Pafos Prepares for Historic Champions League Clash

Pafos, Cyprus – Pafos FC has reached the Champions League for the first time in its history. The team, under owner Roman Dubov, qualified after a dramatic win over Crvena Zvezda, sealing their place with an 89th-minute equalizer from Brazilian winger Jaja.

The upcoming match against European giants Bayern Munich is set for Tuesday and is considered the biggest game in the club’s 11-year history. Chief scout Rodolfo Vaz shared the sentiments of excitement, acknowledging the club’s ambitious journey since its formation.

“These guys are really ambitious,” said Vaz, who vividly remembers the early days when Dubov displayed images of iconic stadiums. After years in the shadows of Cypriot football, Pafos is beginning to make its mark.

Pafos, formed in 2014 from a merger of two clubs, faced challenges in its initial years, including multiple coaching changes and fluctuating league standings. However, success began to blossom after the appointment of manager Juan Carlos Carcedo in 2023.

“When I first arrived in Pafos, the idea was simple,” Dubov said. The club ventured through lower and mid-table finishes before finally clinching the Cypriot Cup and the league title in 2024. This success opened the door to the Champions League.

In their qualifying rounds, Pafos defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv. Then came their ultimate test against Crvena Zvezda. The tension mounted as the second leg of the playoff reached the last moments, but Jaja’s crucial goal changed everything.

“The emotions were crazy,” said defender Derrick Luckassen, who played a key role in the match against Olympiacos. “If you go into the Champions League qualification round as a club like Pafos, you don’t think you will really get that far.”

Pafos has now become only the third team from Cyprus to qualify for the Champions League, joining Anorthosis Famagusta and APOEL. Yet, the club’s rich history is still developing.

Despite significant investment, the club’s budget is said to be on par with other Cypriot teams. Currently, they play their home games in Limassol due to their own stadium not meeting UEFA standards. Upgrades are underway to improve facilities.

Dubov, a British citizen with roots in Hungary, oversees the club’s vision, focusing on sustainable growth and community engagement. “It’s about people,” he said, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving success.

The team looks forward to the match against Bayern Munich with high hopes, as they aim to make their presence known in the group stage of the competition.

“We want to make a noise,” said chief executive Charis Theocharous. “We already made noise and we want to make even more noise on the bigger stage.”