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Cypriot Cup
Founded1934; 91 years ago (1934)
RegionCyprus
Teams28
Domestic cupCypriot Super Cup
Current championsAEK Larnaca
(3rd title)
Most championshipsAPOEL
(21 titles)
Broadcaster(s)CytaVision
PrimeTel
Websitecfacup.com.cy
2025–26 Cypriot Cup

The Cypriot Cup, formally known as the Cypriot Coca-Cola Cup of First and Second Division (Greek: Κύπελλο Κύπρου Coca-Cola A' B' Κατηγορίας) for sponsorship purposes, is a Cypriot knockout football club competition, hosted annually by the Cyprus Football Association.[1][2]

First held in 1934, it is the second most important competition in Cypriot football, after the Cypriot First Division. Since 2008, it is contested by teams from the first and second division, while teams from the third and fourth division compete in the Cypriot Cup for lower divisions.

The winners of the Cypriot Cup qualify for one of UEFA's European competitions, and a place in the Cypriot Super Cup. APOEL are the most successful team in the competition with 21 titles. AEK Larnaca FC are the current champions, having defeated the previous champions Pafos FC in the 2024–25 Final.

History

[edit]

The Cypriot Cup was first held in the 1934–35 season, the same year the Cyprus Football Association was founded. The 1934–35 Cypriot Cup was the first competition ever held by CFA, since it took part before the 1934–35 Cypriot First Division.[3] The Cyprus Cup has been held every season since then, with the following exceptions:

  1. During the period 1941–1944, the competition was not held due to World War II. Many Cypriots were voluntarily enlisted in the Greek and English army, and also formed a Cypriot constitution. Most teams had undertaken a national project by collecting money and clothing to be sent to Greece in order to assist the Greek people and the army. Moreover, many Greek refugees fled to Cyprus. Due to the war conditions, the CFA decided to suspend all the competitions.[4][5][6]
  2. During the periods 1955–58 and 1959–61, the competition was not held due to the unstable situation in Cyprus regarding the EOKA struggle. Meanwhile, a special cup was held in 1958–59 season. That season, the Cypriot Championship was not held for the same reasons. When the situation improved and Cyprus was heading towards independence, the CFA decided to bring back the teams which were inactive for several months and decided to launch a special cup called the "Independence Cup". The competition was official and its winners were listed as Cypriot Cup winners.[4][7][8] The cup was held again in the 1961–62 season.
  3. In the 2019–20 season, the competition was abandoned after the quarter-finals, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 1962, the sponsor of the competition is Coca-Cola Cyprus (Lanitis Bros Ltd). In 1998, the competition was officially named the Cypriot Coca-Cola Cup.[1][4][9]

Participating teams

[edit]

At first, only the teams of the Cypriot First Division could take part in the competition. The Cypriot Second Division was considered non-league at the time, since it majorly consisted of reserve teams of the First Division clubs.

From 1952–53 until 2007–08, the teams of the Cypriot Second Division also took part in the Cypriot Cup, with the exception of the 1963–64 season. In certain seasons in the 1960s and 1970s, only the top teams of the league would participate. From 1975–76 onwards, every team of the Second Division would take part in the Cypriot Cup. No Second Division team has ever reached the final, but they managed to qualify to the semi-finals four times (Nea Salamis Famagusta in 1953–54, Orfeas Nicosia in 1983–84, PAEEK in 1984–85 and AEP Paphos in 2005–06).

From 1971–72 until 2007–08, the teams of the Cypriot Third Division would take part in Cypriot Cup. Since 2008–09, the Third Division teams are no longer allowed to participate, but if they so wish, they can take part in the Cypriot Cup for lower divisions. No Third Division team ever reached the final or the semi-finals, but they managed to qualify to the quarter-finals once (Chalkanoras Idaliou in 1987–88).

The teams of the Cypriot Fourth Division would take part in the Cypriot Cup from 1986–87 until 2007–08. Since 2008–09, the Cypriot Fourth Division teams do not participate in the Cypriot Cup, but they are allowed to take part in the Cypriot Cup for lower divisions.

Format

[edit]

The structure of the cup has changed throughout the years:

  1. From 1934–35 until 1983–84, the competition was traditionally a pure knockout tournament. In all rounds each tie was played as a single leg and was held at the home ground of one of the two teams, according to the draw results. Each tie winner was qualifying to the next round. If a match was drawn, extra time was following. If extra time was ended also in a draw, there was a replay at the ground of the team who were away for the first game. Exceptions were the 1958–59 Cypriot Cup and the 1973–74 Cypriot Cup, with all ties being two-legged, except the final which was a single match.
  2. From 1984–85 until 2001–02, the competition was traditionally a pure knockout tournament. The preliminary rounds were played as a single leg and was held at the home ground of one of the two teams, according to the draw results. From the first round all ties were two-legged, except the final which was a single match.
  3. From 2002–03 until 2005–06, the competition was traditionally a pure knockout tournament. The preliminary rounds were played as a single leg and was held at the home ground of one of the two teams, according to the draw results. From the first round all ties were two-legged, except the round of 16 where the teams were drawn into four groups of four. The teams of each group played against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The group winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the quarter-finals. The final was a single match.
  4. From 2006–07 until 2007–08, the competition was traditionally a pure knockout tournament. The preliminary rounds were played as a single leg and was held at the home ground of one of the two teams, according to the draw results. From the first round all ties were two-legged, except the quarter-finals where the teams were drawn into two groups of four. The teams of each group played against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The group winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the semi-finals. The final was a single match.
  5. From 2008–09 until 2010–11, the competition was traditionally a pure knockout tournament. All ties were two-legged, except the final which was in a single match. Since 2011–12 Cypriot Cup the preliminary round was played as a single leg and was held at the home ground of one of the two teams, according to the draw results. From the first round all ties were two-legged, except the final which was a single match.
  6. Since 2011–12, the competition is traditionally a pure knockout tournament. The preliminary round is played as a single leg and is held at the home ground of one of the two teams, according to the draw results. From the first round all ties are two-legged, except the final which is played in a single match.

European participations

[edit]

Since 1962–63, the winner of the Cypriot Cup qualifies to one of the UEFA competitions. Initially, this would be the Cup Winners' Cup.[10][11] After the Cup Winners' Cup was abolished in 1999, the Cypriot Cup winner would qualify for the UEFA Cup (known as the Europa League since 2009).[12] Since the 2022–23 season, the Cup winner enters the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League.

Previously, if the cup winner was also the winner of the Cypriot First Division (meaning they had already qualified for a European competition), their place would be given to the runners-up of the Cup. Since 2015, after UEFA's decision, if the cup winner is also the winner of the Cypriot First Division, then the place of the Cypriot Cup winner is given to the second team of the domestic championship, and the fourth team also qualifies to the same European competition.[13][14]

Host stadiums (finals)

[edit]

The Cypriot Cup final has taken place in six different stadiums. From 1934–35 until 1974–75, the final was held in Nicosia, at the old GSP Stadium, regardless of whether the stadium was the home ground of one of the two finalists. The only exception was the 1970–71 Cypriot Cup, where a replay final was needed after Omonia and Anorthosis had drawn at the GSP Stadium (Omonia's home ground). The replay was played at the GSE Stadium, Anorthosis' home ground in Famagusta. The GSP Stadium was chosen as the ground of the final as it was the stadium with the biggest capacity in Cyprus, at the time.[15]

In 1975, the Tsirion Stadium was built in Limassol, and it hosted the final of the 1975–76 Cypriot Cup. The next two finals were played at the GSP Stadium. The final of the 1977–78 Cypriot Cup was the last one to take place at the old GSP Stadium. The final of the 1978–79 Cypriot Cup was played at the newly built Makario Stadium at Nicosia.[15]

After 1981, the ground of the final was chosen with neutrality in mind: If the two teams were based in different cities, then the final would take place in a third city. In the event that this was not an option (there were only appropriate stadiums in Nicosia and Limassol until 1989), the ground of the final was determined by a draw.[15]

In 1999, the new GSP Stadium was built, and hosted the 1999–2000 Cypriot Cup final between Omonia and APOEL. Since then, due to its large capacity, the GSP stadium is always considered to be the first choice option for the cup final, although it is often not a neutral ground, as APOEL and Omonia frequently appear in the final.[15]

The following table shows the stadiums that held the Cypriot Cup finals from 1934–35 until 2022–23, the number of finals that each stadium held and the seasons where each stadium held the final. Although there are 81 editions of the Cypriot Cup, 85 finals have been played, as a replay was needed in five cases, while the 2019–20 Cypriot Cup was abandoned.

Stadium N. Seasons
Old GSP Stadium 37 1934–35 (2 finals), 1935–36, 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1944–45, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1958–59, 1961–62, 1962–63 (2 finals), 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1977–78
GSP Stadium 19 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25
Tsirion Stadium 18 1975–76, 1980–81 (2 finals), 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2012–13, 2015–16
Makario Stadium 7 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82 (replay), 1984–85, 1990–91, 1996–97, 1997–98
GSZ Stadium 5 1992–93, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2014–15
GSE Stadium 1 1970–71 (replay)

Cypriot Cup Finals

[edit]

The table below lists the teams that participated in the final of the cup each season.[16][17][18]

Season Winner Score Runner-up
1934–35 Trust 0–0 / 1–0 (R) APOEL
1935–36 Trust 4–1 Lefkoşa Türk Spor Kulübü
1936–37 APOEL 2–1 Trust
1937–38 Trust 2–1 AEL Limassol
1938–39 AEL Limassol 3–1 APOEL
1939–40 AEL Limassol 3–1 Pezoporikos Larnaca
1940–41 APOEL 2–1 AEL Limassol
1941–1944
Suspended due to World War II
1944–45 EPA Larnaca 3–1 APOEL
1945–46 EPA Larnaca 2–1 APOEL
1946–47 APOEL 4–1 Anorthosis
1947–48 AEL Limassol 2–0 APOEL
1948–49 Anorthosis 3–0 APOEL
1949–50 EPA Larnaca 2–1 Anorthosis
1950–51 APOEL 7–0 EPA Larnaca
1951–52 Çetinkaya Türk 4–1 Pezoporikos Larnaca
1952–53 EPA Larnaca 2–1 Çetinkaya Türk
1953–54 Çetinkaya Türk 2–1 Pezoporikos Larnaca
1954–55 EPA Larnaca 2–1 Pezoporikos Larnaca
1955–1958
Not Held
1958–59 Anorthosis 1–0 AEL Limassol
1959–1961
Not Held
1961–62 Anorthosis 5–2 Olympiakos Nicosia
1962–63 APOEL 2–2 / 1–0 (R) Anorthosis
1963–64 Anorthosis 3–0 APOEL
1964–65 Omonia 5–1 Apollon Limassol
1965–66 Apollon Limassol 4–2 Nea Salamina
1966–67 Apollon Limassol 1–0 Alki Larnaca
1967–68 APOEL 2–1 EPA Larnaca
1968–69 APOEL 1–0 Omonia
1969–70 Pezoporikos Larnaca 2–1 Alki Larnaca
1970–71 Anorthosis 1–1 (aet) / 1–0 (aet) (R) Omonia
1971–72 Omonia 3–1 (aet) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1972–73 APOEL 1–0 Pezoporikos Larnaca
1973–74 Omonia 2–0 Enosis Neon Paralimni
1974–75 Anorthosis 3–2 Enosis Neon Paralimni
1975–76 APOEL 6–0 Alki Larnaca
1976–77 Olympiakos Nicosia 2–0 Alki Larnaca
1977–78 APOEL 3–0 Olympiakos Nicosia
1978–79 APOEL 1–0 (aet) AEL Limassol
1979–80 Omonia 3–1 Alki Larnaca
1980–81 Omonia 1–1 (aet) / 3–0 (R) Enosis Neon Paralimni
1981–82 Omonia 2–2 (aet) / 4–1 (R) Apollon Limassol
1982–83 Omonia 2–1 Enosis Neon Paralimni
1983–84 APOEL 3–1 (aet) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1984–85 AEL Limassol 1–0 EPA Larnaca
1985–86 Apollon Limassol 2–0 APOEL
1986–87 AEL Limassol 1–0 Apollon Limassol
1987–88 Omonia 2–1 AEL Limassol
1988–89 AEL Limassol 3–2 (aet) Aris Limassol
1989–90 Nea Salamina 3–2 Omonia
1990–91 Omonia 1–0 Olympiakos Nicosia
1991–92 Apollon Limassol 1–0 Omonia
1992–93 APOEL 4–1 Apollon Limassol
1993–94 Omonia 1–0 (aet) Anorthosis
1994–95 APOEL 4–2 Apollon Limassol
1995–96 APOEL 2–0 (aet) AEK Larnaca
1996–97 APOEL 2–0 Omonia
1997–98 Anorthosis 3–1 Apollon Limassol
1998–99 APOEL 2–0 Anorthosis
1999–00 Omonia 4–2 APOEL
2000–01 Apollon Limassol 1–0 Nea Salamina
2001–02 Anorthosis 1–0 Ethnikos Achna
2002–03 Anorthosis 0–0 (aet, 5–3 pen) AEL Limassol
2003–04 AEK Larnaca 2–1 AEL Limassol
2004–05 Omonia 2–0 Digenis Morphou
2005–06 APOEL 3–2 (aet) AEK Larnaca
2006–07 Anorthosis 3–2 Omonia
2007–08 APOEL 2–0 Anorthosis
2008–09 APOP Kinyras 2–0 AEL Limassol
2009–10 Apollon Limassol 2–1 APOEL
2010–11 Omonia 1–1 (aet, 4–3 pen) Apollon Limassol
2011–12 Omonia 1–0 AEL Limassol
2012–13 Apollon Limassol 2–1 (aet) AEL Limassol
2013–14 APOEL 2–0 Ermis Aradippou
2014–15 APOEL 4–2 AEL Limassol
2015–16 Apollon Limassol 2–1 Omonia
2016–17 Apollon Limassol 1–0 APOEL
2017–18 AEK Larnaca 2–1 Apollon Limassol
2018–19 AEL Limassol 2–0 APOEL
2019–20
Abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 Anorthosis Famagusta 2–1 (aet) Olympiakos Nicosia
2021–22 Omonia 0–0 (aet, 5–4 pen) Ethnikos Achna
2022–23 Omonia 1–0 AEL Limassol
2023–24 Pafos 3–0 Omonia
2024–25 AEK Larnaca 0–0 (aet, 5–4 pen) Pafos

Performances

[edit]

Performance by club

[edit]
Club[18] Winners Runners-up Winning Seasons
APOEL
21
12
 1936–37, 1940–41, 1946–47, 1950–51, 1962–63, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2013–14, 2014–15
Omonia
16
8
 1964–65, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1987–88, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1999–2000, 2004–05, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2021–22, 2022–23
Anorthosis
11
6
 1948–49, 1958–59, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1970–71, 1974–75, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2020–21
Apollon Limassol
9
8
 1965–66, 1966–67, 1985–86, 1991–92, 2000–01, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17
AEL Limassol
7
12
 1938–39, 1939–40, 1947–48, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1988–89, 2018–19
EPA Larnaca
5
3
 1944–45, 1945–46, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1954–55
AEK Larnaca
3
2
 2003–04, 2017–18, 2024–25
Trust
3
1
 1934–35, 1935–36, 1937–38
Çetinkaya Türk
2
1
 1951–52, 1953–54
Pezoporikos Larnaca
1
7
 1969–70
Olympiakos Nicosia
1
4
 1976–77
Nea Salamina
1
2
 1989–90
Pafos
1
1
 2023–24
APOP Kinyras
1
–
 2008–09
Alki Larnaca
–
5
Enosis Neon Paralimni
–
4
Ethnikos Achna
–
2
Aris Limassol
–
1
Digenis Morphou
–
1
Ermis Aradippou
–
1

Detailed participations and performance by club

[edit]

The following table shows the participations per club in the cup from its foundation up to the 2016–17 season, and the statistics of each team regarding the wins, the times were finalists, their appearances in the semi-finals and the quarter-finals, and the number of qualifications and eliminations that each team has achieved or suffered respectively.[19]

The teams are classified based on the number of entries in the competition. So far, a total of 158 teams participated in the Cypriot Cup. No team has participated in all the cup editions (74 in total, including the 2016–17 season). APOEL and AEL were absent only from a single cup season, the season they were participating in the Greek league.

Rank Club Participations Winners Runners-up Semifinals Quarterfinals Qualifications Eliminations
1 APOEL FC 75 21 11 53 58 155 54
2 AEL Limassol 75 7 11 27 49 110 69
3 Olympiakos Nicosia 72 1 3 18 37 76 71
4 Anorthosis Famagusta FC 69 11 6 31 51 127 59
5 Aris Limassol FC 65 0 1 7 23 66 65
6 Nea Salamis Famagusta FC 60 1 2 12 32 86 59
7 AC Omonia 59 16 8 36 50 141 45
8 Apollon Limassol 58 9 8 28 38 114 49
9 Alki Larnaca FC 53 0 5 8 21 69 53
10 Enosis Neon Paralimni FC 51 0 4 7 28 75 51
11 PAEEK FC1 49 0 0 1 4 38 49
12 EPA Larnaca FC 47 5 3 14 26 56 42
13 Ethnikos Achna FC 46 0 1 5 15 49 46
14 Othellos Athienou FC 46 0 0 0 1 22 46
15 Pezoporikos Larnaca FC 45 1 7 17 29 66 44
16 Ermis Aradippou FC 45 0 1 1 7 43 45
17 Doxa Katokopias FC 45 0 0 2 3 26 45
18 Omonia Aradippou 45 0 0 0 5 29 45
19 Digenis Akritas Morphou FC 43 0 1 1 3 36 43
20 ASIL Lysi 42 0 0 0 3 29 42
21 Anagennisi Deryneia FC 42 0 0 0 2 39 42
22 Chalkanoras Idaliou 41 0 0 0 3 27 41
23 Ethnikos Assia FC 40 0 0 0 3 28 40
24 Akritas Chlorakas 39 0 0 0 1 18 39
25 APOP Paphos FC 38 0 0 4 8 31 38
26 Orfeas Nicosia 38 0 0 1 4 25 38
27 Evagoras Paphos 34 0 0 0 8 37 34
28 Enosis Neon THOI Lakatamia 34 0 0 0 0 20 34
29 APEP FC2 33 0 0 0 2 29 33
30 Adonis Idaliou 33 0 0 0 0 20 33
31 Iraklis Gerolakkou 32 0 0 0 0 13 32
32 Onisilos Sotira 30 0 0 0 1 26 30
33 Ayia Napa FC 27 0 0 0 2 26 27
34 AEZ Zakakiou 27 0 0 0 0 23 27
35 AEK Kythreas 27 0 0 0 0 13 27
36 AEK Larnaca FC 24 2 2 11 18 50 22
37 Keravnos Strovolou FC3 23 0 0 0 2 13 23
38 Apollon Lympion 22 0 0 0 0 19 22
39 Achyronas Liopetriou 21 0 0 0 0 16 21
40 MEAP Nisou 21 0 0 0 0 18 21
41 AEM Morphou 19 0 0 0 0 6 19
42 Elpida Xylofagou 19 0 0 0 0 12 19
43 Ethnikos Latsion FC 18 0 0 0 0 2 18
44 Elia Lythrodonta 18 0 0 0 0 4 18
45 Neos Aionas Trikomou 18 0 0 0 0 11 18
46 Çetinkaya Türk S.K.4 17 2 2 12 14 17 15
47 Digenis Akritas Ipsona 17 0 0 0 0 17 17
48 Rotsidis Mammari 17 0 0 0 0 9 17
49 Anagennisi Germasogeias FC 15 0 0 0 0 11 15
50 AEP Paphos FC 14 0 0 1 2 17 14
51 APEP Pelendriou 14 0 0 0 0 10 14
52 ENAD Ayiou Dometiou FC 14 0 0 0 0 3 14
53 Enosis Kokkinotrimithia 14 0 0 0 0 9 14
54 Digenis Oroklinis 13 0 0 0 0 7 13
55 Kentro Neotitas Maroniton 13 0 0 0 0 7 13
56 Olympos Xylofagou 13 0 0 0 0 10 13
57 AEK Katholiki 12 0 0 0 0 12 12
58 AEK Ammochostos 11 0 0 0 0 0 11
59 ASO Ormideia 11 0 0 0 0 5 11
60 Ethnikos Defteras 11 0 0 0 0 11 11
61 Ellinismos Akakiou 11 0 0 0 0 1 11
62 Olimpiada Neapolis FC 11 0 0 0 0 3 11
63 Orfeas Athienou 11 0 0 0 0 7 11
64 SEK Agiou Athanasiou 11 0 0 0 0 5 11
65 Armenian Young Men's Association 10 0 0 0 6 0 10
66 Anagennisi Lythrodonta 10 0 0 0 0 3 10
67 ATE PEK Ergaton 10 0 0 0 0 5 10
68 APOP Kinyras FC 9 1 0 1 2 13 8
69 AEK Kakopetrias 9 0 0 0 0 8 9
70 Kinyras Empas 9 0 0 0 0 7 9
71 Tsaggaris Peledriou 9 0 0 0 0 5 9
72 AEK/Achilleas Ayiou Theraponta 8 0 0 0 0 4 8
73 Atromitos Yeroskipou 8 0 0 0 0 6 8
74 Doxa Paliometochou 8 0 0 0 0 3 8
75 Ethnikos Asteras Limassol 8 0 0 0 0 1 8
76 OXEN Peristeronas 8 0 0 0 0 4 8
77 Poseidonas Giolou 8 0 0 0 0 4 8
78 Sourouklis Troullon 8 0 0 0 0 3 8
79 Faros Acropoleos 8 0 0 0 0 1 8
80 Fotiakos Frenarou 8 0 0 0 0 7 8
81 ENAD Polis Chrysochous FC 7 0 0 0 0 5 7
82 Th.O.I. Avgorou FC 7 0 0 0 0 3 7
83 Parthenon Zodeia 7 0 0 0 0 1 7
84 Frenaros FC 2000 7 0 0 0 0 3 7
85 AEM Mesogis5 6 0 0 0 0 5 6
86 AOL – Omonia Lakatamias6 6 0 0 0 0 4 6
87 APEY Ypsona 6 0 0 0 0 5 6
88 Pafos FC 5 1 0 1 2 3 5
89 Karmiotissa FC 5 0 0 0 1 3 5
90 Achilleas Kaimakli FC 5 0 0 0 0 0 5
91 Doxa Devtera 5 0 0 0 0 3 5
92 Enosis Neon Parekklisia FC 5 0 0 0 0 1 5
93 Kimonas Xylotympou 5 0 0 0 0 0 5
94 Livadiakos Livadion 5 0 0 0 0 6 5
95 Olympias Frenarou FC 5 0 0 0 0 0 5
96 Triptolemus Evrychou 5 0 0 0 0 2 5
97 Enosis Neon Trust 4 3 1 4 3 7 1
98 AEK Kouklia FC 4 0 0 0 0 1 4
99 AMEK Kapsalou 4 0 0 0 0 2 4
100 AMEP Parekklisia 4 0 0 0 0 2 4
101 Anagennisi Prosfigon Ayiou Antoniou Lemesou 4 0 0 0 0 0 4
102 ATE PEK Parekklisias 4 0 0 0 0 0 4
103 Achilleas Ayiou Theraponta 4 0 0 0 0 3 4
104 Libanos Kormakiti 4 0 0 0 0 0 4
105 Nikos & Sokratis Erimis 4 0 0 0 0 1 4
106 Panellinios Limassol 4 0 0 0 0 0 4
107 PEFO Olympiakos 4 0 0 0 0 1 4
108 Spartakos Kitiou 4 0 0 0 0 4 4
109 Gençler Birliği SK 3 0 0 0 1 1 3
110 FC Episkopi 3 0 0 0 0 1 3
111 Amathus Limassol 3 0 0 0 0 0 3
112 APEAN Ayia Napa 3 0 0 0 0 4 3
113 Doxa Polemidion 3 0 0 0 0 3 3
114 Elpida Prosfigon Paphou 3 0 0 0 0 1 3
115 Enosis Panelliniou-Antaeus Limassol 3 0 0 0 0 2 3
116 Panikos Pourgouridis Lemesou 3 0 0 0 0 2 3
117 Poseidon Larnacas 3 0 0 0 0 0 3
118 Mağusa Türk Gücü S.K. 3 0 0 0 0 2 3
119 Doğan Türk Birliği 2 0 0 0 1 3 2
120 Adonis Geroskipou 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
121 AEK Karava FC 2 0 0 0 0 1 2
122 Alki Oroklini 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
123 Anagennisi Larnacas 2 0 0 0 0 1 2
124 Anagennisi Trachoni 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
125 Antaeus Limassol 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
126 APEA Akrotiriou 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
127 Arion Lemesou 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
128 ASOB Vatili 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
129 Digenis Agiou Nikolaou 2 0 0 0 0 2 2
130 Dynamo Pervolion 2 0 0 0 0 1 2
131 Elpida Liopetriou 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
132 Enosis Neon Ayia Napa 2 0 0 0 0 2 2
133 Gaydzak Nicosia 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
134 Gençlik Gücü T.S.K. 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
135 Kormakitis FC 2 0 0 0 0 1 2
136 Olympias Lympion 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
137 Olympos Acheritou 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
138 Panikos & Sokratis Zakakiou 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
139 AMEAN Agiou Nikolaou 1 0 0 0 0 2 1
140 Anagennisi Mouttalou 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
141 Anorthosis Kato Polemidia 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
142 Apollon Athienou 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
143 APOP Palechoriou 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
144 ASPIS Pylas 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
145 Empa, Cyprus 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
146 ENAZ Agia Zoni Limassol 1 0 0 0 0 2 1
147 ENAP Paphos 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
148 Enosis Agion Omologiton 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
149 Evagoras Pallikarides Agion Trimithias 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
150 Zenonas Larnaca 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
151 Kedros Kormakiti 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
152 Kissos FC Kissonergas 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
153 Kissos Kissonerga 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
154 Kourio Episkopi 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
155 LALL Lysi 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
156 Othellos Famagusta 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
157 Podosfairikos Omilos Xylotymbou 2006 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
158 SEAAS 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
159 Turkish Club of Larnaca 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

Legend:

  • The presence in the quarterfinals and semifinals is credited regardless of the result. That is, if a team reached the final is credited (beyond winning or being the finalists) a participation in the quarterfinals (if any) and an entry in the semifinals.
  • Finalists of the cup are credited an elimination for any final they lost.
  • The Cup Winners are not credited a qualification for each Cup they won.

Notes:

1The team has 4 participations as PAEK, 3 participations as PAEK/AEK and 40 participations as PAEEK.
2The team has 8 participations as APEP Limassol and 25 participations as APEP Pitsilias.
3The team has some participations as Enosis-Keravnos.
4The team has 11 participations as Lefkoşa Türk Spor Kulübü and 6 participations as Çetinkaya Türk.
5The team has 3 participations as AEM Mesogis and 3 participations as AEM Mesogis/Giolou.
6The team has 2 participations as AOL Lakatamias and 4 participations as AOL – Omonia Lakatamias.

See also

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  • Κυριάκου, Άκη. "Εφτά "μικροί" σε 12 τελικούς Κυπέλλου | News". www.sigmalive.com (in Greek). Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  • "Οι τελικοί κυπέλλου στο παλιό ΓΣΠ" (in Greek). Archived from the original on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2016.

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cypriot Cup

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Cypriot Cup (Greek: Κύπελλο Κύπρου; romanized: Kýpello Kýprou) is an annual knockout competition organised by the for men's clubs in the Cypriot . First contested in the 1934–35 season, it represents the premier domestic cup tournament in , second in importance only to the championship. The competition typically involves teams from the First and Second Divisions in a single-elimination format, with the final determining the champion who qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round and the Cypriot Super Cup. APOEL Nicosia holds the record for most victories with 21 titles, followed by Omonia with 14. AEK Larnaca are the reigning champions, having defeated on penalties in the 2024–25 final to secure their eighth cup.

History

Establishment and Early Competitions (1934–1960)

The Cypriot Cup was established in September 1934 by the (CFA), shortly after its formation, as the premier tournament for Cypriot football clubs. The inaugural edition, held in the 1934–35 season, preceded the first championship and involved eight teams from the island's top clubs in a single-elimination format with replays for drawn matches. Quarterfinals commenced on 4 November 1934, culminating in the final on 18 November, which ended 0–0, followed by a replay victory for Enosis Neon Trust over APOEL Nicosia by 1–0 on 25 November at in . This early structure emphasized competitive brevity, with the entire tournament spanning less than two months, reflecting the nascent organizational capacity of the CFA amid limited infrastructure. Subsequent editions through the late 1930s saw intense rivalry among - and Limassol-based clubs, with Enosis Neon Trust securing three titles in the first five seasons (1934–35, 1935–36, and 1937–38), defeating opponents such as Lefkosa Turk Spor Kulubu (4–1) and (2–1). APOEL Nicosia claimed victories in 1936–37 (2–1 over Enosis) and others, while emerged in 1938–39 (3–1 over APOEL) and 1939–40 (3–1 over Pezoporikos after a replay). The competition was suspended from 1941 to 1944 due to disruptions, resuming in 1944–45 with EPA 's 3–1 win over APOEL, followed by their repeat in 1945–46 (2–1). Postwar years highlighted APOEL's dominance, including a 7–0 rout of EPA in the 1950–51 replay final, alongside successes for Anorthosis Famagusta and Turkish Cypriot side Cetinkaya Turk, which won in 1951–52 (4–1 over Pezoporikos) and 1953–54 (2–1). The tournament faced further interruptions from 1955 to 1958, amid political tensions preceding Cypriot independence, with no editions held until a special "Independence Cup" in 1958–59, won 1–0 by Anorthosis Famagusta over . Competitions remained sporadic through 1960, reflecting broader challenges in Cypriot football governance and ethnic divisions, including the separate Turkish Cypriot federation formed after 1934 expulsions from the CFA. Early finals often required replays or abandonments due to disputes, underscoring the developmental stage of organized football on the island, where matches drew modest crowds and emphasized local derbies.
SeasonWinnerScoreRunner-up
1934–35Enosis Neon Trust1–0*APOEL
1935–36Enosis Neon Trust4–1Lefkosa Turk Spor
1936–37APOEL 2–1Enosis Neon Trust
1937–38Enosis Neon Trust2–1
1938–393–1APOEL
1939–403–1*Pezoporikos
1944–45EPA 3–1APOEL
1945–46EPA 2–1APOEL
1946–47APOEL 4–1Anorthosis
1947–482–0APOEL
1948–49Anorthosis 1–0*APOEL
1949–50EPA 2–1*Anorthosis
1950–51APOEL 7–0*EPA
1951–52Cetinkaya Turk4–1Pezoporikos
1952–53EPA 2–1Cetinkaya Turk
1953–54Cetinkaya Turk2–1Pezoporikos
1954–55EPA 2–1Pezoporikos
1958–59Anorthosis 1–0
*Replay or post-abandonment. No competitions: 1940–44 (WWII), 1955–58, 1959–60.

Post-Independence Evolution and Challenges (1960–1980)

The Cypriot Cup resumed operations following Cyprus's independence from Britain on August 16, 1960, but the 1960–61 edition was canceled amid lingering political instability and transitional challenges for the (CFA). The competition restarted in 1961–62 with Anorthosis Famagusta defeating 5–2 in the final on June 17, 1962, at in , marking a return to annual knockout format involving primarily First Division clubs and select Second Division teams. The CFA's full membership in 1962 elevated the cup's profile, aligning it with European standards while maintaining single-elimination ties (two-legged except finals) and promoting it as a key domestic prize. Intercommunal violence from December 1963 disrupted Cypriot football, abandoning the 1963–64 First Division season due to security issues and segregated communities, yet a special edition of the cup proceeded, culminating in Anorthosis's 3–0 victory over APOEL on July 5, 1964. This adaptation reflected the Greek Cypriot focus post-1955 Turkish Cypriot split, with the CFA operating exclusively among Greek Cypriot teams amid restricted cross-community travel. Subsequent seasons saw competitive balance, with Apollon Limassol securing back-to-back titles in 1965–66 and 1966–67, and APOEL winning in 1967–68 and 1968–69, though finals occasionally required replays for drawn matches. The 1974 Turkish invasion, triggered by a Greek-backed coup on July 15, exacerbated challenges, displacing northern clubs like Anorthosis and Nea Salamis Famagusta, which relocated southward as refugee teams, straining resources and venues. The 1973–74 final, Omonia's 2–0 win over Enosis Neon Paralimni on June 23, preceded the conflict, but later editions adapted with finals at alternative sites like (1975–76) and (1978–79, 1979–80). Despite these upheavals, the cup endured annually, with APOEL claiming five titles (1973, 1976, 1978, 1979) and Omonia three (1972, 1974, 1980), underscoring institutional resilience amid national division.

Modern Expansion and Professionalization (1980–Present)

Following the challenges of the post-independence era, the Cypriot Cup entered a phase of structural refinement and alignment with European standards from the onward, coinciding with incremental in Cypriot football. The influx of foreign professional players, which accelerated in the late and , raised the overall competitive quality of domestic knockout competitions, including the Cup, by introducing higher tactical and physical demands that local clubs adapted to through improved training and recruitment. This shift was supported by Cyprus's established membership since 1962, which by the facilitated greater exposure to continental norms, though the Cup itself remained a primarily national affair until format tweaks enhanced its prestige. Infrastructure upgrades further professionalized the tournament, with the opening of the in in 1999 enabling finals to be held in a modern, UEFA-compliant venue starting from the 1999–2000 season, replacing older grounds and improving spectator facilities and broadcast potential. Rule adjustments, such as the introduction of penalty shootouts to resolve drawn finals—first implemented in the 2002–03 season—streamlined proceedings and minimized disruptions from replays, which had been common in earlier decades like 1980–81 and 1981–82. These changes reflected a broader push toward efficiency, paralleling UEFA's influence on member associations. In the 21st century, the Cup's significance expanded through direct qualification pathways to European competitions; following the abolition of the in 1999, victors earned entry to the (later rebranded as the Europa League and then Conference League qualifiers), incentivizing clubs to invest in setups for a shot at continental revenue and exposure. Recent editions emphasize top-tier participation, focusing on clubs from the professional First Division and semi-professional Second Division, with the overseeing standardized draws and regulations to ensure fairness amid growing commercialization, including longstanding sponsorship arrangements that bolstered financial stability. The first UEFA-endorsed Pro Licence course for coaches in 2010 further embedded standards, indirectly elevating Cup performances through better-prepared teams.

Format and Rules

Qualification and Eligibility

The Cypriot Cup, officially known as the Cup for teams from the First and Second Divisions, is contested exclusively by clubs affiliated with the (CFA) and actively participating in the or during the season. All 14 teams from the First Division and all 14 teams from the Second Division are eligible to enter, though the exact number of participants may vary slightly due to administrative adjustments, such as byes for top teams or withdrawals, resulting in totals like 26 teams in the 2024–25 edition. Eligibility is contingent upon clubs meeting CFA registration standards, including compliance with player transfer regulations, squad composition rules, and any applicable licensing criteria outlined in the association's annual competitions announcement. Since the 2007–08 season, teams from the Third and Fourth Divisions have been excluded from this competition and instead compete in the separate Cypriot Cup for Lower Divisions, ensuring the main cup focuses on professional and semi-professional levels. First Division clubs typically receive byes in the initial rounds to balance the draw against Second Division opponents, promoting competitive equity while prioritizing higher-tier teams' progression. Clubs must declare home venues capable of hosting matches per CFA venue standards, particularly for Second Division teams potentially drawn against First Division sides. Failure to meet these prerequisites can lead to exclusion or penalties under CFA disciplinary rules.

Tournament Structure and Draw

The Cypriot Cup operates as a single-elimination competition organized by the (CFA), typically involving 24 to 28 teams from the First and Second Divisions. Preliminary rounds consist of single-leg matches among lower-division entrants, with higher-ranked clubs from the previous season's First Division receiving byes to the round of 32 or later stages to streamline participation and reduce early upsets. This structure ensures approximately five to six rounds overall, depending on the number of entrants and byes granted, as seen in seasons from 2011–12 to 2020–21 where 258 clubs competed across main stages but only 23 advanced to core phases in 2021–22. From the round of 32 onward, ties shift to two-legged formats, with each team hosting one match and aggregate scores determining advancement ( applied until its abolition by UEFA-influenced standards in recent years). Quarter-finals and semi-finals follow this two-legged model, while the final reverts to a single-leg contest at a neutral venue, such as the in , to heighten spectacle and fairness. Match scheduling aligns with league fixtures to minimize conflicts, with preliminary rounds often occurring in and , progressing to a May final. Draws for each round are conducted publicly by the CFA following the completion of prior ties, typically without formal seeding to promote competitive equity, though logistical factors like venue availability influence home/away assignments. For instance, the 2024–25 first-round draw occurred on , incorporating protections for teams in , such as the previous season's finalists and Conference League participants, who may receive adjusted entry points or scheduling considerations. This procedure ensures random pairings while prioritizing administrative efficiency, with results determining host teams for single-leg early matches via lots.

Match Regulations and Variations

Matches in the Cypriot Cup adhere to the Laws of the Game set by the , with adaptations by the for domestic application. Regular match duration is 90 minutes, comprising two 45-minute halves with a interval. In the event of a tie after 90 minutes, teams contest 30 minutes of extra time, split into two 15-minute halves without a break, during which the does not apply as all fixtures are single-legged. If the scores remain level following extra time, the outcome is decided by a , with each team taking five initial kicks and sudden death thereafter until a winner emerges. This tie resolution process is standard across all rounds, including quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. Variations in match conduct include spectator restrictions implemented by the since January 2024, prohibiting away fans from top-division and cup matches due to prior incidents of violence, allowing only up to 50 designated officials per visiting team. Additionally, in August 2025, the association incorporated a three-step protocol into disciplinary rules, enabling referees to issue warnings, temporarily suspend play, suspend matches for a limited duration, or definitively abandon fixtures in response to discriminatory incidents. No deviations from standard substitution limits—up to five per team in regular and extra time combined—or other core playing rules have been noted in recent editions, ensuring consistency with UEFA-aligned standards for national cup competitions.

Participating Teams

Eligible Clubs and Leagues

The Cypriot Cup is open to all clubs competing in the (the top professional tier, consisting of 14 teams) and the (the second tier, with 16 teams), as organized by the . These leagues form the highest levels of the Cypriot football pyramid, where participating clubs must meet registration and licensing requirements set by the association, including player eligibility and financial criteria. All teams from these divisions automatically qualify for the cup, enabling a mix of established professional sides and promotion contenders to enter the knockout competition. Since the 2008–09 season, eligibility has been restricted to these top two divisions, excluding teams from the Third Division and lower amateur leagues to prioritize competitive quality and professional standards; lower-tier clubs instead compete in a separate Cypriot Cup for Lower Divisions. This adjustment followed earlier formats that included broader participation, such as limited Second Division entries before 1975–76 and Third Division involvement until 2008, reflecting the association's efforts to streamline the amid growing professionalization. Participation trends show near-full involvement from eligible leagues, with recent editions featuring 26 to 30 teams depending on division sizes and any withdrawals, underscoring the cup's role as an inclusive national knockout event for semi-professional and professional outfits. In the Cypriot Cup, byes to the second round are granted to specific high-profile teams, including the previous season's finalists and clubs qualified for group-stage competitions, allowing them to bypass the initial phase. For the 2024–25 edition, eligible participants comprise teams from the First Division (A' Category, 14 clubs) and Second Division (B' Category, up to 16 clubs), totaling up to 30 entrants upon declaration, subject to compliance with (CFA) financial and registration requirements. In the first phase, pairings are structured to pit A' Category teams against B' Category teams, promoting divisional matchups rather than intra-division clashes, with the draw then randomizing home/away designations. From the second round onward, the draw procedure eliminates such divisional restrictions, employing a fully random unseeded format among the 16 surviving teams, with assigned to the first-drawn club in each tie. This approach avoids traditional seeding pots based on league rankings or coefficients, prioritizing simplicity in a compact structure, though it risks early eliminations for top clubs post-bye. Semifinals revert to two-legged ties for added equity, while the final remains single-legged. Participation has trended toward expansion in early decades before contracting in modern eras, mirroring broader structural shifts in Cypriot football from inclusive involvement to focused tiers. The 1934–35 inaugural edition featured 8 teams, exclusively from the nascent top division. Growth accelerated post-independence, peaking at 72 teams in 1990–91 with representation across four divisions amid proliferating regional . By contrast, recent seasons (2008/09 onward) average 22–28 teams, confined to First and Second Divisions, as lower-tier clubs were phased out via a separate Cypriot Cup for Lower Divisions starting in the , emphasizing quality control and logistical feasibility for CFA oversight. Key participation figures illustrate this trajectory:
SeasonTotal TeamsPrimary Divisions Involved
1934/3581st only
1986/87571st–4th
1990/91721st–4th
2021/22231st–2nd
This reduction aligns with CFA efforts to streamline competitions amid declining amateur club viability, though total historical entrants exceed 150 unique clubs.

Finals

Overview of Final Matches

The Cypriot Cup final determines the champion through a single match between the semi-final winners, typically scheduled in to conclude the season. From the competition's inception in the 1934–35 season through the 2021–22 edition, 82 tournaments produced 87 final matches due to five instances of draws requiring replays, a practice that persisted until the mid-20th century. Replays were gradually phased out in favor of extra time and penalty shootouts, with the latter first applied in a final during the 2002–03 season when Anorthosis defeated . This shift conformed to broader guidelines, ensuring a winner without additional fixtures while preserving the match's intensity. APOEL Nicosia dominates the finals' history with 21 victories and 12 runner-up finishes, establishing it as the most successful club. Omonia Nicosia follows with 17 titles, including the 2022–23 win over by a 1–0 scoreline, alongside 8 losses in finals. Anorthosis Famagusta has claimed 11 cups with 6 defeats, while Apollon Limassol and have secured 9 and 7 titles, respectively, the latter enduring 12 final losses. These outcomes highlight the recurring participation of Cyprus's elite clubs, where dominance in finals correlates with overall league strength, though upsets by underdogs like APOP Kinyras in 2001–02 demonstrate the format's unpredictability. Contemporary finals illustrate the format's decisiveness under pressure; the 2023–24 edition ended with Pafos FC's 3–0 triumph over Omonia, marking their maiden title, while the 2024–25 final required penalties after a goalless extra time, with AEK prevailing against Pafos to claim their third cup. Such results, often low-scoring due to defensive tactics in high-stakes encounters, underscore the competition's evolution toward efficient resolutions, with no replays since the early , fostering greater fan engagement through immediate outcomes.

Hosting Venues and Traditions

The Cypriot Cup final is most commonly hosted at the in , a 22,000-capacity venue that has staged more finals than any other ground in the country. Opened in 1999, the stadium serves as a neutral site for many decisive matches, including Apollon Limassol's 1-0 victory over APOEL Nicosia in one such final. Its central location and infrastructure make it the preferred choice for high-attendance events, drawing supporters from across . Other venues have occasionally hosted finals, particularly when both finalists hail from the same region to accommodate local demand and logistics. For instance, in accommodated the clash between and Apollon Limassol. Similarly, the G.S.Z. Stadium in has featured in cup deciders, such as Omonia's penalty shootout win over Apollon. These selections reflect pragmatic decisions by the , balancing neutrality with accessibility, though no formal rotation policy is mandated. Traditions surrounding the final emphasize communal celebration and football's cultural prominence in Cypriot society, with matches often culminating in widespread festivities for victors. Pafos FC's 3-0 triumph over Omonia in 2024 sparked all-night street parties in the city, marking the club's first major trophy and etching the date into local lore. Earlier finals, like Anorthosis versus Olympiakos in 2021, were billed as national "fiestas," underscoring the event's role in uniting fans amid Cyprus's divided football landscape. Trophy presentations and post-match parades reinforce these customs, though security measures have intensified following past incidents of fan unrest elsewhere in Cypriot football.

European Qualification

Path to UEFA Competitions

The winner of the Cypriot Cup qualifies for the first qualifying round of the in the subsequent season, providing an entry point into European club competition for the domestic cup champion. This allocation stems from 's access list for associations ranked approximately 16th to 23rd in the coefficient standings, such as , where the cup winner receives a spot in the Europa League qualifiers rather than the tertiary UEFA Conference League. For the 2025–26 season, for instance, AEK Larnaca, as 2024–25 Cypriot Cup winners, entered the first qualifying round. If the cup winner has already qualified for via their performance in the —such as the champions entering the second qualifying round (Champions Path) or league runners-up securing Conference League spots—the Europa League allocation cascades to the next eligible team. Typically, this transfers to the highest-finishing league side without a European berth, which may enter the UEFA Europa Conference League second or third qualifying round (Main Path) depending on the association's spots. receives four total European slots: one for the league champion in the , one for the cup winner in the Europa League, and two for league positions (runners-up and third place) in the Conference League. Advancement beyond qualifying rounds depends on match outcomes, with eliminated Europa League teams potentially dropping into Conference League playoffs as a consolation route, as seen in recent seasons where Cypriot clubs have progressed variably based on results against similarly ranked opponents. This structure incentivizes competitive cup performances, though Cyprus's modest (15.625 points as of 2025) limits direct group-stage access, requiring multiple qualifying ties typically played in July and August.

Impact and Notable Runs by Cup Winners

The victory in the Cypriot Cup grants the winner qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round, offering entry into European competition even for teams outside the top positions. This pathway delivers financial benefits through UEFA's fixed payments for participation (approximately €130,000 for Q2 entry), win bonuses (€40,000–€60,000 per qualifying match), and potential progression rewards, which can exceed €1 million for reaching the phase—substantial relative to Cypriot domestic revenues. Beyond , it fosters club prestige, attracts talent, and provides developmental matches against diverse styles, though progression remains challenging given Cyprus's ranking (typically 20th–25th). If the cup winner also claims the title, the runners-up inherit the European spot, ensuring broad distribution of opportunities among Cypriot clubs. Cypriot Cup winners have achieved limited but occasionally noteworthy European campaigns, often constrained by resource gaps with higher-ranked associations. In the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup era (discontinued after 1998–99), advanced to the round of 16 three times—1988–89 (eliminated by Sliema Wanderers after leading aggregate), 1991–92 (lost to ), and 1994–95 (fell to Sampdoria)—marking the competition's deepest penetrations for Cypriot entrants via domestic cup success. These runs highlighted defensive resilience and home advantages at , contributing to Omonia's 16 cup titles overall. More contemporarily, AEK Larnaca, 2024–25 Cypriot Cup champions, entered the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League and secured a 1–0 upset victory over at on October 23, 2025, with scoring the decisive goal in the league phase—a rare win for a Cypriot side against opposition. This result underscored tactical discipline under pressure, though AEK's broader campaign reflects typical early exits or group-stage participation for cup-qualified teams. Apollon Limassol, following their 2016–17 cup win, reached the 2017–18 group stage via qualification rounds, drawing against and earning a point total insufficient for advancement but notable for exposing Cypriot football to elite scrutiny.

Records and Statistics

Performance by Club

APOEL Nicosia is the most successful club in the Cypriot Cup, with 21 titles won across the competition's history from the 1934–35 season to the 2024–25 final. Omonia Nicosia ranks second with 16 victories, followed by Anorthosis Famagusta with 11. These clubs have collectively accounted for over two-thirds of the 82 editions contested, reflecting their dominance in Cypriot domestic football. The following table summarizes titles by club, listing those with multiple wins:
ClubTitles
APOEL Nicosia21
Omonia Nicosia16
Anorthosis Famagusta11
Apollon Limassol9
AEL Limassol7
EPA Larnaca5
Enosis Neon Trust3
AEK Larnaca3
Cetinkaya Türk2
Clubs with a single title include Nea Salamis Famagusta (1989–90), Pezoporikos Larnaca (1969–70), Olympiakos Nicosia (1976–77), APOP Kinyras Pekgeias (2008–09), and Pafos FC (2023–24). Five finals required replays due to draws, but no titles were shared.

Individual and Aggregate Records

The largest margin of victory in a Cypriot Cup final occurred on June 6, 1976, when APOEL defeated 6–0, which also stands as the record for the most goals scored by a winning team in a single final. This match contributed to APOEL's dominance in the competition's history, where they have appeared in 28 finals as of the 2023–24 season. Five finals have required replays due to draws, resulting in 87 total final matches across 82 editions of the competition since 1934–35. Individual player records, such as career goals or appearances specifically in the Cypriot Cup, are not comprehensively tracked in public statistical databases, though seasonal top scorers are documented; for instance, multiple players have reached six goals in a single campaign, including T. De Vincenti for APOEL and O. Valakari for Pafos. Aggregate match records include high-scoring encounters, but detailed per-game goal tallies beyond finals remain sparsely verified outside official archives.

Controversies

Match-Fixing Scandals and Investigations

In November 2016, the (CFA) announced severe penalties against multiple clubs and officials for match-fixing, including lifetime bans for several players and coaches, point deductions, and fines totaling hundreds of thousands of euros, following alerts on 75 suspicious matches potentially linked to Asian betting networks. The CFA president, Kostakis Koutsokoumnis, publicly stated that the top-tier league was "likely plagued" by such corruption, prompting police involvement and legislative proposals to criminalize match-fixing more effectively. These issues extended to broader Cypriot football integrity, undermining competitions like the Cypriot Cup through eroded trust, though documented cases primarily involved league fixtures rather than Cup-specific games. By January 2020, provided further evidence of manipulated results, leading clubs such as Omonia Nicosia and Anorthosis Famagusta to disclose systemic , including referee bribery and institutional favoritism, resulting in forfeited state grants of €60,000 per suspect team and point penalties. Investigations revealed networks involving foreign investors and agents, with one 2018 probe uncovering a using fake referees to rig outcomes across divisions. Whistleblowers, including former referee Marios Panayi, faced threats and exile after exposing approaches to fix games, highlighting violent repercussions tied to betting syndicates. In May 2023, parliamentary hearings uncovered allegations of CFA cover-ups in a match-fixing ring, further tarnishing the sport's reputation, while two players received lifetime stadium bans and €32,000 fines for proven involvement. Enforcement challenges persisted, with a 2023 academic survey of Cypriot football stakeholders applying fraud triangle models to match-fixing, identifying pressure from financial incentives and weak oversight as key drivers, yet yielding limited prosecutions. As of October 2025, twenty investigations by the Sports Ethics Committee since 2021 produced no convictions, amid ongoing probes into club presidents' links to betting and a high-profile execution potentially tied to match-fixing inquiries. The CFA's June 2025 leadership change, with president Giorgos Koumas resigning under a corruption probe involving conflicts of interest and manipulation, underscored persistent failures affecting all domestic tournaments. Despite these efforts, a 2016 survey indicated 67% of top-flight players acknowledged rigged games, reflecting deep-rooted issues from inadequate deterrence and external betting influences.

Fan Violence and Security Incidents

On January 16, 2024, during a Cypriot Cup second-round match between Nea Salamina and at Ammochostos Stadium, the game was interrupted when a thrown from the stands exploded near APOEL substitute player Giorgos Papageorgiou during warm-up, causing him to collapse and suffer a requiring medical attention. The match resumed but was abandoned early in the second half amid ongoing crowd disturbances, leading to a 22-year-old Nea Salamina supporter being arrested and charged with , possession of explosives, and using a forged to enter the stadium. As a result, the (CFA) expelled APOEL from the competition on February 2, 2024, citing repeated fan misconduct, while fining Nea Salamina €2,000 for spitting incidents targeting officials and opponents. Eight days later, on January 24, 2024, a Cypriot Cup quarter-final derby between rivals Apollon Limassol and at was cancelled before kick-off after AEL fans invaded the pitch and hurled flares at players, officials, and Apollon supporters, escalating pre-match tensions classified as high-risk by authorities. Apollon contested the abandonment as politically motivated, but the CFA upheld it, contributing to a nationwide ban on away fans for all top-tier and cup matches starting January 26, 2024, through the season's end to address a surge in pyrotechnic attacks and pitch invasions. These 2024 incidents exemplified broader security challenges in Cypriot Cup fixtures, where groups exploit intense local derbies to deploy illegal flares and projectiles, often evading inadequate stadium controls despite CFA protocols. The away-fan prohibition, extended into subsequent seasons amid government pressure, reduced on-pitch disruptions but highlighted enforcement gaps, as home supporters continued sporadic violence, prompting player unions to demand enhanced protections.

Governance and Integrity Challenges

The (CFA), which oversees the Cypriot Cup, has faced persistent allegations of administrative corruption and conflicts of interest at its highest levels. In May 2025, a police investigation submitted to the Attorney General accused CFA President Giorgos Koumas of felony offenses, including potential involvement in match manipulation and undue influence over , highlighting a conflict between his leadership role and external business interests. Koumas resigned in June 2025 amid these escalating corruption probes, following years of scrutiny from the sports ethics committee, which in October 2023 had recommended his suspension for failing to address systemic integrity lapses. Financial mismanagement has compounded governance woes, with Cypriot football clubs, including those participating in the Cup, accumulating debts exceeding €100 million as of September 2024, despite multiple bailouts totaling over €20 million since 2019 aimed at stabilizing operations. The CFA's oversight mechanisms have been criticized for inadequately enforcing fiscal transparency, allowing clubs to operate with unchecked deficits that undermine competitive equity in tournaments like the Cup, where financial distress has led to forfeited matches and administrative disruptions. Political partisanship further erodes institutional integrity, as historical ties between clubs, , and CFA officials have influenced , including assignments and disciplinary rulings in Cup fixtures. Incidents such as the November 2024 withdrawal of a journalistic to a reporter investigating CFA —allegedly under pressure from Koumas—underscore compromised , with critics arguing that such interventions reflect a culture of suppressing dissent rather than reforming governance. These challenges have prompted calls for external audits and intervention to restore credibility, though implementation remains stalled due to entrenched leadership resistance.

References

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  24. https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/sports/european-football-cup-finals-2025-dates-venues-key-facts/
  25. https://www.cfa.com.cy/En/news/30600
  26. https://worldofstadiums.com/asia/cyprus/gsp-stadium/
  27. https://cfa.com.cy/En/news/14420
  28. https://www.cfa.com.cy/En/competitions/78
  29. https://cfa.com.cy/En/news/14525
  30. https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/party-till-dawn-in-paphos-for-winning-the-historic-cup/
  31. https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/05/15/football-fiesta-expected-at-cyprus-cup-final
  32. https://nc-network.com/%25F0%259F%258F%2586cup-winning-celebrations-at-the-%25CE%25B3%25CF%2583%25CF%2580%25F0%259F%258F%2586/
  33. https://rankinguefa.pl/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250604_Circular_2025_30_en_enclosure_2025-26-revised-access-list.pdf
  34. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/AccessList2025.html
  35. https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1kulj8d/aek_larnaca_win_cypriot_cup_on_penalties_against/
  36. https://www.cfa.com.cy/En/news/50566
  37. https://wildstat.com/p/2901/club/CYP_Omonia_Nikosia
  38. https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/news/029e-1f07cc62d732-fc197eac8da1-1000--conference-league-matchday-2-highlights-and-round-up-aek-l/
  39. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46700289/crystal-palace-0-1-aek-larnaca-selhurst-park-european-bow-falls-flat-uefa-conference-league
  40. https://www.besoccer.com/competition/historical-ranking/cup_cyprus/top-scorers
  41. https://www.cfa.com.cy/
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  43. https://www.lawinsport.com/topics/blogs/item/integrity-in-sport-cyprus-fa-announce-top-tier-league-is-likely-plagued-by-match-fixing
  44. https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/sep/06/bomb-attacks-and-boycotts-how-football-corruption-in-cyprus-turned-nasty
  45. http://www.news.cn/english/2020-01/16/c_138707977.htm
  46. https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2018/11/20/investigation-uncovers-mass-cypriot-match-fixing-scam-led-chinese-club-investor/
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  50. https://www.emerald.com/jfc/article/30/4/891/448165/Fraud-and-corruption-in-football-lessons-from-a
  51. https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-sports-crime-investigations-no-convictions/
  52. https://telegrafi.com/en/Execution-of-Cypriot-club-Karmiotissa-president--match-fixing-investigations-cast-a-dark-shadow-over-Cypriot-football/
  53. https://sportnews.az/en/football/cyprus-football-association-president-resigns-amid-corruption-scandal
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  55. https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/cup-match-halted-after-player-collapse-amidst-firecracker-chaos
  56. https://www.thenationalherald.com/soccer-player-on-cyprus-fearful-after-flare-attack-demand-protection/
  57. https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/01/19/22-year-old-released-after-firecracker-incident-at-salamina-apoel-match
  58. https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/sports/man-facing-charges-for-throwing-firecracker-at-salamina-player/
  59. https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/02/02/apoel-thrown-out-of-cypriot-cup-after-violence
  60. https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/01/24/match-stopped-after-fan-violence
  61. https://apnews.com/article/cyprus-fans-violence-match-flares-soccer-0242a34b7fb16608c1e47d7633155ec3
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  66. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240119-cyprus-football-bans-away-fans-after-player-hurt
  67. https://fastforward.com.cy/policy/criminal-probe-cyprus-football-chief
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  69. https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/football-clubs-continue-to-accumulate-debts-despite-government-efforts/
  70. https://nc-network.com/corruption-chaos-at-the-cfa/
  71. https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/11/13/cfa-chief-koumas-slammed-after-journalists-award-withdrawn
  72. https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/opinion/the-award-that-never-was-and-journalists-compromised-integrity/
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