G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki

Gymnasticos Syllogos Thessalonikis "Iraklis" (Greek: Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Θεσσαλονίκης «ο Ηρακλής», English: Thessaloniki Gymnastics Club "Heracles"), commonly referred to as Iraklis Thessaloniki, is a Greek multi-sports club based in Thessaloniki. The club was founded in 1908 as "Macedonikos Gymnasticos Syllogos" (Macedonian Gymnastics Club) and is one of the oldest and most historic sports-clubs in Greece. It is named after Heracles, the mythical Greek demigod. Their colours are blue or cyan and white, inspired by the Greek flag.

G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki traces its roots back in 1899 when Omilos Filomouson (meaning Friends of Music Club) was established. The club was established as a cultural union of the Greeks of Thessaloniki (then under Ottoman sovereignty), and in 1902 was founded also a sports department. After a merger with a local team, the club was re-founded on 29 November 1908, called Macedonikos Gymnasticos Syllogos (meaning Macedonian Gymnastics Club). A year later, "Iraklis" (Heracles) was added to the club's name as an honour to the ancient Greek hero.

Departments

G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki is considered one of the most historical and important Greek sport clubs and maintains departments in many sports, including:

• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Association Football) (founded in 1908) - Association football
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Basketball) (founded in 1924) - Basketball
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Women's Basketball) - Basketball
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Volleyball) (founded in 1921) - Volleyball
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Women's Volleyball) - Volleyball
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Water Polo) (founded in 1975) - Water polo
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Women's Water Polo) - Water polo
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Rugby) (founded in 2005) - Rugby football
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Women's Rugby) - Rugby football
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Athletics) (founded in 1908) - Athletics
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Swimming) (founded in 1975) - Swimming
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Synchronized Swimming) (founded in 1995) - Synchronized swimming
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Diving) - Diving
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Fencing) (founded in 1972) - Fencing
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Judo) (founded in 1979) - Judo
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Karate) - Karate
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Jiu Jitsu) - Jiu Jitsu
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Pankration) - Pankration

Former Departments

• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Handball) (founded in 1994) - Handball
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Ice Hockey) (founded in 2008) - Ice hockey
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Roller in-line hockey) (founded in 2008) - Roller in-line hockey
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Freestyle Wrestling) (founded in 1967) - Freestyle wrestling
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Boxing) (founded in 1965) - Boxing
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Weightlifting) (founded in 1967) - Weightlifting
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Cycling) (founded in 1972) - Cycling
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Table Tennis) - Table tennis
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Cricket) - Cricket

Honours

Football

Source:

• Greek Cup: 1
  • 1976
• Balkans Cup: 1
  • 1985

Basketball

Source:

Men

• Greek Championships: 2
  • 1928, 1935

Women

• Greek Championships: 4
  • 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972

Volleyball

Source:

Men

• Greek Championships: 5
  • 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012
• Greek Cups: 6
  • 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012
• Greek Super Cups: 4
  • 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008
• Greek Cup A1 Ethniki: 1
  • 1999

Αthletics

Source:

Men

• Greek Championships: 6
  • 1975, 1976, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986
• Greek Cups: 2
  • 1979, 1990

Women

• Greek Championships: 1
  • 1991
• Greek Cross Country Championships: 6
  • 1967, 1981, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2009
• Greek Cups: 3
  • 1989, 1990, 1991

Rugby

Source:

Men

• Greek Championship Rugby Union: 1
  • 2013
• Greek Championship Rugby Sevens: 2
  • 2013, 2014

Women

• Greek Championship Rugby Sevens: 1
  • 2014

Fencing

Source:

Men

• Greek Épée team championship: 1
  • 1983

Women

• Greek Foil team championship: 1
  • 1978

Freestyle wrestling

Source:

Men

• Greek Championships: 11
  • 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

European honours of G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki

Notable supporters

• Grigoris Arnaoutoglou, TV presenter
• Thodoris Atheridis, actor
• Nikos Chatzivrettas, basketball player, former Iraklis player
• Athanasios Giannousis, former Mayor of Thessaloniki
• Konstantinos Karamanlis, former Prime Minister of Greece
• Georgios Lianis, former Minister of Sports, politician
• Georgios Katsanis, former Iraklis athlete, special forces in the 1974 Cyprus war
• Savvas Kofidis, football player and coach, former Iraklis captain
• Nikos Kouvelas, basketball player, former Iraklis player
• Sotiris Kouvelas, former Mayor of Thessaloniki, former MP
• Andrej Kravárik, Slovak volleyball player, Greek champion with Iraklis
• Alekos Leonis, volleyball player and coach, Greek champion with Iraklis
• Giannis Mangriotis, politician, former Minister of Macedonia-Thrace
• Theodoros Karaoglou, politician, former MP
• Lefteris Kakiousis, basketball player and coach, former Iraklis captain and coach
• Konstantinos Kosmopoulos, former Mayor of Thessaloniki
• Lazaros Kyrizoglou, former Mayor of Ampelokipi, Thessaloniki
• Theocharis Manavis, former Mayor of Thessaloniki
• Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz, former Iraklis athlete, saboteur during German Occupation (1941-44)
• Anastasios Katsabis, footballer, former Iraklis captain
• Ieroklis Michailidis, actor
• Giorgos Orfanos, former Minister of Sports, politician
• Lazaros Papadopoulos, basketball player, 2005 European champion, former Iraklis player
• Michalis Papadopoulos, former Mayor of Thessaloniki
• Daniil Papadopoulos, football player and coach, former Iraklis captain
• Lakis Papaioannou, former football player
• Eleanna Papaioannou, singer
• Antonis Remos, singer
• Dimitris Starovas, musician, actor
• Paschalis Terzis, singer
• Polina Trigonidou, model, journalist
• Fanis Toutziaris, footballer, former Iraklis player
• Dimitris Verginis, basketball player, former Iraklis player

Gallery

• Football

• Basketball

• Volleyball

References

External links

Official websites

• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Association Football)
• G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Basketball)
• E–Shop of G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Basketball)
• Veteran Athletes of G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Athletics)