APOEL Nicosia - Cyprus fairytale in the making

By Christine Pirovolakis Feb 13, 2012, 3:31 GMT

Athens/Nicosia - APOEL Nicosia's historic run into the knockout stages of the Champions League has all the makings of a modern day fairytale.

Formed in a traditional confectionary more than 85 years ago, today the Nicosia team has put the tiny footballing nation of Cyprus in the big league as they take on Olympique Lyon on Tuesday in France and on March 7 at home.

APOEL qualified first from a group containing former UEFA Cup champions Zenit St Petersburg, Europa League holders Porto and last season's Champions League quarter-finalists Shakhtar Donetsk.

Making the last 16 at the top of their group is a big achievement in itself, but to do so on a shoestring budget of just 8 million euros (10.6 million dollars), less than half of Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o's wages at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, is nothing short of a miracle.

Surprisingly, the first Cypriot team to reach the knockout stages has no big name players, but just a strong team ethic and a passion to win.

'The recipe of out success is our team spirit, and confidence in ourselves,' APOEL spokesperson Panikos Hadjiliasis told dpa in a telephone interview.

'Every member of our team is a star player because he has a vital job to do,' said Hadjiliasis, adding that 'there are no easy opponents when you have reached this stage, but we consider Lyon to be a very strong and experienced team with a tradition of consistency in Europe.'

Considered one of the most successful French clubs of the last decade, Olympique Lyon have won all seven of their league titles since 2002, in a row until 2008.

While not enjoying their best domestic season, Lyon are still ranked ninth in Europe, according to UEFA, and have traditionally played well in the Champions League, reaching the semi-finals two years ago.

APOEL were not even Cypriot champions in 2010 and had to battle past three other Nicosia teams to win the national championship in May last year.

With Serbian coach Ivan Jovanovic at the helm, the team has established a no-nonsense defence coupled with a flair-filled, attacking frontline.

The star of the show is Brazilian striker Jose Almeida Ailton, who ended up scoring three goals in the group stage, including the winner against the Zenit that allowed APOEL to top the group.

But perhaps the most important goal was Gustavo Manduca's injury-time 2-1 winner in Nicosia against Porto.

Despite facing a potentially difficult opponent with Lyon, the mood in the APOEL camp is one of optimism.

'We have nothing to lose and will give our best,' said Hadjiliasis.

'It is an honour and fantastic opportunity for such a small team as ourselves to have even reached this stage - we have achieved something which just a few months ago we could not have even dreamed of.'

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