SPECIAL REPORT/ Who Are Dinamo City’s Opponents? The History and Remarkable European Rise of Pafos FC

Dinamo City are only two matches away from the UEFA Conference League league phase. The final obstacle facing Ilir Daja’s team is Pafos FC, a relatively young club that has enjoyed an extraordinary rise in Cypriot and European football.

The first leg of the play-off round will take place at Elbasan Arena on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 9:00 PM local time. The return match will be played at Alphamega Stadium in Cyprus on August 27.

The winner of this two-legged tie will secure a place in the UEFA Conference League league phase.

But who are Pafos FC, the opponents standing between Dinamo and a historic qualification?

A young club with deep roots

Pafos FC were founded on June 10, 2014, following the merger of AEP Paphos and AEK Kouklia. The objective was to create a single competitive club representing the city and the wider Paphos region.

Although the present club have only 12 years of history, the city’s footballing roots stretch much further back.

APOP Paphos were founded in 1953, while Evagoras Paphos were established in 1961. The two clubs merged in 2000 to form AEP Paphos.

Following financial difficulties, AEP Paphos joined forces with AEK Kouklia in 2014, creating the Pafos FC that exists today.

The club’s traditional colours are blue and white.

The story behind the Pafos crest

The figure displayed on the Pafos FC crest is Evagoras Pallikarides, a poet and Cypriot national hero.

Pallikarides was only 18 years old when he was executed during the struggle against British colonial rule in Cyprus. He remains a symbol of resistance and national pride for the Cypriot people.

His image was originally part of the identity of Evagoras Paphos and was later retained by the clubs that inherited the city’s footballing history.

The Pafos FC crest therefore represents more than a football club. It also carries the history and identity of the region.

From instability to an ambitious project

During their early years, Pafos FC moved between the first and second divisions of Cypriot football.

The major turning point arrived in 2017, when new investors entered the club. The ownership began building a modern project, investing in infrastructure, coaching personnel and international recruitment.

One of the project’s key figures was Roman Dubov, a Russian-born British businessman. Together with his partners, he set the objective of transforming Pafos into a club capable of competing not only in Cyprus but also in Europe.

Pafos began using advanced analysis, statistical models and technology to identify players. Recruitment was no longer limited to the Cypriot league but expanded into several international markets.

The results did not arrive immediately, but the project gradually developed stability and a clear identity.

The first trophy in 2024

The first major moment in the club’s history arrived in 2024.

Pafos won the Cypriot Cup, securing their first major trophy since their formation. That success also earned the club their first opportunity to participate in European competition.

Only one season later, in 2024–25, Pafos won the Cypriot First Division title for the first time.

Within a remarkably short period, the club progressed from an ambitious project into one of the leading forces in Cypriot football.

Two stadiums for Pafos

Pafos usually play their domestic matches at Stelios Kyriakides Stadium, also known as Pafiako, in the city of Paphos.

For certain European fixtures, the club use the modern Alphamega Stadium in Limassol because of UEFA’s infrastructure requirements.

The second leg against Dinamo City is scheduled to be played at that stadium on August 27.

A historic European debut

Pafos made their European debut during the 2024–25 season.

Their journey began in the first qualifying round of the Europa League, where they were eliminated by Elfsborg. However, their transfer to the Conference League opened the door to a remarkable campaign.

Pafos eliminated Žalgiris, CSKA 1948 and CFR Cluj to qualify for the UEFA Conference League league phase for the first time.

The Cypriot side finished the league phase in an impressive 12th place, recording positive results against opponents with considerably more European experience.

In the knockout phase play-offs, Pafos faced Cypriot rivals Omonia. They won the tie 3–2 on aggregate and advanced to the round of 16.

Their historic journey eventually ended against Djurgården. Nevertheless, reaching the final 16 during their first European campaign confirmed the club’s extraordinary progress.

The Champions League sensation

As Cypriot champions, Pafos entered the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

The club produced one of the greatest European runs in the history of Cypriot football. They first eliminated Maccabi Tel Aviv before overcoming Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kyiv.

In the play-off round, Pafos faced Crvena Zvezda, a club with a rich European tradition and a former European Cup winner.

Pafos won the first leg 2–1 in Belgrade before drawing 1–1 in the return match, advancing 3–2 on aggregate.

Across the three qualifying rounds, the Cypriot side recorded four victories and two draws, scoring eight goals and conceding only three.

Pafos became the third Cypriot club to reach the main phase of the Champions League, following APOEL and Anorthosis Famagusta.

It was a remarkable achievement for a club that had made their European debut only one year earlier.

Facing Europe’s biggest clubs

During the Champions League league phase, Pafos faced several major names in European football.

They began their campaign with a goalless draw away to Olympiacos, earning their first historic Champions League point.

Pafos also faced Bayern Munich, Juventus, Villarreal, Chelsea and Slavia Prague.

The Cypriot side recorded an important 1–0 victory against Villarreal, demonstrating that they were not merely in the competition to make up the numbers.

Their squad also featured experienced Brazilian defender David Luiz, a Champions League winner and two-time Europa League champion.

The road to Dinamo City

Pafos began their 2026–27 European campaign in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

They lost the first leg 2–0 away to Hajduk Split. In the return match, however, Pafos produced a remarkable comeback, winning 4–0 and advancing 4–2 on aggregate.

In the third qualifying round, the Cypriot side faced Salzburg.

The Austrian club won the first leg 1–0. The return match in Cyprus ended in a dramatic 3–3 draw, with Pafos fighting until the final minutes before being eliminated 4–3 on aggregate.

Following their Europa League elimination, Pafos dropped into the Conference League play-offs, where the draw paired them with Dinamo City.

What kind of opponents await Dinamo?

Pafos are a technically gifted team with international experience and the ability to play at a high tempo. The club have assembled a squad containing players from several countries and footballing cultures.

The Cypriot side like to control possession and build their attacks from the back. They have players capable of winning individual duels and creating danger through organised moves and set pieces.

Their results against Hajduk Split and Salzburg demonstrate their attacking strength. Pafos scored seven goals in their two most recent European home matches.

However, the team have also displayed defensive weaknesses. Conceding three goals against Salzburg and losing 2–0 in Croatia showed that Pafos can be put under pressure.

Dinamo must avoid losing possession in dangerous areas and pay particular attention to their opponents’ quick transitions.

Ilir Daja’s Dinamo seek history

Dinamo City have produced an important run in the Conference League qualifiers.

Ilir Daja’s team have scored 12 goals and conceded only four across their first six European matches of the season.

Lorenco Vila and Hekuran Berisha have scored two goals each, while Klevi Qefalia has also been decisive with two goals. Eridon Qardaku, Malomo Ayodeji, Bruno Dita, Fabjan Perndreca and David Fadairo have also contributed.

Ilir Daja’s European experience is one of Dinamo’s most important weapons. Tactical organisation and maintaining balance will be crucial against opponents who were playing in the Champions League only a few months ago.

The match at Elbasan Arena represents an opportunity for Dinamo to establish an advantage before the difficult trip to Cyprus.

Tradition against a modern project

The meeting between Dinamo and Pafos brings together two very different footballing stories.

Dinamo are one of Albania’s traditional clubs, supported by a long history and numerous trophies. Pafos are a young club, founded in 2014 and built through investment, technology and international recruitment.

Within two seasons, Pafos progressed from their European debut to participation in the Champions League. That rapid development makes the Cypriot side the favourites on paper—but not unbeatable opponents.

Dinamo have already demonstrated that they can score goals, overturn difficult situations and handle the pressure of European matches.

For “The Blue Submarine,” eliminating Pafos would represent one of the greatest achievements in the club’s modern history and secure a place in the UEFA Conference League league phase.

On August 20 at Elbasan Arena, Dinamo’s proud tradition will meet the modern and ambitious project of Pafos FC.

Two matches, one place in the league phase and a historic opportunity for Albanian football.