THIS IS MAPPA: CYPRUS FOOTBALL PODCAST

Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking my Heart Achna | This Is Mappa | Cyprus Football youtube.com/live/zshb5EN0K…

According to @SuperSportFM , the head of the CFA Refereeing Committee, Antonio Damato, has moved forward with an idea he had been considering for some time. As previously mentioned a few months ago on the Game Time programme, the Italian head referee wanted to permanently assign certain referees to VAR duties. Damato has informed specific referees that from next season they will only appear as VAR officials. In other words, they will be utilised exclusively in that role.

Tonight, the biggest celebration of football took place at the Landmark Hotel in Nicosia. The event was attended by the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, Minister of Justice and Public Order Constantinos Fytiris, Mayor of Nicosia Charalambos Prountzos, MP Christiana Erotokritou, MPs Dimos Georgiades, Andreas Pasiourtidis and Andreas Papacharalambous, as well as the President of the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA) and the President of the Cyprus Olympic Committee (KOE). At the annual Cyprus Football Association awards ceremony, as every year, recognition was given to the key performers at both individual and team level. The upgraded event was also honoured by the presence of three legends of Greek football. Antonis Nikopolidis, Angelos Basinas and Kostas Katsouranis added even greater prestige to the celebration of the best figures in our football. Full list of 2025/26 award winners: Team with the greatest contribution to the Cyprus U17 National Team: Apollon Team with the greatest contribution to the Cyprus Women's U19 National Team: Omonoia Nicosia Team with the greatest contribution to the Cyprus U19 National Team: Omonoia Nicosia Team with the greatest contribution to the Cyprus U21 National Team: APOEL Third Division Champions: Anagennisi Deryneia Second Division Top Scorer: Ambri (Omonoia 29M) Second Division Champions: Nea Salamina Best Futsal Player: Konstantinos Kouloumbris (APOEL) Futsal Champions: APOEL Armed Forces National Team: Recognised for qualifying for the final stage of the 2027 Military World Cup Ministry of Health: Recognised for its cooperation with the CFA in organising first-aid seminars for hundreds of grassroots coaches, aimed at improving child safety Best Women's Championship Player: Filippa Savva (Apollon Ladies) Women's Champions: Apollon Ladies Best Assistant Referees - Cyprus League by Stoiximan: Stefanos Anastasiou Heraklis Komodromos Best Referee - Cyprus League by Stoiximan: Constantinos Fellas Recognition for European campaigns: Pafos FC AEK Larnaca Omonoia Nicosia Best Young Player – Cyprus League by Stoiximan: Panayiotis Andreou (Omonoia Nicosia) Top Scorer - Cyprus League by Stoiximan: Ryan Mmaee (Omonoia Nicosia) Best Player - Cyprus League by Stoiximan: Ryan Mmaee (Omonia Nicosia) Best Coach - Cyprus League by Stoiximan: Henning Berg (Omonia Nicosia) Cyprus League by Stoiximan Champions: Omonia Nicosia The members of Greece's Euro 2004-winning national team - Angelos Basinas, Antonis Nikopolidis and Kostas Katsouranis - were also honoured during the ceremony. A special honorary award was presented to CFA General Director Anthoulis Mylonas in recognition of his 25 years of service and contribution to both the Federation and football.

@FTalentScout 🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾

JJ Gabriel: 🥇 Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year 🥇 U18 Premier League Player of the Season 10/10 talent. 🔴🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

We're expecting an announcement about Marcus Edwards and the Cyprus national team this summer...

Friday brings down the curtain on the 2025/26 season with the Cyprus Cup final. Fittingly, it also brings us to the final entry of The Book of Mappa - ending exactly where it all began: with the previous season's cup final. Nice bit of symmetry there. Makes it sound like it was planned. It's been hectic, draining, challenging, emotional and, at times, completely exhausting. Somewhere between the managerial changes, financial chaos, late-night statements and general Cyprus football behaviour, this somehow turned into an incredible journey too. Unfortunately, the book has reached the stage where printing it in paperback starts to look less like publishing and more like deforestation. Thankfully, thanks to Patreon, The Book of Mappa will be available digitally and, with a bit of luck, we should also have it available on Kindle. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed, helped, provided information and joined us along the way. Without you, this book would have been much shorter. And much less fun.

Former Anorthosis press officer Stella Markou has posted the following on social media: "Over the last few hours, I’ve seen people completely dismiss individuals I’ve watched leave their lives and families behind. I’ve seen them lose sleep. I’ve seen them cry. They fought through situations that are not easy for people to understand, nor are they expected to. Right and wrong are both part of the game, and both happened, but why so much contempt? What does it achieve? Anorthosis Famagusta stands above everyone and everything, and pettiness does not belong at Anorthosis Famagusta. The General Assembly is approaching and everyone has the right to ask whatever they want and express their opinion - but with the courage and character that suits us, not hidden behind a keyboard. We ask for transparency, and rightly so. But when we are given it, we don’t like it. We start looking for where the mistake is, what they are trying to “hide”, who they are trying to “protect”. Yet over these past nine months, I haven’t seen people asking how these individuals are managing to pay the price for everything that has happened.Its people are its strength, yes. The supporters made history this year, yes. Its supporters will keep it alive, yes. But all of you who have put these people up against the wall - do the maths. Somewhere, you’ve probably got it wrong. They’ve done something, and they’ve given something. For some time now, things have been spreading on social media that have absolutely no connection with reality. Again - why? Anorthosis is in a difficult position. It doesn’t need exaggerations and lies. Investors, debt, suspicions about all sorts of things. “One person came, another person came, but these people…” I’m sorry to ruin the fairytale, but things are not like that. You may not want or believe in the current administration -that is everyone’s right and absolutely respectable. You can express it on 5 June with honesty and directness. Straight talking - that is what Anorthosis is about. When we speak about refugees, fighters and people who struggled, we also speak about values and principles. Mocking and ridiculing people so easily is miles away from what this club is and what it stands for.I’m speaking out because my name has been mentioned. I’m speaking out because Anorthosis supporters are asking me, and I’m speaking out because I was not taught to hide. I do not know which group is interested in coming in, and there is nothing wrong with someone coming if they believe they can save the club. But I do know who Prastitis, Mr Antonis, Myros, Zakos, Pieras, Stavros Papageorgiou, Ioannikios and Rafael are - and they are not what I’m reading about. Please, stop the mudslinging. It is completely unnecessary. Stand by the Lady, even in the difficult moments.The next day is one thing. Total destruction and tearing people down is something else. P.S. I genuinely apologise for ruining the fairytale. It really is very well constructed. Now those of you who know everything and distort people’s characters can go ahead and hang me."

Anorthosis president Kyriakos Prastitis appeared on SPOR FM 95.0 and the programme Kane Paichnidi with Stella Sokratous. On the season: "It was a rollercoaster year. We started badly and had many ups and downs. It was not a successful season for Anorthosis, but considering the difficulties we faced, finishing first in Group B exceeded expectations." On the transfer embargo: "We saw these difficulties coming from last summer. We built the team with the expectation that an embargo would happen. We knew we would not have the opportunity to strengthen the squad in either the summer or January transfer windows. We believe the squad is of good quality." On Mauro Camoranesi: "He does not wish to continue with our team. We will have one final discussion with him and there will be an announcement. He expressed certain concerns to us because of the atmosphere surrounding the club. There is a feeling of uncertainty internally. We will speak again this afternoon and try to change his mind. The embargo is not the issue; his concerns relate more to the situation surrounding the administrative side of the club." On Sensi: "He has not expressed any desire to leave and he remains with us. If possible, our goal is to keep him forever." On Kiko and pre-season planning: "Due to the current atmosphere and the possibility of an administrative change, we will not proceed with anything at the moment. That applies to everything, including pre-season preparations. Everything has been frozen." On reported interest from a group wanting to take over the administration: "Our intention is to secure a better future for the club. Yesterday’s announcement was made to clarify our position. Nothing official has been presented to us yet, although there have been some movements behind the scenes. We are in contact with an individual who has expressed a desire to become involved. The situation had started to spread everywhere. We were told there may be updates on Wednesday. We want a smooth transition. Anorthosis needs unity, and that comes through honesty. We asked for a representative to come forward so there can be an organised handover. Anorthosis is walking a tightrope - the balance is very delicate. We do not know who these people are. If it is in Anorthosis’ interests for us to coexist, we will do it. If we need to leave, we will leave. If a group appears that guarantees the club's financial survival, we will withdraw our candidacy. Nominations must be confirmed 96 hours before the General Assembly on 6 June. Whoever wants to take over should step forward and do so publicly. If these individuals ultimately do not move forward, will they stand by Anorthosis or turn their backs on the club? That is the big question. We have managed to bring some order and regain trust. Many members of the board are available to Anorthosis around the clock. The next years of our lives are being determined by a group of people we do not even know. We ask them to come and explain their intentions so we can step aside. People have been hearing about ‘prominent individuals’ for years and continue hoping someone will come and take over the club and restore it to where it belongs. It is a shame if someone is playing with the supporters' emotions. We want to avoid any election battle. If a group can prove it can lead Anorthosis forward, we will leave. If the names are confirmed, then we will decide our next step." On fan money and accountability: "The money people contribute is not being given to Kyriakos personally. We openly say that everyone must take responsibility. We have shown how we have managed things, but everyone has the right to decide how they use their own money." On financial assistance: "The only help we have received has come from the fans. The board has contributed approximately €700,000. Anorthosis needs everyone." On criticism: "There is negativity from a small section of people and also misinformation. We do have some disappointment regarding that." On Anorthosis’ debt: "It stands at €11 million. It can be managed and is relatively small. Seventy per cent relates to state obligations being paid in instalments. Another financial injection is needed." On outstanding obligations: "We cannot always be precise with dates because we do not have unlimited funds. We are trying to remain consistent and are being forced to provide guarantees for people we do not even know will take over." Final comment: "I call on the fans to remain calm and ignore the noise. We promise we are open to stepping aside. We need to stay united. Anorthosis comes above everything."

Oh boy. Francis Uzoho is there. All the best with that.....

Charalambos Kyriakides has said goodbye to Omonoia via a social media post: "Dear Omonoia family, There are some goodbyes that are not easy to write. And this is one of them. From the moment I put on this shirt, I felt that I had become part of something much bigger than a football team. I felt what Omonoia truly means. I felt the passion, the pride, the belief and above all, the love of a truly unique fanbase. From day one, I tried to give everything for this club, with respect, heart and pride. Together we experienced moments that will stay with me forever. Moments of joy, emotion, intensity and pride. Every time I stepped onto the pitch and saw the Omonoia supporters, I felt that I was not just playing for a team, but for an entire family. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for every applause, every message and every moment you stood by me, both in the good times and in the difficult ones. Your support gave me strength, belief and motivation to always give one hundred percent on the pitch. A huge thank you to the board and especially to the President for the trust and the honour of allowing me to become part of such a great and historic club. I would also like to express my special gratitude to my coach, who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to play and experience this unique journey at such a high level. His trust is something I will never forget. I also want to thank the goalkeeping coach, Mr Andreas Lougridis, for his daily support, guidance and the work we did together. He was always by my side with professionalism, patience and belief, helping me develop and become a better player. I would also like to thank Mr Simos Tarapoulouzis for his trust and support. His presence and contribution to the club are very important, and personally I feel grateful for the way he treated me and helped me throughout this journey. I would also like to thank my teammates, the coaching staff and especially Isabella and Takis, along with everyone at the club who embraced me from the very first day and made me feel at home. Thank you for everything. For the love, the trust and the memories that I will carry with me for a lifetime. 💚☘️"

Ooooooh! Heard that this player is being assessed by one of the big teams....

@ThisIsMappa In transfermarkt it says that a Romanian team is going for him and kerkida net confirms it too .

3. Marvelous Nakamba - Midfielder - Free Agent

2. Raheem Conte, fullback/winger - Free Agent

We've received three names of players who are being looked at by clubs in Cyprus...

Neftçi PFK announce Murad Mammadov has signed for Pafos. x.com/PFC_Neftchi/st…

Aris have bid farewell to Grigoris Kastanos following the expiry of his loan spell from Hellas Verona. Full statement: "Aris Limassol announces the completion of its collaboration with Grigoris Kastanos. The Cypriot international midfielder joined our team from Hellas Verona at the end of January 2026 on loan until the end of the 2025–26 season. During his four months with Aris, the 28-year-old midfielder made 15 appearances and scored three goals.We thank Grigoris for his valuable contribution to our team and wish him every success in the next stage of his career." Aris also confirmed the end of Ross McCausland's loan spell from Rangers Full statement: "Aris Limassol announces the completion of its collaboration with Northern Irish player Ross McCausland. The 23-year-old attacker joined our team last summer on a one-year loan deal from Rangers of Scotland.During the 2025–26 season, McCausland made 26 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing four assists. We thank Ross McCausland for his contribution to our team and wish him all the best for the continuation of his career."

APOEL announces the completion of its collaboration with Evagoras Antoniou. "The club's management had been in discussions with the player in recent weeks, with the aim of renewing our cooperation. However, the player informed the club that he had received an offer from a team abroad, which he has decided to accept. It is a personal ambition of Evagoras Antoniou to take on the challenge of playing outside Cyprus and, as APOEL, we fully respect his decision to take this new step in his career. We would like to wish Evagoras all the best both personally and professionally. The doors of APOEL will always remain open for a player who stood out for his professionalism, character, and contribution to our team." We wish him every success for the future."

Pafos General Director Charis Theocharous spoke on SPOR FM 95 and the programme Kane Paichnidi with Stella Sokratous about all matters concerning the club. Key points: On the Cup Final: "Over the last two weeks, our attention has been focused on the cup, a final we are appearing in for the third consecutive year. We hope we can win it. There is a lot of optimism after the change in our performances in recent matches. Since the coaching change we have shown signs of improvement. At times we are reminding people of last year's team. There is a different atmosphere around the team and that gives us confidence ahead of the final." On attendance: "The trophy is important. There is no such thing as trophy fatigue. That's why I am disappointed with our supporters. We haven't had these major successes in the past. I believe attendance will increase further and I think we have the ability to reach 7,500 supporters. We are expecting a bigger response." On transporting supporters by bus: "If you look at the distances involved, Pafos are the team that have had to travel the most. We are trying to help our supporters with transport by providing buses. It's a difficult journey from Pafos to Nicosia and there will be a lot of traffic on the roads." On the chances in the final: "Our opponent is a big team. There can be no complacency. The chances are evenly balanced in every final, regardless of form or circumstances. A few days ago Sporting lost a final to a second-division side. You never know what can happen in a final. You remember what happened in Omonoia versus Ethnikos." On Derrick Luckassen: "He was ultimately not called up for the World Cup squad. He was included in the preliminary squad." On the absence of Ivan Sunjic and Ken Sema due to international duty: "I don't want to comment on that issue right now. I will speak about it after the final. At this moment we will play with the players we have available. We won't leave the matter as it is. We will play with the squad we have. I don't want to discuss anything further because I don't want to disrupt the good atmosphere among the players. I will return to it though, because I don't want anyone to say I'm being negative or making excuses. The Premier League has finished and we are still playing football. The time has come to make proper decisions. Every three years, on May 30th, we are still playing and then twelve days later we begin pre-season preparations. This situation is criminal and a lot of things need to change. We finally need to make the right decisions in football. However, now is not the time. We have sent proposals to the federation and we are waiting for some things to change." On Bruno: "It will be very difficult for Bruno to recover in time. Those who are called upon to play will have only one thing in mind - winning the trophy." On CFA awards: "Pafos will be honoured by the CFA for our Champions League participation. It is very important for clubs to perform well in Europe." On Kyriakides: "Pafos only announce players through official channels. There is a final coming up and contracts are still ongoing." On next season: "There will be several changes to the squad. There are players whose contracts are expiring and others who are on loan. The necessary work needs to be done so the team can remain competitive." On a Luckassen contract renewal: "Discussions have taken place with all players. In June we will see where those discussions lead."

Pafos will be without Ken Sema and Ivan Sunjic for Friday's cup final against Apollon. Both players will travel to their countries to integrate with their teams' World Cup squads