Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Gus Krasonis
Guest(s)
Release Date
30 January 2025
Duration
70 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by Panathinaikos super fan Gus Krasonis to relive one of European football’s most improbable journeys — Panathinaikos’ run to the 1971 European Cup final.
Under the guidance of Filip Bobek, a Yugoslav coach with a gift for tactical balance, Panathinaikos combined structure with spirit to overcome the odds. The team’s journey began modestly but gained momentum after a crucial away-goals draw with Everton, a result that gave the Greeks belief they could challenge Europe’s elite. With defensive resilience and counter-attacking precision, they marched past Slovan Bratislava and stunned Red Star Belgrade in a ferocious semi-final played amid a wall of noise and nationalist pride.
When club legend Ferenc Puskás later arrived as technical advisor, his aura and insight added yet another layer of inspiration to a squad already punching above its weight. Their run became a symbol of unity in a politically divided country and remains a landmark moment in Greek sporting identity.
The adventure culminated at Wembley Stadium, where Panathinaikos faced Ajax’s Total Football revolution led by Johan Cruyff. Though they were defeated, the team’s discipline and courage earned lasting respect across Europe.
This episode explores not just tactics and triumphs but the cultural heartbeat of Greece in the 1970s — and how football briefly gave a nation hope and pride on the grandest stage.
Takeaways
Panathinaikos’ historic run to the 1971 European Cup final
Bobek’s tactical influence and Puskás’ legendary presence
Key matches against Everton and Red Star Belgrade
The cultural and national impact of Panathinaikos’ success
Why their journey remains one of football’s great underdog stories
Panathinaikos 1970–1971: The Greek Miracle at Wembley
In 1971, Panathinaikos achieved the impossible. From a country still scarred by political unrest and isolation, a team from Athens reached the pinnacle of European football — the European Cup final at Wembley.
Under Filip Bobek, the Greek champions embraced a new tactical discipline that blended Balkan structure with Mediterranean heart. After edging Everton on away goals, Panathinaikos stunned Red Star Belgrade, overturning a first-leg deficit to book their place in history. Their journey united a nation and turned their players into folk heroes.
The involvement of Ferenc Puskás, Hungary’s legendary striker, added mythic weight to the story. His mentorship and charisma inspired belief that Panathinaikos could face anyone — even Ajax’s Total Football machine led by Johan Cruyff.
Though they lost the final 2–0, the team’s bravery and tactical nous earned global respect. More than a sporting achievement, it became a cultural milestone for Greece: proof that determination, strategy, and unity could defy geopolitics and expectation.
Today, the green of Panathinaikos still carries the glow of that miraculous season — when a club from Athens stood toe-to-toe with the greatest team in the world.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Panathinaikos’ underdog journey to the 1971 European Cup final
Filip Bobek’s tactical blueprint and leadership
Ferenc Puskás’ influence on mentality and preparation
Semifinal victory over Red Star Belgrade and national pride
The Wembley final vs Ajax and the legacy of the campaign
Away-goals triumph over Everton in the quarter-final
Stunning comeback vs Red Star Belgrade in the semi-final
Arrival of Ferenc Puskás as mentor and symbol of belief
The national celebration after reaching Wembley
Facing Johan Cruyff’s Ajax in the European Cup final
Notable Manager
Ferenc Puskás, Filip Bobek
Notable Players
Antonis Antoniadis, Takis Ikonomopoulos, Mimis Domazos, Frangiskos Sourpis, Kostas Eleftherakis, Giorgos Sideris (late career), Giorgos Marinos, Anthimos Kapsis, Mimis Papaioannou (brief association), Aristidis Kamaras
Style of Play
4-3-3, Counter-Attacking, Disciplined, Compact, Tactical, Resilient
Panathinaikos under Filip Bobek were disciplined, intelligent, and pragmatic — a side built on tactical clarity and defensive resilience. Bobek implemented a compact 4-3-3 that morphed into a 4-5-1 without possession, focusing on organisation, zonal coverage, and quick transitions through midfield.
Captain Mimis Domazos acted as the creative fulcrum, orchestrating play with short, incisive passes and dictating tempo from deep. Up front, Antonis Antoniadis, tall and clinical, provided the focal point, supported by runners like Eleftherakis and Sourpis who stretched defences on the break.
Panathinaikos’ strength lay in balance: defensive discipline from Kamaras and Kapsis, sharp goalkeeping from Ikonomopoulos, and the ability to absorb pressure before striking with efficiency. Bobek’s teams mirrored his Yugoslav schooling — structured but expressive, capable of adapting to different European opponents.
The later involvement of Ferenc Puskás refined their attacking mindset, encouraging more risk in possession and belief against stronger teams. Their performances against Everton and Red Star Belgrade showcased a team equally comfortable fighting or playing.
At Wembley, against the artistry of Ajax, they defended heroically before succumbing 2–0 — but they left an indelible impression.
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