Panathinaikos AC women's football is a Greek team, part of the major Athens-based multi-sport clubPanathinaikos A.O. It was first founded in 1980 and operated until 1982. In its short presence, it produced the athletes who starred in the following years, who were decisive factors for the development of women's football in Greece. On June 30, 2021, the reactivation of the department was officially announced.[1]
History
The women's football department of Panathinaikos was one of the first to be established in Greece.[2] It was founded in 1980 under the responsibility of Panathinaikos F.C. The original roster was completed through a selection between 200 young athletes.
The technical leadership of the team was taken over successively by Spilios Zacharopoulos, Gómez de Faria and Takis Ikonomopoulos. The department operated from 1980 to 1982 and the activity of the team was limited to friendly matches with other women's teams but also with men's. The most talented athletes of Panathinaikos were the striker Georgia Tzani, whom coach Gómez de Faria used to call "white Pelé", and the stopper Fotini Karadima, who was also called "Novoselac".[2] The leader of the team was Anna Kotsopoulou.[3]
The absence of a domestic championship, which started in 1987, or other competitive events was condemnatory for the section, although it consisted of athletes with remarkable potential. In 1982 the division ceased to exist, but Panathinaikos players continued to compete together as they immediately founded "Doxa Athens" (later renamed to "Doxa Piraeus"), with which they won 4 championships in 5 years, losing only one in a draw.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.