User:Elpis09

ELPIDA Astromeriti Futsal
Elpida Astromeriti Futsal is a futsal club based in Astromeritis, a village  in the  Region of Nicosia. The club was founded in 2010 and its venue is Akaki Gymnasium with capacity of 1,000 seaters. The club has the sponsorship of OPAP Cyprus and Plateia Restaurant.

Foundation and early years (2010-2012)
Before the creation of ELPIDA Astromeriti Futsal, Astromeritis had a football team by the same name which was created a year earlier. In the 2010-2011 period ELPIDA Astromeriti Futsal ended 10th in the Division C championship gaining 19 points in 24 games (75 GF-115 GA). Team was mainly composed with youngsters aged 15-18 plus the captain Georgios Georgiou (Tousios), Georgios Raftopoulos and Spyros Spyrou (GK) who had experiences from various teams. First goalscorer of the team was 17-year-old Rafael Chrysanthou (15 goals). In the Cup games ELPIDA didn't qualify to the second round due to away loss against MILIA Famagusta (3-2 AET).

In the next year, ELPIDA invested heavily in experienced players such as Constantinos Constantinou, Peter Stevenson, Andreas Charalambous (Four), Andreas Charalambous (Kouspos) and Giannis Moditis. Anastasios Tsolakkis 's team suffered a home loss against AOE Lakatamias in the opener, but didn't lose again in the next five months! The amazing unbeaten run led the team to the Champion's trophy by the mid February almost two months prior the end of the championship (20W-1D-3L). ELPIDA managed to qualify to round of 16 at the Cup (10-4 THOI Anagias), but was eliminated afterwards (12-2 loss ATLAS Aglantzias).

Establishment and foundation of U21 team (2012-2013)
Being promoted for the first time in Second Division was a major honor for the team, but had difficulties to adjust in a higher lever of futsal. In Phase A ELPIDA was 6th with 16 points just 3 points above the relegation zone. During play out matches Andreas Charalambous's team had a good run (4-1-1) thanks to some crucial goals from Andreas Theodorou and secured easily its position for the next year's championship (6th 9W-2D-11L 29 points). ELPIDA progressed to the quarterfinals in CFA Cup after a drama-win against AMEK Kapsalou (4-3), but couldn't avoid elimination (0-5 loss against then futsal giants AGBU ARARAT). Innovation was the foundation of the U21 team which ended 4th out of 7 teams and was knocked out of the cup after a home loss (6-7 in the dying minute) against ENA Athienou.

Rising and U21 success (2013-2014)
ELPIDA appointed Marios Charalambous as their head coach and team managed to climb up to 4th place just 6 points from being promotd to First Division. Team had 44 points in 24 games (14W-2D-8L). ELPIDA's first goalscorer was Antreas Theodorou (20 goals), but suffered from ligaments tear in the final stages of the championship. ELPIDA had Vasos Kyprianou (international goalkeeper) in their squad who signed during winter transfer period, but didn't play until March. Even then, he added quality in ELPIDA, who didn't prevail against the eventually champion AEK Larnaca (3-3 after a 3-0 advantage) during his best match under ELPIDA's shirt. Earlier in the year, ELPIDA and especially goalkeeper Kypros Petrou made an outstanding performance against APOEL (eventually winner) in Round 16 of the Cup. The 1-3 loss in the final minutes (score was 1-1 ten minutes from the end) was the only sad moment of a great night.The U21 team ended up 4th, but just one point from the champions OMONOIA, whom they eliminated on the road to the final (9-5 OMONOIA, 8-5 APOEL). Being the best team in the pitch ELPIDA didn't manage to win the match against LEIVADIAKOS Leivadion and lost 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out. Score was 3-3.

Promotion in First Division and foundation of U17 team (2014-2015)
Team was strengthened further more and in the 2014-2015 campaign started strongly with 8-1-0 in the first round thanks to the excellent shape of the team and strong defense led by Giannis Chatzidakis (GK) who didn't concede a single goal in the first 200 minutes! Unfortunately, team's poor effort in the second round and especially in key matches against Stavraetos and Ethnikos Latsion were determinant and it finished second behind Ethnikos (61 points 20W-1D-6L). ELPIDA was promoted for the first time in first Division! No success in Cup this year (2-3 loss against Apeleptherosis), but 3rd place in U21 championship and penalty shoot-out loss (again!) against OMONOIA (2-2, 3-3 AET, 1-2 Penalties) in the U21 Cup. Remarkable course for the new entry U17 team (5th position and 2-0 loss in Cup game against the champions Demetrakis Christodoulou DERYNEIAS).

Top Flight and U21 Champions (2015-2016)
Marios Charalambous guided ELPIDA excellently and team gained the 5th place in First Division (12-2-10, 38 points), even though it was among the favorites for the relegation. ELPIDA had some great moments (4-1 and 4-6 wins against AEK Larnaca, 5-1 2-4 wins against ETHNIKOS Latsion, 5-1 7-0 4-6 wins against AGBU Ararat and 4-2 3-8 wins against ENP). Cup game against OMONOIA was beyond ELPIDA's power (5-0 loss), but the U21 team was the champion for the first time with 42 points, two points ahead second OMONOIA. Also, the U21 team lost against APOEL in the Cup game (5-4).The U17 team was 4th (45 points) and lost in the Cup Final 5-1 against OMONOIA. Previously they have beaten Anorthosis (3-3, 3-4 AET) and AEL (4-2).

Division Three Champions
2011-2012

Promotion to First Division
2014-2015

U21 Champions
2015-2016

U21 Cup Finalists
2013-2014

U17 Cup Finalists
2015-2016

Current squad 2015/16 (Seniors and U21)
Head Coach: Marios Charalambous Goalkeepers Coach: Spyros Spyrou