are returning. But with a population of
just 36,000, Pafos lag well behind in
terms of support.
While many Russians live along the
coast in the resort of Limassol, Pafos
is not an expat club. Centre-back Pavel
Lelyuhkin, who is 21, is the only Russian
on the field, where the benchmarkremains perennial champions APOEL.
Champions League quarter-finalists in
2012, APOEL have won every domestic
league title since 2013 and this season
they are through to the knockout stage
of the Europa League, where they will
face Basle of Switzerland.
Buoyed by UEFA money, APOEL were
champions for a record-extending 28th
time last season, but Pafos won 2-1 in
Nicosia and were only let down by
inconsistent results against lower sides.
“We have made great progress
compared to the season before last in
all components of a football club, but
we are not in the desired place,” said
Dubov last summer.
Financially, that is an understatement.
In 2018, accounts filed with the Cypriot
FA show that Pafos FC had revenue ofcent of their squad are non-Cypriot
according to CIES.
At the start of this season Pafos were
widely expected to break into the top
six. But while challenging Limassol clubs
AEL and Apollon Limassol, as well as
Larnaca-based AEK and Anorthosis
Famagusta, may be achievable, matching
the big guns from the capital Nicosia in
terms of support or achievements is a
tough prospect.
In Europe’s last divided city – which
was split by the Turkish invasion of 1974
- Omonia are the most popular club.
Financially stricken, they have struggled
in recent years before New York-based
Cypriot investor Stavros Papastavrou
bailed them out in 2018.
With their finances stabilised, Omonia
set the early pace this season and fans
Multi-national...
few of Pafos’ side
are CypriotSuccess...Pafos celebrate
on their way to victory over
Omonia earlier this season
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