History of Partizan meetings against Cypriot teams

Partizan is away to Anorthosis in Nicosia on Thursday for a round 1 fixture of Conference League group stage. So far, our team played six European encounters against Cypriot sides, winning three and losing three. Playing away, Partizan won one and lost two games against teams from Cyprus.

Actually, It was Anorthosis Partizan played against in 1963. It was a European Cup preliminary round meeting and Partizan won it 6-1 on agg, winning first leg 3-0 in Belgrade with brace from Kovacevic and goal from Galic. In the reverse leg played in Famagusta, Partizan won 3-1 with Anorthosis taking the lead but goals from Galic, Bajic and Kovacevic secured another Partizan win.

It was the early days of famous “Partizan Babes” who then eliminated Jeunesse Esch but lost to eventual European Cup winners Inter Milan in the quarter-finals.

Almost half a century later, Partizan beat Welsh side Rhyl to earn third round CL qualifier against Apoel who won hot and humid home tie 2-0 with Partizan winning reverse leg 1-0 courtesy of Moreira, but not enough for Partizan to make it to the play-offs. Our team eventually qualified for Europa League group stage that season, after eliminating Slovaks Zilina.

Most recent meeting against one Cypriot team happened in 2012, another CL third round qualifier, this time against AEL LImassol. Previously, Partizan eliminated Valletta but AEL managed to beat Partizan 1-0 in each leg to win CL play-off stage.

Once again, Partizan eventually reached Europa League group stage, beating Tromso in an EL play-off tie.