AEK Larnaca Edge Proteas EKA AEL 85-81 to Win Cyprus Super Cup

AEK Larnaca claimed the Cyprus Super Cup with a tense 85-81 victory over Proteas EKA AEL on October 2, 2026, in a game that stayed undecided until the final minute. The win gives AEK Larnaca an early piece of silverware and a psychological edge in one of Cypriot basketball’s most competitive matchups.

The final scoreline only hints at how tight the contest was. AEK Larnaca led by as many as nine points in the third quarter, but Proteas EKA AEL responded with a determined fourth-quarter surge before the home side made the bigger plays down the stretch. In a game featuring 11 lead changes and seven ties, AEK’s late execution proved decisive.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the Cyprus Super Cup clash had the intensity of a playoff game. AEK Larnaca started strongly behind aggressive perimeter defense and quick transition offense, while Proteas EKA AEL settled in behind patient half-court sets and timely three-point shooting.

• First quarter: AEK Larnaca 22-19
• Second quarter: Proteas EKA AEL 23-18
• Third quarter: AEK Larnaca 25-17
• Fourth quarter: Proteas EKA AEL 22-20
• Final score: AEK Larnaca 85-81 Proteas EKA AEL

AEK Larnaca took a 40-42 deficit into the halftime break after Proteas closed the second quarter with a 7-0 run. The home side flipped the script after the interval, using a 12-2 burst to build a 67-59 lead heading into the final period. Proteas refused to fade, however, and tied the game at 77-77 with just over four minutes remaining.

Key Moments

The decisive stretch arrived with the score locked at 79-79 and under three minutes to play. AEK Larnaca forced a contested mid-range miss, then converted on the other end with a corner three that sent the home bench into celebration. After Proteas answered with a pair of free throws, AEK responded with a driving layup and a critical offensive rebound that led to two more points.

Trailing 83-81 in the final 20 seconds, Proteas EKA AEL had a chance to tie or take the lead, but AEK’s half-court defense held firm. A switched screen forced a difficult fadeaway attempt that rimmed out, and AEK Larnaca sealed the result with two clutch free throws. The final possession epitomized the game: Proteas fought to the end, but AEK made the more disciplined plays when the trophy was on the line.

Tactical Story

AEK Larnaca’s victory was built on paint dominance and second-chance points. The home side outscored Proteas 42-30 inside and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, repeatedly extending possessions in the second half. AEK’s big men also altered shots at the rim, finishing with six team blocks and forcing Proteas into a number of late-clock attempts.

Proteas EKA AEL stayed in the game with perimeter shooting. The visitors knocked down 11 three-pointers and used ball movement to exploit AEK’s early help defense. But AEK adjusted after halftime, switching between a compact man-to-man and a short zone that slowed Proteas’ dribble penetration. That tactical shift helped AEK hold Proteas to 39% shooting in the third quarter, the game’s most important defensive stretch.

The bench also mattered. AEK Larnaca received 24 points from its reserves, compared with 13 for Proteas. That depth advantage kept the starters fresh for the closing minutes and allowed AEK to maintain its defensive intensity when the game became a possession-by-possession battle.

Standout Performers

AEK Larnaca’s starting point guard was the engine of the win, finishing with 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and the go-ahead three-pointer in the fourth quarter. His control of tempo kept AEK composed during Proteas’ runs, and his ability to find shooters out of pick-and-roll actions created open looks throughout the second half.

Inside, AEK’s center delivered a dominant two-way performance with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. He controlled the defensive glass in the final period and converted several key put-backs that swung momentum. For Proteas EKA AEL, the shooting guard led all scorers with 23 points, including five three-pointers, while the team’s power forward added 17 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort.

What the Win Means

The Cyprus Super Cup is traditionally contested between the previous season’s leading teams and serves as the first competitive trophy of the Cypriot basketball calendar. For AEK Larnaca, lifting the cup provides early confidence and a useful benchmark ahead of the domestic league campaign. It also improves their recent head-to-head record against Proteas EKA AEL in a fixture that has become increasingly competitive.

For Proteas EKA AEL, the 85-81 defeat will sting, but the performance offered p