Historic wins for AEK Larnaka and Apollon Limassol in Europa League
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE (MATCHDAY 5)
| Zurich | 1 - 2 | AEK Larnaca |
|---|---|---|
| Khelifi 74' |
Giannou 38' Trickovksi 85' |
It was a banner day for the two Cypriot teams playing in the UEFA Europa League. AEK Larnaca claimed an impressive 2:1 win in Switzerland against Zurich, and not to be outdone, Apollon won at home to Lazio 2:0.
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AEK Larnaca visited FC Zurich at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich. Playing for mostly pride at this point, AEK still came out determined, perhaps encouraged by their win over APOEL at the weekend. Antonio Marchesano had the first chance for the hosts, but it was but a routine save for Tono Ramirez. Not long after, Hector Hevel fired a warning blow for AEK, but his shot went just wide. Nonetheless, AEK remained hungry and got the payoff they were looking for in the 38th minute, as Acoran played a low ball in for Jorge Larena, who sent in a low cross that found Apostolos Giannou, who beat Yanick Brecher with a low strike to give AEK a 1:0 advantage, which they took into halftime.
In the second half, the hosts upped the pressure and pressed for the equalizer. Their chance came in the 74th minute as they earned a free kick. They faked the kick to throw off Ramirez’s timing, which allowed Salim Khelifi to curl the free kick under the ball and past Ramirez, exactly what the hosts were looking for. However, there was one final plot twist before all was said and done. A late corner for AEK was not played cleanly by Ivan Trickovski, but Zurich defender Victor Palsson could not find the loose ball, and Trickovski found it first, and quickly turned and fired it past a surprised Brecher in the 85th minute. AEK were able to hang on from there and earn their first win of the competition and first road victory in a European group stage in club history with a 2:1 away decision over FC Zurich on Swiss soil.
In the long run, the result doesn’t mean a whole lot. Bayer Leverkusen lead the group with 10 points, Zurich know they’re through with 9 points, AEK can’t progress even now on 5 points as they only have one match to go. Ludogorets are bringing up the rear with 3 points. AEK will finish out their campaign on December 13th back in Cyprus against Bayer Leverkusen.
| Apollon Limassol | 2 - 0 | Lazio |
|---|---|---|
| Faupala 31' Markovic 82' |
Back in Cyprus, Apollon hosted Italian side Lazio, who they lost to in Rome last time they played. Apollon are leading the Cypriot league at the moment as well. The match was held at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, as the Tsirion Stadio in Limassol does not currently meet UEFA standards. Lazio actually carried much of the early play, but failed to really make it count. Then against the run of play came a shot of inspiration. Joao had the ball on the wing and crossed it in for David Faupala, who with an absolutely stunning bicycle kick and contender for goal of the season, rammed the ball past Silvio Proto to give Apollon the 1:0 lead in the 31st minute. That score remained at the halftime whistle.
Lazio came out with more urgency in the second half, and Bruno Vale had to be ready to turn away Senad Lulic and Martin Caceres to keep his side ahead. But the backbreaker for them would come in the 82nd minute, as Anton Maglica played a ball for Fotis Papoulis who spotted Sasa Markovic going to the net. Markovic beat Proto with a good finish, and that finished off the Italians as Apollon earned a 2:0 win at home to Lazio.
This was the first ever win by a Cypriot side over an Italian side in European competition. Unfortunately, similar to their compatriots, it’s too little, too late. Eintracht Frankfurt have locked up the group with 15 points, and even with this result, Lazio will go through with them on 9 points. Apollon now have 4 points in 3rd place, ahead of Marseille who only have one point. Apollon will finish their campaign in France when they visit Marseille, also on December 13th.
