 | |||
| Nickname(s) | Εθνική Ελπίδων ("National team of Hopes") | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Cyprus Football Association | ||
| Head coach | Vacant | ||
| Captain | Andreas Frangos | ||
| Most caps | Marios Christodoulou (27) | ||
| Top scorer | Christos Poyiatzis & Giorgos Nicolaou (5) | ||
| Home stadium | AEK Arena - Georgios Karapatakis | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
 Cyprus 0 - 0 Spain  (Nicosia, Cyprus; 1978) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
 Cyprus 6 - 0 San Marino  (Nicosia, Cyprus; 2011) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 France 9 - 0 Cyprus (Grenoble, France; 2023) | |||
| UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
| Appearances | None | ||
The Cyprus national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team for Cyprus. It is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association.
The team drew their first official match 0–0 in 1978 at home to Spain in a qualifying match for the 1980 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. They then drew 0–0 with the trophy holders Yugoslavia, also at home. They lost both away games though. And finished last in the group of three teams, with two points from four games, and so did not qualify for the Finals.
In the qualifying stages for the 1982 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, Cyprus made history when they defeated France 2–1 in Cyprus as it was the countries first ever official victory at National or Under-21 football level. The scorer of the Cypriot goals was Islington born Kikis Kyriacou of Olympiakos Nicosia whose promising career was brought to a premature end following a horrific leg injury.
In the qualifying stages for the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, the team beat Greece 1-0 and drew 1–1 with Sweden who went on to reach the Final. Cyprus finished last in their qualifying group with three points, the same number as Greece.
The Under 21 team made gradual improvements and in September 1999, in a qualifying match for the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, drew 1–1 in Spain, the eventual winners of the competition. The team finished fourth out of five teams in their qualifying group, ahead of Austria.
The qualifying stages for the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship provided the greatest achievement for the Cyprus under-21 national team to date, when they finished second in Qualification Group One, with 15 points, winning five of their eight matches. France won the group with 22 points, seven points ahead of Cyprus.
In 2004, Cyprus joined the European Union, and Cypriot teams took advantage of the Bosman rule bringing in foreign players. This has meant that young Cypriot players are now not as common in the Cypriot First Division and is therefore also having an adverse effect on the under-21 national team.
| UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | |
| 1978 | did not enter | - | ||||||||||||||
| 1980[1] | did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | ||||||||
| 1982[2] | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | −3 | |||||||||
| 1984[3] | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 14 | −10 | |||||||||
| 1986[4] | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 13 | -10 | |||||||||
| 1988[5] | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 18 | −14 | |||||||||
| 1990[6] | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | −3 | |||||||||
| 1992[7] | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 15 | −12 | |||||||||
| 1994[8]
|
8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 21 | −17 | |||||||||
 1996[9]
|
10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 25 | −15 | |||||||||
 1998[10]
|
8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 15 | +1 | |||||||||
 2000[11]
|
8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 18 | −11 | |||||||||
 2002[12]
|
8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 17 | −8 | |||||||||
 2004[13]
|
8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 5 | +7 | |||||||||
 2006[14]
|
8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 17 | -15 | |||||||||
 2007[15]
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | −3 | |||||||||
 2009[16]
|
8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 15 | −6 | |||||||||
 2011[17]
|
8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 13 | −5 | |||||||||
 2013[18]
|
10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 16 | 20 | −4 | |||||||||
 2015[19]
|
8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 21 | −14 | |||||||||
 2017
|
5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 12 | −10 | |||||||||
 2019
|
Qualification in progress | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 18 | -11 | ||||||||
| Total | 0/21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 139 | 32 | 19 | 99 | 132 | 286 | −154 | |
| Pos | Team
|
Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium
|
10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 5 | +18 | 26 | Final tournament | — | 1–1 | 0–0 | 3–0 | 3–2 | 2–1 | |
| 2 | Sweden
|
10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 8 | +11 | 20 | 0–3 | — | 0–1 | 1–0 | 4–1 | 3–0 | ||
| 3 | Turkey
|
10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 17 | 1–2 | 0–3 | — | 0–0 | 4–0 | 4–2 | ||
| 4 | Hungary
|
10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 14 | −2 | 11 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | — | 4–0 | 2–1 | ||
| 5 | Cyprus
|
10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 23 | −15 | 7 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | — | 2–1 | ||
| 6 | Malta
|
10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 24 | −16 | 4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | — |
v Malta
| 1 September 2017 (2017-09-01) | Cyprus | 2–1 | Malta | AEK Arena, Larnaca |
| 18:00 |
 90+3' |
Report |
|
Referee: Stefan Apostolov (Bulgaria) |
v Cyprus
| 5 September 2017 (2017-09-05) | Sweden | 4–1 | Cyprus | Falkenbergs IP, Falkenberg |
| 18:45 |
90+1' |
Report |
|
Referee: Omar Pashayev (Azerbaijan) |
v Turkey
| 5 October 2017 (2017-10-05) | Cyprus | 2–1 | Turkey | AEK Arena, Larnaca |
| 16:00 |
58' |
Report |
|
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany) |
v Belgium
| 10 October 2017 (2017-10-10) | Cyprus | 0–2 | Belgium | AEK Arena, Larnaca |
| 16:00 | Report |
90+3' |
Referee: Kirill Levnikov (Russia) |
v Cyprus
| 9 November 2017 (2017-11-09) | Belgium | 3–2 | Cyprus | Den Dreef, Leuven |
| 20:00 |
45+2' 90+2' |
Report |
75' |
Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albania) |
v Hungary
| 14 November 2017 (2017-11-14) | Cyprus | 0–2 | Hungary | AEK Arena, Larnaca |
| 15:00 | Report |
80' |
Referee: Horatiu Fesnic (Romania) |
v Cyprus
| 22 March 2018 (2018-03-22) | Hungary | 4–0 | Cyprus | Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion, Budapest |
| 20:00 |
23' 49' (o.g.) 75' |
Report | Referee: Rob Harvey (Republic of Ireland) |
v Sweden
| 27 March 2018 (2018-03-27) | Cyprus | 0–1 | Sweden | AEK Arena, Larnaca |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Referee: Fabio Verissimo (Portugal) |
v Cyprus
| 7 September 2018 (2018-09-07) | Turkey | 4–0 | Cyprus | Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Istanbul |
| 18:00 (19:00 TRT) |
76', 81' (pen.) 88' (o.g.) |
Report | Referee: Danilo Grujić (Serbia) |
v Cyprus
| 16 October 2018 (2018-10-16) | Malta | 1–1 | Cyprus | Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali |
| 17:00 |
|
Report |
|
Referee: Admir Šehović (Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
vCyprus
| 20 May 2018 | Russia | 3–0 | Cyprus | Eduard Streltsov Stadium, Moscow, Russia |
| 14:00 UTC+2 | Oblyakov 72' Melkadze 82'Makarov 84' |
Report | Referee: Vitali Meshkov (Russia) |
| Position[20] | Name |
|---|---|
| Coach | Nikos Andronikou
|
| Assistant coach | Venizelos Tziambazis
|
| Goalkeeper coach | Christoforos Loizou
|
| Fitness coach | Constantinos Rostantis
|
The following players were called up for the friendly match against Georgia on 15 June 2023.[21]
Caps and goals correct as of 28 March 2023, after the match against Hungary.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GK | Stefanos Kittos | (2002-02-23) 23 February 2002 (age 22) | 10 | 0 | PO Xylotymbou
| |
| 1GK | Michalis Kyriakou | (2002-12-30) 30 December 2002 (age 21) | 4 | 0 | AEL Limassol
| |
| 1GK | Theodoros Koutsou | (2004-04-19) 19 April 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Enosis Neon Paralimni
| |
| 2DF | Evagoras Antoniou | (2002-11-04) 4 November 2002 (age 21) | 5 | 0 |  Panathinaikos
| |
| 2DF | Strahinja Kerkez | (2002-12-13) 13 December 2002 (age 21) | 4 | 0 | Trenčín
| |
| 2DF | Irodotos Christodoulou | (2002-05-01) 1 May 2002 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | Vysočina Jihlava
| |
| 2DF | Fotis Kotsonis | (2003-02-10) 10 February 2003 (age 21) | 3 | 0 | Enosis Neon Paralimni
| |
| 2DF | Nikolas Chatzimitsis | (2003-09-10) 10 September 2003 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Olympiakos Nicosia
| |
| 2DF | Ilias Kostis | (2003-02-27) 27 February 2003 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Atlético Madrid
| |
| 2DF | David Djamas | (2004-04-21) 21 April 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | APOEL
| |
| 2DF | Andreas Evangelou | (2004-09-20) 20 September 2004 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | PAEEK
| |
| 2DF | Konstantinos Venizelou | (2004-07-05) 5 July 2004 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Omonia
| |
| 3MF | Antonio Foti | (2003-11-03) 3 November 2003 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Hannover 96
| |
| 3MF | Dimitris Mavroudis | (2002-05-03) 3 May 2002 (age 22) | 2 | 0 | Enosis Neon Paralimni
| |
| 3MF | Giorgos Pavlidis | (2003-01-08) 8 January 2003 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Doxa Katokopias
| |
| 3MF | Konstantinos Christou | (2003-04-19) 19 April 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | MEAP Nisou
| |
| 3MF | Konstanitnos Koumpari | (2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Omonia Aradippou
| |
| 3MF | Stylianos Vrontis | (2004-11-05) 5 November 2004 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | PO Xylotymbou
| |
| 4FW | Stavros Gavriel | (2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 22) | 10 | 2 | Akritas Chlorakas
| |
| 4FW | Nikolas Koutsakos | (2003-11-14) 14 November 2003 (age 20) | 3 | 3 | Ethnikos Achna
| |
| 4FW | Evangelos Andreou | (2002-09-24) 24 September 2002 (age 21) | 3 | 0 | AEL Limassol
| |
| 4FW | Giorgos Pontikou | (2003-01-08) 8 January 2003 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Apollon Limassol
| |
| 4FW | Pantelis Gavriel | (2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Enosis Neon Paralimni
| |
| 4FW | Stavros Georgiou | (2004-10-19) 19 October 2004 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | APOEL
| |
| 4FW | Zanos Savva | (2005-11-26) 26 November 2005 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Torino
| |
The following players have also been called up for Cyprus under-21's within the last twelve months and remain eligible for selection.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Konstantinos Chrysostomou | (2003-01-07) 7 January 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Aris Limassol
|
v. Hungary, 28 March 2023
|
| GK | Andreas Chatzigavriil | (2002-02-22) 22 February 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Omonia Aradippou
|
v.  Serbia, 20 November 2022
|
| DF | Sergios Feneridis | (2004-03-03) 3 March 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | MEAP Nisou
|
v. Hungary, 28 March 2023
|
| DF | Kypros Neofytou | (2002-08-13) 13 August 2002 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | AEL Limassol
|
v. Hungary, 28 March 2023
|
| DF | Giorgos Vasiliou | (2002-03-15) 15 March 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Akritas Chlorakas
|
v. Serbia, 20 November 2022
|
| DF | Loukas Kalogirou | (2002-02-21) 21 February 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Ethnikos Achna
|
v. Serbia, 20 November 2022
|
| MF | Giannis Satsias | (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 21) | 6 | 0 | APOEL
|
v. Hungary, 28 March 2023
|
| MF | Georgios Okkas | (2003-10-24) 24 October 2003 (age 20) | 5 | 0 |  Fulham
|
v. Hungary, 28 March 2023
|
| MF | Marios Kokkinoftas | (2003-03-15) 15 March 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Olympias Lympion
|
v. Hungary, 28 March 2023
|
| MF | Charalambos Charalambous | (2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 (age 22) | 5 | 1 | Omonia
|
v. Serbia, 20 November 2022
|
| MF | Filippos Eftichidis | (2002-02-26) 26 February 2002 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | Olympiakos Nicosia
|
v. Serbia, 20 November 2022
|
| MF | Tayt-Lemar Trusty | (2003-11-23) 23 November 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Blackpool
|
v. Serbia, 20 November 2022
|
| FW | Andreas Savva | (2004-07-21) 21 July 2004 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Omonia
|
v. Hungary, 28 March 2023
|
| FW | Marko Jovanovic | (2002-06-27) 27 June 2002 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Peyia 2014
|
v. Serbia, 20 November 2022
|
| FW | Angelos Zefki | (2003-04-15) 15 April 2003 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Olympiakos Nicosia
|
v. Serbia, 20 November 2022
|
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|---|---|
| League system |
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| Cup competitions |
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