The 2024/25 European season is quickly approaching, with 236 clubs set to compete in UEFA’s continental club competitions this season.
With the first qualifying round draws less than two weeks away, Extratime Talk will be providing a comprehensive coefficient preview. Between now and then, each country will be previewed, and all clubs participating in Europe for the 2024/25 season are discussed.
In these articles, we will provide analyses of what to expect from each country in Europe. We will explore what is on the line from a coefficient standpoint, and the keys to succeeding, in that country’s case.
Article number 25 in this preview series focuses on Cyprus. Here is a look at what to expect from the Cypriot clubs in Europe next term.
Cyprus In Europe: Country Profile
| Previous Season Coefficient (Rank) | 3.750 (28th) |
| Previous Season’s 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 22.100 (23rd) |
| Starting 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 16.975 (24th) |
It has been a steady decline for Cypriot football. Less than a decade ago, they were regularly in or around the top 15 in UEFA’s five-year country coefficient ranking. Yet, flash forward to 2024/25, and the country starts the year in 24th spot, 0.400 points behind Hungary in 23rd.
It will be a fascinating battle for 22nd spot, where Russia currently occupies. Of course, their clubs are still barred from competing in Europe, meaning that they will not be 22nd at season’s end. Therefore, Cyprus, along with six other countries, will be licking their lips, knowing the opportunity in front of them.
Cyprus In Europe: Club Profile
| Club | Qualified As | Round of Entry | Total European Seasons | Last Season’s Performance | 5-Year Club Coefficient (2023/24) | 5-Year Country Coefficient Contribution, 2023/24 (%) |
| APOEL Nicosia | Domestic Champion | UCL Q2, CH Path | 45 | UECL Playoff Round | 14.500 | 5.550 (25.1%) |
| Pafos | Domestic Runner-up | UEL Q1 | Debut | N/A | 4.420 | N/A |
| AEK Larnaca | Domestic Runner-up | UECL Q2, Main Path | 11 | UECL Q3 | 8.000 | 3.925 (17.8%) |
| Omonoia Nicosia | Domestic Third Place | UECL Q2, Main Path | 46 | UECL Q3 | 12.000 | 4.525 (20.5%) |
Leading Cyprus’ teams in Europe for the 2024/25 term is APOEL, who held off AEK Larnaca for the title. That sees the side from Nicosia start in the Champions League second qualifying round. Twelve years on from their quarterfinal appearance in the competition, it will be a tough road for them to make the main round for the first time since 2017/18.
Pafos earned their continental debut after defeating Omonoia Nicosia in the cup final. For the second time in three seasons, Cyprus will have a team competing in Europe for the first time. Aris Limassol was the last European debutant, losing in UECL Q2 to Neftçi. Pafos, however, will get at least four European games, as they enter the first qualifying round of the Europa League. That is a chance to go at least one better than Aris.
AEK Larnaca will make their third appearance in the Conference League in as many years. Having made the round of 16 in 2022/23, they would not even make the playoff round last summer as they fell to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Q3. Starting in Q2 of the competition once again, it will again be difficult for them to return to the main rounds.
Omonoia Nicosia will join AEK in UECL Q2 after finishing third in the league. They lost a chance at Europa League qualifying after they fell in the cup final to Paphos. In search of a fourth group stage/league phase appearance in six years, Omonoia will have the advantage of being seeded throughout Conference League qualifying. That affords them a huge chance to make the main round of the UECL for the first time.
Cyprus’ Season Ambitions
For Cyprus, a place in the top 22 is the ambition for the year. They have no reason to believe that they cannot finish the season there, despite the challenge they will have from other countries around them like Azerbaijan and Sweden. It will be a matter of improving on last season’s total, which will be crucial in Cyprus grabbing 22nd spot.
The other thing that is worth noting, looking beyond 2024/25, is that Cyprus has 4.000 points to defend. That is more than manageable, and, based on the coefficient points available in this new cycle, Cyprus should be going for at least 5.500 points, possibly more. That is a more than reasonable goal for the country, and would go a long way in this battle for 22nd place.
What a Successful Season Looks Like for Cypriot Football
For Cyprus, a successful year would be having at least two teams in a league phase. That is certainly possible, with APOEL very likely to secure continental football in the fall. As previously mentioned, Omonoia Nicosia will have a wonderful chance to join them in September or October. Between Pafos and AEK Larnaca, if they can even collect 1.500 to 2.000 points, it would also be seen as a success.
Overall, from a seasonal coefficient standpoint, given the lineup of teams Cyprus will have in Europe, a total of 5.000 points would have to be seen as a successful year. Any more than 5.500 points is a stellar year from a Cypriot standpoint, and would put them in a favourable spot to finish 22nd.
What to Expect From Cyprus in 2024/25
Cyprus has a serious chance of earning 22nd spot, as they do have a strong group of clubs. Expectations should be high on the clubs, and justifiably so. So long as APOEL and Omonoia do their jobs, Cyprus should have at least two teams in the league phase. If that happens, 22nd place becomes a reality.
Speaking with Panos from Cyprus Football, he is optimistic of the country having at least two teams in the league phase. “I believe we will easily be in the top 22,” Panos said when asked about the country’s chances of 22nd place. “We will surely have at least one team in the league phase (through APOEL), and Omonia has their own chances of being in the group stage as well. I would say (Cyprus) could even go and have three teams in the group stage if the draw is kind to (the) teams.
While that is rather true, the other question that remains is, who is most likely to contribute to the Cypriot coefficient, outside of APOEL? Panos believes that Omonoia will have the biggest impact, and understandably so. “If (Omonoia) can avoid one or two teams in the first two (qualifying) rounds, they should be taking four wins from them, that could be easily be six with a kind draw in the play offs.” He even went as far as to point out that Omonoia “could rack up some some wins in the league phase,” which would be very good for the coefficient.
Overall, Cyprus likely has the best chance at 22nd place, and should be favourite to succeed in their push for that spot. While the other countries will certainly have a reasonable shot at 22nd, it feels as if it is Cyprus’ to lose.