Cyprus men's national basketball team

The Cyprus men's national basketball team (Greek: Εθνική ομάδα μπάσκετ της Κύπρου) represents Cyprus in international basketball, and is controlled by the Cyprus Basketball Federation. The national team is coached by Christophoros Livadiotis.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Cyprus women's national basketball team.

Cyprus
FIBA ranking78 Increase 2 (27 February 2023)[1]
Joined FIBA1974
FIBA zoneFIBA Europe
National federationΚυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Καλαθοσφαίρισης (CBF)
CoachChristophoros Livadiotis
FIBA World Cup
AppearancesNone
EuroBasket
Appearances1 (Upcoming)
Championship for Small Countries
Appearances4
MedalsSilver Silver: (1990, 1994)
Bronze Bronze: (1988, 1992)
Games of the Small States of Europe
Appearances14
MedalsGold Gold: (1985, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017)
Silver Silver: (1989, 1993)
Bronze Bronze: (1991)
First international
 Bulgaria 90–45 Cyprus 
(Damascus, Syria; 17 April 1982)
Biggest win
 Monaco 40–108 Cyprus 
(Serravalle, San Marino; 1 June 2001)
Biggest defeat
 Czech Republic 135–60 Cyprus 
(Prievidza, Slovakia; 22 June 1993)

Cyprus joined FIBA in 1974, where the team has mostly competed in smaller competitions such as the Games of the Small States of Europe, winning it nine times. However, Cyprus will make their debut at the top continental competition, EuroBasket, as co-hosts in 2025.

History

Cyprus made its first appearance on the international scene in qualification for EuroBasket 1983. Although the national team would come up short in their attempt, with an (0–4) record.[2] Furthermore, Cyprus has taken part at lower level tournaments, where they have been impressive. Cyprus has won two bronze medals, and two silver medals at the European Championship for Small Countries, while also taking home one bronze, two silver, and nine gold medals at the Games of the Small States of Europe.

During the first few decades on the international level for Cyprus, the national team went through multiple futile qualifying cycles which saw the team unable to successfully qualify for the EuroBasket. For qualification to EuroBasket 2017, Cyprus was placed into Group A during the qualifiers; although the team would once again be rebuffed at reaching the continental stage. Cyprus would ultimately finish up with a (2–4) record, with their only two victories coming against Switzerland.[3]

Cyrus took part in qualifying for EuroBasket 2022, and was drawn into Group C for the first round of pre-qualifiers. The first test for the national team was against Portugal, at home in Nicosia. Cyprus would eventually prevail, in a tough match 69–67. Looking to stay perfect, the team played their next match on the road at Luxembourg. Immediately, Cyprus would run out to a big first quarter lead, and never looked back, winning 53–67. Cyprus dropped their final two matches of group play, to finish with a (2–2) record to advance.

During the second round of pre-qualifiers, Cyprus was placed into Group D, with Austria, and Great Britain. However, the national team failed to win a match, and finished with an (0–4) record. Cyprus blew an opportunity to advance to the final stage of qualifiers, but would have one more chance to make amends in the third round.

Heading into the final window of pre-qualifiers, Cyprus needed to finish top of Group F, if they were to achieve their goal. Unfortunately, the team would duplicate the results attained in the second round, with an (0–4) record once again. Cyprus ended the pre-qualifying process at a record of (2–10) overall, eliminating their opportunity to advance.[4] After failing to qualify for EuroBasket 2022, Cyprus went through European Pre-Qualifiers for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, they finished (1–5) during the first round to be eliminated.[5]

In March 2022, Cyprus finally qualified for the EuroBasket, by being awarded as one of the co-hosts for the group stage at EuroBasket 2025. Matches will be played at the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center in Limassol.[6][7][8]

Competitive record

Team

Current roster

Roster for the EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers matches on 23 and 26 February 2023 against Portugal and Romania.[9]

Cyprus men's national basketball team roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameAge – Date of birthHeightClubCtr.
C 1 Christos Loizides 31 – (1991-05-26)26 May 1991 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) Apollon Cyprus
G 2 Zayd Muosa 19 – (2003-07-03)3 July 2003 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) Olympiacos Greece
G 3 Konstantinos Simitzis 27 – (1995-08-12)12 August 1995 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) APOEL Cyprus
F 4 Ioannis Pasiali 25 – (1997-11-01)1 November 1997 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) Keravnos Cyprus
PG 5 Simon Michail 30 – (1992-06-19)19 June 1992 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Keravnos Cyprus
PG 6 Stefanos Iliadis 28 – (1994-09-17)17 September 1994 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Apollon Cyprus
G/F 7 Antreas Christodoulou 28 – (1995-02-22)22 February 1995 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Larnaca Cyprus
F 9 Aeneas Jung 29 – (1994-02-13)13 February 1994 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Ludwigsburg Germany
C 11 Michalis Koumis 26 – (1996-11-08)8 November 1996 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) APOEL Cyprus
PG 13 Filippos Tigkas 20 – (2002-11-05)5 November 2002 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Keravnos Cyprus
F/C 69 Roberto Mantovani 29 – (1994-01-04)4 January 1994 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Petrolina Cyprus
F 99 Nikos Stylianou 34 – (1988-11-09)9 November 1988 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Keravnos Cyprus
Head coach
  • Cyprus Christophoros Livadiotis
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the competition
  • Age – describes age
    on 23 February 2023

Depth chart
Pos. Starting 5 Bench
C
PF
SF
SG
PG

Head coach position
  • Greece Christos Stylianidis – (2007–2011)
  • Cyprus Antonis Konstantinides – (2012)
  • Greece Panagiotis Yiannaras – (2013–2017)
  • Cyprus Linos Gavriel – (2017–2021)
  • Cyprus Michael Matsentides – (2022 Interim)
  • Cyprus Christophoros Livadiotis – (2022–present)

Results and fixtures

  Win   Loss

2021
25 November 2021 Cyprus  73–81  Ireland Nicosia, Cyprus
19:00 (UTC+2) Scoring by quarter: 17–20, 14–24, 19–22, 23–15
Pts: Giannaras 16
Rebs: Koumis 8
Asts: Michail 5		 Boxscore Pts: Blount 21
Rebs: Carroll 12
Asts: Hosford 7		 Arena: Eleftheria Indoor Hall
Attendance: 1,000
Referees: Ofer Manheim (ISR), Ilya Putenko (RUS), Zoran Mitrovski (MKD)
28 November 2021 Switzerland  66–43  Cyprus Fribourg, Switzerland
17:00 (UTC+1) Scoring by quarter: 21–11, 20–20, 11–4, 14–8
Pts: Kovac 16
Rebs: Fofana, Jurkovitz 7
Asts: Cotture, Jurkovitz 3		 Boxscore Pts: four players 6
Rebs: Mantovani 6
Asts: Michail 2		 Arena: Salle Saint-Lèonard
Attendance: 1,725
Referees: Ciprian Stoica (ROU), Franko Gracin (CRO), Alberto Sánchez (ESP)

2022
24 February 2022 Cyprus  77–86  Austria Nicosia, Cyprus
19:00 (UTC+2) Scoring by quarter: 15–22, 19–25, 17–21, 26–18
Pts: Simitzis 20
Rebs: Panteli 8
Asts: Panteli 5		 Boxscore Pts: Vujošević 21
Rebs: Rados 7
Asts: Klepeisz 6		 Arena: Eleftheria Indoor Hall
Attendance: 300
Referees: Sergei Mikhailov (RUS), Nemanja Ninković (SRB), Meirson Nir (ISR)
27 February 2022 Ireland  83–750(OT)  Cyprus Dublin, Ireland
17:00 (UTC±0) Scoring by quarter: 15–15, 23–11, 10–21, 16–17, Overtime: 19–11
Pts: Carroll 17
Rebs: Badmus 12
Asts: Flood 6		 Boxscore Pts: Iliadis 14
Rebs: three players 6
Asts: three players 2		 Arena: National Basketball Arena
Attendance: 1,000
Referees: Viola Györgyi (NOR), Alexandre Maret (FRA), Simon Unsworth (GBR)
30 June 2022 Cyprus  71–63  Switzerland Nicosia, Cyprus
21:00 (UTC+3) Scoring by quarter: 22–21, 21–19, 11–6, 17–17
Pts: Stylianou 14
Rebs: Mantovani 7
Asts: three players 3		 Boxscore Pts: Kazadi, Nzege 17
Rebs: Mbala 12
Asts: Kazadi 8		 Arena: Eleftheria Indoor Hall
Attendance: 800
Referees: Mart Uuehendrik (EST), Jan Baloun (CZE), Ofer Manheim (ISR)
3 July 2022 Austria  78–49  Cyprus Salzburg, Austria
18:00 (UTC+2) Scoring by quarter: 19–15, 18–5, 21–15, 20–14
Pts: Lohr, Poljak 11
Rebs: Pöltl 18
Asts: Kaferle 7		 Boxscore Pts: Simitzis 14
Rebs: Stylianou 7
Asts: Tigkas 4		 Arena: Sporthalle Alpenstraße
Attendance: 1,500
Referees: Sergii Zaichuk (UKR), Francisco Araña (ESP), Alin Faur (ROU)
25 August 2022 Bulgaria  88–55  Cyprus Samokov, Bulgaria
19:00 (UTC+3) Scoring by quarter: 19–15, 29–15, 16–11, 24–14
Pts: Vezenkov 24
Rebs: Vezenkov 8
Asts: Ivanov, Marinov 4		 Boxscore Pts: Tigkas 20
Rebs: Koumis 4
Asts: Tigkas 3		 Arena: Arena Samokov
Attendance: 1,700
Referees: Zoran Mitrovski (MKD), Josip Jurčević (CRO), Siniša Prpa (SRB)
28 August 2022 Portugal  102–69  Cyprus Odivelas, Portugal
17:00 WEST (UTC+1) Scoring by quarter: 35–17, 23–22, 23–18, 21–12
Pts: Queta 17
Rebs: Queta 13
Asts: Williams 7		 Boxscore Pts: Tigkas 20
Rebs: Stylianou 7
Asts: Panteli		 Arena: Pavilhão Multiusos de Odivelas
Attendance: 2,500
Referees: Valentin Oliot (FRA), Alberto Sánchez (ESP), Jan Baloun (CZE)
10 November 2022 Cyprus  65–69  Romania Nicosia, Cyprus
16:00 (UTC+2) Scoring by quarter: 19–19, 16–21, 13–14, 17–15
Pts: Simitzis 19
Rebs: Mantovani 11
Asts: three players 2		 Boxscore Pts: Nicolescu 18
Rebs: Richard 8
Asts: Richard 9		 Arena: Eleftheria Indoor Hall
Attendance: 500
Referees: Bojan Jovanić (BIH), Ofer Manheim (ISR), Haris Bijedić (BIH)
13 November 2022 Cyprus  66–75  Bulgaria Nicosia, Cyprus
16:00 (UTC+2) Scoring by quarter: 8–16, 13–17, 27–24, 18–18
Pts: Michail, Stylianou 16
Rebs: Stylianou 6
Asts: Michail 3		 Boxscore Pts: P. Ivanov 14
Rebs: A. Ivanov 11
Asts: Karamfilov 4		 Arena: Eleftheria Indoor Hall
Attendance: 1,600
Referees: Alfred Jovović (CRO), Dumitru Stasiev (MDA), Nemanja Ninković (SRB)

2023
23 February 2023 Cyprus  66–75  Portugal Nicosia, Cyprus
19:00 (UTC+2) Scoring by quarter: 9–21, 27–17, 22–26, 8–11
Pts: Tigkas 16
Rebs: Mantovani, Simitzis 6
Asts: Michail 4		 Boxscore Pts: Williams 24
Rebs: Queiroz 15
Asts: Brito 6		 Arena: Eleftheria Indoor Hall
Attendance: 1,500
Referees: Alexandre Deman (FRA), Blaž Zupančič (SVN), Goran Šljivić (AUT)
26 February 2023 Romania  75–50  Cyprus Pitești, Romania
16:30 (UTC+2) Scoring by quarter: 24–11, 16–20, 18–6, 17–13
Pts: P. Richard 15
Rebs: Cățe, Olah 8
Asts: P. Richard, Tohătan 5		 Boxscore Pts: Stylianou 12
Rebs: Mantovani, Stylianou 6
Asts: three players 2		 Arena: Pitești Arena
Attendance: 3,200
Referees: Igor Mitrovski (MKD), Valentin Oliot (FRA), Alfred Jovović (CRO)

Kit

Manufacturer
  • 2012–2015: Champion
  • 2015–2018: LEGEA
  • 2019–present: Caan Athletics

See also

References
  1. "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  2. "Cyprus results during qualification for EuroBasket 1983".
  3. "Cyprus during the EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers". Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  4. "Cyprus during the EuroBasket 2022 Pre-Qualifiers". Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  5. "Cyprus during the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Pre-Qualifiers". Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  6. "Cyprus will host EuroBasket 2025 group in Limassol". ccnnetwork.cn. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  7. "Έτσι θα μεταμορφωθεί το «Σπύρος Κυπριανού» ενόψει Ευρωμπάσκετ 2025". gipedo.politis.com.cy (in Greek). Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  8. "Μεταμορφώνεται» το «Σπύρος Κυπριανού» για το Eurobasket 2025". alphanews.live (in Greek). Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  9. "Cyprus during the EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers in February 2023". Retrieved 23 February 2023.
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