Cyprus BXL FC fall bravely to superior Spain, 0-3

 It was a measure of how things have changed since last year, that Cyprus BXL FC went into this game with statistical superiority over Spain in a number of areas. At the end of the game thischange was even more obvious in the faces of the Cyprus players, who lost 0-3 to last year’s high-flying champions, but felt they should have gotten more out of this match.

One of the big questions pre-game was how the tie between the best defense of the league and the most productive attack would play out. In the event, early into the first half, it was clear who was holding the reins of the game. Cyprus BXL FC was happy to leave possession and terrain to Spain and was holding up solidly within its own half.

But oddly enough, this also meant that there was no tiki-taka from the Spaniards tonight, who were forced to play with one long ball after another from their defense to their attack, leaving their mercurial midfield out of the game. Most of those balls were easily cleared by the Cyprus centre-backs, rarely creating danger. 

As time was passing, however, the long balls were becoming more and more diagonal, spreading the Cyprus defense left and right, and creating cracks in the defensive wall in front of Gogakis. Spain was now creating chances, and an unfortunate mistake in the centre of defense gave them their first goal of the night. 

At the same time the Cypriots were shyly starting to become more demanding up front, but seemed to lack the cool head needed to string together a truly threatening attack.

This changed at the beginning of the second half, when Cyprus BXL FC showed more belief in their chances of getting something out of the game. They created two very good chances from excellent combination play on the wings, had 2-3 decent shots from Fossati and won several corners that threatened the Spanish defense.

The most interesting part during this 10-15 minute period was that the Cypriots had reversed the tide of the game, pushing Spain into its own half, and playing beautiful possession football that one would have normally only expected from las Rojas. Unfortunately the chances and the possession were squandered however with another defensive mistake that led to Spain getting their second of the night, and soon thereafter many more chances and the third that sealed their victory.

Overall, there is no doubt that the best team won. Spain was at time imperious, commanding a steely grip on the game and showing why and how they became last year’s Champions. Their quality was confirmed by the fact that they capitalised ruthlessly on perhaps the only two errors of the Cyprus defense, whereas in other games this might have passed without consequence.

For Cyprus BXL FC, there is a big silver lining on the cloud that descended upon the Stade Communale d’Ixelles tonight. They showed that they thoroughly deserve their position in the top tier of the League, playing football that couldn’t even be dreamed of in previous seasons and looking at Spain right in the eye.

Man of the match today goes to center-back Telemachou for his tireless efforts in central defense, and the passion he showed in guiding his colleagues, despite his frustration when things starting going wrong. Gogakis was massive in goal, making some brilliant saves throughout the game, while Fossati, Voudouris and Rossides also put in encouraging performances.

Starting XI: Gogakis, Formosa, Antonakopoulos, Telemachou, P. Orphanides, Anastasiou, Fossati, Papoutsas, Voudouris, Anastasiades, Rossides.

Next league game for Cyprus BXL FC is away against Portugal on January 8 2012.