Cypriot Cup
The Cypriot Cup is the premier knockout football competition in Cyprus, run by the Cyprus Football Association (CFA). It features clubs from the top, second, and third divisions, offering glory and European qualification. Established in 1934, it remains a cornerstone of Cypriot football with intense single-elimination battles.
History and foundation
Launched as the King George V Cup in 1934, it evolved post-WWII with regional qualifiers in the 1960s and sponsorships like LTV Cup in the 1990s. APOEL and Omonia share 21 titles each. Memorable moments include the 1992 AEK-Nea Salamina penalty shootout and APOEL's nine consecutive wins in the 2000s. Reforms in the 2010s boosted lower-league involvement for upsets.
Tournament format
Pure knockout from round of 16 to final, with 30-36 teams. Early rounds may use regional mini-leagues, followed by one-off ties. The final is typically at GSP Stadium in Nicosia. Winners earn a UEFA Conference League spot.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.5-3, spiking to 4+ in thrillers. Top scorers: Kasidis (45), Ryan (42), Tristram (37). Stars like Ioannis Okkas (100+ career goals), Milan Djepic of APOEL, and Dutch-Brazilian talents like Pedro Morais have shone. Recent heroes include Serbs and Brazilians dominating APOEL's campaigns.