The 30-year-old Estonian national team striker Rauno Sappinen, who joined the Cypriot club last week, was immediately handed a place in the starting line-up for the opening match of the 2026/27 season.
Olympiakos made a strong start and took the lead in the 24th minute through Marios Pechlivanis, who produced a thunderous strike into the top corner to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.
However, Nea Salamis responded before half-time, scoring twice late in the opening period to turn the match around and go into the break ahead. The visitors then extended their lead in the second half, leaving Olympiakos Nicosia facing a two-goal deficit and seemingly heading towards an opening-day defeat.
The home side found a way back into the game on the hour mark, converting a penalty to reduce the deficit. Olympiakos then completed the comeback ten minutes from time, scoring the equaliser to salvage a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Sappinen played 74 minutes on his debut before being substituted with the score at 3-2.
Olympiakos Nicosia begin the new Cypriot league season with one point, while their next match will come on September 7, when they travel away to face UEFA Conference League side Pafos.
