalaitzidis will have young players next to him, with a thirst for basketball. In this context, the additions were made, with the two American Banks and Dubar not escaping this logic. On the bench is Dimitris Gerofotis, who celebrated the rise.

MEGARIDA

The Western Attica spokesman in the league has been filled with high -level experience in recent years. Participation in the Final Four and the UNICEF Trophy (and parallel participation in the Final 8 of the Greek Cup) was the crown of a stunning season, which seemed to end a cycle. Refreshment was attempted in Greek, as the team will compete without strangers, but with a very talented Greek trunk. On the bench, of course, George Mandalos, the reformer and inspirer of all this excellent course from Escana in the Elite League.

VOLOU VOLOU

The Magnesia spokesman in the Elite League was the latest team to secure its participation in the category, with the Wild Card process. So, the pride of Nea Ionia returned to this level after 13 years. This right she also created the obligation to create a competitive whole and justify her ambitions to fight in the category. Panagiotis Gougoutoudis took over the bench in a person’s mission, as five players stayed in the roster, more players with last year’s NL1 were acquired and one of the two strangers is Joshua Lushein (last year).

Panthery

During its years in the A2 and Elite League, the club from Nea Erythrea has gone through all the stages, from championships to battle to avoid relegation. It is, however, there to serve the plan mainly of the emergence of new players, but this year celebrating the 50th anniversary of basketball in local community (and not only) it has been strengthened with more experienced players with the aim of claiming something greater. On the bench, of course, Dimitris Houhoulis, who will spend his 27th (!) Season on the men’s team bench. From strangers, Craig Viktor knows the accusation from his term in Megarida.

EVERTECH PAPAGOU

The stability, which was Papagos’ main qualification in his two previous seasons in the category, will also be the issue for the generals this year. The 10th place last year may have exempted the team from the stress of the play-out, but it also created conditions for higher goals. Fotis Karakostas remained on the bench and is a “steady”, along with the five players who continue since last year (Bilalis, Malelis, Pagidas, Karamalegos, Giannakis). Two strangers directly from the college championship, as well as players’ departures we were used to seeing with the blue -white jersey make up the puzzle.

PROTEAS VOULAS

The second consecutive year at this level is the team from the southeastern suburbs of Attica. The first, though … recognition, brought the 6th place in the standings and participation in the first round of the playoffs. This year the goals are even higher. The Association is an example of organization, with facilities, a job at an early age and a footprint in the local community. Dinos Kalambakos returned to a team in Attica after 9 seasons mainly in Western Greece and in the roster there are many players with significant term and experience in the category, with the four remaining (Coi, Adamopoulos, Beli, Korfiatis).

Softens

The Karditsa Development Team made a frantic course in the Second Group of the National League 1 last season and… so the Sofades were in the Elite League. A team full of talent and youth, with players who have a strong ambition to pursue the big lounges. This will be the mentality and this year’s season, despite the rise and retirement of players who claimed either GBL or more key roles. Nikos Kaklamanos remained on the bench and all the newcomers are young and promising, together with the team’s stranger, 18 -year -old Bulgarian Ivailo Skrinski.

TRIKALA

The team of Trikala, who experienced the tragic loss of President Costas Skretas last season, renewed more than 90%. He managed to save the category in the play-out and now starts the season with a new coach on the bench (Nikos Kabouris) and only Panagiotis Argyroulis present from last year’s team. The roster can see players with experience in the category (Tsafaras, Kokorelis, Balos, Garos, Tataris) but also the American Devon Washington who competed in the Indonesian championship. There is also a support from the US College Championship, both Greek (gazella) and American (Blackchir).

Mental

Of the… old caravans in the category, the Psychiko team starts its 13th season. With last last year’s victories, Psychiko was promoted to 9th place in the overall score of all time in the category and exceeded 500 regular games. George Remendelas has completed 20 years and put on the bench of the team and of course continues with even more appetite, resulting from last year’s 4th place in regular season and participating in the playoffs. Last year’s roster was left by only Recordman of the Koukas and Golanta category. The newcomers are a mix of experience (Dimakos, Theodorou) and Niaton (Zorbas, Bournelis).