November 8, 2026, marks a milestone in the history of Cypriot sports. The Greek Athletic Football Club of Nicosia celebrates exactly one century of existence — 100 years filled with titles, matches, European miracles, and a unique relationship with its fans.
The Birth on Ledra Street (1926)
It all began in the fall of 1926, at the “Ioannou” pastry shop on Ledra Street in Nicosia. A group of visionaries, led by Georgios Poulias, founded POEL (Nicosia Greek Football Club).
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Live: APOEL celebrates 100 years of history (VIDEO)
Shortly thereafter, with the decision to include sports other than soccer, the word “Athletikos” was added, forming the historic name APOEL.
- Home: Nicosia
- Colors: Light blue (symbolizing the Greek flag) and yellow
- First Titles: Dominance from the very first CFF championships in the 1930s.
The King of Domestic Titles
Over the course of its 100-year history, APOEL has established itself as the most successful club in Cyprus, claiming the lion’s share of domestic titles.
| Competition | Titles / Achievements |
| Cyprus Championships | 29 (Record number of titles) |
| Cyprus Cups | 21 |
| Super Cup | 15 |
| Consecutive League Titles | 7 in a row (2012–13 through 2018–19) |
The Golden European Era: The Miracle of 2011–12
APOEL’s European run not only changed the club’s history but also redefined the place of Cypriot soccer on the European stage.
The Journey to the UEFA Champions League Round of 8
- Group Stage: Finished first in a group featuring Porto, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Shakhtar Donetsk, stunning Europe.
- Round of 16: Faced Lyon of France. After a 1-0 win in France, they prevailed 1-0 at GSP Stadium and advanced on penalty kicks amid wild celebrations.
- Quarterfinals (Round of 8): The draw pitted them against Real Madrid. Despite being eliminated, reaching the “8” of Europe’s premier club competition remains the greatest achievement by a Cypriot team.
Other European Highlights:
- First appearance in the Champions League group stage during the 2009–10 season (against Chelsea, Porto, and Atlético Madrid).
- Advancement to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League in the 2016–17 season, eliminating Athletic Bilbao.
The Legacy and the Community
Beyond the trophies and accolades, APOEL is defined by its people:
- Icons: Figures such as Ivan Jovanović on the bench, Giannos Ioannou, Dionysis Chiotis, Nektarios Alexandrou, Konstantinos Charalambides, and dozens of others who have left their mark on the club’s history.
- The Fans: The enduring support of fans in Cyprus and abroad, who turned the GSP Stadium into an impregnable fortress and followed the team to every corner of Europe.
A club, however, is not defined solely by the trophies and medals in its trophy case. APOEL is its people.
It is the players who wore its jersey, the coaches and officials who served the cause, but above all, its fans. The thousands of fans who grew up with the crest on their chests, who turned every stadium into a home field, and who kept the flame alive over the years.
On the threshold of the second century of its history, APOEL honors its past, remembers those who have passed away, leaving behind an indelible legacy, and looks to the future with the same unwavering ambition: to be a leader.
The Titles
League Championships: 29 – 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1965, 1973, 1980, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024
Cups 21 – 1937, 1941, 1947, 1951, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2015
6 Doubles – 1937, 1947, 1973, 1996, 2014, 2015
Treble 1 – (winning the league, cup, and Super Cup in the same season) 2014
Super Cup 15 – 1963, 1984, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2024
But the club’s successes aren’t limited to soccer. Basketball is one of the strongest chapters in the club’s history, with 34 titles, 11 league championships, 12 cups, and 11 trophies. Volleyball has added 17 titles, while table tennis has recorded 26 titles, including 15 league championships and 11 cups.
The club’s presence in other sports is also significant. Cycling has contributed 56 titles, water polo 15, and futsal 14; the list of achievements also includes three swimming championships and one bowling cup.
