Famagusta derby

The Famagusta derby (Greek: Ντέρμπι της Αμμοχώστου) refers to the Famagusta's local derby, football matches played between Anorthosis Famagusta FC and Nea Salamis Famagusta FC. It is one of the rivalries of the Cypriot football. The rivalry is also indicative of social, cultural and political differences.

Until 1974 the games between the two teams were taking place in Famagusta. After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the occupation of Famagusta by the Turkish army, the games between the two teams are taking place in Larnaca, which the two teams have their headquarters.

Although in recent decades political differences, local conflict and the social divide were some of the elements of rivalry between the two teams, however, due to the uprooting of the two teams, now there games are a tribute and remembrance of their occupied city.^[1]

The game between the two teams also called Varoshi derby (Greek: Βαρωσιώτικο ντέρμπι) because of Varosha, the name of the modern city of Famagusta area.

Background

Map of Larnaka with the stadiums of Nea Salamina and Anorthosis.

Anorthosis Famagusta FC and Nea Salamis Famagusta FC are the most important and historical teams of Famagusta. Anorthosis founded in 1911 and Salamina in 1948.

Anorthosis' foundation and early years

The club Anorthosis Famagusta was founded at 30 January 1911. The early years did not develop sporting action but mainly national, spiritual, cultural and social.^[2] In 1929 the club began to develop sporting action. However, the young members of the club were active at football much earlier. Since the early 1920s they formed a group called "Greek Football Team of Varosha" (Greek: Ποδοσφαιρική Ομάδα Ελλήνων Βαρωσίων). In 1929 that team officially joined Anorthosis and the players, who were all members of Anorthosis, became the first football team of the club.^[3] After that, Anorthosis took part on Cities Championships (πρωταθλήματα πόλεων), the first unofficial national leagues.^[4][5] Cyprus Football Association (CFA) were founded at 1934, with Anorthosis being one of the founding members.^[6][7]

At 1947 Anorthosis with EPA Larnaca FC and Pezoporikos Larnaca FC called statutory change which sought primarily the rotating presidency of CFA in all cities. These teams have raised this request asking for equal treatment once thought that groups of Nicosia (in which resided the CFA), especially the APOEL FC enjoys the favor of the CFA.^[8] The request was discussed at a general meeting of the Federation on August 27, 1947, but in favor of this proposal voted only these three teams. After this result, the three teams left CFA and created there own federation, the Football Sports Federation of Cyprus (Ποδοσφαιρική Αθλητική Ομοσπονδία Κύπρου, ΠΑΟΚ), established in Larnaca.^[9][10][11] In this federation five other clubs were joined. Between the two federations prevailed climate of conflict. The conflict ended with over one years when Football Sports Federation of Cyprus dissolved and the three unions (Anorthosis EPA, Pezoporikos) reintegrated in the autumn of 1948 to CFA. ^[9] This followed the establishment of leftist unions, among including Nea Salamina.

Nea Salamis' foundation and early years

When Nea Salamina Famagusta was founded, Greece was entering a period of civil war between leftists and rightists. The situation in Greece affected Cyprus, both politically and socially;^[12][13] most athletes were also involved in politics. At this time, Famagusta had two sports clubs: Evagoras Gymnastic Association, or GSE (Greek: Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Ευαγόρας) and Anorthosis Famagusta FC. The GSE had many talented leftist athletes on its rosters. At Anorthosis, many players were also leftists. Under the influence of the contemporary right-wing political climate, the GSE and Anorthosis began to restrict leftist athletes.^[14][15] In early 1947 a group of people from Famagusta (including leftists, members and non-members of GSE and Anorthosis) concluded there was space for another sports club in the city. Due to the existing restrictions, they envisioned a club which would appeal to everyone in Famagusta regardless of political affiliation.^[12][15]

On 14 February 1948^[12][16] the decision was made to establish the club, and the Nea Salamina sports club was formed on 7 March 1948^[12][16] as the first leftist athletic club in Cyprus.^[17] Negative attitudes toward left-wing athletes prevailed in other Cypriot cities and some other clubs also founded.

Due to their left-wing political beliefs, members of the new clubs were not accepted into the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and they established a new football federation (the Cyprus Amateur Football Federation, or CAFF) in December 1948.^[18][19] The new federation organized leagues and cups,^[20] which attracted thousands of fans. The CAFF matches became more popular than those of the CFA.^[21][22]

CAFF members favored the unification of football in Cyprus. They tried for three years to persuade the CFA to accept them as members, without success.^[23] The existence of two football federations (with two separate championships) in a country such as Cyprus was unprecedented. The situation created economic hardship, and hampered the development and improvement of Cypriot football.^{[12][24][25][26]} The clubs felt that sports should reflect fraternity and friendship rather than discrimination. In December 1952, the first issue of the sports newspaper Athlitiki supported the unification of Cypriot football. Foreign coaches of CFA clubs also supported unification, leading the CFA to respond that "their statements opposed the spirit of the Federation".^[25] Coaches of CFA's teams were initially hostile towards consolidation supporters.^[25] In summer 1953, the majority of Cypriot sportspeople expressed support for football unification. In August of that year Nea Salamina, Omonia, Alki and Antaeus submitted a joint application to the CFA to join the Cypriot First Division. On 19 September, the CFA accepted^[25] Nea Salamina, Omonia and Antaeus for membership.^[25][27][28] However, the organization's negative attitude towards those clubs continued.^[25] First, the league rejected applications from Alki, Orfeas and Neos Asteras (although the first two joined a year later),^[27] and second, arguing that according to its constitution, only one team must participate in the Cypriot First Division and two teams in the second division. The CAFF clubs accepted these conditions in the interest of unification. In an ad hoc meeting of CAFF, members agreed that Omonia would join the first division and Nea Salamina and Antaeus the second division.^[25] Following these decisions, CAFF disbanded.^[24]

First game (friendly)

The first game after the unification of Cypriot football between Nea Salamis Famagusta FC and Anorthosis Famagusta FC at GSE Stadium, Famagusta at 1953

The fans at the first game after the unification of Cypriot football between Nea Salamina Famagusta FC and Anorthosis Famagusta FC at GSE Stadium, Famagusta at 1953

The first game between teams from the two federations (a friendly game) was played by Nea Salamina and Anorthosis at GSE Stadium on 27 September 1953. 5,200 fans were present at the game between the two Famagustian clubs. The final result was 3–1 in favor of Anorthosis, and the match was described as an evidence of superior sportsmanship and brotherhood of fans by Athlitiki.^{[29][30][31][1][32][33][34][35][36][37]}

The historian for Cypriot football match meant the unification of Cyprus football. It was the first match between a right and a left club in Cyprus. The match was scheduled to start at 3.25 pm. The stands of the stadium were overwhelmed with people and at 2:15 pm was chock full. ^{[31] [37]} The stadium was filled with 5200 fans of both teams. The entrance was set at one shilling. Total proceeds had amounted to 260 pounds, a significant amount of that era. Anorthosis won 3-1 having as the scorer Panos Siailo (49' and 70') and Loizo Chatziloizou (64'). Nea Salamina had temporarily equalized with Antonis Vrachimis "Tzioumpis".^{[1][33][38][39][40][34]}

Players:^[31]

Anorthosis: Costas Hadjigeorgiou "Kotsios", Moses Mantzalos, Xanthos Sarris (46' Phaedrus Farmakalidis), Eugene Zervidis "Voskaris" (46' George Procopius "Prokopis"), Pambos Charalambous, Aristos Raphael (captain ), Loizos Hadjiloizou, Costakis Antoniades (Marios Papadopolos "China"), Costakis Xanthoullis, Panos Siailos, Antonis Papadopoulos

Nea Salamina: Michael Sophocles "Blakkis", Takis Kkafas, Andreas Elias "Andrellis» (captain), Antrikkis, Andreas Paschalis "Fokkis", Paraschos Georgios (Andreas Papathomas), Mustafa Nitae, Vassos Kostanta (Andreas Spyrou), George Avetisian "Tziortzis", Anthony Vrachimis "Tzioumpis", Sotiris Photios "Tirimo"

Anorthosis fought with striped jerseys with white and blue colors and white shorts and Nea Salamina played with white shirts and red shorts. ^[31] Referee of the meeting was the Englishman Dickinson.

First official game

The first official game between the two teams took place on November 20, 1955 under the 1955-56 Cypriot First Division (when was the unification of Cypriot football, Nea Salamina had joined the Cypriot Second division, so the first official game between the two teams was in 1955 when they were promoted to Cypriot first division). The match was part of the first round of the championship in their common headquarters in GSE Stadium. Typically home team was Anorthosis. Nea Salamina won 3-2. This victory was the first for Nea Salamina on Anorthosis, but also their first in Cypriot First Division. ^{[37] [41]}

Teams:

Anorthosis:

Nea Salamina: Michael Sophocles "Blakkis", Kalafatis Fokkis, Takis Kkafas, Vasoudi, Andreas Elias "Andrellis", Anthony Vrachimis "Tzioumpis", George Avetisian "Tziortzis", Kostakis, Sotiris Photiou "Tirimo", Mitsios Deryneiotis

Match stadium

Famagusta derby at 1994-1995 season

Anorthosis FC were using GSE Stadium until 1974. Nea Salamina used that stadium from 1953 (until 1974), after the unification of Cypriot football (the period 1948-1953 were not allowed to use GSE Stadium from GSE authorities). Therefore, the games between the two teams from 1953 to 1974 conducted in GSE Stadium. The last match between the two teams in GSE Stadium held on April 7, 1974 under the 1973-74 Cypriot First Division. Anorthosis won with 1-0. ^{[35] [1]}

After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the occupation of Famagusta by theTurkish troops, the two teams were using football stadiums in other cities and regions of Cyprus. Therefore, the matches between the two groups were performed at various stadiums.^[37]

The first game between the two teams after the occupation of Famagusta held on February 16, 1975 under the 1974-75 Cypriot First Division. Home team was Anorthosis. The game was in Paralimni Municipal Stadium, temporary home ground of Anorthosis. Nea Salamina won 1-0.^[1][37]

In 1986 the construction of the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium complete and since then is the headquarter of Anorthosis. The same stadium was also the headquarter of Nea Salamina the period 1987-1991. In 1991 the construction of the Ammochostos Stadium completed 2004–05 Cypriot First Division wheν Nea Salamina used as headquarters Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium due to the need of improvement projects on Ammochostos Stadium for conducting games of Cypriot First Division. Thus, this period both matches between the two teams took place at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium.

Records and statistics

Overall statistics

In the tables that follow, the history of the matches between Anorthosis and Nea Salamina for official events are showed (Cypriot First Division, Cypriot Cup).

Results per competition

The two teams take part together in two competitions: Cypriot First Division and Cypriot Cup.

Cypriot First Division

For Cypriot First Division, the two teams competed in 54 official seasons. Furthermore, they also competed in 1963–64 Cypriot First Division, which was abandoned. The two teams where played together only one match. That match is official.

In all season the two teams face each other two times.Exceptions were: a) at 1993–94 Cypriot First Division 3 games were played because the league consisted of three rounds (2 games with Anorthosis as home team and 1 game with Nea Salamina home team),^[37] b) 2015–16 Cypriot First Division 4 games were played because the two teams took part for the first time to the same group for the second phase of the league.^[37]

At season 1979-80, 2001-02, 2003-04, 2008-09 and 2010-11 the Famagusta derby was not held because Nea Salamina took part at Cypriot Second Division.

The table below shows the results of the two teams in Cypriot First Division.^[37][42]

Cypriot Cup

For Cypriot Cup, the two teams face each other 4 times in knockout games (3 times in quarterfinals and one time in semifinals) and one times at group stage. Anorthosis qualified 3 times and Nea Salamina one time. At 2003–04 Cypriot Cup the two teams were in the same group of four teams (phase of 16 teams). Anorthosis took 2nd place and qualified while Nea Salamina took the third place and eliminated.

Head-to-head ranking in Cypriot First Division

Statistic per stadium

The tables below set out the history of the games between Anorthosis and Nea Salamina for official competitions (Cypriot First Division, Cypriot Cup) per stadium.

At GSE Stadium, common headquarters of the two teams before the occuptions of Famagusta, were made 35 league matches between the two teams. Anorthosis won the 17, Nea Salamina won the 10 and the remaining 8 left tied.^[38][42][98]

Results frequency

The table below shows the frequency of the results of the games between the two teams (regardless home team and competition).

Players in both teams

The following table shows players who competed in both teams.

References

Sources

• Κυριάκου, Άκης (2011-09-10). "Θύμησες Αμμοχώστου...". www.sigmalive.com (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-02. 
• "«Γη που νοσταλγώ…»". www.sigmalive.com (in Greek). 2011-09-10. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2016-12-02. 
• Κυριάκου, Άκης (2012-11-03). "Ανόρθωση-Νέα Σαλαμίνα, αλησμόνητα ντέρμπι στο ΓΣΕ". www.sigmalive.com (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2016-12-02. 
• Stephanidis, Γιώργος (2012-11-05). "Το ντέρμπι της Αμμοχώστου μέσα από αριθμούς" (PDF) (in Greek). dialogos.com.cy. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-03. 
• Κυριάκου, Άκης (2014-11-02). "Μπλε είναι τα πιο πολλά βαρωσιώτικα ντέρμπι". www.sigmalive.com (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-02. 
• "Το πρώτο ιστορικό παιχνίδι". www.sigmalive.com (in Greek). 2014-11-02. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-02. 
• Επιτρόπου, Τάσος (2014-11-15). "Ένα ντέρμπι με συναισθηματική αξία" (in Greek). dinataathlitika.gr. Archived from the original on 2016-12-03. 
• Stephanidis, Γιώργος (2015-08-30). "Βαρωσιώτικο ντέρμπι από το παρελθόν..." (PDF). Χαραυγή (in Greek). p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-08-30. 
• Παφίτης, Σίμος (2015-12-20). "Όταν η Αμμόχωστος ένωσε το κυπριακό ποδόσφαιρο" (in Greek). www.reporter.com.cy. Archived from the original on 2016-01-03. 
• Stephanidis, Γιώργος (2015-12-20). "ΡΕΤΡΟ: Θρίλερ στο «Δασάκι» της Αχνας" (in Greek). dialogos.com.cy. Archived from the original on 2016-01-03. 
• Μιχαήλ, Μιχάλης (2016-04-01). "Τα καμάρια της Αμμοχώστου και το Βαρωσιώτικο ντέρμπι!" (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2016-05-25. 
• Stephanidis, Γιώργος (2016-08-28). "Βαρωσιώτικο ντέρμπι σαν άλλοτε" (PDF) (in Greek). dialogos.com.cy. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-03. 
• "Δήμος Αμμοχώστου-Αθλητισμός" (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-02. 
• Προϊστορία Νέα Σαλαμίνα vs Ανόρθωση

Bibliography

• Gavreilides, Michalis; Papamoiseos, Stelios (2001). Ένας αιώνας Κυπριακό ποδόσφαιρο [One century Cypriot football] (in Greek). Nicosia: The writer. ISBN 9963-8720-1-8. 
• Meletiou, Giorgos (2011). Κυπριακό ποδόσφαιρο 1900–1960 [Cypriot Football 1900–1960] (in Greek). Nicosia: Power Publishing. ISBN 978-9963-688-87-6. 
• Stilianou, Pampos; Georgiou, Neofitos (1988). Νέα Σαλαμίνα, 40 χρόνια πρωτοπόρας αθλητικής πορείας [Nea Salamina, 40 years pioneering sports history] (in Greek). Cyprus: Nea Salamis Famagusta. 
• Stilianou, Pampos (1998). 50 χρόνια Νέα Σαλαμίνα 1948–1998 [50 years Nea Salamina 1948–1998] (in Greek). Cyprus: Nea Salamis Famagusta. ISBN 9963-8370-0-X. 
• Papamoiseos, Stelios (2013). Από την ενοποίηση... στα αστέρια [From unification... to the stars] (in Greek). Nicosia: The writer. pp. 150–151. 
• Stephanidis, Giorgos (2015). Μεγάλες Στιγμές Κυπριακού Ποδοσφαίρου 1934-2014 [Important moments of Cypriot Football 1934-2014] (in Greek). Cyprus. pp. 141–148. ISBN 978-9963-8841-3-1. 

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