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Mediterranean side Pafos FC are set to make their maiden European elite appearance this Wednesday – only 11 years since the club’s formation.

In recent seasons, the club has generated buzz by competing in Europe for the very first occasion last term, reaching the Conference League last 16 and claiming their maiden top-flight trophy.

In the current campaign, they have attained yet another major accomplishment by navigating three stages of elite European preliminaries to qualify for the group stage – among just two sides, alongside Kazakh club Kairat Almaty, to enter the competition newly.

Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv and Serbian giants Red Star were all defeated by Pafos during the entry stages.

The prize is a series of fixtures in the league phase, including a fixture on their turf against German champions Bayern and an journey to London club Chelsea, kicking things off with a game in Hellenic soil against Greek side Olympiakos this coming Wednesday.

"Everyone was in ecstasy," said veteran Brazil and Chelsea centre-back Luiz, who signed for the squad in last month, regarding the point Pafos secured entry.

"The entire group was overjoyed because we pulled off something remarkable. Nobody anticipated us to qualify for the Champions League this campaign."

"It’s a pleasure to be here because I can witness this atmosphere, with everyone’s desire, to do something great."

Formed in 2014: The Backstory

Pafos came into existence in 2014 when a pair of teams from the district combined – Kouklia FC and Paphos AFC – who also had been set up in a 2000 merger of another two teams in the district.

They started in the lower league and alternated the second and first division until the acquisition in 2017 by Roman Dubov, a Russian businessman with British citizenship who had a spell as Pompey chairman in over a decade ago.

"The aim was clear – we wanted to build something new, something competitive, something viable – not just a football club but one that could give back to the community," he remarked recently.

"The nation is a country with such a passion for the game and, in Pafos, we felt that we had an possibility to develop something from the very beginning."

It wasn’t overnight achievement, however.

"Owners have completely changed the team, 100%. It was a club that had difficulty to remain in the elite league."

"In Mediterranean countries, the enthusiasm is over the top. So, if the club performs, everybody will attend the ground. If the club doesn't go well, few fans will show up. You won’t find in the average."

"They have done some errors, spending that didn't give them anything. They have been spending since that year. They went through experimentation to reach this day today."

British Managers Take a Turn

Scottish Steven Pressley, currently Dundee FC gaffer, had nineteen matches in charge in 2018.

From Wales Cameron Toshack took a brief spell in the 2019-20 season.

England's Constantine led the team for eighteen matches in three years ago.

A couple of former Blackburn Rovers players took charge, as well – former Red Devils player Henning Berg and once at Madrid star Salgado, who was technical director but also had brief stints as temporary boss.

During his playing days, once in the EPL star Jason Puncheon was at Pafos from 2019 until 2022.

The Turnaround Begins With One-Time Gunners Staff

Things changed with the coming of Spaniard the coach in summer of 2023. He had been Emery’s assistant manager at several sides, including the Gunners.

He managed the Spanish side and Zaragoza before transitioning to Cyprus.

Carcedo's debut campaign in control ended with the club's maiden trophy – the last season’s domestic cup, with a 3-0 win over AC Omonia, who were hosting the final for the final.

The following campaign Pafos came through three stages of Conference League qualifying, ending up in the top half in the main round and then advancing in the play-off round before losing to the Swedish side in the last 16.

They concluded the season as domestic league winners for the maiden time – securing the championship by a comfortable gap and creating a route to the Champions League.

The midfielder’s late goal in Pafos' match at home against Crvena Zvezda to make it a draw (three-two) confirmed their place in the group stage.

"The president of Cyprus Christodoulides is a very big Pafos FC supporter who attends the stadium."

"He attended the game. He followed it with anxiety. At the conclusion he was ecstatic like a little kid. He was very crazy. There was a online footage of him rejoicing like a kid."

"It feels like winning the championship in Cyprus, it's such a huge a accomplishment."

"You can compare it to a milestone you mark next to your legacy – one championship, one cup and one league phase presence. It's a very big issue here."

'I Think It’s Possible Do Something Special'

This summer, Pafos pulled off the shock acquisition of defender Luiz, who at the 38 years old had been with {Fortaleza|Fort