The Cyprus national football team have never reached the finals of any World Cup or European Championships. Their first ever international was quite late, a 3-1 defeat to Israel in July 1949 and, after gaining independence from the British Empire, began playing competitive matches in 1960.
Their first victory was a 3-1 win over neighbours Greece three years later. Cyprus reached their highest FIFA world ranking in September 2010, reaching a lofty 43rd. In fact, the Cypriots have had several memorable results in their short history, including a 1-1 draw with world champions Italy in 1983 and a 1-1 draw with reigning European champions Denmark in 1995.
Euro 2000 qualification was the high point for the Cyprus national football team, missing out on a play-off place by one solitary point after a 3-2 victory over Spain. Soon after, they recorded a 5-0 defeat of Andorra – their biggest ever win. Ioannis Okkas is their most capped player with 106, with Michalis Konstantinou’s 32 goals making him their highest scorer. The striker cost Panathinaikos €11.3m and helped them reach the Champions League quarter finals in 2002. Most home games are played at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, although a few go elsewhere.