Theodoros Papaloukas is a basketball player who made a significant contribution to the development of the Euroleague and for a long time rightfully carried the unofficial title of “The best player in Europe”. How did the famous Greek athlete begin his career? In which clubs did he play, what are his most significant sports achievements? A detailed biography of the famous Greek, his victory and the end of his career - read all this in the article.
Carier start
Theodoros Papaloukas was born 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 gained particular popularity. So it is not surprising that at the age of 11 he enrolled in the local small sports school Ethnicos.
At 18, the young man got the opportunity to conclude his first contract with the professional Athenian club "Abelokipi". But in 1997, the team had to leave the elite league of the Greek championship, and Theodoros Papaloukas moved to Daphne. The talented player proved himself noticeably and in 2 years helped the new club to get into the major league of Greece. Then for 3 seasons he played as part of the Panionis team.
In 2001, the Greek Olympiacos, one of the oldest and most famous basketball clubs in the country, offered Theodoros a contract. But their cooperation did not last long. After 1 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 Dusan invited Papaloukas to join the legendary club. With the help of his game, the team regained its former glory and got the opportunity to play in the Euroleague Final Four. But in 2003-2005 it was not possible to get victory all the time. But in 2006, the team finally won, and Theodoros Papaloukas was declared the most valuable player in the match. He played in CSKA until 2008.
At the zenith of fame
Since 2007, the so-called Papaloukas era began in European basketball. Prior to this, Dejan Bodiroga and Sarunas Jasikyavichyus ruled in it, but in 2007 all the initiatives 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) that allow him to rise above other players and see the whole field, but also an unusually sharp mind and ability to instantly analyze and evaluate actions the enemy. For this, among his nicknames - Theo, Paps, Pappas, Tsar - there is also the nickname Computer.
In 2008, he returned to his homeland as part of Olympiacos, and also led the Greek national team at the 2008 Olympics.
In 2011, Theodoros moved to the Maccabi club (Tel Aviv), but in collaboration with this club he often went on the field only for a short time and did not receive noticeable victories. Which led to the completion of his collaboration with this team. At the end of 2012, he received an offer to return to CSKA and immediately accepted it.
Retirement
Professional sport is the lot of young people. In 2013, Theodoros Papaloukas decided to finally end his career. He announced this after a particularly successful match in the Euroleague in CSKA against the famous Spanish basketball club Barcelona. The athlete in an interview claimed that this season was perfect for him and this is the best time to retire with honor. It was noteworthy that the completion of his career took place as part of the club, in which he spent most of it and to which he brought many high-profile victories. Therefore, six months later, on December 12, 2013, CSKA organized the farewell of the famous player during the break of the Euroleague match against Barcelona.
Papaloukas became the champion in the number of participation in the Euroleague Final Four, was the basketball player of the year in 2006 according to the FIBA, twice won the Greek Cup (2002, 2010), was a two-time Euroleague champion and six-time Russian champion.
Personal life
Of course, at 36 years old, life does not end, even if you have to part with your favorite business. Theodoros Papaloukas married in August 2012, but apart from this fact, little is known, because the Greek basketball player is ready to speak in interviews on any professional topics, but he perceives negatively negative questions about his personal life.
After completing his career as an athlete, he often admitted that he did not mind at last relaxing and getting the opportunity to communicate with his family more than with his teammates. After all, he spent exactly half his life, 18 years old, in constant collaboration with professional teams. Perhaps that is why at the time of his departure, he was not eager to continue his career as a coach or general manager. In addition to basketball, Papaloukas is fond of mountain and water skiing, diving and loves his dog - a bull terrier nicknamed Pirate, who often travels with him.
He also has his own real estate business in his homeland, so he won’t be bored.