2015–16 APOEL FC season

APOEL 2015–16 Domingos Paciência(Until 28 August 2015) Temur Ketsbaia(28 August 2015 – 20 April 2016) Georgios Kostis(Caretaker:From 20 April 2016) Prodromos Petrides GSP Stadium, Nicosia Cypriot First Division 1st Cypriot Cup Semi-finals Cypriot Super Cup Runners-up UEFA Champions League Play-off round UEFA Europa League Group stage Fernando Cavenaghi (19) Fernando Cavenaghi (23) 17,699 vs Astana (26 August 2015 – UEFA Champions League) 2,734 vs Nea Salamina (27 January 2016 – Cypriot Cup) 8,359 (all competitions) _Apoel1516home _Apoel1516home _Apoel1516home _Apoel1516home _blue_top ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 _Apoel1516away _Apoel1516away _Apoel1516away _Apoel1516away _blacktop ff4500 ff4500 ff4500 000000 ff4500 _Apoel1516third _Apoel1516third _Apoel1516third _Apoel1516third _orangetop ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff 2014–15 2016–17 The 2015–16 season was APOEL's 76th season in the Cypriot First Division and 88th year in existence as a football club. Season review Head coach changes August 2015: On 28 August 2015, APOEL terminated Domingos Paciência's contract, following the team's failure to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage after being eliminated by FC Astana in the play-offs of the competition.http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13938&tt=graphic&lang=l1 el:Λύση συνεργασίας με Domingos Paciencia APOEL FC 28 August 2015 28 August 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192423/http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13938&tt=graphic&lang=l1 4 March 2016 At the same day, Paciência was replaced by Georgian coach Temur Ketsbaia, who signed a two-year contract with the club.http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13939&tt=graphic&lang=l1 el:Σύναψη συμφωνίας με Temur Ketsbaia APOEL FC 28 August 2015 28 August 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150923173555/http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13939&tt=graphic&lang=l1 23 September 2015 April 2016: On 21 April 2016, one day after APOEL's elimination in the Cypriot Cup semi-finals by Apollon Limassol, Temur Ketsbaia's contract with APOEL was mutually terminated,http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=15008&tt=graphic&lang=l1 APOEL FC el:Κοινή συναινέσει λύση συνεργασίας με Temur Ketsbaia 21 April 2016 21 April 2016 Greek dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160424044944/http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=15008&tt=graphic&lang=l1 24 April 2016 although at that moment the team were four points clear at the top of the league with only four matches remaining. The same day, APOEL's assistant coach Georgios Kostis, took over as caretaker manager for the team's remaining four crucial league games of the season. Pre-season and friendlies The first training session for the season took place on 18 June 2015 at APOEL's training centre.http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13433&tt=graphic&lang=l1 APOEL FC el:Ξεκινούν οι προπονήσεις στον Αρχάγγελο 17 June 2015 17 June 2015 Greek On 23 June 2015 the team flew to Gniewino in Poland to perform the main stage of their pre-season training and returned to Cyprus on 5 July 2015.http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13220&tt=graphic&lang=l1 APOEL FC el:Στην Πολωνία το βασικό μέρος της προετοιμασίας 9 June 2015 9 June 2015 Greekhttp://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13576&tt=graphic&lang=l1 APOEL FC el:Η κλήση για την αποστολή στην Πολωνία 22 June 2015 22 June 2015 Greek During the pre-season training stage in Poland, APOEL played five friendly matches. They won 2–0 FK Atlantas, drew 0–0 with Lech Poznań and lost three times against Lechia Gdańsk (1–4), Arka Gdynia (1–2) and Lech Poznań (0–3). After their return to Cyprus, APOEL played one friendly match, beating Doxa Katokopias 4–0 at Makario Stadium on 8 July 2015. In between their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign APOEL played three more friendly matches, beating 2–1 Ermis Aradippou, drawing 1–1 with Olympiakos Nicosia and winning Greek side Asteras Tripolis 3–2. Cypriot Super Cup APOEL's double success last season meant that Cypriot cup runners-up AEL Limassol would be their super cup opponents. On 12 August 2015, APOEL was defeated 4–3 by AEL Limassol in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw at GSP Stadium.https://www.cfa.com.cy/Gr/news/23276 CFA el:ΑΠΟΕΛ - ΑΕΛ 0-0 (3-4 πέναλτι) 12 August 2015 12 August 2015 Greek It was a match of few chances with both sides unable to muster any clear cut opportunity to get the breakthrough. The Cypriot Super Cup has no extra-time and so the match went straight to the lottery of a penalty shootout. After four accurate spot-kicks, Marios Antoniades shot wide at 2–2, while another miss for APOEL through Georgios Efrem turned the odds further into AEL’s favour. An excellent save by Boy Waterman and a successful spot kick from Tomás De Vincenti gave APOEL hope but at 3–3, AEL's captain Marios Nicolaou tuck away the decisive penalty and hand AEL the first trophy of the campaign. Cypriot First Division Regular season On 22 August 2015, APOEL opened their competitive season with an impressive 5–1 win at Ammochostos Stadium against Ermis Aradippou. Tomás De Vincenti gave APOEL the lead after nine minutes and ten minutes later Luís Leal registered his first goal for the club to make it 2–0. Semir Štilić also got his first goal for the club in the 26th minute and Luís Leal grabbed his second goal of the game six minutes later. Andreas Vasilogiannis scored Ermis' consolation goal in the 56th minute and Constantinos Charalambides added a fifth goal for APOEL on 63 minutes with a finish from close range. On 30 August 2015, APOEL thrashed Pafos FC 6–2 at GSP Stadium in Temur Ketsbaia's debut as APOEL's head coach. Vinícius broke the deadlock after 33 minutes with a close range header from a Constantinos Charalambides' corner. Joël Damahou leveled the proceedings in the 39th minute after beating Boy Waterman with a powerful strike, but Tomás De Vincenti regained APOEL's lead two minutes later. Constantinos Charalambides scored his team's third goal at the hour mark, before Vinícius score his second from close range after a Nektarios Alexandrou's cross. Fernando Cavenaghi got his debut on 75 minutes and ten minutes later grabbed his first goal for APOEL with an amazing back-heel, before scoring his second goal deep into stoppage time after receiving Vander's pass. Georgian defender Gia Grigalava had scored for Pafos at the other end moments earlier with a sublime free-kick. On 12 September 2015, APOEL dropped their first league points of the season as they drew 2–2 away to AEK Larnaca. AEK took the lead late in the first half when José Kanté headed past APOEL goalkeeper Boy Waterman. AEK's former winger Vander levelled the score in the 68th minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but parity lasted only seven minutes as Juanma Ortiz crossed for the unmarked Jorge Monteiro to score at the far post. APOEL's star signing Fernando Cavenaghi equalised with virtually his first touch after coming on as a substitute nine minutes from the end. On 21 September 2015, APOEL claimed a hard-fought 1–0 win over Doxa Katokopias at Makario Stadium and moved to the top of the standings, although the three points came at a price after Carlão, Iñaki Astiz and Pieros Sotiriou all suffered injuries. APOEL secured the victory in the 13th minute when Fernando Cavenaghi – who was celebrating his 32nd birthday – won and converted a penalty, firing beyond Alexandre Negri for his fourth goal in three games. On 26 September 2016, APOEL put their injury problems aside after putting on a dominant performance in a 4–0 thrashing of Aris Limassol at GSP Stadium. Fernando Cavenaghi opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half, while a goal by Georgios Efrem doubled APOEL's advantage before the break. Argentinian Tomás De Vincenti wrapped up the scoring with a brace, netting his goals at the beginning and end of the second half. On 5 October 2015, APOEL stayed top of the table alongside AEK Larnaca after breezing to a 5–0 win away to Enosis Neon Paralimni. APOEL took the lead on 12 minutes through a Tomás De Vincenti free-kick and Vander made it 2–0 at the half-hour mark with a shot from outside the area. Georgios Efrem scored the third on 51 minutes, before Fernando Cavenaghi score twice in 62nd and 65th minute. On 17 October 2015, APOEL continued their free-scoring league form under Temur Ketsbaia after thrashing AEL Limassol 6–0 at home and remained alone atop league standings. Georgios Efrem scored twice from outside the box in the first fifteen minutes to give his team an early two-goal lead. Fernando Cavenaghi grabbed his first hat-trick in Cyprus, while Kostakis Artymatas scored his first ever goal for APOEL. On 26 October 2015, APOEL stretched their lead at the top of the table to three points after an astonishing 9–0 win against Nea Salamina at Ammochostos Stadium. The carnage began early, as in the 2nd minute Georgios Efrem opened the scoring and it was already 4–0 by half-time after goals by Semir Štilić, Tomás De Vincenti and Dragan Žarković (own goal). Tomás De Vincenti netted another one early in the second half, while Vinícius and Piątkowski also scored to increase APOEL's lead. Fernando Cavenaghi scored twice in the last ten minutes, snatching a total of twelve goals in seven league matches. On 31 October 2015, APOEL maintained their lead atop the standings with a difficult 3–0 victory over Ethnikos Achnas at GSP Stadium. APOEL managed to break the deadlock after 69 minutes, when Constantinos Charalambides received a Fernando Cavenaghi's pass and from close range riffled the ball past Ethnikos' goalkeeper. Tomás De Vincenti doubled the advantage six minutes from time, while Vinícius added a third goal for APOEL in the last minute of the match. On 9 November 2015, APOEL's six-game winning streak came to an end after a thrilling 2–2 away draw against rivals Omonia. Omonia got off to the perfect start as Renato Margaça took advantage of a lapse in APOEL's defence and slid the ball under the advancing Boy Waterman. APOEL were level in the 15th minute after Fernando Cavenaghi created space for himself outside the box and sidefooted the ball past Omonia keeper. Fernando Cavenaghi gave APOEL the lead in the 51st minute after some great approach play involving Tomás De Vincenti and Vander, but Omonia equalized 15 minutes from time when Cillian Sheridan converted a penalty won by Nuno Assis. On 21 November 2015, APOEL suffered their first league defeat of the season, losing 0–2 at home to Anorthosis, but remained at the top of the table level on points with AEK Larnaca. In a game of few chances, especially in the opening 45 minutes, Anorthosis took the lead in the 69th minute through João Victor and made certain of the three points after Dino Ndlovu converted a late penalty. On 30 November 2015, a Fernando Cavenaghi penalty in the half hour mark was enough for APOEL to clinch all three points against bottom of the table Ayia Napa and move two points clear at the top the table after a difficult 1–0 away win. On 5 December 2015, APOEL suffered their consecutive home defeat after losing 0–1 to Apollon Limassol and dropped from the first place for the first time in the season. Abraham Gneki Guié's goal in the 58th minute was enough to give Apollon the three points and to drop APOEL to the third place of the league table, one point behind the leading duo AEK Larnaca and Anorthosis. On 14 December 2015, APOEL claimed a hard-fought 2–0 win over Ermis Aradippou at GSP Stadium and remained one point behind leaders AEK and Anorthosis. Fernando Cavenaghi scored his 16th league goal from the penalty spot in the 64th minute and eight minutes before the end Tomás De Vincenti scored from inside the box to seal the win for APOEL. On 19 December 2015, APOEL maintained the pressure on the leading duo after a difficult but deserved 1–0 win against Pafos FC at Pafiako Stadium. Vander scored the all-important goal in the 14th minute with a close range header after a Georgios Efrem cross. On 22 December 2015, APOEL fell to their third league defeat of the season after losing 1–2 at home to leaders AEK Larnaca and remained to the third place, four points behind AEK. João Guilherme gave APOEL a dream start when he scored after only three minutes, but AEK hit back after 31 minutes through David Català. The score remained 1–1 until the 72nd minute when André Alves hit the winner for AEK after an accurate low cross from Tete. On 3 January 2016, APOEL suffered a second consecutive home defeat after losing 1–2 to Doxa Katokopias and dropped to the fourth place, seven points behind leaders AEK Larnaca. Doxa took the lead in the 10th minute through Edmar, while APOEL drew level twenty minutes from the end when substitute Pieros Sotiriou beat Evagoras Hadjifrangiskou from close range. Doxa nicked the three points at the fifth minute of added time when APOEL defender Mário Sérgio handled in the box and Paulinho thumped the ball past Boy Waterman from the penalty spot. On 10 January 2016, APOEL bounced back from two consecutive league defeats by beating Aris Limassol 2–1 at Tsirion Stadium and moved up to the third place, seven points off top spot. Tomás De Vincenti scored on incredible solo effort to give APOEL the lead after 31 minutes, netting his tenth league goal of the season. Pieros Sotiriou doubled his team's advantage with a nice header in the 52nd minute, while Aris only managed to pull one goal back twenty minutes before the end with Mathew Boniface. On 17 January 2016, APOEL claimed a convincing 3–0 home win over Enosis Neon Paralimni and remained in third place, four points behind leaders AEK Larnaca. Nuno Morais broke the deadlock after 41 minutes when he tried to cross the ball toward the center of the box and tricked Enosis goalkeeper and four minutes later Fernando Cavenaghi scored from the penalty spot to double APOEL's lead. Giannis Gianniotas added a third one with a powerful shot from outside the area in the 63rd minute, to score his first goal for APOEL. On 24 January 2016, APOEL continued their surge back to the top with a convincing 1–0 win over AEL Limassol at Tsirion Stadium and closed the gap on league leaders AEK Larnaca to two points. The only goal of the game came early in the second half from Portuguese captain Nuno Morais who beat Matías Degra from just inside the area with a fierce drive. On 30 January 2016, APOEL continued their surge to the top with an impressive 6–1 home win against Nea Salamina and moved up to the second place, two points behind AEK Larnaca. The teams were level at half time after an early opener by Pieros Sotiriou and a penalty by Dimitar Makriev in the 14th minute. In the second half APOEL poured forward, proving too strong for Nea Salamina. Argentinian Tomás De Vincenti started and finished the second-half rout with Vander, Vinícius and Fernando Cavenaghi scoring in between. On 7 February 2016, APOEL beat Ethnikos Achna 3–1 at Dasaki Stadium and returned to top of the table, one point ahead of AEK Larnaca who lost 3–1 to Omonia. Pieros Sotiriou opened the scoring in the 17th minute, heading home from close range and three minutes before the break he doubled his side's lead, after taking the ball past Martin Bogatinov to finish into an empty net. Fernando Cavenaghi added a third from the penalty spot on 67 minute, while Marios Elia managed just to put Ethnikos on the scoresheet with a fine goal in the 90th minute. On 13 February 2016, APOEL easily beat arch-rivals Omonia 2–0 and remained atop league standings, one point ahead of AEK Larnaca. Former Omonia skipper Georgios Efrem haunted his old club after scoring twice in the first half. In the 9th minute, Tomás De Vincenti's cross from the right wing met by the Cypriot winger who finished well with his left inside the six-yard-box. Three minutes before the break Efrem grabbed his second, firing past the helpless Constantinos Panagi after receiving Giannis Gianniotas' low cross from the right side of the area. On 21 February 2016, APOEL beat Anorthosis 2–1 at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in the big match of the weekend to maintain their one-point lead over AEK Larnaca at the top of the table. Two first-half goals by Pieros Sotiriou and Tomás De Vincenti were enough to give APOEL the three points. Despite reducing the deficit early in the second half through Dino Ndlovu, Anorthosis did little else with APOEL always looking the more likely team to score. On 27 February 2016, APOEL had few problems against Ayia Napa as they defeated the already relegated team 3–0 at home. Georgios Efrem opened the score early in the game, with Vander and Efstathios Aloneftis completing the score. On 2 March 2016, APOEL won Apollon Limassol 1–0 at Tsirion Stadium and ended the regular season atop the league standings, one point ahead of AEK Larnaca. Georgios Efrem scored the winning goal just six minutes into the match, while Apollon missed a great chance to equalize five minutes later, when Alex da Silva's penalty hit the bar. Play-offs On 5 March 2016, in the opening round of the championship play-offs, APOEL managed a narrow 1–0 win away to Nea Salamina thanks to Carlão's strike late in the first half and opened up a three-point lead at the top, following AEK Larnaca's 2–2 draw with Apollon Limassol. On 12 March 2016, APOEL came from behind to beat arch-rivals Omonia 2–1 at GSP Stadium and preserved their three-point lead at the top of the table. Against the run of play, Omonia took the lead in 35th minute when a mix up in the APOEL defence allowed Bebê to weave past a couple of players and curl the ball past Urko Pardo. The lead lasted just seven minutes as APOEL piled on the pressure and were rewarded when Georgios Efrem blasted the ball past keeper from inside the box after receiving Zhivko Milanov's low cross from the right. The winner came just six minutes from time from Brazilian winger Vander who rolled the ball into an empty net after taking the rebound of Tomás De Vincenti's shoot which rattled the woodwork. On 20 March 2016, APOEL took a huge step towards their fourth consecutive league title after crushing challengers AEK Larnaca 3–0 at GSZ Stadium and opened up a six-point gap at the top of the table. It took APOEL just eight minutes to breach AEK's defense as Tomás De Vincenti raced clear and beat the advancing Toño with a clever chip. Six minutes before the break, Georgios Efrem received the ball on the edge of the penalty box and curled the ball into the top-left corner for a memorable goal. AEK had a chance of getting back into the game in the 50th minute after referee awarded them a controversial penalty, but APOEL's keeper Urko Pardo managed to block André Alves shot from the spot. While AEK had no answers to APOEL's relentless pressure and quick attacks, Pieros Sotiriou provided the icing on the cake in the 74th minute when he beat the keeper from close range. On 2 April 2016, APOEL's twelve-game winning streak came to an end after a 2–2 home draw against Apollon Limassol and AEK Larnaca took advantage to move to within four points of the top of the table. Apollon took the lead after 22 minutes through Anton Maglica, but the advantage lasted just two of minutes as Carlão headed past keeper Bruno Vale after a Georgios Efrem cross. Alex da Silva put Apollon back in the lead before the break with a well-taken free-kick, but APOEL were fortunate to salvage a point thanks to a last-minute equaliser by former Apollon captain, Giorgos Merkis. On 9 April 2016, APOEL dropped points for the second straight match after a 1–1 away draw against Anorthosis and allowed second placed AEK Larnaca to move to within two points of the top. Constantinos Laifis beat APOEL keeper Urko Pardo from 20 metres out to give Anorthosis the lead in the 70th minute, but APOEL managed to equalize two minutes from time thanks to a well-taken free-kick by Giannis Gianniotas. On 16 April 2016, APOEL moved a step closer to their third consecutive championship title as they increased their lead at the top to four points, following their 4–1 home win against Nea Salamina and AEK Larnaca's 2–2 draw against Apollon Limassol. APOEL had few problems in defeating Nea Salamina with Semir Štilić, Pieros Sotiriou, Nuno Morais and Constantinos Charalambides getting on the scoresheet, with ex-APOEL player Aldo Adorno getting Salamina's consolation goal. On 23 April 2016, under caretaker coach Giorgos Kostis, APOEL beat arch-rivals Omonia 2–0 at GSP Stadium and moved a step closer to their fourth consecutive league title, as they maintained their four points advantage from AEK Larnaca, only three matches before the end. Greek winger Giannis Gianniotas was the hero for APOEL who scored both goals, after taking advantage of poor Omonia defending. The first goal came midway through the first half when he headed past Omonia keeper after Nektarios Alexandrou's cross from the left. A minute before the break, Pieros Sotiriou stole the ball from Omonia's defenders and passed to Gianniotas who slotted the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper from inside the area. On 28 April 2016, APOEL claimed their fourth consecutive league title after overcoming second placed AEK Larnaca 2–0 at a packed GSP Stadium. APOEL, which a few days ago parted ways with coach Temur Ketsbaia, had headed into the game four points ahead of AEK with caretaker manager Giorgos Kostis on charge. André Alves had missed the game's first big chance before a mistake by AEK defender led to a quick counter-attack involving Giannis Gianniotas and Vander and finished off by Pieros Sotiriou who had rounded the goalkeeper before scoring into an empty net just before halftime. Twenty minutes after the break APOEL made it 2–0, when Giannis Gianniotas was fouled in the area and the Greek winger picked himself up to score the penalty to secure APOEL's 25th Cypriot First Division title. On 7 May 2016, champions APOEL decided to rest many first-team players and saw their 17-match unbeaten run ended after suffering a 1–0 loss at Apollon Limassol thanks to a Luka Stojanović strike at the half-hour mark. On 15 May 2016, APOEL drew 2–2 at home against Anorthosis to break the club's best league scoring record with 91 goals and collect 83 points, the most points ever collected in a single season. Pieros Sotiriou put the champions ahead in the 12th minute but Efthimis Koulouris levelled just before the break. APOEL took the lead again through Tomás De Vincenti amazing free-kick with 56 minutes on the clock, but seven minutes later Anorthosis equalized via Andreas Makris. After the end of the match, celebrations followed as the APOEL's captain Constantinos Charalambides lifted the Cypriot First Division trophy in front of jubilant APOEL fans in the packed GSP Stadium. Cypriot Cup Second round APOEL won the Cypriot cup last season and as such entered the second round of this season competition. APOEL were drawn to face Cypriot First Division side Nea Salamina. On 13 January 2016, APOEL secured a narrow 1–0 advantage over Nea Salamina at Ammochostos Stadium, thanks to a long-range goal from Nuno Morais goal just after the hour mark. On 27 January 2016, APOEL secured their place in Cypriot cup quarter-finals after beating again Nea Salamina 3–2 at Nicosia, to seal a 4–2 aggregate victory. APOEL got off to a flying start, as Argentine striker Fernando Cavenaghi opened the scoring after just nine minutes and Tomás De Vincenti doubled his team's advantage in the 36th minute. Early into the second-half Vinícius added his name on to the scoresheet to make it 3–0 (4–0 on aggregate), ending any faint hopes of a remarkable Nea Salamina comeback. The visitors managed to register a goal through Ivan Ćurjurić who converted a penalty in the 74th minute, and two minutes later they added a second via a thumping Liliu header. Quarter-finals In the Cypriot cup quarter-finals, APOEL were drawn to face Cypriot First Division side Aris Limassol. In the first leg of their Cypriot Cup quarter-finals clash on 10 February 2016, APOEL were held to a 1–1 draw by Aris Limassol at GSP Stadium. Randy opened the scoring for the visitors in the 15th minute, but their joy was short-lived as APOEL hit back just three minutes later through a Fernando Cavenaghi penalty, leaving the tie evenly balanced. On 17 February 2016, APOEL made it through to the semi-finals of the Cypriot Cup after a 3–1 win over Aris Limassol at Tsirion Stadium. Georgios Efrem broke the deadlock four minutes after the restart, but Markos Maragoudakis equalized for Aris just after the hour mark. Thirteen minutes before the end Tomás De Vincenti gave again APOEL the lead and Efstathios Aloneftis four minutes later kept Temur Ketsbaia's side on track for yet another domestic double. Semi-finals In the Cypriot cup semi-finals, APOEL were drawn to face Apollon Limassol. On 6 April 2016, in the first leg of their semi-final clash, APOEL were held to a 1–1 draw in Nicosia by Apollon Limassol. Apollon took the lead through Abraham Gneki Guié in the 21st minute after Giorgos Merkis' mistake and Pieros Sotiriou equalized just eight minutes later, with nobody unable to break the deadlock in the second half. On 20 April 2016, APOEL were defeated by Apollon Limassol 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw at Tsirion Stadium and eliminated from the Cypriot Cup final, missing a great chance to defend their title for a third consecutive season. Alex Da Silva gave Apollon the lead with a direct free-kick after 45 minutes, but the lead was short-lived, with Georgios Efrem equalizing two minutes later, just a few seconds before the end of the first half. Despite Vinícius being sent off after only five minutes of extra time and APOEL played with ten players for 25 minutes, there were no more goals until the end of the 120 minutes and the match went to penalties. Both sides scored all their first four penalties, before APOEL's defender Iñaki Astiz saw his effort saved by Apollon keeper Bruno Vale and Dejan Mezga made no mistake sending the ball past Urko Pardo to send Apollon to the final. On 21 April 2016, one day after APOEL's elimination in the Cypriot Cup semi-finals, coach Temur Ketsbaia's contract with APOEL was mutually terminated. UEFA Champions League Second qualifying round APOEL won the Cypriot league last season and as such entered the second qualifying round of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2016/accesslist/listofparticipants/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150620233521/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2016/accesslist/listofparticipants/index.html dead June 20, 2015 UEFA 2015/16 UEFA Champions League participants 18 June 2015 18 June 2015 APOEL were drawn to start their campaign against FK Vardar.https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0222-0e9121564c64-aea74aad6f1b-1000--qualifying-round-draws-start-road-to-milan/ UEFA Qualifying round draws start road to Milan 22 June 2015 22 June 2015 On 14 July 2015, APOEL endured a frustrating opening Champions League campaign after being held to a 0–0 home draw by FK Vardar in the first leg of the second qualifying round. Domingos Paciência's side had squandered numerous chances in the game particularly after 40th minute, following a cagey opening to the game. FK Vardar rarely threatened Boy Waterman's goal while their own keeper Tome Pačovski was called into action on numerous occasions to foil Luís Leal, Tomás De Vincenti and Georgios Efrem. On 21 July 2015, APOEL survived an early scare in their Champions League qualifying campaign, scraping through the second qualifying round on the away goals rule with a nervous 1–1 draw at Skopje over FK Vardar. Except some problems in finding the final touch, APOEL were always the superior team against Vardar and Tomás De Vincenti's goal on 60 minutes was enough to see them through the third qualifying round, despite Blagojče Ljamčevski's late equalizer. Third qualifying round APOEL were drawn to face Danish champions FC Midtjylland in the third qualifying round of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0223-0e913ed4a1da-208e02a30899-1000--champions-league-third-qualifying-round-draw/ Champions League third qualifying round draw UEFA 17 July 2015 17 July 2015 On 28 July 2015, APOEL took a step towards the UEFA Champions League play-offs after an important 2–1 win against FC Midtjylland at MCH Arena. Tomás De Vincenti scored one and forced an own goal from Kian Hansen in the first half, while new signing Luís Leal missed a chance to make the score 3–0 before Jakob Poulsen score a late goal for Midtjylland. On 4 August 2015, ten-men APOEL squeezed into the Champions League play-offs after prevailing against FC Midtjylland on the away goals rule, despite a shock 0–1 home defeat. APOEL got off to the worst possible start when Jakob Poulsen's resulting free-kick floated over the defence and met the head of Erik Sviatchenko who steered the ball past Boy Waterman. Then came more despair for APOEL when the referee handed the Brazilian midfielder Vinícius a straight red card for a strong challenge on Pione Sisto. The second half was a cagey affair with APOEL reluctant leak another goal, while Midtjylland players launched countless ineffective long balls into Boy Waterman's area. Albeit under extremely difficult circumstances, APOEL secured European group stage football for the fifth time in seven seasons and a place in the UEFA Champions League play-offs draw. Play-off round APOEL were drawn to face Kazakh champions FC Astana in the play-off round of the Champions League, as they attempt to reach the group stages for the fourth time in their history.https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0224-0e915cf1757f-d60cd22ab4c4-1000--uefa-champions-league-play-off-draw-made/ UEFA Champions League play-off draw made UEFA 7 August 2015 7 August 2015 On 18 August 2015, APOEL fell to a 1–0 defeat against FC Astana at Astana Arena in their Champions League play-off first leg match, leaving themselves with plenty of work to do in the return match in Nicosia. Domingos Paciência's side were punished for a piece of poor defending on 14 minutes to allow Bauyrzhan Dzholchiev to score the game’s only goal, while APOEL once again failed to score, despite creating chances for a crucial away goal. On 26 August 2015, APOEL were very close to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage, before a late Astana goal saw their hopes evaporate after a 1–1 draw at GSP Stadium. Trailing 1–0 from the first leg in Kazakhstan, APOEL had dominated possession in the second leg in Nicosia but failed to take their chances against seemingly weaker opposition. On the hour mark, Semir Štilić whipped in a wonderful free-kick beyond the reach of the Astana keeper to bring APOEL level in the tie, but a late equaliser from Nemanja Maksimović sent APOEL crashing out of the UEFA Champions League. APOEL’s hopes of a fourth Champions League group stage campaign came to an end, but their European season continued in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. Also, following the team's failure to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage, Domingos Paciência was fired two days later and he was replaced by Georgian coach Temur Ketsbaia, who signed a two-year contract with the club. UEFA Europa League Group stage right NED Waterman CYP Artymatas BRA João Guilherme BRA Carlão CYP Antoniades POR Morais BRA Vinícius BRA Vander CYP Efrem BIH Štilić ARG Cavenaghi APOEL's 2015–16 UEFA Europa League starting line-up that managed to beat Asteras Tripolis 2–1 at home and secured the club's only victory in Group K.https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0226-0e923c2d7a45-f04d27b84fc8-1000--apoel-come-from-behind-to-end-eight-match-wait/ APOEL come from behind to end eight-match wait UEFA 22 October 2015 22 October 2015https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/10/22/europe/uefa-cup/apoel-nicosia/asteras-tripolis/2147265/ APOEL vs. Asteras Tripolis 2 - 1 soccerway 22 October 2015 22 October 2015 After being eliminated by FC Astana in the play-off round of the Champions League, APOEL were automatically transferred to the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, drawn in Group K alongside Schalke 04, Sparta Prague and Asteras Tripolis.https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0224-0e918bf3da78-33ce105200d4-1000--full-uefa-europa-league-group-stage-draw/ Full UEFA Europa League group stage draw UEFA 28 August 2015 28 August 2015 On 17 September 2015, APOEL's Europa League campaign got off to bad start as they suffered a 3–0 defeat by Schalke 04 at GSP Stadium in Nicosia. Schalke had the game wrapped up inside the opening half-an-hour after goals from Joël Matip and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, while Max Meyer and Johannes Geis had also rattled the crossbar early on. APOEL's hopes for a positive result ended after Huntelaar's second goal in the 71st minute, while Tomás De Vincenti was sent off for the hosts 13 minutes before the end for swearing at the referee. On 1 October 2015, APOEL fell to a second straight defeat in the Europa League, going down to a 2–0 loss to Sparta Prague at Generali Arena, making the club's aspirations of reaching the next round complicated. APOEL's already tough challenge was made even more difficult due to the absence of six first team players who were suffering injuries. On 23 minutes, a chipped ball to the angle of the penalty area found David Lafata who picked out an unmarked Kehinde Fatai to tap the ball in from a few yards out. Just moments after APOEL came very close to a leveller with Georgios Efrem close range effort, Sparta sprung forward in numbers and a far post cross found Jakub Brabec who made no mistake with the finish, putting his team in front by two goals on the hour mark. On 22 October 2015, APOEL came from behind to end an eight-match wait for a home win and earned their first points in Group K after beating Asteras Tripolis 2–1 at GSP Stadium. After just eight minutes, Argentinian Facundo Bertoglio crossed from the left to his countryman Braian Lluy who calmly placed the ball beyond Boy Waterman to hand Asteras a shock early lead. On 16 minutes, the game was suspended because of floodlight failure, leading to a delay of 12 minutes. The breakthrough for APOEL came in the eighth minute of first-half stoppage time thanks to a Fernando Cavenaghi goal from the penalty spot. In the second half, APOEL kept pushing on for another goal and the winner came in the 59th minute when Carlão headed the ball into the net after Semir Štilić's corner. The visitors failed to threaten late on and APOEL comfortably closed out the game to seal a crucial three points which put them back in contention to qualify for the knockout phase. On 5 November 2015, APOEL's chances of making the knockout phase of the Europa League were dealt a huge blow as they suffered a 2–0 defeat at the hands of Asteras Tripolis at Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium. APOEL got off to a nightmare start as a poor clearance from Marios Antoniades fell to Facundo Bertoglio who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1–0 after only two minutes. From that point on, APOEL began to dominate proceedings and were almost level when Semir Štilić's strike hit the post, but Asteras dealt a killer blow to their chances as they doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time after a close header by Apostolos Giannou. APOEL had been looking for a spark during the second half but it simply would not come as they slumped to their third defeat and sitting bottom of the group with just three points. On 26 November 2015, a late Schalke 04 winner at Veltins-Arena was enough to knock APOEL out of UEFA Europa League and to send the German side to the next round. Despite Schalke's first half dominance, the biggest chances of the night fell to APOEL midway through the second half when Nuno Morais and Vander failed to beat Schalke's goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann from close range. But just when it looked like APOEL had earned a commendable draw, Schalke grabbed a winner with just four minutes remaining after Sascha Riether's low cross found Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the box and the forward found the net to make it 1–0. Two minutes later, Schalke awarded a penalty but Boy Waterman stooped low to save Dennis Aogo's kick. On 10 December 2015, APOEL suffered a 1–3 defeat against Sparta Prague at GSP Stadium and ended a miserable Europa League campaign bottom of Group K with only three points, after one win and five defeats in six games. Fernando Cavenaghi scored a fantastic drive after only six minutes to give APOEL an early lead, but Sparta Prague managed to equalize on the hour mark thank to a lucky deflected goal by Lukáš Juliš. Experienced striker David Lafata came off the bench on 74 minutes and just three minutes later grabbed the goal that would give his side the lead. Three minutes before the end Lafata scored again to make it 1–3 with a neat finish. The result, in the end, was of little meaning for either side as victory for Schalke 04 over Asteras Tripolis in the group's other game meant the Germans claimed top spot with Sparta finishing second, while APOEL finished bottom. Current squad Last Update: 2 April 2016http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13575&tt=graphic&lang=l2 APOEL FC Squad 2015–16 1 February 2016 1 February 2016 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061115/http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13575&tt=graphic&lang=l2 dead 3 BRA João Guilherme DF 4 CYP Kostakis Artymatas MF 5 BRA Carlão DF 7 CYP Georgios Efrem MF 8 ARG Tomás De Vincenti MF 10 CYP Constantinos Charalambides MF captain 11 CYP Nektarios Alexandrou MF vice-captain 15 CYP Marios Antoniades DF 16 BRA Vinícius MF 17 BIH Semir Štilić MF 19 CYP Michalis Charalambous FW 20 CYP Pieros Sotiriou FW 21 BUL Zhivko Milanov DF 23 ESP Iñaki Astiz DF 25 CYP Rafael Anastasiou DF 26 POR Nuno Morais MF 3rd captain 30 CYP Giorgos Merkis DF 27 POL Mateusz Piątkowski FW 28 POR Mário Sérgio DF 4th captain 31 CYP Vasilios Papafotis MF 32 CYP Andreas Assiotis DF 40 CYP Demetris Charalambous MF 44 CYP Nicholas Ioannou DF 45 CYP Georgios Christodoulou MF 46 CYP Efstathios Aloneftis FW 55 POR Estrela MF 70 GRE Giannis Gianniotas MF on loan from Olympiacos 77 BRA Vander Vieira MF 78 ESP Urko Pardo GK 79 ARG Fernando Cavenaghi FW 88 CYP Tasos Kissas GK 95 CYP Christos Djamas MF 96 CYP Giorgos Tasouris GK 99 NED Boy Waterman GK For recent transfers, see List of Cypriot football transfers summer 2015. Also, see List of Cypriot football transfers winter 2015–16. Out on loan 1 GK ESP Jordi Codina on loan at Pafos FC 14 MF CYP Alex Konstantinou on loan at Doxa Katokopias Loan deals expire at the end of 2015–16 season International players BIH Semir Štilić BUL Zhivko Milanov GRE Giannis Gianniotas CYP Nektarios Alexandrou CYP Efstathios Aloneftis CYP Marios Antoniades CYP Kostakis Artymatas CYP Constantinos Charalambides CYP Georgios Efrem CYP Nicholas Ioannou CYP Tasos Kissas CYP Giorgos Merkis CYP Pieros Sotiriou POR Estrela (U-20) CYP Nicholas Ioannou (U-21) CYP Vasilios Papafotis (U-21) CYP Georgios Christodoulou (U-21) CYP Christos Djamas (U-21) CYP Giorgos Tasouris (U-21) CYP Rafael Anastasiou (U-21) CYP Demetris Charalambous (U-19) CYP Michalis Charalambous (U-19) Foreign players EU Nationals POR EUR Nuno Morais POR EUR Mário Sérgio ESP EUR Iñaki Astiz ESP BEL EUR Urko Pardo NED EUR Boy Waterman POL EUR Mateusz Piątkowski BUL EUR Zhivko Milanov GRE EUR Giannis Gianniotas POR ANG EUR EstrelaEU Nationals (Dual citizenship) ARG ITA EUR Tomás De Vincenti ARG ITA EUR Fernando CavenaghiNon-EU Nationals BRA João Guilherme BRA Vinícius BRA Carlão BRA Vander Vieira BIH Semir Štilić Squad changes In: CYP Christos Djamas 1995 9 6 2015 6 22 95 DM CYP y CYP Ayia Napa Loan return S 2016 Free — CYP y Guilherme Choco 1990 1 18 2015 5 27 90 RB BRA y BUL Ludogorets Razgrad Transfer S 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Vander Vieira 1988 10 3 2015 5 29 77 LW BRA n CYP AEK Larnaca Transfer S 2018 €100K apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Jordi Codina 1982 4 27 2015 6 11 1 GK ESP y ESP Getafe Transfer S 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Semir Štilić 1987 10 8 2015 6 13 17 AM BIH n POL Wisła Kraków Transfer S 2018 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Constantinos Makrides 1982 1 13 2015 6 18 13 CM CYP y UKR Metalurh Donetsk Transfer S 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Luís Leal 1987 5 29 2015 6 18 9 CF POR y UAE Al-Ittihad Kalba Transfer S 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Iñaki Astiz 1983 11 5 2015 6 21 23 CB ESP y POL Legia Warsaw Transfer S 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Mateusz Piątkowski 1984 11 22 2015 6 24 27 CF POL y POL Jagiellonia Białystok Transfer S 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Boy Waterman 1984 1 24 2015 7 9 99 GK NED y TUR Karabükspor Transfer S 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Fernando Cavenaghi 1983 9 21 2015 8 25 79 CF ARG y ARG River Plate Transfer S 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Zhivko Milanov 1984 7 15 2015 12 30 21 RB BUL y BUL Levski Sofia Transfer W 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Giannis Gianniotas 1993 4 29 2015 12 31 70 RW GRE y GRE Olympiacos Loan W 2016 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Giorgos Merkis 1984 7 30 2016 1 12 30 CB CYP y CYP Apollon Limassol Transfer W 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Estrela 1995 9 22 2016 2 1 55 DM POR y USA Orlando City Transfer W 2019 Free apoelfc.com.cy 1 February 2016 2015–16 February 2016 Total expenditure: €100K Out: CYP Dionisis Chiotis 1977 6 4 2015 5 25 22 GK GRE y GRE Panelefsiniakos End of contract S 2015 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Cillian Sheridan 1989 2 23 2015 5 25 9 CF IRE y CYP Omonia End of contract S 2015 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP John Arne Riise 1980 9 24 2015 5 25 6 LB NOR y IND Delhi Dynamos End of contract S 2015 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Tiago Gomes 1985 8 18 2015 5 25 8 CM POR y — End of contract S 2015 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Andreas Christofides 1992 10 14 2015 5 28 25 CB CYP y CYP Olympiakos End of contract S 2015 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Martin Lanig 1984 7 11 2015 6 16 13 DM GER y — Mutual consent / Retirement w=S 2016 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Rafik Djebbour 1984 3 8 2015 6 17 79 CF ALG y GRE AEK Athens End of contract S 2015 Free sigmalive.com CYP y Kaká 1981 5 16 2015 6 21 73 CB BRA n POR Tondela End of contract S 2015 Free sigmalive.com CYP Alex Konstantinou 1992 4 11 2015 6 25 14 RW CYP y CYP Doxa Katokopias Loan S 2016 Free sigmalive.com CYP y Marios Pechlivanis 1995 5 23 2015 7 21 35 LW CYP y AUT Austria Wien II End of contract S 2015 Free sigmalive.com CYP y Valmir Nafiu 1994 4 23 2015 12 18 34 RW MKD n ALB KF Skënderbeu Mutual consent W 2018 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Guilherme Choco 1990 1 18 2015 12 24 90 RB BRA y BRA Sampaio Corrêa Mutual consent W 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Jordi Codina 1982 4 27 2016 1 7 1 GK ESP y CYP Pafos FC Loan W 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP Constantinos Makrides 1982 1 13 2016 1 8 13 CM CYP y CYP Apollon Limassol Mutual consent W 2017 Free apoelfc.com.cy CYP y Luís Leal 1987 5 29 2016 1 26 9 CF POR y PAR Cerro Porteño Transfer W 2017 Undisclosed apoelfc.com.cy Total income: €0 {| 1 February 2016 2015–16 February 2016 Club Management Head coach GRE Georgios Kostis y Assistant coach CYP Marinos Satsias Goalkeeper coach SER Dragoslav Jevrić y Fitness coach CYP Andreas Neophytou Team doctor GRE Nikolaos Tzouroudis y Football director SER Svetozar Šapurić 20 April 2016 apoelfc.com.cy April 2016 Kit Puma Mora Thavmata, Bank of Cyprus, Bet on alfa. | _Apoel1516home _Apoel1516home _Apoel1516home _Apoel1516home _blue_top ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 Home | _Apoel1516away _Apoel1516away _Apoel1516away _Apoel1516away _blacktop ff4500 ff4500 ff4500 000000 ff4500 Away | _Apoel1516third _Apoel1516third _Apoel1516third _Apoel1516third _orangetop ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff Third apoelfc.com.cy August 2015 Other information Chairman CYP Prodromos Petrides y GSP Stadium 22,859 105x68 m apoelfc.com.cy, apoelfc.com.cy June 2014 Squad stats Cypriot First Division Cypriot Cup Cypriot Super Cup Champions League & Europa League Codina y ESP 1 GK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y João Guilherme n BRA 3 CB 22 21 1467 1 3 0 3 270 0 1 0 1 23 0 0 0 5 326 0 0 0 Artymatas y CYP 4 DM 30 26 2073 1 5 0 2 194 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 511 0 2 0 y Carlão n BRA 5 CB 38 25 2114 2 5 0 3 192 0 1 0 1 67 0 0 0 11 879 1 1 0 Efrem y CYP 7 RM 30 24 1549 11 3 0 4 331 2 1 0 1 90 0 0 0 6 315 0 2 0 y De Vincenti y ARG 8 AM 38 26 2202 15 9 2 4 239 2 3 0 1 90 0 1 0 9 785 2 2 1 Leal n STP 9 CF 7 1 90 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 23 0 0 0 6 521 0 0 0 y Charalambides y CYP 10 RM 11 19 892 4 2 0 2 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 152 0 1 0 Alexandrou y CYP 11 LM 22 20 1494 0 6 0 4 315 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 359 0 1 0 y Makrides y CYP 13 CM 16 14 694 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 90 0 0 0 9 676 0 3 0 Antoniades y CYP 15 LB 27 18 1127 0 5 0 4 257 0 1 0 1 90 0 0 0 9 653 0 2 0 y Vinícius n BRA 16 CM 41 29 2411 5 1 0 5 334 1 1 1 1 74 0 0 0 9 686 0 2 1 Štilić n BIH 17 AM 19 16 804 3 0 0 6 371 0 1 0 1 67 0 0 0 8 483 1 1 0 y Charalambous y CYP 19 CF 0 1 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sotiriou y CYP 20 CF 26 26 1711 10 2 0 5 317 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 266 0 1 0 y Milanov y BUL 21 RB 22 16 1428 0 5 0 6 525 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Astiz y ESP 23 CB 26 16 1285 0 3 0 3 255 0 0 0 1 90 0 0 0 10 782 0 0 0 y Anastasiou y CYP 25 CB 1 1 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 90 0 0 0 Morais y POR 26 DM 52 34 3021 3 8 0 6 570 1 0 0 1 16 0 0 0 12 1080 0 0 0 y Piątkowski y POL 27 CF 6 14 296 1 0 0 2 21 0 0 0 1 90 0 0 0 8 268 0 0 0 Mário Sérgio y POR 28 RB 33 21 1782 0 3 0 3 183 0 0 0 1 90 0 0 0 11 990 0 1 0 y Merkis y CYP 30 CB 16 13 1101 1 5 0 4 389 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Papafotis y CYP 31 AM 0 2 17 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y Assiotis y CYP 32 RB 0 1 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nafiu n MKD 34 RW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y Charalambous y CYP 40 CM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ioannou y CYP 44 LB 2 5 276 0 1 0 1 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 y Christodoulou y CYP 45 DM 0 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Aloneftis y CYP 46 LW 1 10 301 1 1 0 1 29 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y Estrela y POR 55 DM 0 1 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gianniotas y GRE 70 RW 19 17 1323 5 5 0 3 241 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y Vander n BRA 77 LW 25 30 1622 6 5 0 4 181 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 655 0 6 0 Pardo y ESP 78 GK 21 16 1403 -9 2 0 5 480 -5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y Cavenaghi y ARG 79 CF 19 18 1220 19 0 0 3 234 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 245 2 1 0 Kissas y CYP 88 GK 1 1 90 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y Djamas y CYP 95 DM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tasouris y CYP 96 GK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y Waterman y NED 99 GK 33 20 1747 -16 1 0 1 90 -1 0 0 1 90 0 0 0 12 1080 -17 1 0 15 May 2016 start team, game starts and position on pitch (from back right to front left) Match reports in competitive matches May 2016 Top scorers R RankingPlayerPositionLeagueCupSuper CupEurope1Total1ARG Cavenaghi CF Center forward19202232ARG De Vincenti AM Attacking midfielder15202193CYP Efrem RM Right midfielder11200134CYP Sotiriou CF Center forward10100115BRA Vander LW Left winger60006BRA Vinícius CM Central midfielder510067GRE Gianniotas RW Right winger500058CYP Charalambides RM Right midfielder40004BIH Štilić AM Attacking midfielder30014POR Morais DM Defensive midfielder3100411BRA Carlão CB Centre back2001312STP Leal CF Center forward20002CYP Aloneftis LW Left winger1100214CYP Artymatas DM Defensive midfielder10001BRA João Guilherme CB Centre back10001POL Piątkowski CF Center forward10001CYP Merkis CB Centre back10001Own goals10012TOTAL911007108 Last updated: 15 May 2016 1Including both UEFA Champions League and Europa League competitions. Source: Match reports in Competitive matches Captains CYP Constantinos Charalambides CYP Nektarios Alexandrou POR Nuno Morais POR Mário Sérgio Source: apoelfcofficial Pre-season friendlies Friendly 25 June 2015 18:30 EET APOEL CYP 2–0 Report LIT FK Atlantas Štilić 80 Papafotis 82 Arena Mistrzów, Gniewino w Friendly 27 June 2015 18:00 EET Lechia Gdańsk POL 4–1 Report CYP APOEL Wawrzyniak 26 pen. Buksa 46 Kopka 86 Gierszewski 87 Piątkowski 64 MOSiR Stadium, Gdańsk 1,000 POL Paweł Dreschel L Friendly 30 June 2015 18:00 EET Arka Gdynia POL 2–1 Report CYP APOEL Siemaszko 60 Warcholak 75 Sotiriou 76 Arena Mistrzów, Gniewino 200 L Friendly 3 July 2015 19:00 EET Lech Poznań POL 0–0 Report CYP APOEL Arena Mistrzów, Gniewino D 60-minute match Friendly 4 July 2015 20:00 EET Lech Poznań POL 3–0 Report CYP APOEL Kamiński 33 Thomalla 56 Kownacki 76 Arena Mistrzów, Gniewino POL Łukasz Karski L Friendly 8 July 2015 20:00 EET Doxa Katokopias CYP 0–4 Report CYP APOEL Leal 18 Astiz 68 Xenofontos 83 o.g. Charalambides 90 Makario Stadium, Nicosia 1,500 W Friendly 23 July 2015 19:00 EET APOEL CYP 2–1 Report CYP Ermis Aradippou Alexandrou 40 Nafiu 82 Da Silva 30 pen. Archangelos Training Centre, Nicosia Behind closed doors W Friendly 30 July 2015 19:00 EET APOEL CYP 1–1 Report CYP Olympiakos Sotiriou 82 Mashinya 9 Archangelos Training Centre, Nicosia Behind closed doors D Friendly 7 August 2015 20:00 EET APOEL CYP 3–2 Report GRE Asteras Tripolis Charalambides 30 Piątkowski 34 Artymatas 72 Giannou 10 Bertoglio 55 pen. Makario Stadium, Nicosia 500 CYP Kyriakos Kyriakou W Friendly 4 September 2015 18:30 EET APOEL CYP 2–0 Report CYP Olympiakos De Vincenti 20 Cavenaghi 29 Archangelos Training Centre, Nicosia Behind closed doors W 80-minute match Competitions Overall Cypriot First Division Winner Winners 22 August 2015 15 May 2016 y UEFA Champions League Second qualifying round Play-off round 14 July 2015 26 August 2015 UEFA Europa League Group stage Group stage 17 September 2015 10 December 2015 y Cypriot Cup Second round Semi-finals 13 January 2016 20 April 2016 Cypriot Super Cup Final Runner-up Runners-up 12 August 2015 15 May 2016 Cypriot First Division 2015–16 Cypriot First Division League table Regular season APOE Results summary 12 2 4 49 16 14 3 1 42 10 15 May 2016 UEFA May 2016 Results by round table b Round Ground A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H Result W/W/D/W/W/W/W/W/W/D/L/W/L/W/W/L/L/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/D/D/W/W/W/L/D Position 1/1/2/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/3/3/3/3/4/3/3/3/2/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 15 May 2016 apoelfc.com.cy May 2016 Play-offs table The first 12 of the 14 teams are divided into two groups of six teams. Points are carried over from the regular season. Championship group Championship round APOE Matches Kick-off times are in EET. Regular season Matchweek 1 22 August 2015 20:00 EET Ermis 1–5 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Vasilogiannis 55 De Vincenti 9 Leal 18 32 Štilić 26 Charalambides 63 Ammochostos Stadium, Larnaca 1,051 Thomas Mouskos W Matchweek 2 30 August 2015 20:00 EET APOEL 6–2 Report 1 Report 2 Pafos Vinícius 33 71 De Vincenti 41 Charalambides 61 Cavenaghi 86 90+1 Damahou 39 Grigalava 89 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 6,656 Ioannis Anastasiou W Matchweek 3 12 September 2015 20:00 EET AEK 2–2 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Kanté 41 Monteiro 75 Vander 68 Cavenaghi 82 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca 3,158 Vasilis Demetriou D Matchweek 4 21 September 2015 19:00 EET Doxa 0–1 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Cavenaghi 13 pen. Makario Stadium, Nicosia 1,606 Loukas Soteriou W Matchweek 5 26 September 2015 20:00 EET APOEL 4–0 Report 1 Report 2 Aris Cavenaghi 24 pen. Efrem 36 De Vincenti 49 88 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 4,923 Kostas Psevdiotis W Matchweek 6 5 October 2015 19:00 EET Paralimni 0–5 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL De Vincenti 12 Vander 31 Efrem 51 Cavenaghi 62 pen. 65 Tasos Markou Stadium, Paralimni 979 Christos Nicolaides W Matchweek 7 17 October 2015 18:00 EET APOEL 6–0 Report 1 Report 2 AEL Efrem 14 16 Cavenaghi 37 55 90+1 pen. Artymatas 58 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 7,178 Charalambos Skapoullis W Matchweek 8 26 October 2015 19:00 EET Nea Salamina 0–9 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Efrem 2 Štilić 21 Žarković 44 o.g. De Vincenti 45 51 Vinícius 61 Cavenaghi 83 89 Piątkowski 86 Ammochostos Stadium, Larnaca 3,000 Avraam Tsoukkas W Matchweek 9 31 October 2015 19:00 EET APOEL 3–0 Report 1 Report 2 Ethnikos Charalambides 69 De Vincenti 84 Vinícius 90 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 5,863 Costas Nicolaou W Matchweek 10 9 November 2015 19:00 EET Omonia 2–2 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Margaça 2 Sheridan 77 pen. Cavenaghi 15 52 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 10,131 Demetris Masias D Matchweek 11 21 November 2015 19:00 EET APOEL 0–2 Report 1 Report 2 Anorthosis João Victor 69 Ndlovu 81 pen. GSP Stadium, Nicosia 9,712 Leontios Trattos L Matchweek 12 30 November 2015 19:00 EET Ayia Napa 0–1 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Cavenaghi 29 pen. Tasos Markou Stadium, Paralimni 401 Loukas Soteriou W Matchweek 13 5 December 2015 19:00 EET APOEL 0–1 Report 1 Report 2 Apollon Guié 58 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 5,948 Vasilis Demetriou L Matchweek 14 14 December 2015 19:00 EET APOEL 2–0 Report 1 Report 2 Ermis Cavenaghi 64 pen. De Vincenti 82 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 3,576 Kostas Psevdiotis W Matchweek 15 19 December 2015 17:00 EET Pafos 0–1 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Vander 14 Pafiako Stadium, Paphos 1,347 Charalambos Skapoullis W Matchweek 16 22 December 2015 17:00 EET APOEL 1–2 Report 1 Report 2 AEK João Guilherme 3 Català 31 Alves 72 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 7,171 Christos Nicolaides L Matchweek 17 3 January 2016 18:00 EET APOEL 1–2 Report 1 Report 2 Doxa Sotiriou 68 Edmar 10 Paulinho 90+5 pen. GSP Stadium, Nicosia 4,155 Vasilis Demetriou L Matchweek 18 10 January 2016 18:00 EET Aris 1–2 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Boniface 71 De Vincenti 31 Sotiriou 52 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol 1,742 Giorgos Nicolaou W Matchweek 19 17 January 2016 18:00 EET APOEL 3–0 Report 1 Report 2 Paralimni Morais 41 Cavenaghi 45 pen. Gianniotas 63 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 5,178 Loukas Soteriou W Matchweek 20 24 January 2016 15:00 EET AEL 0–1 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Morais 51 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol 4,990 Andreas Orthodoxou w Matchweek 21 30 January 2016 18:00 EET APOEL 6–1 Report 1 Report 2 Nea Salamina Sotiriou 7 De Vincenti 64 86 Vander 70 Vinícius 77 Cavenaghi 83 Makriev 14 pen. Gomes 2 73 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 4,757 Avraam Tsoukkas W Matchweek 22 7 February 2016 18:00 EET Ethnikos 1–3 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Elia 90 Sotiriou 17 42 Cavenaghi 67 pen. Dasaki Stadium, Achna 1,202 Kostas Psevdiotis W Matchweek 23 13 February 2016 15:00 EET APOEL 2–0 Report 1 Report 2 Omonia Efrem 9 42 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 11,391 Vasilis Demetriou W Matchweek 24 21 February 2016 16:00 EET Anorthosis 1–2 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL De Vincenti 24 Sotiriou 32 Ndlovu 55 Nuhu 2 87 Antonis Papadopoulos, Larnaca 4,868 Demetris Masias W Matchweek 25 27 February 2016 18:00 EET APOEL 3–0 Report 1 Report 2 Ayia Napa Efrem 12 Vander 36 Aloneftis 63 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 4,907 Nicolas Athanasiou W Matchweek 26 2 March 2016 16:00 EET Apollon 0–1 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Efrem 6 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol 3,408 Christos Nicolaides W Play-offs Matchweek 1 5 March 2016 18:00 EET Nea Salamina 0–1 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Carlão 40 Ammochostos Stadium, Larnaca 1,200 Charalambos Skapoullis W Matchweek 2 12 March 2016 18:00 EET APOEL 2–1 Report 1 Report 2 Omonia Efrem 42 Vander 84 Bebê 35 Cristóvão 2 90+4 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 9,670 Demetris Masias W Matchweek 3 20 March 2016 18:00 EET AEK 0–3 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Larena 1 55 De Vincenti 8, 0 81 Efrem 39 Sotiriou 74 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca 3,972 Leontios Trattou W Matchweek 4 2 April 2016 18:00 EET APOEL 2–2 Report 1 Report 2 Apollon Carlão 24 Merkis 90+5 Maglica 22 Alexandre 34 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 8,498 Giorgos Nicolaou D Matchweek 5 9 April 2016 18:00 EET Anorthosis 1–1 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Laifis 70 Gianniotas 88 Antonis Papadopoulos, Larnaca 4,001 Ioannis Anastasiou D Matchweek 6 16 April 2016 18:00 EET APOEL 4–1 Report 1 Report 2 Nea Salamina Štilić 22 Sotiriou 39 Morais 51 pen. Charalambides 64 Adorno 72 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 6,295 Loukas Soteriou W Matchweek 7 23 April 2016 18:00 EET Omonia 0–2 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Gianniotas 23 44 De Vincenti 2 90+2 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 12,272 Christos Nicolaides W Matchweek 8 28 April 2016 16:00 EET APOEL 2–0 Report 1 Report 2 AEK Sotiriou 41 Gianniotas 65 pen. Larena 2 68 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 14,379 Vassilis Demetriou W Matchweek 9 7 May 2016 19:00 EET Apollon 1–0 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Stojanović 31 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol 1,798 Avraam Tsoukkas L Matchweek 10 15 May 2016 18:00 EET APOEL 2–2 Report 1 Report 2 Anorthosis Sotiriou 12 De Vincenti 56 Koulouris 44 Makris 62 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 12,252 Neophytos Neophytou D UEFA Champions League 2015–16 UEFA Champions League Qualifying phase 2015–16 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round Second qualifying round First Leg 14 July 2015 19:00 CET APOEL CYP 0–0 Report 1 Report 2 MKD FK Vardar GSP Stadium, Nicosia 14,531 AZE Aliyar Aghayev D Second Leg 21 July 2015 20:00 CET FK Vardar MKD 1–1 1–1 (a) Report 1 Report 2 CYP APOEL Ljamčevski 90+4 De Vincenti 60 Philip II Arena, Skopje 22,540 ITA Davide Massa D Third qualifying round First Leg 28 July 2015 19:00 CET Midtjylland DEN 1–2 Report 1 Report 2 CYP APOEL Poulsen 88 Hansen 30 o.g. De Vincenti 33 MCH Arena, Herning 8,253 SVN Slavko Vinčić W Second Leg 4 August 2015 19:00 CET APOEL CYP 0–1 2–2 (a) Report 1 Report 2 DEN Midtjylland Vinícius 0 30 Sviatchenko 3 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 16,070 SCO Bobby Madden L Play-off round First leg 18 August 2015 18:00 CET FC Astana KAZ 1–0 Report 1 Report 2 CYP APOEL Dzholchiev 13 Astana Arena, Astana 30,000 HUN Viktor Kassai L Second Leg 26 August 2015 20:45 CET APOEL CYP 1–1 1–2 Report 1 Report 2 KAZ FC Astana Štilić 60 Maksimović 84 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 17,699 ENG Martin Atkinson D UEFA Europa League 2015–16 UEFA Europa League Group stage 2015–16 UEFA Europa League group stage Group K yes APO Matches Matchweek 1 17 September 2015 21:05 CET APOEL CYP 0–3 Report 1 Report 2 GER Schalke 04 De Vincenti 0 77 Matip 28Huntelaar 35 71 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 13,512 FRA Tony Chapron L Matchweek 2 1 October 2015 19:00 CET Sparta Prague CZE 2–0 Report 1 Report 2 CYP APOEL Fatai 24Brabec 60 Generali Arena, Prague 9,130 POL Paweł Gil L Matchweek 3 22 October 2015 19:00 CET APOEL CYP 2–1 Report 1 Report 2 GRE Asteras Tripoli Cavenaghi 45+9 pen.Carlão 59 Lluy 8 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 12,783 RUS Aleksei Eskov W Matchweek 4 5 November 2015 21:05 CET Asteras Tripoli GRE 2–0 Report 1 Report 2 CYP APOEL Bertoglio 2Giannou 45+1 Theodoros Kolokotronis, Tripoli 3,624 AUT Oliver Drachta L Matchweek 5 26 November 2015 19:00 CET Schalke 04 GER 1–0 Report 1 Report 2 CYP APOEL Choupo-Moting 86 Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen 43,117 SWE Andreas Ekberg L Matchweek 6 10 December 2015 21:05 CET APOEL CYP 1–3 Report 1 Report 2 CZE Sparta Prague Cavenaghi 6 Juliš 63Lafata 77 87 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 5,976 HUN István Vad L Cypriot Super Cup Cypriot Super Cup Final 12 August 2015 20:00 EET APOEL 0–0 3–4 Report 1 Report 2 AEL Morais Leal Antoniades Efrem De Vincenti Tagbajumi Sambou Sielis Feltscher Nicolaou GSP Stadium, Nicosia 4,352 Christos Nicolaides D Cypriot Cup 2015–16 Cypriot Cup Second round First leg 13 January 2016 19:00 EET Nea Salamina 0–1 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Morais 61 Ammochostos Stadium, Larnaca 2,000 Costas Nicolaou W Second Leg 27 January 2016 17:00 EET APOEL 3–2 4–2 Report 1 Report 2 Nea Salamina Cavenaghi 9 De Vincenti 36 Vinícius 50 Ćurjurić 74 pen. Liliu 76 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 2,734 Demetris Masias W Quarter-finals First leg 10 February 2016 17:00 EET APOEL 1–1 Report 1 Report 2 Aris Cavenaghi 18 pen. Randy 15 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 3,344 Charalambos Skapoullis D Second Leg 17 February 2016 16:00 EET Aris 1–3 2–4 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Maragoudakis 63 Efrem 49 De Vincenti 77 Aloneftis 81 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol 1,000 Christos Nicolaides W Semi-finals First leg 6 April 2016 17:00 EET APOEL 1–1 Report 1 Report 2 Apollon Sotiriou 29 Merkis 0 90 Gneki Guié 21 GSP Stadium, Nicosia 6,533 Vasilis Demetriou D Second Leg 20 April 2016 17:00 EET Apollon 1–1 yes 5–4 2–2 Report 1 Report 2 APOEL Da Silva 45 Efrem 45+2 Vinícius 0 95 Da Silva Papoulis Thuram Slavchev Mezga Morais Sotiriou Efrem Gianniotas Astiz Tsirion Stadium, Limassol 4,992 Leontios Trattou D References 30em 2015-16 APOEL APOEL APOEL Category:Cypriot football championship–winning seasons