Cypriot Second Division

The Cypriot Second Division (Greek: Πρωτάθλημα Β΄ Κατηγορίας) is the second highest football division of the Cypriot football league system. Administrated by the Cyprus Football Association, is contested by 16 teams, with the top two teams promoted to the Cypriot First Division and the last four teams relegated to the Cypriot Third Division.

Cypriot Second Division
Founded1934 (Unofficial)
1953 (1953) (Official)
CountryCyprus
Number of teams18
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toCypriot First Division
Relegation toCypriot Third Division
Domestic cup(s)Cypriot Cup
Current championsKarmiotissa Pano Polemidion (3rd title)
(2019–20)
Most championshipsAPOP (6 titles)
Evagoras (6 titles)
Websitehttp://www.cfa.com.cy/
Current: 2019–20 Cypriot Second Division

History

The Cypriot Second Division started unofficially the 1934–35 football season as the second level of the Cypriot football (Cyprus Football Association founded in 1934). The competition consisted of teams that didn't participate in Cypriot First Division and the reserve teams of the Cypriot First Division clubs.[1][2] In the reserve teams were allowed to participate only players that had no more than three caps with their team in First Division.[2] The reserve teams managed to win all the titles of the unofficial period.[1][2]

The first official second division championship was held in the 1953–54 season, after the unification of Cypriot Football, without the presence of the reserve teams. From that season, the reserve teams were participate in the new Reserve Teams Championship.[1][3][4][5]

Almost every team that participated and still participate in the Cypriot First Division had also participated in the Second Division, with only exceptions to be APOEL and Omonia. Pezoporikos Larnaca and Trust were also two teams that never played to Second Division but both do not exist anymore. Çetinkaya Türk also never participated in Second Division but the team withdrew from CFA in 1954. Many teams with multiple participations in the Cypriot First Division had also played in the Second Division, like AEL Limassol, Nea Salamis Famagusta, Apollon Limassol, Olympiakos Nicosia, AEK Larnaca, Enosis Neon Paralimni and EPA Larnaca.[1]

Anorthosis Famagusta also participated in the Second Division during 1945–46 season (unofficial competition), because they withdrew from CFA eight years earlier and disbanded their football team. After their reform and their re-integration in the CFA, they were forced to play in the Second Division in order to be promoted to the First Division.[1][2][6] It was the only time from the unofficial period of the competition that a team promoted from the Second Division to the First Division.

Since 1952–53 season, the second Division teams took part in the Cypriot Cup, except of the 1963–64 season. In some seasons during the 1960s and 1970s only the leading teams of the Second Division took part (some times only the champion) in the competition. From 1975–76 season all the teams of the Cypriot Second Division take part in the Cypriot Cup. No Second Division team ever reach the final but they managed to qualify to the semi-finals four times (Nea Salamis Famagusta in 1953–54, Orfeas Nicosia in 1983–84, PAEEK in 1984–85 and AEP Paphos in 2005–06).

Structure

The structure of the championship was changed some times. From 1953–54 until 1967–68 the championship was split to two or three geographical groups, depending from Districts of Cyprus each participated team came from. The winners of each group were playing against each other in the final phase of the competition and the winner were the champions of the Second Division.[1]

The championship was held for the first time as a single division in the 1968–69 season. All the teams played against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The team with the most points at the end of the season crowned champions. This is the league's current format until present time. Exceptions were:

  1. The 1974–75 season, due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which forced many teams that had their headquarters to the north Cyprus to be closed temporarily or permanently, CFA decided to have a Special mixed championship of Second & Third Division. In this championship could participate all the teams of the Second and Third Division. Participation was optional. The championship had two geographical groups. The winners of each group were playing against each other in the final phase and the winners were the champions of the league. The winner was considered as the 1974–75 Cypriot Second Division champions.
  2. The 1994–95 season, the league consisted of three rounds. In the first two rounds all teams played against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The home teams for the third round matches were determined based on their league table position after the end of the second round.
  3. The 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons, each team played against each other twice, once at home and once away. After these matches, the first four teams qualified for the Promotion Group. At the Promotion Group every team played each other twice, once at home and once away. The teams with the best records were promoted to First Division. Regular season records were carried over without any modifications.
  4. The 2013–14 season, the league was split into a two tier system, Group B1 and Group B2 with 8 teams participating in each division. All the teams played (of each group) against each other four times, twice at home and twice away. The first two teams of Group B1 were promoted to the Cypriot First Division, while the first two teams of Group B2 were promoted to Group B1. The last four teams of Group B1 were relegated to Group B2, while the last four teams of Group B2 were relegated to the Cypriot Third Division. However, after the end of the season Cyprus Football Association merged the two groups, creating a unified Second Division. So all the teams that were relegated from B1 to B2 and the teams that promoted from B2 to B1 participated in the new unified Second Division. The two groups were not at the same level, as Group B1 was above Group B2. Second Division Champions of that season was considered the winner of Group B1.

Current format (2018–19)

Sixteen clubs are competing in the league, playing each other twice, once at home and once away for a total of 30 games per team. The champion and the second place team are promoted to the Cypriot First Division and the bottom four are relegated to the Cypriot Third Division.

Points system

The points system of the Cypriot Second Division changed three times during the years: From 1953–54 until 1959–60 season, teams were awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat. From 1960–61 until 1969–70 season, teams were awarded three points for a win, two points for a draw and one point for a defeat. From 1970–71 until 1990–91 season, teams were awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat. Since 1991–92 season (until present time), teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.

Teams

The 18 teams which participate in the 2020–21 Cypriot Second Division are:[7]

Winners (unofficial competition: 1935–1953)

The table presents the winners of the competition during the period 1935–1953, in which the competition was unofficial. During that period, the league consisted of the reserve teams of the Cypriot First Division clubs (which managed to win all the titles) and other teams that didn't participate in the First Division.[1][8]

The period 1941–1944 the championship was not held due to World War II. Many Cypriots were volunteer enlisted in the Greek and English army, and also formed a Cypriot constitution. Most teams have undertaken national project by collecting money and clothing to be sent to Greece in order to assist the Greek people and the army. Moreover, many Greek refugees fled to Cyprus. Due to the prevailed war conditions the CFA decided to suspend all the competitions.[9][10]

Season Winner
1934–35APOEL (reserve team)
1935–36Trust (reserve team)
1936–37APOEL (reserve team)
1937–38APOEL (reserve team)
1938–39APOEL (reserve team)
Season Winner
1939–40APOEL (reserve team)
1944–45EPA Larnaca (reserve team)
1945–46APOEL (reserve team)
1946–47APOEL (reserve team)
1947–48APOEL (reserve team)
Season Winner
1948–49APOEL (reserve team)
1949–50APOEL (reserve team)
1950–51AEL Limassol (reserve team)
1951–52Çetinkaya Türk (reserve team)
1952–53APOEL (reserve team)

Winners

The table presents all the winners since the 1953–54 season, in which the competition started officially.[1][8]

Season Winner
1953–54 Aris Limassol
1954–55 Nea Salamis Famagusta
1955–56 Aris Limassol
1956–57 Apollon Limassol
1957–58 Orfeas Nicosia
1958–59 Not held1
1959–60 Alki Larnaca
1960–61 Enosis Agion Omologiton
1961–62 Panellinios Limassol
1962–63 Panellinios Limassol
1963–64 Not held2
1964–65 Orfeas Nicosia
1965–66 APOP Paphos
1966–67 ASIL Lysi
1967–68 Evagoras Paphos
1968–69 Enosis Neon Paralimni
1969–70 Digenis Akritas Morphou
1970–71 APOP Paphos
1971–72 Evagoras Paphos
1972–73 APOP Paphos
1973–74 ASIL Lysi
1974–75 APOP Paphos
Season Winner
1975–76 Chalkanoras Idaliou
1976–77 APOP Paphos
1977–78 Omonia Aradippou
1978–79 Keravnos
1979–80 Nea Salamis Famagusta
1980–81 Evagoras Paphos
1981–82 Alki Larnaca
1982–83 Ermis Aradippou
1983–84 Olympiakos Nicosia
1984–85 Ermis Aradippou
1985–86 Ethnikos Achna
1986–87 APEP
1987–88 Keravnos
1988–89 Evagoras Paphos
1989–90 EPA Larnaca
1990–91 Evagoras Paphos
1991–92 Ethnikos Achna
1992–93 Omonia Aradippou
1993–94 Aris Limassol
1994–95 Evagoras Paphos
1995–96 APOP Paphos
1996–97 AEL Limassol
Season Winner
1997–98 Olympiakos Nicosia
1998–99 Anagennisi Deryneia
1999–2000 Digenis Akritas Morphou
2000–01 Alki Larnaca
2001–02 Nea Salamis Famagusta
2002–03 Anagennisi Deryneia
2003–04 Nea Salamis Famagusta
2004–05 APOP Kinyras
2005–06 AEP Paphos
2006–07 APOP Kinyras
2007–08 AEP Paphos
2008–09 Ermis Aradippou
2009–10 Alki Larnaca
2010–11 Aris Limassol
2011–12 Ayia Napa
2012–13 Aris Limassol
2013–143 Ayia Napa
2014–15 Enosis Neon Paralimni
2015–16 Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion
2016–17 Alki Oroklini
2017–18 Enosis Neon Paralimni
2018–19 Ethnikos Achna

1Championship not held due to the unstable situation in Cyprus during EOKA fight.[11][12]

2Championship not held due Bloody Christmas (1963).[13][14]

3The 2013–14 season the league was split into a two tier system, Group B1 and Group B2. The two groups were not at the same level, as Group B1 was above Group B2. Second Division Champions of that season was considered the winner of Group B1, Ayia Napa. Winner of Group B2 was Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion.

Performance By Club

Club Winners Winning seasons
APOP Paphos 6 1966, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1996
Evagoras Paphos 6 1968, 1972, 1981, 1989, 1990, 1994
Aris Limassol 5 1954, 1956, 1993, 2011, 2013
Nea Salamis Famagusta 4 1955, 1980, 2002, 2004
Alki Larnaca 4 1960, 1982, 2001, 2010
Enosis Neon Paralimni 3 1969, 2015, 2018
Ermis Aradippou 3 1983, 1985, 2009
Ethnikos Achna 3 1986, 1992, 2019
AEP Paphos 2 2006, 2008
Ayia Napa 2 2012, 2014
Anagennisi Deryneia 2 1999, 2003
APOP Kinyras 2 2005, 2007
ASIL Lysi 2 1967, 1974
Digenis Akritas Morphou 2 1970, 2000
Keravnos 2 1979, 1988
Olympiakos Nicosia 2 1984, 1997
Omonia Aradippou 2 1978, 1993
Orfeas Nicosia 2 1958, 1965
Panellinios Limassol 2 1962, 1963
AEL Limassol 1 1997
Alki Oroklini 1 2017
APEP 1 1987
Apollon Limassol 1 1957
Enosis Agion Omologiton 1 1961
EPA Larnaca 1 1990
Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion 1 2016
Chalkanoras Idaliou 1 1976

Number of participating and promoted teams per season

The number of the participated teams and the number of the teams that were promoted to the Cypriot First Division was changed many times during the years. In some seasons no team was promoted, in other seasons only the champion was promoted and some other seasons were promoted the first two or the first three teams. In some seasons, play-offs between a First Division and a Second Division team were held with the winner participating in the next season's First Division and the losing team in the Second Division.[15]

Season N. Promoted
1953–54 9 (2 groups) Aris Limassol
1954–55 11 (3 groups) Nea Salamis Famagusta
1955–56 8 (2 groups) Aris Limassol
1956–57 9 (2 groups) Apollon Limassol
1957–58 9 (2 groups) Orfeas Nicosia
1959–60 8 (2 groups) Alki Larnaca, A.Y.M.A.
1960–61 9 (2 groups) No promotion1
1961–62 10 (3 groups) No promotion2
1962–63 9 (2 groups) No promotion2
1964–65 8 (2 groups) No promotion1
1965–66 11 (2 groups) APOP Paphos
1966–67 12 (2 groups) ASIL Lysi
1967–68 10 (2 groups) Evagoras Paphos
1968–69 13 Enosis Neon Paralimni
1969–70 17 Digenis Akritas Morphou
1970–71 12 APOP Paphos
1971–72 12 Evagoras Paphos, ASIL Lysi, Aris Limassol
1972–73 14 APOP Paphos
1973–74 14 ASIL Lysi
1974–75 19 (2 groups) No promotion3
1975–76 13 Chalkanoras Idaliou
1976–77 14 APOP Paphos
1977–78 14 Omonia Aradippou
1978–79 14 Keravnos
1979–80 14 Nea Salamis Famagusta
1980–81 14 Evagoras Paphos, APOP Paphos
1981–82 14 Alki Larnaca, Aris Limassol
1982–83 14 Ermis Aradippou, Ethnikos Achna
1983–84 14 Olympiakos Nicosia, Evagoras Paphos
1984–85 14 Ermis Aradippou, APOP Paphos
1985–86 14 Ethnikos Achna, Omonia Aradippou
Season N. Promoted
1986–87 15 APEP, Anagennisi Deryneia
1987–88 15 Keravnos, Omonia Aradippou
1988–89 15 Evagoras Paphos, Alki Larnaca
1989–90 15 EPA Larnaca, APEP
1990–914 14 Evagoras Paphos, Omonia Aradippou
1991–924 14 Ethnikos Achna, APOP Paphos
1992–934 14 Omonia Aradippou, APEP
1993–945 14 Aris Limassol
1994–95 11 Evagoras Paphos, Alki Larnaca
1995–96 14 APOP Paphos, APEP F.C., Anagennisi Deryneia
1996–97 14 AEL Limassol, Evagoras Paphos, Ethnikos Assia
1997–98 14 Olympiakos Nicosia, Doxa Katokopias, Aris Limassol
1998–99 14 Anagennisi Deryneia, Ethnikos Assia, APOP Paphos
1999–2000 14 Digenis Akritas Morphou, Aris Limassol, Doxa Katokopias
2000–01 14 Alki Larnaca, Ethnikos Assia, Ermis Aradippou
2001–02 14 Nea Salamis Famagusta, Digenis Akritas Morphou, Aris Limassol
2002–03 14 Anagennisi Deryneia, Doxa Katokopias, Onisilos Sotira
2003–04 14 Nea Salamis Famagusta, Aris Limassol, Alki Larnaca
2004–05 14 APOP Kinyras, APEP, THOI Lakatamia
2005–06 14 AEP Paphos, Aris Limassol, Ayia Napa
2006–07 14 APOP Kinyras, Alki Larnaca, Doxa Katokopias
2007–08 14 AEP Paphos, APEP, Atromitos Yeroskipou
2008–09 14 Ermis Aradippou, Aris Limassol, Nea Salamis Famagusta
2009–10 14 Alki Larnaca, AEK Larnaca, Olympiakos Nicosia
2010–11 14 Aris Limassol, Nea Salamis Famagusta, Anagennisi Deryneia
2011–12 14 Ayia Napa, Doxa Katokopias, AEP Paphos
2012–136 14 Aris Limassol, AEK Kouklia, Ermis Aradippou
2013–147 8 Ayia Napa, Othellos Athienou
2014–15 14 Enosis Neon Paralimni, Pafos FC, Aris Limassol
2015–16 14 Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion, AEZ Zakakiou, Anagennisi Deryneia
2016–17 14 Alki Oroklini, Pafos FC, Olympiakos Nicosia

Note: The promoted teams are listed in order according to their final place in the league.

1CFA decided that would not be a promotion or play-off matches with the last team or teams of the First Division those seasons.

2The champion team played play-off matches with the last team or teams of the First Division, with the winner to participate in the next season's First Division and the looser to the Second Division. The Cypriot First Division teams won all the play-offs against the Second Division teams.

3The 1974–75 season, due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which forced many teams that had their headquarters to the north Cyprus to be closed temporarily or permanently, CFA decide to have a Special mixed championship of Second & Third Division. In this championship could participate all the teams of the Second and Third Division. Participation was optional.

4The 3rd placed team played playoff matches against the 12th team of First Division. In all cases the Second Division team lost.

5The 2nd placed team played playoff matches against the 11th team of First Division. The Second Division team lost.

6The 4th placed team played playoff matches against the 11th team of First Division. The Second Division team lost.

7The 2013–14 season the league was split into a two tier system, Group B1 and Group B2 with 8 teams participating in each division. The two groups were not at the same level, as Group B1 was above Group B2. Only the two first teams of B1 Group were promoted to the First Division.

Participations per club

So far, 87 teams participated in the Cypriot Second Division since 1953–54 (including the 2017–18 season).[16]

Team Par.
PAEEK471
Chalkanoras Idaliou35
Orfeas Nicosia32
Omonia Aradippou32
Akritas Chlorakas30
Anagennisi Deryneia28
Othellos Athienou28
Onisilos Sotira27
APOP Paphos26
Ermis Aradippou24
Ethnikos Assia24
Doxa Katokopias22
Keravnos222
APEP213
ASIL Lysi21
Digenis Akritas Morphou20
Evagoras Paphos18
THOI Lakatamia18
AEM Morphou16
Ethnikos Achna16
Alki Larnaca15
Aris Limassol15
Team Par.
AEZ Zakakiou14
Adonis Idaliou12
AEK Ammochostos12
ENAD Ayiou Dometiou12
Ayia Napa12
Ethnikos Asteras Limassol10
Iraklis Gerolakkou10
Anagennisi Larnacas9
Panellinios Limassol9
Olympiakos Nicosia8
Apollon Lympion7
Elpida Xylofagou7
EPAL7
Nea Salamis Famagusta7
Parthenon Zodeia7
Enosis Neon Paralimni7
Amathus Limassol6
Digenis Akritas Ipsona6
MEAP Nisou6
Neos Aionas Trikomou6
Anagennisi Germasogeias5
Arion Lemesou5
Team Par.
Enosis Neon Parekklisia5
Othellos Famagusta5
AEK/Achilleas Ayiou Theraponta4
AEP Paphos4
Antaeus Limassol4
APEP Pelendriou4
Atromitos Yeroskipou4
Achilleas Kaimakli4
Ethnikos Defteras4
Nikos & Sokratis Erimis4
Digenis Oroklinis4
Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion4
APOP Kinyras3
Armenian Young Men's Association3
ENAD Polis Chrysochous3
Enosis Agion Omologiton3
Enosis Kokkinotrimithia3
Kentro Neotitas Maroniton3
Rotsidis Mammari3
SEK Agiou Athanasiou3
Apollon Athienou2
Apollon Limassol2
Team Par.
Gaydzak Nicosia2
Gençlik Gücü2
LALL Lysi2
Demi Spor Larnaca2
Doğan Türk Birliği2
Orfeas Athienou2
Pafos FC2
Mağusa Türk Gücü2
AEK Kakopetrias1
AEK Kouklia1
AEK Larnaca1
AEL Limassol1
AEM Mesogis1
Alki Oroklini1
Achyronas Liopetriou1
EPA Larnaca1
Ethnikos Latsion1
Kinyras Empas1
Olympos Xylofagou1
Frenaros FC1
P.O. Xylotymbou1

1The team has 15 participations as PAEK, 3 participations as PAEK/AEK and 28 participations as PAEEK.
2The team has some participations as Enosis-Keravnos.
3The team has 3 participations as APEP Limassol and 18 participations as APEP Pitsilias.

League or status at 2017–18:

2017–18 Cypriot First Division (11)
2017–18 Cypriot Second Division (14)
2017–18 Cypriot Third Division (7)
2017–18 STOK Elite Division (4)
No longer affiliated with CFA (14)
Clubs that no longer exist (36)

See also

References

  1. Στεφανιδης, Γιώργος (2013-09-23). "ΡΕΤΡΟ – Η ιστορία της Β' Κατηγορίας" (in Greek). Haravgi. Archived from the original on 2014-06-06.
  2. "Το παγκύπριο πρωτάθλημα Β΄ κατηγορίας". Ethnos (in Greek). 1953-11-14. p. 3.
  3. "Πρωταθλήτριαι Κύπρου από της ιδρύσεως της ΚΟΠ". Filathlos (in Greek). 1967-07-03. p. 3.
  4. "Οι αποφάσεις της τελευταίας συνεδρίας της ΚΟΠ". Athlitiki (in Greek). 1953-11-23. p. 2.
  5. "Πώς θα διεξαχθή εφέτος το πρωτάθλημα Β΄ κατηγορίας". Eleftheria (in Greek). 1954-01-09. p. 1.
  6. Μελετίου 2011, p. 112
  7. https://www.cfa.com.cy/En/clubprofile/18870127/41048
  8. "Cyprus – List of Second Level Champions". www.rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-06-24.
  9. Μελετίου 2011, pp. 55–56
  10. Γαβριηλίδης & Παπαμωυσέως 2001, p. 41
  11. Γαβριηλίδης & Παπαμωυσέως 2001, p. 69
  12. Μελετίου 2011, p. 270
  13. Cyprus Football Association (February 2014). "Το περιοδικό της ΚΟΠ" (PDF) (7). Λευκωσία: Cyprus Football Association: 75–76. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-08-31. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. Στεφανίδης 2015, pp. 141–148
  15. "Cypriot Second Division – Participating and promoted teams per season". www.rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-06-24.
  16. "Cyprus – Participations per club at Cypriot Second Division". www.rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-06-24.

Sources

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