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AEK Larnaca FC (Greek: AEK; for short Αθλητική Έvωση Κίτιον Λάρνακας, romanized: Athletiki Enosi Kition Larnakas, "Athletic Union Kition of Larnaca") is a Cypriot professional football club based in Larnaca. The club was formed in 1994 after a merger of two Larnaca clubs, EPA Larnaca and Pezoporikos. The club also has a men's basketball team and a women's volleyball team. ^{[citation needed]}

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AEK Larnaca

Full name	Αθλητική Ένωση Κίτιον Athletic Union Kition of Larnaca
Nickname(s)	Kitrinoprasinoi (Green-yellows)
Short name	AEK
Founded	18 July 1994; 28 years ago (1994-07-18)
Ground	AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis Larnaca, Cyprus
Capacity	7,400[1]
Chairman	Antreas Karapatakis
Manager	José Luis Oltra
League	First Division
2021–22	First Division, 2nd
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours

The club's name comes from the ancient Greek city of Cyprus, Kition, which was located on the site of today's Larnaca. The colours of the club are yellow and green, and their emblem is admiral Kimon, who died at the seafront while defending the city of Kition circa 450 BC, in a fight against the Persians. He had told his officers to keep the news of his possible death secret. The quote "Και Νεκρος Ενικα" ("Even in death he was victorious") refers to Kimon.[2]

The club's greatest successes are qualifying to the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stage and winning the Cypriot Cup in 2004 and 2018. AEK made its Champions League debut in a draw against Midtjylland on 19 July 2022.

History

Foundation

AEK was founded on 18 July 1994. It came from the merger of two historic clubs, EPA Larnaca and Pezoporikos.[3]

EPA and Pezoporikos

Pezoporikos had been established in 1924. In 1926, serving retired members of Pezoporikos founded the "Athletic Educational Larnaca Club" (Greek: ΑΜΟΛ; Αθλητικός Μορφωτικος Όμιλο Λάρνακας, Athlitikos Morfotikos Omilos Larnakas). In 1932 the two clubs were merged by founding EPA Larnaca (Greek: Ένωσις Πεζοπορικού ΑΜΟΛ, Enosis Pezoporikou AMOL). However, in 1937 a group of members and players of EPA left and refounded Pezoporikos. After several decades, in 1994, the two clubs were merged and created AEK Larnaca.[3]

EPA had 50 participations in the first division, won the championship three times (1945, 1946, 1970), five times the Cypriot Cup (1945, 1946, 1950, 1953, 1955) and once the shield of CFA (1955). In addition, the season 1970–71 participated in the Alpha Ethniki of Greece and had three appearances in European competitions.[3]

Pezoporikos had 49 participations in the first division, won two championships (1954, 1988) and one Cypriot Cup (1970). It also had three appearances in European competitions.[3]

Apart from football, the two clubs had other athletic departments. The efforts and the decision to merge was made to create in Larnaca a sports club that starred in all competitions (football, basketball, volleyball, etc.) and would not have financial problems.[3]

1994–1999: The early years

After the merge of the Pezoporikos and EPA, AEK replaced Pezoporikos in the first division (EPA had relegated the last period of existence). In its first participation in the championship, in 1994–95 season, AEK finished in the 9th place. In 1995–96 season, won the 4th place. Together with APOEL had the best defense in the league with 21 conceded goals. In the Cypriot Cup 1995–96 the club reached the final, where they lost to APOEL.

However, because APOEL had won the championship and participated in the 1996–97 UEFA Cup, the finalists of the Cypriot Cup, AEK represented Cyprus in the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In the preliminary round has faced the Armenian club Kotayk Abovyan. The first match took place in Armenia (8 August 1996), where AEK lost 1–0.[4] The second leg was held at the New GSZ Stadium on 22 August 1996 with AEK winning 5–0 and progressing to the first round of the tournament. In this round, AEK were drawn to face Barcelona. The first leg (12 September 1996) held at Barcelona Olympic Stadium where Spanish team won 2–0.[5] The second leg took place at the GSZ Stadium (26 September 1996) with both teams stay tied 0–0 and the Spanish team qualified.[5] Barcelona reached the final and won the trophy.

In 1996, just before the beginning of the 1996–97 season, AEK as the finalist of the Cypriot Cup, played against league winners the match for shield of CFA, losing 1–0.[6] In the 1996–97 season, AEK finished again 4th place and reached to Cypriot Cup semi-finals. This was followed by 5th place in 1997–98, to return to 4th place the 1998–99 season.

2000s

Three seasons in a row, 1999–00, 2000–01 and 2001–02, AEK finished in 7th place. In 1999–00 season the Cypriot Cup reached the semi-finals and the 2002–03 ranked in 8th place.^{[citation needed]}

The 2003–04 season was very important in the history of the team, where managed to win the first trophy. Although in the league finished in 9th place, in the Cyprus Cup 2003–04 reached the final, where beat AEL Limassol the GSP stadium with score 2–1. The conquest of the cup gave the opportunity to participate the second time in European competition, the 2004–05 UEFA Cup. In the second qualifying round of the competition faced Maccabi Petah Tikva. The first match took place on 12 August 2004 at GSP stadium where AEK won 3–0.[7] However, the first match score was not enough to offer the qualification in the Cyprus team. In the rematch in Israel, AEK lost 4–0 thus eliminated from the next round of the tournament.[8]

In 2004, as a cup winner, before the beginning of the 2004–05 season, AEK faced champions APOEL in the match for the shield of CFA. Match final score ended 3–3. AEK lost at extra time 5–4.[6] In 2004–05 AEK finished in 9th place, just three points ahead of 12th place which leads to the second division. The following season ranked 8th. In Cypriot Cup 2005–06 reached the final against APOEL. After the draw between the home stadiums of the two clubs, the final took place at the home ground of AEK GSZ Stadium. However, the team failed to win the trophy after being defeated 3–2 at extra time.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006–07 season, AEK finished in 7th place and reached the semi-finals of the 2006–07 Cypriot Cup. In the 2007–08 season, won the 4th place in the league. The darkest page in the history of team was the 2008–09 season where AEK finished in 13th place and were relegated for the first time in its history in the second division.[9]

2010s

In 2009–10 season AEK finished 2nd in the second division, ensuring its return to the first division.[10] In 2010–11 season, AEK finished in 4th place winning ticket to participate in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League.[11]

In 2011–12 season, the club ranked 5th[12] and also reached the semi-finals of the Cypriot Cup. The next season 2012–13, AEK reached the 4th place of the league and again to the semi-finals of the cup. In the 2013–14, the team were limited at the 8th place after a moderate season.[13]

UEFA Europa League 2011–2012 Group Stages

The participation of the team in Europa League 2011–12 was historic for both the club and for Cyprus football. AEK Larnaca became the first Cypriot team which secured its qualification to the group stages of the Europa League (were preceded the entries of Anorthosis and APOEL in the group stages of the Champions League). In the second qualifying round AEK faced Maltese Floriana which won by 8–0 away and 1–0 at home.[14][15] They away win 8–0 is the largest winning range of Cypriot team in European competition.[16][17] In the third qualifying round AEK faced the Czech Mladá Boleslav. In the first match at GSZ AEK won 3–0,[18] while in the second leg away the teams were drawn by 2–2 with AEK qualifying to the play-offs of the UEFA Europa League.[19] Next opponent was the Norwegian Rosenborg. A goalless draw was the result of the first leg between the two teams.[20] In the second leg (which held at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium due to the fact that UEFA endorsed GSZ Stadium inappropriate at that phase of the tournament), AEK won 2–1 and qualified through to the group stages of the tournament.[21][22]

In group stages the tournament the team was asked to face Schalke 04, Maccabi Haifa and Steaua Bucharest. The only stadium in Cyprus which could host matches of group stages of European competitions was new GSP, whereupon AEK there gave its home matches of group stages. AEK finished at the bottom of Group J and eliminated. The club's performance at the tournament was one win (2–1 at home against Maccabi Haifa[23]) and two draws (0–0 away against Schalke 04 and 1–1 home against Steaua[24][25]), gathering five points. During that season, AEK created an unbeaten record for Cypriot club with six matches (four wins and two draws at the qualifying phase of the tournament). The same record is also hold by APOEL the same season but with three wins and three draws.

Spanish Larnaca

In 2014, the arrival of Thomas Christiansen marked the beginning of a Spanish era at AEK Larnaca. Under the Danish coach, there have been six regular starters from Spain in the lineup during the 2014–15 season.

In the 2014–15 season, the team claimed the championship trophy until the last matchday. In the penultimate matchday, the team faced APOEL with whom stayed at draw 1–1. If AEK won it would go to the top of the table.[26] In the last matchday, AEK won Anorthosis and ranked 2nd for first time in its history.[26][27]

As in 2014–15, Larnaca finished a strong second place in the League for the 2015–16 season. As it was the case in the previous season, there were six Spaniards in the starting eleven, but this time just one player from Cyprus.

Christiansen then left to League rivals APOEL Nicosia. Christiansen was followed by a Spaniard, Imanol Idiakez. Under Idiakez, Larnaca finished second once again in the 2016–17 season. The two best scorers of AEK Larnaca in the First Division where Ivan Trickovski with 14 goals, followed by the Spaniard Acorán Barrera who netted 9 goals. Idiakez nominated even seven Spaniards as regular starters, but no single player from Cyprus. 2017–18 season saw AEK Larnaca finishing in 4th place but winning the Cyprus Cup after 14 years. The French Striker Florian Taulemesse scored a staggering 22 goals in the championship and was nominated player of the year and player of the Cyprus Cup Final for the season. Imanol Idiakez completed 100 games in AEK Larnaca bench and in the final game he won the Cyprus Cup Final. He is replaced as from 23 May by another Spaniard Andoni Iraola.

2020s

AEK Larnaca finished 2nd in the 2021–22 campaign. Cyprus' ranking in the UEFA coefficients at the time, meant that AEK had qualified for Champions League football, for the first time in the club's history.[28] They made their Champions League debut against Midtjylland, but lost on penalties following two 1-1 draws, and dropped into the Europa League.[29]

Stadium

Since October 2016, AEK Larnaca's home ground is the AEK Arena which opened its doors hosting the very first match of AEK Larnaka against Aris Limassol.[30]

The previous home stadium of the football team was the Neo GSZ Stadium, which was common used by EPA and Pezoporikos.[31][32] Before the construction of the stadium, the two teams used old GSZ stadium.

Honours

Domestic

• Cypriot Championship

Runner-up (5): 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2021–22

• Cypriot Cup:

Winners (2): 2003–04, 2017–18

Runner-up (2): 1995–96, 2005–06

• Cypriot Super Cup:

Winners (1): 2018

Runner-up (2): 1996, 2004

European competitions record

Last update: 5 November 2022[33]

UEFA competitions
Competition	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Goals For	Goals Against	Last season played
UEFA Champions League	2	0	2	0	2	2	2022–23
UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup	60	28	16	16	95	70	2022–23
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	4	1	1	2	5	3	1996–97
Total	66	29	19	17	102	75

Matches

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1996–97	UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	Qualifying round	Kotayk Abovian	5–0	0–1	5–1
		First round	Barcelona	0–0	0–2	0–2
2004–05	UEFA Cup	Second qualifying round	Maccabi Petah Tikva	3–0	0–4	3–4
2011–12	UEFA Europa League	Second qualifying round	Floriana	1–0	8–0	9–0
		Third qualifying round	Mladá Boleslav	3–0	2–2	5–2
		Play-off round	Rosenborg	2–1	0–0	2–1
		Group stage (J)	Maccabi Haifa	2–1	0–1	4th place
			Steaua București	1–1	1–3
			Schalke 04	0–5	0–0
2015–16	UEFA Europa League	Third qualifying round	Bordeaux	0–1	0–3	0–4
2016–17	UEFA Europa League	First qualifying round	Folgore	3–0	3–1	6–1
		Second qualifying round	Cliftonville	2–0	3–2	5–2
		Third qualifying round	Spartak Moscow	1–1	1–0	2–1
		Play-off round	Slovan Liberec	0–1	0–3	0–4
2017–18	UEFA Europa League	First qualifying round	Lincoln Red Imps	5–0	1–1	6–1
		Second qualifying round	Cork City	1–0	1–0	2–0
		Third qualifying round	Dinamo Minsk	2–0	1–1	3–1
		Play-off round	Viktoria Plzeň	0–0	1–3	1–3
2018–19	UEFA Europa League	Second qualifying round	Dundalk	4–0	0–0	4–0
		Third qualifying round	Sturm Graz	5–0	2–0	7–0
		Play-off round	AS Trenčín	3–0	1–1	4–1
		Group stage (A)	Bayer Leverkusen	1–5	2–4	3rd place
			Ludogorets Razgrad	1–1	0–0
			Zürich	0–1	2–1
2019–20	UEFA Europa League	First qualifying round	Petrocub Hîncești	1–0	1–0	2–0
		Second qualifying round	Levski Sofia	3–0	4–0	7–0
		Third qualifying round	Gent	1–1	0–3	1–4
2022–23	UEFA Champions League	Second qualifying round	Midtjylland	1−1 (a.e.t.)	1–1	2–2 (3–4 p)
	UEFA Europa League	Third qualifying round	Partizan	2–1	2–2	4–3
		Play-off round	Dnipro-1	3–0	2–1	5–1
		Group stage (B)	Dynamo Kyiv	3–3	1–0	3rd place
			Rennes	1–2	1-1
			Fenerbahçe	1–2	0–2
	UEFA Europa Conference League	Knockout round play-offs	Dnipro-1

Players

Current squad

As of 31 August 2022[34]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  BIH Kenan Pirić 3 DF  ESP Mikel González (Vice-Captain) 4 DF  SRB Nenad Tomović 5 DF  ESP Ismael Casas 6 MF  ESP Oier Sanjurjo 7 MF  POR Gus Ledes 8 FW  POR Bruno Gama 9 FW  VEN José Romo 10 FW  MKD Ivan Trichkovski (Captain) 11 FW  FRA Imad Faraj 12 FW  POR Rafael Lopes 13 GK  CYP Demetris Stylianides 14 DF  ESP Ángel García 15 DF  BIH Hrvoje Miličević

No. Pos. Nation Player 16 DF  VEN Roberto Rosales 17 MF  ESP Pere Pons 19 FW  NGA Victor Olatunji 21 DF  CYP Nikos Englezou (3rd captain) 24 DF  CYP Kypros Christoforou 25 GK  SRB Miloš Gordić (on loan from Red Star Belgrade) 29 MF  CYP Giorgos Naoum 30 DF  CYP Henry Bates Andreou 38 GK  CYP Ioakeim Toumbas 45 FW  HUN Ádám Gyurcsó 51 FW  ISR Omri Altman 66 MF  CYP Rafail Mamas 78 GK  CYP Andreas Paraskevas 88 FW  GHA Ernest Asante (on loan from Doxa Katokopias)

Other players under contract

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

Academy players with professional contracts

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 35 DF  CYP Pavlos Charalambous — DF  CYP Andreas Kapsis — DF  CYP Antonis Christaki — FW  CYP Lambros Constanti

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player - FW  CYP Orthodoxos Orthodoxou (at Olympias Lympions until 31 May 2023) 2 DF  ENG Simranjit Thandi (at Karmiotissa FC until 31 May 2023) 20 MF  CYP Constantinos Anastasiou (at Omonia Aradippou until 31 May 2023)

No. Pos. Nation Player 22 FW  CYP Theodosis Siathas (at Doxa Katokopias until 31 May 2023) 26 MF  CYP Antonis Martis (at Doxa Katokopias until 31 May 2023) 28 FW  CYP Leontios Kalaitzis (at Achyronas Onisillos until 31 May 2023)

Active International players

International Cypriot Players Ioakeim Toumbas Kypros Christoforou Rafail Mamas

International Foreign Players Omri Altman Hrvoje Miličević Kenan Pirić

International Youth Cypriot Players Demetris Stylianides (U-19) Pavlos Charalambous (U-19) Antonis Christaki (U-19)

International Youth Foreign Players

Foreign players

EU Nationals Mikel González Ángel García Oier Sanjurjo Pere Pons Ádám Gyurcsó Bruno Gama Rafael Lopes

Dual citizenship players José Romo Gus Ledes Hrvoje Milicevic Roberto Rosales Omri Altman Imad Faraj Ernest Asante

Non-EU Nationals Ivan Trichkovski Nenad Tomović Kenan Pirić Victor Olatunji

Under-23 Foreign Players Ismael Casas Miloš Gordić

Club officials

[35]

Board of directors

Position	Staff
Chairman	Antros Karapatakis
Members	Andreas Lefkaritis
	Joseph Frangos
	Giorgos Savva
	Evmeos Efthymiades

Source: ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΙΚΟ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ

Technical and medical staff

Position	Staff
Team manager	Christoforos Petrouis
Technical director	Xavi Roca
Head coach	José Luis Oltra
Assistant coach	Francisco Gonzalez Blasco
Goalkeeper coach	Pablo Donate Reina
Analyst	Daniel Perez del Campo
Fitness coaches	Marcos Chena Sinovas
	Norbert Callau
Assistant fitness coach / Rehabilitation	Panayiotis Michael
Medical staff
Team doctor (orthopaedist)	Dr Giannis Efstathiades
Team doctor (Pathologist)	Dr Kyriacos Economides
Physiotherapists	Elias Hadjiioannou
	Tasos Kyriacou
	Costas Gavrielides
Nutritionist	Antri Panteli
Massuers	Dimitar Yordanov
	Constantinos Theodorou
	Ilias Christoforides
Caregiver	Florin Jucan

Source: ΤΕΧΝΙΚΗ ΗΓΕΣΙΑ

Other staff

Position	Staff
General Manager	Afxentis Evangelou
Press Officer	Kyriacos Demetriou
Secretary	Sofia Georgiou
Boutique Manager	Maria Yiasemidou
Head of Marketing Department	Christina Evangelou
Marketing Officer	Christoforos Stylianou
Head of the Ticket Department	Melina Sklavou
Voluntary Staff
Head of Women Volleyball team	Neoptolemos Andreou
Head of Social Media Networking	Adamantini Elia
Head of Player Escorts	Maria Tziva

Academy organisation

Position	Staff
Academy President	Joseph Frangos
Academy Director	Anastasis Stylianou
Officer of Programms,Development and Coach training	Kyriakos Kyriakou
Technical Director	Panayiotis Giannou
Scaouter	Giorgos Konstantinou
Head of Grassroots	Sotos Ioulianos
Grssroots coaches	Antonis Stefanou
	Pavel Toskov
	Valentinos Sofou
	Loukas Michailovic
	Demetris Yiakoumis
	Roberto Famiglietti
	Velelin Toskov
U13 coach	Konstantinos Andreou
U14 coach	Giorgos Pedonomos
U15 coach	Charalambos Christophorou
U16 coach	Konstantinos Konstantinou
U17 coach	Stavros Raounas
U17 Assistant Coach	Tasos Porfyriou
U19 coach	Dimitris Dimitriou
U19 Assistant Coach	Kyriakos Petrou
U19 Goalkeeping Coach	Giorgos Papasavva
U19 Fitness Coach	Rafael Georgiou
Fitness coaches	Demetris Demetriou
	Petros Anastasiades
	Theodoros Pieri
Goalkeeper coaches	Makis Mama
	Panayiotis Kythreotis
	Michalis Georgiou
Medical staff and other staff
Team doctor (orthopaedist)	Dr Giannis Efstathiades
Physiotherapists	Michalis Papettas
	Marios Frangos
Nutritionist	Giannis Koutras
Sport Psychologist	Thalia Panagi
Grounds Manager	Kikis Vasiliou

Source: ΟΡΓΑΝΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ

Sponsorship

• Major Sponsor – Meridian Bet
• TV Sponsor – PrimeTel PLC
• Clothing Sponsor – Puma
• Website Sponsor – Ideaseven Creative Solutions
• Official Sponsors:
  • AJK Wealth Management Limited
  • Petrolina
  • K. Treppides & CO Certified Public Accountants
  • C & C Londou Bros
  • SunnySeeker Hotels
  • ZEMCO Group
  • McDonald's
  • UCLan Cyprus
  • METRO Supermarkets
  • Kapnos Airport Shuttle
  • Top Kinisis Travel

Supporters

Source: aek.com.cy

Former players

Managerial history

Andreas Mouskallis (1994) Stavros Papadopoulos Petros Ravousis (1998–99) Radmilo Ivančević (1999–00) Dusan Mitosevic(2001–02) Michalis Hadjipieris (2002–03) Nikos Andronikou (2003) Andreas Mouskallis (Dec 2003 – Nov 04) Neophytos Larkou (2004) Nikolay Kostov (Dec 2004–05) Marios Constantinou (2005 – Oct 07)

Nir Klinger (Sept 20, 2007 – June 30, 2008) Makis Katsavakis (Oct 2008 – Dec 08) Louis Stefani (Dec 2008) Christos Kassianos (Jan 2009) Savvas Constantinou (Feb 2009 – Nov 09) Andreas Michaelides (Dec 2009–10 May) Ton Caanen (1 July 2010 – 20 Nov 2011) Leon Vlemmings (3 Dec 2011 – 30 May 2012) Ran Ben Shimon (3 July 2012 – 20 May 2013) Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos (1 July 2013 – 15 Dec 2013) Floros Nicolaou (16 Dec 2013 – 31 May 2014)

Thomas Christiansen (1 June 2014 – 29 April 2016) Imanol Idiakez (2 June 2016 – 21 May 2018) Andoni Iraola (23 May 2018 – 14 Jan 2019) Imanol Idiakez (15 Jan 2019 – 9 Dec 2019) Elias Charalambous (9 Dec 2019 – 25 Feb 2020) David Caneda (26 Feb 2020- 20 Sep 2020) Joan Carrillo (21 Sep 2020 - 24 Nov 2020) Sofronis Avgousti (24 Nov 2020 - 24 Apr 2021) David Catalá (17 May 2021 - )

UEFA and IFFHS rankings

References

External links

• Official website
• AEK Unofficial blog
• AEK Fans site

На других языках

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- [en] AEK Larnaca FC

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[es] AEK Larnaca

El AEK Larnaca (en griego, Αθλητική Έvωση Κιτίου Λάρνακας, Athlitikí Énosi Kítion Lárnakas, "Asociación Atlética Kition Lárnaca") es un club deportivo de Chipre de la ciudad de Lárnaca. Fue fundado en 1994 por la fusión de otros dos clubes de la ciudad: el EPA y el Pezoporikos. Tiene diferentes secciones (fútbol masculino, baloncesto masculino, baloncesto femenino y voleibol femenino). La sección de fútbol juega en la Primera división de Chipre.

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[ru] АЕК (футбольный клуб, Ларнака)

«АЕК» (греч. Αθλητική Έvωση Κίτιον Λάρνακας) — кипрский профессиональный футбольный клуб из города Ларнака. Основан в 1994 году после слияния двух городских клубов «ЭПА» и «Пезопорикос». Домашние матчи проводит на стадионе «АЕК Арена» общей вместимостью 7400 зрителей. Действующий участник Дивизиона А, высшей лиги чемпионата Кипра по футболу.

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