APOEL Cyprus wins title, heads for Champions League

APOEL Nicosia won the Cyprus championship on Sunday after arch-rivals Omonia beat their nearest contender and paved the way for the Nicosia team to return to the Champion’s League tournament.

APOEL, headed by Serb coach Ivan Jovanovic, has clinched the championship title for the 22nd time in its 86 years as the leading club of the capital that has made it to the quarter final round of the Champion’s League facing giants Marseille and Real Madrid.

Omonia beat contender Anorthosis of Famagusta 4-0 on Sunday, starting with a 1-0 lead early in the game and then scoring three consecutive goals just before time, sending 18,000 fans in the GSP stadium into frenzied celebration.

APOEL fans also took to the streets to celebrate their title win, although muted, as they lost 1-0 to AEK of Larnaca. They had hoped to clinch the title from then as their seven points difference took them clear of both Anorthosis and Omonia.

With just two more rounds left in the Cyprus championship, APOEL return to the Champion’s League for a third time in five years, hoping the revenue from ticket sales and TV rights will earn them enough funds to keep the club in the black, despite the economic crisis in Cyprus.