ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

The 1967-68 Greek Football Championship

The 1967–68 Greek championship was a significant event in the history of Greek football, marking the fourth time AEK Athens won the title and their first victory in five years. This achievement solidified AEK's position as one of the top teams in Greece.

In this season, the Greek Football Federation introduced several innovations aimed at improving the sport. One notable change was the expansion from 16 to 18 clubs participating in the championship. Additionally, the introduction of a new system allowed for the best Cypriot club to compete alongside Greek teams. This marked the first time a Cypriot association participated in the organization of the Greek I National.

The participation of Cypriot associations in the Greek football league was made possible by the decision of the General Secretariat of Sports (GAA), which had been imposed since April 1966. The GAA's innovations also included prohibitions on certain practices, such as penalty or suspension at the beginning and end of games, and the use of international terms instead of Greek words.

The championship was won by AEK Athens, with Athanasios Intzoglou (Panionionios) scoring 24 goals to become the tournament leader. The teams played a round-trip format for a total of 34 games, resulting in a more competitive season than previous years.

This season also saw the introduction of new rules and regulations aimed at improving player safety and reducing disputes between clubs. One notable example was the removal of pledges (present-day loans) from the Second National to senior teams, which added an extra layer of complexity to the sport.

The 1967-68 Greek football championship marked a significant milestone in the history of Cypriot football, as Olympiakos Nicosia became the first Cypriot club to compete in Alpha Ethniki. This achievement paved the way for future generations of Cypriot players and teams to participate in the top-tier league.

The season's success was also reflected in the increased participation of Greek teams in international competitions, including the Champions Cup. The championship's winners, AEK Athens, went on to compete in this prestigious tournament, showcasing their skills against some of the best teams from across Europe.

Overall, the 1967-68 Greek football championship was a significant event that marked important changes and innovations in the sport. It paved the way for future generations of players and teams to succeed at the highest level, both domestically and internationally