It's official: AEK will be facing APOEL for the 3rd Champions League qualifying round. A tough draw for us as Maribor would've been much preferred. Why? Let me count the reasons: 1. APOEL has yet to lose to Greek teams in European competition (3 wins, 3 draws) We narrowly advanced against them in 1992 on away goals in the same competition. 2. Their Dutch manager, Egen Gerard spent over 15 years in the Greek league, 15 with Cretan team OFI, and takes young teams and teaches them to play magnificent football. He knows Greek football like the back of his hand. Gerard even took over the reigns as co-coach of AEK the last half of the 2000-2001 season, and stayed on over the summer as a talent scout. So he knows more than your average European coach about AEK. 3. The Cypriots get really fired up against Greek teams and really want to prove their worth. It will be a tough opening match in Nicosia, but I think they will be had in Athens. Will be an interesting series to watch.