Cyprus BXL FC say ¡adios! to Spain to reach final

It's almost too good to be true: Cyprus BXL FC have beaten last year’s champions tonight to reach the final, where they will battle against Romania for the 2012 title. It’s an achievement of herculean proportions. Spain is the team that has not lost since November 2010, counting 48 games with a only a handful of draws between endless winning streaks, and putting out performances that, even at this grassroots level, are often reminiscent of vintage spanish football. Not last week, and not tonight. The Cypriots managed to beat them 0-1 in their home ground and lead the game to penalties, where goalkeeper Gogakis was a giant, saving three out of five to send his team to the final. 

The writing was on the wall for Cyprus after the unfair 0-1 defeat in the first game: they had to go to Spain’s home ground and be the first to beat them in almost two years, with a minimum goal difference of one to repair the damage of the first game. As last week, they went in built for resilience, but still quietly scheming for the beautiful journey to the final. For Spain, playing to dominate was business as usual, yet when their first waves of aggression were blocked with ease by the Cyprus defense, it was clear, as in the first game that the Cypriots deserved to ask for something more from this.

As the first half was maturing, more yellow shirts were appearing in the Spanish half, and having already given some warning shots, there was breakthrough. Cyprus won a free kick at the edge of the box. Agorakis’ shot was blocked by the Spanish wall, but on the rebound, he retaliated with a left-footed missile straight into the left corner. Balance was restored. 

Spain managed to create only one real chance in the first half, which was blocked successively by Gogakis and Telemachou inches before the ball crossed the Cyprus goal-line. The first half ended in stalemate, and everybody was bracing themselves for a second half of high drama.

In the event, the Cypriots tightened their stranglehold in midfield, Severis and Anastasiou working wonders in destroying everything the Spaniards were putting their way, while Telemachou, Dellopoulos, Antonakopoulos and Louka had raised the Great Wall of Cyprus in defence. Spain had but a couple of long-range efforts in the entire second half, and Cyprus BXL FC, growing in confidence, was surging forward and demanding more. The Spanish goalkeeper produced a wondrous response to a header by Charalambous, and Agorakis asked repeated questions in front of goal.

The stalemate would only be broken by the heartbreaking penalty shootout. The Cypriots missed the first two, but Gogakis worked the mother of all football deficits to save three, and lead his team into the final. Agorakis, Louka and Telemachou successively scored the last three penalties for the victors.

You can watch the video of Tele's historic last penalty here:

Last penalty and celebrations of Cyprus BXL FC... par davdoulos


On Sunday (17.00 CET), they will they go back to the Stade Communal d’Ixelles with their fantastic supporters, to play in their first ever BXL Euroleague final. Once again their opponents will be everyone’s favourite to win, but the Cypriots will be there to fight with the same passion, the commitment, and the pig-headed persistence to stand tall against the odds.

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

Substitutions: Georgakoudis, Charalambous.