From Olisadebe to Blåvitt: A Cypriot Love Story

Kyriakos’ journey began with a Poland national team shirt bearing the name of Emmanuel Olisadebe, his very first football treasure. “Since I started playing at age 9, I kept every shirt from the teams I played for,” he recalls. That childhood habit evolved into a full-blown obsession, taking a decisive turn when he lived in Göteborg and fell deeply in love with IFK Göteborg. Today, his wall tells the story of Nordic football through rare gems, historic designs, and heartfelt connections.

The Match-Worn Orange Masterpiece

Ask Kyriakos for his favorite shirt and his eyes light up: the match-worn IFK Göteborg 2024 Allsvenskan third kit with number 33. “This orange beauty is packed with details that celebrate the club and the city,” he says. “And the ‘Svennis patch’—worn in 2024 to honor Sven-Göran Eriksson—makes it priceless to me.”

Living in Göteborg sealed his bond with IFK, and wearing this shirt feels like carrying a piece of that magical city wherever he goes.

A Malmö Gem Straight from the Club

Kyriakos’ rarest treasure? A Malmö FF 1988-1991 home shirt, handed directly to a relative by club officials during Malmö’s pre-season camp in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.

“It’s not just rare—it’s a direct link between Swedish football royalty and my island,” he beams. This sky-blue classic represents everything he loves: authenticity, history, and unexpected connections between distant football cultures.

Nordic Football, Cypriot Heart

While most collectors chase Premier League or South American icons, Kyriakos has carved his own path: Nordic clubs and players, with over 15 shirts from Swedish leagues alone—from Allsvenskan giants to Ettan underdogs.

“I watch Nordic football religiously,” he explains. “The passion, the atmosphere, the designs—everything feels pure.” His wall is a love letter to Scandinavia, built one authentic shirt at a time.

Every Shirt Tells a Story

For Kyriakos, the magic isn’t just in owning the shirt—it’s in the journey.
“From the moment I start tracking it down, to the second it arrives, to hanging it on the wall… every step becomes part of its story.”

Even the “ordinary” shirts feel special because they mark a moment in time, a memory, a connection to the game he loves.

Zero Compromise on Authenticity

Kyriakos has one unbreakable rule: only trusted sources.
Clubs, players, verified auctioneers, and a tight circle of genuine collectors he’s built relationships with over years.

“Stay AWAY from those who turned collecting into just business,” he warns. “A football shirt is so much more than fabric and sweat. Collect with passion, not for profit.”
Thanks to this philosophy, fakes have never darkened his wall.

Challenges? What Challenges?

When you collect with pure love, obstacles don’t feel like struggles.
“None,” Kyriakos says with a smile. “When you stay true to the culture and identity of this hobby, it’s never a fight—it’s a privilege.”

Simple Care, Maximum Respect

Preservation is straightforward: Kyriakos keeps his shirts safe from insects and dust, away from direct sunlight, and regularly checks that patches and prints don’t crack. “Nothing fancy,” he says. “Just proper storage and a little care—because these shirts deserve respect.”

Advice from the Heart

Kyriakos’ message to anyone starting out is pure poetry: “Focus on the intangible benefits”—the goosebumps when you hold a match-worn shirt, the smile when a package finally arrives, the pride when someone visits and says, “Wow.” That’s the real treasure—not resale value, not clout. Collect because it makes your heart beat faster. That’s all that matters.

A Wall That Speaks

Step into Kyriakos’ space in Cyprus and you’ll see more than 60 shirts—you’ll see a Nordic football museum built with love. From the orange Svennis-tribute IFK Göteborg third kit to the Malmö FF relic that crossed the Mediterranean decades ago, every piece on @jerseywallcy tells a story of passion, authenticity, and unbreakable bonds between a Cypriot collector and the Scandinavian game he cherishes.

Stay tuned for more from our Collectors Series Blog, where we’ll keep showcasing the collectors who prove football is more than 90 minutes. Want to verify your own gems or start your journey? Head to KitLegit. Follow Kyriakos at @jerseywallcy and let him know which Nordic shirt you’d hang on your wall!