Last-day delight for APOEL

APOEL FC claimed their 18th title on the final day of the Cypriot league season with a 2-1 victory over Ethnikos Achnas FC in front of a record 18,159 crowd at the GSP stadium.

Makrides winner
Needing victory to make sure of the title, Ivan Jovanovic's side went ahead after only two minutes when Nektarios Alexandrou fired past Nicos Panagiotou from 30 metres. The home side doubled their lead shortly before the break when Konstantinos Makrides played a clever one-two with Polish striker Wojciech Kowalczyk before beating Panagiotou with a neatly placed strike.

Jovanovic joy
Ljubisa Kekic pulled one back for Achnas on 74 minutes, but it was not enough to stop the title celebrations. "I would like to thank the players, my staff and the supporters who played a big part in our triumph," said an emotional Jovanovic, who joined APOEL in November after being fired by Greek club Iraklis FC.

'Special thanks'

Kozlej double
APOEL's victory consigned Omonia AC to second place, Toni Savevski's side finishing three points off the pace after a 2-2 draw at AEP Paphos FC. Slovakian international Josef Kozlej scored both goals for the visiting side, the second five minutes into injury time, to finish joint-top scorer with Apollon Limassol FC striker Lukasz Sosin on 21 goals.

Apollon clinch third
Apollon finished third, above AEL Limassol FC on goal difference, after scrambling a 3-3 draw away at Olympiakos Nicosia FC. Substitute Louis Gomis' 87th-minute equaliser was enough to keep Rolf Freiger's side above AEL, who thrashed Dighenis Morphou FC 5-1.

Anorthosis finish on high
Elsewhere, Anorthosis Famagusta FC claimed fifth spot after beating Anagennises Derynia 2-0, Enosis Neon Paralimni FC beat AEK Larnaca FC 3-2 and Onisilos Sotiras FC thrashed Doxa Katokopia FC 4-1.

New faces
Doxa, Onisilos and Anagennises were all relegated and will be replaced in the top flight next season by Nea Salamis FC, Aris Limassol FC and Alki Larnaca FC.