Cyprus U21

The Cyprus national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team for Cyprus. It is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association.

The team drew their first official match 0–0 in 1978 at home to Spain in a qualifying match for the 1980 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. They then drew 0–0 with the trophy holders Yugoslavia, also at home. They lost both away games though. And finished last in the group of three teams, with two points from four games, and so did not qualify for the Finals.

In the qualifying stages for the 1982 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, Cyprus made history when they defeated France 2–1 in Cyprus as it was the countries first ever official victory at National or Under-21 football level. The scorer of the Cypriot goals was Islington born Kikis Kyriacou of Olympiakos Nicosia whose promising career was brought to a premature end following a horrific leg injury.

In the qualifying stages for the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, the team beat Greece 1-0 and drew 1–1 with Sweden who went on to reach the Final. Cyprus finished last in their qualifying group with three points, the same number as Greece.

The Under 21 team made gradual improvements and in September 1999, in a qualifying match for the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, drew 1–1 in Spain, the eventual winners of the competition. The team finished fourth out of five teams in their qualifying group, ahead of Austria.

The qualifying stages for the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship provided the greatest achievement for the Cyprus under-21 national team to date, when they finished second in Qualification Group One, with 15 points, winning five of their eight matches. France won the group with 22 points, seven points ahead of Cyprus.

In 2004, Cyprus joined the European Union, and Cypriot teams took advantage of the Bosman rule bringing in foreign players. This has meant that young Cypriot players are now not as common in the Cypriot First Division and is therefore also having an adverse effect on the under-21 national team.

The Cyprus U21 national football team represents the Republic of Cyprus in international football competitions for players under the age of 21. Governed by the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), the team serves as a vital platform for young talent to develop and showcase their skills on an international stage.

The squad is composed of promising players who have demonstrated their potential in domestic leagues and youth academies across Cyprus. The team's colors typically reflect the national identity, often featuring the iconic blue and white associated with the Cypriot flag.

Cyprus U21 competes in various tournaments, including the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, where they aim to gain valuable experience and exposure against some of the best young teams in Europe. The coaching staff focuses on nurturing talent, promoting teamwork, and instilling a strong sense of national pride among the players.

With a commitment to developing future stars, the Cyprus U21 team plays a crucial role in the overall growth of football in Cyprus, striving to elevate the nation's presence in the sport on both regional and global levels. Fans and supporters are passionate about the team's journey, rallying behind the young athletes as they aspire to make their mark in the world of football.