APOEL in capitals

I love these moments. Where truth is stranger than fiction, in which the heart than logic and overwhelming. I am a friend of the Alaves who made ​​history getting in the final of the Cup UEFA , The one that struck Europe Villarreal reaching the Champions League semi-finals or that Mirandés the only Athletic was able to awaken from sleep. Since last night a new member has joined the club of the Romantics, APOEL Nicosia.

I'm a fan of the post-game celebration, more exciting if possible, than the tie itself. I love the snapshot that illustrates this post. If joy could spread through a picture, today we would all be a little happier watching. May overwhelm us and everything. I'm a fan of saying that nobody, but nobody would give a penny for someone who is able then to do something big. And the APOEL exceeded all expectations: it is among the eight best in Europe. Yes.

But for his signature in which it is certainly more golden page in its history, the APOEL (Which stands for 'Athlitikos Podosferikos Omilos Ellinon Lefkosias' or is it the same' Athletic Football Club of Greeks of Nicosia ') Nicosia (which means "city of victory') had to remove a Lyon that although rundown, started with an advantage after the result of the first leg (1-0). The French rest on their laurels and each caught his opponent outright.

And that Cypriots, for the first time will be represented in the quarterfinals of Europe's top competition a representative of his country, finished first in their group in the first phase almost by accident. Already qualified before the last game to finish second measure sought a colossus before the possible dismissal. Shakhtar lost to Porto and Zenit signed but tables, so they had to 'conform' to lead his group, with only 9 points.

On Wednesday night will be etched for fervent fans APOEL Not so much for a Lyon to touch him reset his brain. The GSP Stadium enjoyed his team, which won more than go round. Manduca, at 9 minutes, tied a tie that had to be sentenced without extension or penalties. The Brazilian wasted no center of one of the few Cypriot who was heading, Charalabides, which as the dorsal, was ten.

And is that the foreign colony who heads the Serbian Ivan Jovanović may have to do with his development team over 90 minutes. There are Brazilian, Portuguese, Argentinian (and brother 'of') Esteban Solari and there is a space reserved for even a Belgian with Spanish roots that passed through La Masia, the goalkeeper, yesterday substitute Urko Pardo. The proprietor was a Greek, Chiotis, which eventually would end up emerging as hero in the lottery of the maximum penalties.

Because after a game where the end result was favorable to the premises and where there were no reports of Lysander, or Kallstrom, Bastos, the college, which incidentally was Spanish Undiano Mallenco, he had no choice but to make way for the extension. There, without the forces of the beginning, neither could sentence and only the expulsion of Manduca, who saw the second yellow (the first was received for removing his shirt in celebration of the goal), could tarnish the Cypriot wear.

From the penalty spot to Lyon legs trembled. And that, or certainly a hunch Chiotis, ended with the aspirations, if they had, of Rémi Garde. The goal hit the fate of the penalty executed by Lacazette (who scored the goal in Gerland) and Bastos and this, coupled with the success of Ailton, Bruno Morais, Alexandrou and Trickovski to Lloris worked the miracle. Pinched GSP Stadium but it was a dream. Was real, the APOEL , Qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions.

More info | The full penalties
Photo | UEFA . Com
Video | DailyMotion