Nicosia, Cyprus. Pafos FC defeated Apollon 2-0 on Friday night at Nicosia’s GSP Stadium to win the Cyprus Cup for the second time in the club’s 12-year history. Brazilian winger Jaja scored in the 84th minute before Portuguese midfielder Pedro Rodrigues added a second goal in stoppage time.
President and former president attend final
President Nikos Christodoulides, who is from Paphos, and his predecessor Nicos Anastasiades, a Limassol native and Apollon supporter, attended the match. The two sat together in the GSP’s west stand and were seen in conversation before kick-off.
European places confirmed
The result confirmed the allocation of Cyprus’ European places for next season. Omonia, the first division champions, have qualified for the Champions League and will enter at the second qualifying round, with the draw set for June 17 and the fixtures scheduled for July 21-22 and July 28-29.
As cup winners, Pafos FC secured a place in the Europa League and will also enter at the second qualifying round. Their draw will also take place on June 17, with fixtures set for July 23 and July 30.
Despite losing the final, Apollon will play in the Conference League next season after finishing third in the domestic league. They will join Aek Larnaca, who finished second, in entering the competition at the second qualifying round, with the draw and fixtures scheduled on the same dates as the Europa League’s second qualifying round.
Next season’s European finals
Next year’s Champions League final will be held at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium. The Europa League final will take place at Frankfurt’s Waldstadion, and the Conference League final will be staged at the Besiktas Stadium, which hosted last week’s Europa League final.