Cypriot basketball legend Dimitris Palalas dies at 68

Dimitris Palalas, a legendary figure in Cypriot basketball and a symbol of the AEL Limassol team, passed away on September 28, 2026, at the age of 68. His death has caused deep sadness across the local sporting community, which recognizes him as one of the most significant athletes in the history of the Limassol club.

Palalas joined AEL in 1972 and remained with the team for 16 years until his retirement in 1988. He wore the number 9 jersey and was a key member of the squad that secured the club's first-ever championship title in 1974. Over the course of his distinguished career, he celebrated a record-breaking eight championship victories, specifically in 1974, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, and 1988. This remarkable achievement remains a milestone in the club's history, cementing his legacy as a central figure in the golden era of the team known as the 'queen' of Cypriot basketball.