Cyprus BXL FC lose 1-0 to Spain despite fantastic performance in first semi-final

It was a bitter night for Cyprus BXL FC at the ISB on Friday, coming out with nothing in a game where victory was within touching distance. 


Putting in one of their best performances this season, they had defending champions Spain pinned to one third of the pitch for parts of the game, but they missed unforgettable chances to create facts on the ground. Two bad referee decisions gave a goal to Spain and a penalty to Cyprus, that was eventually missed.

There were big chunks of the game on Friday where roles were completely reversed, and spectators were left wondering who the underdog of the game actually was. Cyprus BXL FC managed to push Spain against the wall for the entire first half, missing at least four clear chances to score. More than the chances they created, however, it was the fluidity and the confidence of their game that impressed the most, as they dominated completely their theoretically superior opponents.

The critical moment of the game came from a wrong referee decision at the very last minute of the first half, when an obvious clearance from Antonakopoulos was handled by Gogakis, the referee inexplicably taking that as a backpass, and awarding and an indirect free kick was to Spain a few meters from the Cyprus goal-line. The Spaniards managed to thread it through the wall and the half ended with an unfair 0-1 for the visiting side.

The controversy of the goal seemed to disorientate the Cypriots going into the second half, Spain regaining initiative and looking more assured on the pitch. For about 15 minutes there was only Spain on the pitch, as they took back control of the midfield area, and managed to impose their all-too-familiar passing game.

Right at this point, and in yet another dramatic turn of events in this rollercoaster game, Cyprus BXL FC was given a penalty after a clearly unintentional handball by the Spanish centre back. The referee correcting his earlier and more fateful mistake? Probably. In the event, the Spanish goalkeeper lept into his bottom right corner and blocked Anastasiades’ penalty to maintain the status quo.

Cyprus had its mind on resilience as well as adventure for the rest of the game, but time was passing inconsequentially, save 1-2 shots by either side, the Spaniards having one bouncing off the crossbar after Gogakis saved it.

The last highlight of the game was a great chance to salvage a draw for the Cypriots, when the Spanish centre-back miscalculated a cross, and sent his clearance right into Rossides’ feet, who nonetheless didn’t manage to react correctly to the opportunity and push the ball into the net.

For a first semi-final appearance, and against the undisputed best team of the League at that, Cyprus BXL FC can be proud of the way they played and challenged for the game. Their biggest achievement was that they held their fate in their hands throughout the tie, and had they had a bit more luck, and perhaps the Spanish goalkeeper on a less spectacular day, they would have come out of the game with much more. What they are left with now, aside from the distinct bitterness in their mouth, is the hope, the optimism, and the confidence in the knowledge that THEY CAN DO THIS.

Starting XI: Gogakis, Antonakopoulos, Dellopoulos, Telemachou, Louka, Severis, Anastasiou, Papoutsas, Voudouris, Agorakis, Anastasiades

Subs: Rossides, Georgakoudis

The return leg for the BXL Euroleague semi-finals is on Wednesday 21 June at the Ixelles pitch.