New-look Anorthosis await fresh dawn

The 2008/09 season will live long in the memory for Anorthosis Famagusta FC fans, but new coach Ernst Middendorp has called on his players to embrace "a new beginning" as they gear up to take on Luxembourg's UN Käerjéng 97 in the first qualifying round of the inaugural UEFA Europa League tonight.

Historic season
Anorthosis wrote themselves into Cypriot football folklore last term. The first side from the Mediterranean island to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stages following qualifying triumphs against SK Rapid Wien and Olympiacos CFP, they were not done yet. Temuri Ketsbaia's team opened their Group B account by holding Werder Bremen and beat Panathinaikos FC next time out. Further draws with Bremen and two-time European champions FC Internazionale Milano were not enough to see them out of a tight section, but they had made their mark.

Looking forward 
Ketsbaia has since moved on to Olympiacos and, perhaps because of the diversion at European football's top table, Anorthosis failed to defend their Division A title, eventually finishing third. Middendorp's task, therefore, is to refocus minds. "The players need to remain calm and just savour their chance to play in the Europa League just like they did in the Champions League last season," he said. "Some took part last term and acquired valuable experience which will help us a lot. There will always be a yesterday, a today and a tomorrow, but for the past five weeks, Anorthosis have been working towards a new beginning.

Call for support
"We have some new players and they need more time to get to know each other and create the kind of team chemistry needed," said German coach Middendorp. "And we will need the supporters to stand by our side like they have in previous years." Around 8,000 are expected at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca this evening when Middendorp makes his competitive bow against Luxembourg Cup runners-up Käerjéng. The Bascharage outfit were beaten 5-0 by F91 Dudelange in that final, and Middendorp is in confident mood. "We know what to expect from our opponents," he said. "We followed a recent game of theirs so we have an idea of how they will line up against us."