Plucky APOEL sink Copenhagen in thriller

Cypriot international Chrysis Michael played a captain’s role here Thursday night by bagging a brace to ensure Cyprus minnows APOEL Nicosia reached the Champions League groups following a 3-1 win over Copenhagen.

The Cypriot outfit overturned a 1-0 away defeat in Denmark to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate and put Cyprus back on the European map.

APOEL got off to a flying start with Polish midfielder Kamil Kosowski catching the defence square and volleying home from six yards after chesting down a lofted through ball from Cypriot international Costas Charalambides.

The Danish visitors were shell-shocked by the early goal with nervy defenders unsure of themselves and making unnecessary errors.

And it was a reckless challenge by Zdenek Pospech inside the area that enabled APOEL to go two up on 18 minutes when Michael calmly converted from the penalty spot.

Just when Copenhagen seemed to be sinking without trace Dame N’Doye pegged back the score with a vital away goal four minutes later, scoring with a downward header as APOEL failed to deal with a low cross into the box.

But the scoring didn’t finish there, during an entertaining first half, when Michael scored his second with a diving header after an inch perfect Charalambides cross.

Copenhagen almost mustered an instant reply but a Zanka Jorgensen effort was cleared off the line as the interval beckoned.

The Danes pushed for another away goal after the break but William Kvist had a shot smartly tipped over by reliable Greek keeper Dionisis Chiotis. Striker Ailton Almeida and sub Jasper Gronkjaer posed a constant threat as Copenhagen piled on the pressure but the Nicosians held firm to register a famous victory.

Serb coach Ivan Jovanovic had called for a superhuman effort from his team to reach the next stage and emulate Anorthosis Famagusta, who became the first Cyprus side to reach the Champions League groups last season.

And a full house of 22,000 home fans created a noisy atmosphere at the GSP stadium in the hope APOEL could achieve a landmark by reaching the next phase in a contest billed as the club’s most important in its 83-year history.

The hosts had only lost one European tie at home in the past six years and set about their task – in clawing back a 1-0 deficit – with gusto.

The Danish champions seemed to struggle in the humid conditions with night time temperatures still a balmy 27 degrees Celsius – there was a water break with only 15 minutes gone.

APOEL have won more league titles than their rivals but a tilt at Champions League glory is what their passionate fans can now look forward to in the coming months.