Pafos FC's Historic Champions League Debut

Pafos FC's Historic Champions League Debut

Pafos FC's Historic Champions League Debut

Pafos FC, the Cypriot football club, is set to make its Champions League debut this Wednesday, marking a significant milestone just 11 years after its establishment.

The club has gained recognition in recent years, making its European debut last season by reaching the last 16 of the Conference League and securing its first league title.

This season, Pafos FC achieved another remarkable feat by successfully navigating three rounds of qualifying to enter the Champions League, becoming one of only two teams, alongside Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty, to make their first appearance.

In the qualifying rounds, Pafos overcame formidable opponents including Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv, and Red Star Belgrade.

The team is now set for eight matches in the league phase, featuring a home game against Bayern Munich and an away match against Chelsea, beginning with a trip to Greece to face Olympiakos on Wednesday.

David Luiz, the former Brazil and Chelsea defender who joined Pafos in August, expressed the excitement surrounding the club's qualification, stating to BBC Sport, "Everybody was in ecstasy. We did something amazing that nobody expected this season."

Luiz added, "I’m very happy to be here because I can see the hunger in everyone to achieve something great."

A Brief History Since Formation

Pafos FC was founded in 2014 through the merger of two local clubs, AEK Kouklia and AEP Paphos, which had themselves been formed from the merger of two other teams in the district in 2000.

The club started in the second tier and fluctuated between divisions until a takeover by Russian businessman Roman Dubov in 2017, who previously owned Portsmouth.

Dubov stated, "Our vision was clear - we wanted to create something new, competitive, and sustainable, not just a football club but one that could give back to the community," in a recent interview with Gold magazine.

However, success did not come immediately. Cypriot journalist Andreas Odysseos noted, "Total Sport Investment has transformed the club completely. It was once a team struggling to remain in the top division." He highlighted the intense passion for football in Mediterranean countries, stating that fan attendance is directly linked to the team's performance.

British Managers and Their Tenures

Pafos FC has seen several British managers over the years, including Scotland's Steven Pressley, who managed 19 games in 2018, Welshman Cameron Toshack with 21 games in 2019-20, and England's Stephen Constantine, who led the team for 18 games in 2021. Additionally, former Blackburn defenders Henning Berg and Michel Salgado had stints with the club, with Salgado also serving as sporting director.

Turning Point with Ex-Arsenal Coach

The arrival of Spaniard Juan Carlos Carcedo in June 2023 marked a turning point for Pafos FC. Having served as assistant manager to Unai Emery at six clubs, including Arsenal, Carcedo guided the team to its first trophy, the 2023-24 Cypriot Cup, after a 3-0 victory over Omonia.

In his second season, Pafos progressed through three rounds of Conference League qualifying, finished 12th in the league phase, and won the league title for the first time by a seven-point margin, securing a place in the Champions League.

A crucial moment came when Jaja scored in the 89th minute against Red Star Belgrade, sealing their spot in the league phase. Odysseos commented on the significance of this achievement, noting the enthusiastic support from Cyprus's president, who celebrated passionately at the match.

Looking Ahead with Optimism

This summer, Pafos made headlines by signing 38-year-old defender David Luiz, who transitioned from Fortaleza in Brazil after previously playing for Arsenal and Flamengo. Odysseos remarked that Luiz's presence is not just about playing; it also aims to enhance Pafos's image as a football destination.

Luiz has made two substitute appearances in the Cypriot league and is currently involved in legal proceedings in Brazil regarding allegations of threats against a woman, which he denies. His management team stated that the case is under judicial confidentiality.

Having won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, Luiz is eager for the upcoming match against his former club in January, stating, "I’m going to play against Chelsea with my heart full of energy. Nobody expected much from us in the Champions League, but I believe we can do something special. It’s a big opportunity for us to showcase our qualities to the world."

Additional reporting by Olly Foster and Mani Djazmi.

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

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