By any measure at all, AEK restored its reputation as a power to be reckoned with in European basketball in 2004-05. AEK not only returned to the Euroleague Top 16 for the first time in three seasons, but also would have reached the first-ever Euroleague Quarterfinal Playoffs, if not for a few points that cost it a tie-break situation. Still, tying at the top of its Top 16 group was a major step forward for AEK. The Yellows kept up that pace into the spring, reaching the domestic playoff finals in Greece and finishing as runner-up. All things considered, AEK was one of the most surprising teams in the Euroleague this season, although it might also be said that AEK should never be underestimated. Few clubs anywhere have its tradition. Having established its first team in 1899, AEK has played now in three centuries. Much of its domestic success was clustered between 1958 and 1970, when AEK claimed seven Greek League titles, four in succession. 2004-05. In 1968, AEK added its first-ever European trophy, the Saporta Cup, but its heyday ended with its 1970 domestic title. In the next three decades, AEK lifted one trophy, the 1981 Greek Cup, but starting in 2000, the club’s fortunes turned again. After winning a second Saporta Cup that spring, AEK added a second Greek Cup title, with a third to follow 2001, the same year AEK made the Euroleague semifinals. In 2001-02, AEK narrowly missed the Euroleague Final Four, but domestically, it reached the top again at home with its first Greek League crown in 32 years. That trophy was AEK’s fourth in three seasons. After a couple down years, AEK was back strong in 2003-04, tying for the third-best record in the Euroleague Top 16 and returning to the Greek League playoff finals. With momentum behind it again, AEK will be one of the teams to watch out for in the Euroleague during 2005-06.