Not so long ago, Malta and Cyprus were more or less on an equal level in football terms. In 1988, the Maltese national team had even beaten their Cypriot counterparts in a friendly game at Ta’ Qali. It was the only victory we obtained in the six encounters we had against the Cypriots, together with another two draws.

Even at club level, there was a time when Maltese clubs knew they had a chance of qualifying when they were drawn to meet Cypriot clubs.

Not anymore.

The Cypriot national team has jumped up several places in recent years, so much so that it is placed in seeding pots way above ours, as we languish in the last available group. And the same goes for the clubs.

What has been achieved by Cypriot football in recent years culminated in the Champions League quarter-final slot that was obtained by Apoel Nicosia last Wednesday. The Cypriot champions made history by beating Olympique Lyon of France on penalties to become the first side from Cyprus to reach this stage of the competition.

No wonder there were celebrations in Cyprus.

It is always a pleasure to see such a team make it so high up in any competition. It is an example that should be followed. Without spending too much money, but relying on good organisation and team spirit, Apoel Nicosia first made it through the group stage, eliminating the likes of more experienced teams such as Porto (who were European champions in 2004) and Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk.

Every club in the last 16 wanted to be drawn against them, and Lyon thought they were the lucky ones, thinking that it would have been an easy passage into the quarter-finals. But, when the time came, it was Apoel Nicosia who had the last laugh.

When the draws for the quarter-finals will be made on Friday, there will be clubs who will want to be drawn against Apoel Nicosia. On paper, it will be an easier fixture than having to meet Barcelona or Real Madrid. But they will have to be at their best to beat the plucky Cypriot side.

Apoel have nothing to lose. They have reached way beyond their expectations, and from now onwards anything goes. They will just want to have fun and make it hard on their opponents.

An Apoel elimination will not make any headlines – it will just be said that it was a triumph for them to have made it this far. But if they manage to knock out one of the European giants, then it will be another story.