Cypriot Women's Super Cup
The Cypriot Women's Super Cup is an annual showdown that kicks off the season in Cypriot women's football. It pits the champions of the Cypriot Women's First Division against the Cyprus Women's Cup winners. This fixture celebrates the pinnacle of the prior year's achievements and sets the stage for the campaigns ahead, drawing fans and pundits across the island. Far from a mere curtain-raiser, it's a clash of grit and skill for a coveted trophy.
History and foundation
Emerging in the 1990s alongside the growth of women's football on the island, the first official Women's Super Cup took place in 1995, with Apollon Limassol thrashing AEK Larnaca 4-1. Over the years, it has hosted landmark moments: Nea Salamis stunned favorites Apollon in a 2012 penalty shootout after 1-1, while a 2018 downpour halted play, amplifying the drama. Amid Limassol clubs' dominance like Apollon and AEK, Omonia claimed their first title in 2020, signaling a shift. Notably, the 2021 edition was postponed due to COVID-19, heightening anticipation.
Tournament format
The format is straightforward: a single match on a neutral venue, typically at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. If one team holds both league and cup honors, the Cup finalist faces the league runners-up. Played over 90 minutes with extra time and penalties if needed, VAR was introduced in 2015 for pivotal calls, boosting spectacle. Overseen by the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), it draws up to 2,000 spectators.
Interesting facts
Scoring is lively, averaging 3.2 goals per game, peaking at 6 in 2008. Top scorers include Elena Hatzimichael of Apollon with 5 goals in three appearances and Maria Michael of Omonia with 4. Standout players: Cypriot striker Sofia Ioannou, who netted the 2019 winner, and Georgian winger Nino Gvinashvili, whose 2022 dribbles lit up highlights. The competition has launched talents like Alexandra Galitsia, now in Greece, blending veteran nous with youthful flair.