The A1 Ethniki (Greek: Α1 Εθνική Κατηγορία), often referred to as the Greek Water Polo League, is the highest professional water polo league in Greece. It is run by the Hellenic Swimming Federation. It is considered one of the top national leagues in European water polo, as its clubs have made significant success in European competitions.

A1 Ethniki
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2023–24 A1 Ethniki
SportWater polo
Founded1927; 97 years ago (1927)
AdministratorHellenic Swimming Federation
No. of teams16
CountryGreece
ConfederationLEN
Most recent
champion(s)
Olympiacos Piraeus
(2023–24)
Most titlesEthnikos Piraeus
Olympiacos Piraeus
(38 titles)
TV partner(s)ERT
Level on pyramidLevel 1
Relegation toA2 Ethniki Water Polo
Domestic cup(s)Greek Cup
International cup(s)LEN Champions League
LEN Euro Cup
Official websitekoe.org.gr

Ethnikos Piraeus and Olympiacos Piraeus share the most championships, having 38. Ethnikos also has the record for consecutive championships, with 18.

History

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Title holders

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Titles by club

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No. Club Winners Winning years
1.   Ethnikos Piraeus 38 1926, 1931, 1948, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969*, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1994, 2006
  Olympiacos Piraeus 38 1927, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1947, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1969*, 1971, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
3.   NO Patras 8 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1945, 1946, 1950
4.   Aris Thessaloniki 4 1928, 1929, 1930, 1932
5.   ANO Glyfada 4 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990
6.   NO Vouliagmeni 4 1991,1997, 1998, 2012
7.   Peiraikos 1 1923

* The 1969 Championship was shared between Olympiacos and Ethnikos

Consecutive championships

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18 in a row

14 in a row

12 in a row

9 in a row

6 in a row

5 in a row

3 in a row

2 in a row

  •   Olympiacos→1933–1934, 1951–1952, 1992–1993, 1995–1996

Appearances in A' Ethniki (1967―2024)

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A' Ethniki (National Division) started in 1967, but the Greek championship started in 1923 as a Panhellenic Championship. The Hellenic Swimming Federation declares all championship winning teams as champions from 1928 and onwards. Teams in bold participate in the 2023–24 season.

App Club
58   Olympiacos S.F. Piraeus
56   Ethnikos O.F. Piraeus
49   Chios Nautical Club
46   Panathinaikos Athens
45   Patras Nautical Club
44   Vouliagmeni Nautical Club
44   Glyfada Athletic Nautical Club
36   Palaio Faliro Athletic Club
29   Chania Nautical Club
29   P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki
24   Panionios G.S.S. (Athens)
16   Iraklis Thessaloniki
App Club
16   Kerkyra Nautical Athletic Club
14   Volos - Argonaftes Nautical Club
13   Kalamaki Nautical Club
10   Aris Thessaloniki
10   Ydraikos Nautical Club
8   O.F. Thalassis Thessaloniki
7   Chalcis Nautical Club
7   Ilisiakos Athletic Club Athens
7   Apollon Smyrnis
6   Poseidon Ilision SC (Athens)
5   Patras Nautical Union
5   E.N.O. Egyptioton Athens
App Club
5   Peristeri Gymnastic Club
4   A.E.K. Athens
3   Argostoli Nautical Club
3   Nireas Chalandri Athletic Club
3   Mytilene Nautical Club
3   G.N.O. Aris Nikaias
2   Larissa Nautical Club
2   Nireas Lamia Gymnastic Club
2   Ilioupolis Gymastic Club (Athens)
2   O.Y.K. Volos
1   O.F.I. (Heraklion)
1   Phoenix Piraeus

Greek clubs in European competitions

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Club Champions League Euro Cup Cup Winners' Cup (defunct) Super Cup
C Years RU SF C Years RU SF C Years RU SF C Years RU
  Olympiacos Piraeus 2 2002,2018 3 1 0 2 1 2002 1
  Ethnikos Piraeus 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
  NO Vouliagmeni 0 0 1 0 1 2 1 1997 0 1
  Panionios 0 0 0 0 2 2
  NO Patras 0 1 0

References

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  1. ^ Official Decision of General Secretariat Athletic by President C.Aslanidis - 24/09/1969
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