THE FIRST SEASON AND THE FIRST VICTORY IN THE FIRST DIVISION

After becoming champion of the BD category in the period 1956-57, Apollon was ready for his first season in the big “salons”. On Friday, October 4, 1957, our team gave its first international friendly game, facing Maccabi Haifa at the GSO, managing to make history, having won 3-2 and while previously the Israelis had easily beaten APOEL 5-0, were imposed on Omonia with 5-1, but also on the mixed APOEL-Omonia with 5-2. It was a proud victory, as characterized by the press of the time, after winning one of the best teams in Israel and while Apollon had lined up with several substitutes. The goals were scored by Andreas Konnaris in 4΄ and Panikos Krystallis in 26΄ and 81΄.

His first game in the “big” category was held on October 27, 1957, when he faced the PSC in GSZ. The two teams drew 3-3, with Andreas Konnaris scoring the first goal of our team in the first division, just in the 7th. The other two goals were scored by Giannakis Vassiliadis at 56 ΄ and Panikos Krystallis at 80 ΄.

Apollon’s lineup: Kostakis Chr. Konstantinou (Fantaio), Raki Stavrinidi, Giorgos Protopapas, Loukas Lamaris, Costas Antonious (Tavellas), Periklis Ioannidis, Andreas Georgiou (Kantilanaftis), Costas Stavrou (Siamala), Panikos Kristalis, Andreas Konnaris and Giannakis Vasiliades.


As for the first home match, it was held at GSO, on Saturday, November 9, 1957, against Aris. The final result was 1-1, with Andreas Georgiou (Kandilanaftis) scoring from the penalty spot at 88 ΄.

Apollon’s lineup: Kostakis Chr. Konstantinou (Fantaio), Raki Stavrinidi, Giorgos Protopapas, Loukas Lamaris, Costas Antonious (Tavellas), Periklis Ioannidis, Andreas Georgiou (Kantilanaftis), Michalakis Constantinou, Panikos Kristalis, Andreas Konnaris and Giannakis Vasiliades.

A few days, in fact, after the New Year’s Eve, our team celebrated its first victory in its history in the first division. On Sunday, January 5, 1958, it prevailed at home with 5-2 of Nea Salamina, thanks to a hat-trick by Krystallis (11΄, 31΄, 82΄) and two goals by Siamalas (5΄, 77΄).

Apollon’s lineup: Kostakis Chr. Konstantinou (Fantaio), Raki Stavrinidi, Giorgos Protopapas, Loukas Lamaris, Costas Antonious (Tavellas), Periklis Ioannidis, Andreas Georgiou (Kantilanaftis), Michalakis Constantinou, Panikos Kristalis, Andreas Konnaris and Giannakis Vasiliades.

The completion of his first season in the big salons found Apollon finishing in 9th place with 13 points in 17 games.