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Maroussi Basketball Club (BC) is one of the oldest sports clubs in Greece (third oldest, founded on 1896) with a strong tradition of excellence in what is described as the country's favourite sport. It also known as the Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou (GSA) and is located in Marousi, a northern suburb of Athens. The emblem of Maroussi BC is identical with the crest of the former Anavryta School, a highly regarded lyceum of Athens, traditionally the school of the Greek royal family, that used to have strong connections with the club. The basketball team (Maroussi BC) has since its creation been the preeminent department of the club. It is one of the original members of the Greek Basketball Championship and had excellent results, both domestically, and representing Greece in Europe during the 1960s and 1970s. The dark period for the club started in the 1980s and continued through the 1990s. During those years the club lost its standing in the Greek A1 League HEBA and participated (often with great success) in the A2 and B Leagues, but without being able to complete a comeback. Maroussi regained its A1 status in the late 1990s (1998) and made it clear that it was there to stay. The team is known in European Basketball as a model team and one of the best places to play basketball in Greece. The professional staff and support from the city of Marousi and Greek businessman Aris Vovos have created a very competitive team, a combination of younger and older players that in the following years left no opponent undefeated. The year 2001 was the breakthrough year for Maroussi. The team participated in the final of the European Sapporta Cup and won its first European trophy (the 6th Greek team to achieve a European cup). After that the team was transformed. With the National Team's head coach (European Champions Eurobasket 2005) and basketball legend Panagiotis Giannakis at the bench and young stars like Spanoulis (Houston Rockets [1]) the team started dominating the Greek championship, earning respect within Greek Basketball. It came second in 2003-2005 in Greek Basketball standings and lost two Greek Play-Off Championships from European Champion Panathinaikos Athens. In those years the team participated in 2 European Final Fours but did not manage to make the repeat. In 2005-2006, the team did not make it to the final and came 4th, and by doing so also failed to qualify for the prestigious Euroleague Championship. Maroussi, without its star coach, faces the new period 2006-2007 as a challenge. The team is considered as one of the 4 best teams in Greek basketball and remains a much feared and respected opponent. The home of Maroussi is Agios Thomas Basketball Hall, a small court of 2000 that has always a nice family atmosphere, unlike other Greek halls and stadiums. Current Roster As of 22 June 2007 Number Player Position Height (m) 5 Petros Noeas SF 2.03 Coach: Darko Russo Selected Former Players John Korfas
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