AEK Larnaca FC (Greek: AEK; for short Αθλητική Έvωση Κίτιον Λάρνακας, translit. Athletiki Enosi Kition Larnakas, "Athletic Union Kition of Larnaca") is a Cypriot professional football club from Larnaca, Cyprus. Their home ground as from the 2016–2017 season is the brand new AEK Arena - Georgios Karapatakis stadium with a capacity of 7,400 spectators.[1] The club was formed in 1994 after a merger of two Larnaca clubs, EPA Larnaca and Pezoporikos. The club has also basketball sections for men AEK Larnaca BC and women Petrolina AEK and a volleyball section for women.

The club's name comes from the ancient Greek city-kingdom of Cyprus Kition, located on the site of today's Larnaca.[2] The colours of the club are yellow and green and their emblem is admiral Kimon, who died at the seafront defending the city of Kition (modern Larnaca) in a major battle in Cyprus at about 450 BC, in a fight against the Persians. He had told his officers to keep the news of his possible death secret. The quote "Και Νεκρος Ενικα" ("Even in death he was victorious") refers to Kimon.[2]

Greatest successes of the football club are the qualification to the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stage and the win of Cypriot Cup in 2004 and 2018. The highest league performance is the 2nd place in three consecutive years.

History
Foundation

AEK was founded on 18 July 1994. It came from the merger of two historic clubs, EPA Larnaca and Pezoporikos.[3]
EPA and Pezoporikos

Pezoporikos had been established in 1924. In 1926, serving retired members of Pezoporikos founded the "Athletic Musical Larnaca Club" (Greek: ΑΜΟΛ; Αθλητικό Μουσικό Όμιλο Λάρνακας, Athlitikos Mousikos Omilos Larnakas). In 1932 the two clubs were merged by founding EPA Larnaca (Greek: Ένωσις Πεζοπορικούς ΑΜΟΛ, Enosis Pezoporikous AMOL). However, in 1937 a group of members and players of EPA left and refounded Pezoporikos. After several decades, in 1994, the two clubs were merged and created AEK Larnaca.[3]

EPA had 50 participations in the first division, won the championship three times (1945, 1946, 1970), five times the Cypriot Cup (1945, 1946, 1950, 1953, 1955) and once the shield of CFA (1955). In addition, the season 1970–71 participated in the Alpha Ethniki of Greece and had three appearances in European competitions.[3]

Pezoporikos had 49 participations in the first division, won two championships (1954, 1988) and one Cypriot Cup (1970). It also had three appearances in European competitions.[3]

Apart from football, the two clubs had other athletic departments. The efforts and the decision to merge was made to create in Larnaca a sports club that starred in all competitions (football, basketball, volleyball, etc.) and would not have financial problems.[3]
1994–1999: The early years

After the merge of the Pezoporikos and EPA, AEK replaced Pezoporikos in the first division (EPA had relegated the last period of existence). In its first participation in the championship, in 1994–95 season, AEK finished in the 9th place. In 1995–96 season, won the 4th place. Together with APOEL had the best defense in the league with 21 conceded goals. In the Cypriot Cup 1995–96 the club reached the final, where they lost to APOEL.

However, because APOEL had won the championship and participated in the 1996–97 UEFA Cup, the finalists of the Cypriot Cup, AEK represented Cyprus in the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In the preliminary round has faced the Armenian club Kotayk Abovyan. The first match took place in Armenia (8 August 1996), where AEK lost 1–0.[4] The second leg was held at the New GSZ Stadium on 22 August 1996 with AEK winning 5–0 and progressing to the first round of the tournament. In this round, AEK were drawn to face Barcelona. The first leg (12 September 1996) held at Barcelona Olympic Stadium where Spanish team won 2–0.[5] The second leg took place at the GSZ Stadium (26 September 1996) with both teams stay tied 0–0 and the Spanish team qualified.[5] Barcelona reached the final and won the trophy.

In 1996, before the begging of the 1996–97 season because APOEL had won the league and cup 1995–96, AEK, as finalist of the Cypriot Cup, played against league winners the match for shield of CFA, losing 1–0.[6] In the 1996–97 season, AEK finished again 4th place and reached to Cypriot Cup semi-finals. This was followed by 5th place in 1997–98, to return to 4th place the 1998–99 season.
Decade 2000–2010

Three seasons in a row, 1999–00, 2000–01 and 2001–02, AEK finished in 7th place. In 1999–00 season the Cypriot Cup reached the semi-finals and the 2002–03 ranked in 8th place.[citation needed]

The 2003–04 season was very important in the history of the team, where managed to win the first trophy. Although in the league finished in 9th place, in the Cyprus Cup 2003–04 reached the final, where beat AEL Limassol the GSP stadium with score 2–1. The conquest of the cup gave the opportunity to participate the second time in European competition, the 2004–05 UEFA Cup. In the second qualifying round of the competition faced Maccabi Petah Tikva. The first match took place on 12 August 2004 at GSP stadium where AEK won 3–0.[7] However, the first match score was not enough to offer the qualification in the Cyprus team. In the rematch in Israel, AEK lost 4–0 thus eliminated from the next round of the tournament.[8]

In 2004, as a cup winner, before the beginning of the 2004–05 season, AEK faced champions APOEL in the match for the shield of CFA. Match final score ended 3–3. AEK lost at extra time 5–4.[6] In 2004–05 AEK finished in 9th place, just three points ahead of 12th place which leads to the second division. The following season ranked 8th. In Cypriot Cup 2005–06 reached the final against APOEL. After the draw between the home stadiums of the two clubs, the final took place at the home ground of AEK GSZ Stadium. However, the team failed to win the trophy after being defeated 3–2 at extra time.[citation needed]

In 2006–07 season, AEK finished in 7th place and reached the semi-finals of the 2006–07 Cypriot Cup. In the 2007–08 season, won the 4th place in the league. The darkest page in the history of team was the 2008–09 season where AEK finished in 13th place and were relegated for the first time in its history in the second division.[9]
Decade 2010–

In 2009–10 season AEK finished 2nd in the second division, ensuring its return to the first division.[10] In 2010–11 season, AEK finished in 4th place winning ticket to participate in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League.[11]

In 2011–12 season, the club ranked 5th[12] and also reached the semi-finals of the Cypriot Cup. The next season 2012–13, AEK reached the 4th place of the league and again to the semi-finals of the cup. In the 2013–14, the team were limited at the 8th place after a moderate season.[13]
UEFA Europa League 2011–12 group stages

The participation of the team in Europa League 2011–12 was historic for both the club and for Cyprus football. AEK Larnaca became the first Cypriot team which secured its qualification to the group stages of the Europa League (were preceded the entries of Anorthosis and APOEL in the group stages of the Champions League). In the second qualifying round AEK faced Maltese Floriana which won by 8–0 away and 1–0 at home.[14][15] They away win 8–0 is the largest winning range of Cypriot team in European competition.[16][17] In the third qualifying round AEK faced the Czech Mladá Boleslav. In the first match at GSZ AEK won 3–0,[18] while in the second leg away the teams were drawn by 2–2 with AEK qualifying to the play-offs of the UEFA Europa League.[19] Next opponent was the Norwegian Rosenborg. A goalless draw was the result of the first leg between the two teams.[20] In the second leg (which held at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium due to the fact that UEFA endorsed GSZ Stadium inappropriate at that phase of the tournament), AEK won 2–1 and qualified through to the group stages of the tournament.[21][22]

In group stages the tournament the team was asked to face Schalke 04, Maccabi Haifa and Steaua Bucharest. The only stadium in Cyprus which could host matches of group stages of European competitions was new GSP, whereupon AEK there gave its home matches of group stages. AEK finished at the bottom of Group J and eliminated. The club's performance at the tournament was one win (2–1 at home against Maccabi Haifa[23]) and two draws (0–0 away against Schalke 04 and 1–1 home against Steaua[24][25]), gathering five points. During that season, AEK created an unbeaten record for Cypriot club with six matches (four wins and two draws at the qualifying phase of the tournament). The same record is also hold by APOEL the same season but with three wins and three draws.
AEK Larnaca Fans at the GSZ Stadium
Spanish Larnaca

In 2014, the arrival of Thomas Christiansen marked the beginning of a Spanish era at AEK Larnaca. Under the Spanish coach, there have been six regular starters from Spain in the lineup during the 2014-15 season.

In the 2014–15 season, the team claimed the championship trophy until the last matchday. In the penultimate matchday, the team faced APOEL with whom stayed at draw 1–1. If AEK won it would go to the top of the table.[26] In the last matchday, AEK won Anorthosis and ranked 2nd for first time in its history.[26][27]

As in 2014-15, Larnaca finished a strong second place in the League for the 2015-16 season. As it was the case in the previous season, there were six Spaniards in the starting eleven, but this time just one player from Cyprus.

Christiansen then left to League rivals APOEL Nicosia. Christiansen was followed by another Spaniard, Imanol Idiakez. Under Idiakez, Larnaca finished second once again in the 2016-17 season. The two best scorers of AEK Larnaca in the First Division where Ivan Trickovski with 14 goals, followed by the Spaniard Acorán Barrera who netted 9 goals. Idiakez nominated even seven Spaniards as regular starters, but no single player from Cyprus. 2017-18 season saw AEK Larnaca finishing in 4th place but winning the Cyprus Cup after 14 years. The French Striker Florian Taulemesse scored a staggering 22 goals in the championship and was nominated player of the year and player of the Cyprus Cup Final for the season. Imanol Idiakez completed 100 games in AEK Larnaca bench and in the final game he won the Cyprus Cup Final. He is replaced as from the 23rd of May by another Spaniard Andoni Iraola.
Stadium
Main articles: AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis, GSZ Stadium, and GSZ Stadium (1928)

The home stadium of the football team was the Neo GSZ Stadium, which was common used by EPA and Pezoporikos.[28][29] Before the construction of the stadium, the two teams used old GSZ stadium.

On 7 September 2015, works for the creation of a privately owned new stadium were launched, next to new GSZ stadium.[30][31][32]

On the 17th of October 2016 the new home of AEK Larnaca the AEK ARENA opened its doors hosting the very first match of AEK Larnaka against Aris Limassol.[33]
Honours
Domestic

Cypriot Championship

Runner-up (3): 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17

Cypriot Cup:

Winners (2): 2003–04, 2017–18
Runner-up (2): 1995–96, 2005–06

Cypriot Super Cup:

Winners (1): 2017-2018
Runner-up (2): 1995-96, 2003-04

European competitions record

Last update: August 2, 2018[34]

Matches

Current squad

As of 6 September 2018[35]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

For recent transfers, see List of Cypriot football transfers summer 2018.
Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Loan deals expire at the end of 2018–19 season
International players

Internation Cypriot Players

Foreign players

Club officials[36]
Board of directors

Source: ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΙΚΟ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ
Technical and medical staff

Source: ΤΕΧΝΙΚΗ ΗΓΕΣΙΑ
Other staff

Academy organisation

Source: ΟΡΓΑΝΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ
Sponsorship

Major Sponsor – AJK Wealth Management Limited
TV Sponsor – CytaVision
Official Sponsors:
Petrolina
Plus One Construct Furniture
MEGABET PLUS LTD
K. Treppides & CO Certified Public Accountants
Radisson Blu
ZEMCO Group
McDonald's
METRO Supermarkets
Kapnos Airport Shuttle
Top Kinisis Travel

Supporters

Technooikia Renovations
SunnySeeker Hotels
Titan Office
Office Star
KPMG
Famagusta-Larnaka Cooperative Savings Society LTD
YDROGIOS INSURANCE COMPANY LTD
Marselli Aluminium Cyprus
Pissis Signs
Puma

Studio Bagno Group - Bautech Systems LTD
UCLan Cyprus
Lefteris Livadhiotis & Sons
Theasis Online Ticketing
Gatorade
OLA 97.0 FM
DioCare Natural Products
Nicolaides Group
Zenon Tavern
Technogym
PrimeTel PLC

Source: aek.com.cy
Former players
See also: Category:AEK Larnaca F.C. players.
Managerial history
See also: Category:AEK Larnaca F.C. managers.

UEFA and IFFHS rankings

Last update: 25 October 2018

IFFHS Club World ranking

Last update: 16 January 2018

References

"Δημοσιογραφικη διασκεψη για την πρεμιερα του ΑΕΚ Αρενα" (in Greek). aek.com.cy. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
"Η Ιστορία του αρχαίου Κιτίου" (in Greek). aek.com.cy. Archived from the original on 30 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Οι "εκλεκτοί γονείς" της ΑΕΚ Λάρνακας" (in Greek). sigmalive.com. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 30 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"1996/97 UEFA CUP WINNERS' CUP Qualifying round". UEFA. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"1996/97 UEFA CUP WINNERS' CUP First Round". UEFA. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Cyprus – List of Super Cup Finals". RSSSF. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"2004/05 UEFA Cup". UEFA. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"2004/05 UEFA Cup". UEFA. 26 August 2004. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Πρωτάθλημα Marfin Laiki Α΄Κατηγορίας – Φάση Α' (2008–2009)" (in Greek). CFA. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Πρωτάθλημα Β' Κατηγορίας 2009–2010 – Α' ΟΜΙΛΟΣ – Φάση Β'" (in Greek). CFA. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Πρωτάθλημα Marfin Laiki Α΄Κατηγορίας 2010–2011 – Φάση Β' – Α' ΟΜΙΛΟΣ" (in Greek). CFA. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Πρωτάθλημα Λαϊκής Τράπεζας 2011/2012 – Φάση Β' – Β' Όμιλος" (in Greek). CFA. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Παγκύπριο Πρωτάθλημα "Γλαύκος Κληρίδης" 13/14 – Α΄ Φάση" (in Greek). CFA. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Floriana-AEK Larnaca". UEFA. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"AEK Larnaca-Floriana". UEFA. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Ιστορική νίκη με σκορ ρεκόρ για ΑΕΚ Λάρνακας!". sentragoal.gr. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Βάζει ακόμη (0–8) η ΑΕΚ στην Ευρώπη! (ΦΩΤΟ)". sigmalive.com. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"AEK Larnaca-Mladá Boleslav". UEFA. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Mladá Boleslav-AEK Larnaca". UEFA. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Rosenborg-AEK Larnaca". UEFA. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"AEK Larnaca-Rosenorg". UEFA. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"ΑΕΚάρα Ευρωπαία: Πέρασε στους ομίλους (2–1) !!!!!!!!!!". sigmalive.com. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"AEK Larnaca-Maccabi Haifa". UEFA. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"AEK Larnaca-Steaua". UEFA. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Schalke-AEK Larnaca". UEFA. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"ΑΠΟΕΛ – ΑΕΚ 1–1 (video)" (in Greek). CFA. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Η τελική κατάταξη" (in Greek). CFA. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Α.Ε.Κ.ΛΑΡΝΑΚΑΣ". CFA. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Γηπεδο (ΓΣΖ)". AEK Larnaca. Archived from the original on 30 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Ξεκίνησε η κατασκευή του γηπέδου (pics)". shootandgoal.com. 8 September 2015. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"ΑΕΚ Γήπεδο σε εννέα μήνες". sigmalive.com. 15 August 2015. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"Πρώτη μέρα εργασιών και το όνειρο παίρνει σάρκα και οστά (photos)". themasports.com. 7 September 2015. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
"ΑΕΚ Larnacas". aek.com.cy. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
"AEK Larnaca FC – History". UEFA. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
"Ροστερ Α΄Ομαδας". AEK Larnaca FC. aek.com.cy. Retrieved 27 October 2018.

"BALLA SPECIAL: Τι βρίσκεται πίσω από μια επιτυχημένη… ΑΕΚ; (pics&vids)". balla.com.cy. balla.com.cy. Retrieved 13 September 2018.

External links

Official website
AEK Unofficial blog
AEK Fans site

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