Theodoros Papaloukas - the famous Greek basketball player

Theodoros Papaloukas is a basketball player who made a significant contribution to the development of the Euroleague and for a long time was rightfully entitled to the unofficial title of "The Best Player of Europe". How did the famous Greek athlete start his career? In which clubs played, what are his most significant sporting achievements? A detailed biography of the famous Greek, his victories and the completion of his career - all this read further in the article.

Carier start

Born Theodoros Papaloukas on May 8, 1977 in Athens. In his interviews, he often claims that in his childhood in Greece there was a boom in basketball, the national team even beat the USSR team, and this sport has gained special popularity. So it is not surprising that at age 11 he enrolled in the local small sports school "Ethnikos".

At the age of 18, the young man got the opportunity to sign his first contract with the professional Athens club "Abelokipi". But in 1997 the team had to leave the elite league of the Greek championship, and Theodoros Papaloukas moved to Daphni. The talented player has clearly shown himself and for 2 years helped the new club to get into the big league of Greece. Then 3 seasons he played in the team "Panionis".

In 2001, the Greek "Olympiakos" - one of the oldest and most famous basketball clubs in the country - offered to Theodoros a contract. But their cooperation did not last long. Already after the first season (for which the team became the owner of the Greek Cup), he received an offer that determined his future career.

Work in Russia

In 2002, CSKA coach Ivkovic Dušan invited Papaloukas to join the composition of the legendary club. With the help of his game the team returned to former glory and got the opportunity to play in the "Final Four" of the Euroleague. But in 2003-2005 it was not possible to win all the time. But in 2006 the team finally won, and Theodoros Papaloukas was declared the most valuable player of the match. As part of CSKA Moscow, he played until 2008.

At the height of glory

Since 2007, the so-called era of Papaloukas began in European basketball. Prior to this, Dejan Bodiroga and Sharunas Yasikevičius ruled, but in 2007 all the beginnings of a talented Greek were crowned with success. Theodoros Papaloukas is a basketball player who not only has excellent physical data (height - 2 m, weight - 90-100 kg), which allow him to rise above other players and see the whole field, but also an extremely sharp mind and the ability to instantly analyze and evaluate actions Enemy. For this, among his nicknames - Theo, Papus, Pappas, King - is also a nickname Computer.

In 2008, he returned to his homeland in the Olympiakos, and also led the national team of Greece at the 2008 Olympics.

In 2011, Theodoros moved to the club "Maccabi" (Tel Aviv), but in cooperation with this club, he often went on the field only for a short time and no notable victories. That led to the completion of his cooperation with this team. At the end of 2012, he received an offer to return to CSKA and immediately accepted it.

Completion of career

Professional sport is the destiny of the young. In 2013, Theodoros Papaloukas decided to finally complete his career. He announced this after a particularly successful match in the "Euroleague" in the CSKA against the famous Spanish basketball club "Barcelona". The sportsman in the interview claimed that this season was perfect for him and this is the optimal time to retire with honor. It was noteworthy that the completion of his career took place in the club, in which he spent most of it and which brought a lot of big wins. Therefore, six months later, on December 12, 2013, CSKA organized a farewell to the famous player during the break of the match of "Euroleague" against "Barcelona".

Papaloukas became the record holder in the number of entries in the Euroleague Four Finals, was a basketball player of the year in 2006 according to the FIBA version, twice had the Greek Cup (2002, 2010), was a two-time Euroleague champion and six-time Russian champion.

Personal life

Of course, in 36 years, life does not end, even if you have to part with your favorite business. Theodoros Papaloukas married in August 2012, but in addition to this fact, little is known, because a Greek basketball player is ready to speak in interviews on any professional topics, but he negatively perceives questions about his personal life.

After the completion of the athlete's career, he often admitted that he did not mind finally having a rest and getting an opportunity to communicate with his relatives more than with teammates. After all, exactly half the life, 18 years, he spent in constant cooperation with professional teams. Perhaps this is why, at the time of his departure, he was not eager to continue his career as a coach or chief manager. In addition to basketball, Papaloukas is fond of mountain and water skiing, diving and adores his dog - the bull terrier named Pirate, who often travels with him.

Also at home, he has his own business related to real estate, so he will not be bored.