Cyprus round-up: Sparkling Louca lifts Anorthosis

Anorthosis Famagusta FC were the winners in the only game today as they strolled to a 4-0 victory against Olympiakos Nicosia FC to leap into second place in Division A.

Shaky start
Despite the overwhelming scoreline it did not start well for Anorthosis in the first period as the Olympiakos striking duo of Josef Kozlej - who is currently the country's top scorer with 16 goals - and Michalis Christophi continued to miss clear-cut chances in the opening stages of the game. Their inconsistency in front of goal was to eventually prove costly as veteran Anorthosis striker Panicos Xiourroupas pounced on to a loose ball in the 44th minute to take Anorthosis into half-time 1-0 ahead.

Complete control
The second-half saw Anorthosis seize complete control of the game as Loucas Louca put on a magical display. The 24-year-old midfield player took the game into his stride and fired his side ahead early on in the second period after he finished off a dazzling run with a powerful shot past Olympiakos keeper Andros Petrides. Louca was again the culprit in the build-up to Anorthosis' third goal as his cross found Wojciech Kowalczyk and the Pole headed the ball into the net. Man-of-the-match Louca finished off the match as a contest in the 76th minute with an accurate strike that flew past the hapless Petrides.

European exit
Anorthosis' win has taken them into second place in the Cypriot first division, four points behind leaders APOEL Nicosia FC and one point ahead of AEL Limassol FC and Omonia FC, who are joint third. Anorthosis - who are also in the Cypriot Cup final, where they face Ethnikos Achnas FC and which is to take place on 11 May  - are now hot candidates for a UEFA Cup birth.