Greek soccer legend Mimis Domazos, nicknamed “the Basic,” handed away on Friday on the age of 83.
He had been hospitalized since Wednesday, his birthday, at Athens’ Crimson Cross Hospital after struggling a coronary heart assault at his house within the Halandri suburb, north of Athens.
Born on January 22, 1942, Domazos started his soccer journey enjoying within the fields close to Panathinaikos’ stadium on Alexandras Avenue.
Considered considered one of Greece’s biggest gamers, he rose to prominence in 1959 when Svetislav Glisovic, the Serbian coach of Panathinaikos, really helpful signing him. At simply 17 years previous, Domazos joined the membership, the place he would play for nearly twenty years, from 1959 to 1978.
The top of his profession got here in 1971 when he captained Panathinaikos within the European Cup remaining at Wembley Stadium, the place they confronted Dutch giants Ajax. The match led to a 2-0 defeat for the Athens facet.
Domazos, an attacking midfielder who wore the traditional quantity 10 shirt, served as Panathinaikos’ captain for practically 15 years, successful a complete of 13 titles with the membership. Between 1978 and 1980, he performed for AEK earlier than returning to Panathinaikos to complete his enjoying profession.
He made 536 league appearances, with Panathinaikos and AEK, and holds the all-time file for essentially the most appearances in Greek soccer. Regardless of greater than 40 years having handed, he stays on the prime of the record. Domazos additionally earned 50 caps for the Greek nationwide crew.
“The ‘Basic’ was, is, and can at all times be the best participant Greek soccer has ever produced. He was the most effective of the most effective,” the membership mentioned in an announcement.
“He was the one everybody seemed as much as as a task mannequin. He was the one everybody needed as their captain. He was the one nobody needed as an opponent. He was the best participant this nation has ever seen on the sphere,” the membership added.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis additionally paid tribute to Domazos. “His affect transcended fan divisions, honoring each the Panathinaikos shirt and the nationwide crew jersey,” he mentioned. “Mimis Domazos was an emblem of intelligence, competitiveness, and integrity in soccer,” he added, expressing his condolences to his household.
From 1967 to 1979, Domazos was married to common singer Vicky Moscholiou.
He later married Argyro (Io) Theodorou, with whom he had a daughter.
