Nicosia derby

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Nicosia derby
Other namesDerby of the eternal enemies
LocationNicosia
TeamsAPOEL
Omonia
First meetingOmonia 0–0 APOEL
(12 December 1953)
Latest meetingAPOEL 0–3 Omonia
(7 December 2020)
Next meetingTBA
Statistics
Meetings total184
Most winsAPOEL (74)
Largest victoryAPOEL 0-5 Omonia

The Nicosia derby (or the derby of the eternal enemies) refers to Nicosia's local derby, football matches played between APOEL FC and AC Omonia. It is the classic rivalry of Cypriot football, as the two teams are the most successful and most popular football clubs of the island. The rivalry is also indicative of social, cultural and political differences.

Background[]

The derby originates from 1948 when the board of APOEL FC sent a telegram to the Hellenic Association of Amateur Athletics (Greek: Σ.Ε.Γ.Α.Σ.), with the opportunity of the annual Panhellenic Track and Field Competition stating its wish for the "communist mutiny" to be ended. Club's players considering this action as a political comment on the Greek Civil War distanced themselves or were expelled from APOEL. A month later these players formed AC Omonia.[1] The first derby was played on 12 December 1953 and ended in a goalless draw.[2]

Records and statistics[]

Last update: 10 March 2021

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