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SKIBBE SET FOR BIG DECISIONS AHEAD OF BOSNIA MATCH The Greek National Team’s crucial match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in European Qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching. The away qualifier, to be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on June 9th, is a vital match that could go a long way in determining Greece’s chances for a place at Russia 2018. In the coming weeks, Ethniki boss Michael Skibbe will announce the squad for that crucial qualifier. And Skibbe will have some big decisions to make as five players will miss the match against the Bosnians. Andreas Samaris, Giorgos Tzavellas, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, and Panagiotis Tachtsidis are all ruled out due to suspension, with Samaris having accumulated yellows while Tzavellas and Tachtsidis were both sent off in the team’s last qualifier against Belgium. Kyriakos Papadopoulos will be serving his final match suspension for his actions against Bosnia in Greece. Also absent from the team will be long-term injury victim Nikos Karelis. Skibbe is widely reported to be interested in calling up left-back Babis Lykogiannis for the first time. The Sturm Graz player has impressed with his performances as of late putting himself in the frame for a call-up to the senior team after having represented Greece at youth level. Another player to have represented Greece’s younger national teams is also in line for a first call-up. Panathinaikos’ Dimitris Kourbelis could be selected as a back-up defensive midfielder. It’s a big question whether Skibbe will call up Kourbelis and also keep faith in the young talent that were drafted into the squad recently. The smart money is that the German manager will hold onto the likes of Thanasis Androutsos and bring in Kourbelis and Giorgos Manthatis. It wouldn’t exactly be called a youth revolution, however it would a clear sign that Skibbe values what young Greek talent can bring to the table. Goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis is set for a return to the team meaning that more than likely Dimitris Kyriakidis will be dropped from the squad. There could be some more surprises depending on injuries, however for now the squad is expected comprise of the players that were selected for the Belgium match. Below is the predicted squad for the match against Bosnia: Goalkeepers: Orestis Karnezis, Stefanos Kapino, Panagiotis Glykos Defenders: Kostas Manolas, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Vasilis Torosidis, Marios Oikonomou, Kostas Stafylidis, Babis Lykogiannis Midfielders: Zeca, Manolis Siopis, Kostas Fortounis, Giannis Maniatis, Petros Mantalos, Alexandros Tziolis, Thanasis Androutsos, Dimitris Kourbelis Forwards: Kostas Mitroglou, Giorgos Manthatis, Dimitris Diamantakos, Apostolos Vellios, Giannis Gianniotas, Tasos Bakasetas

@jvc Ha ha. What do you mean this is the beginning ? Our club slogan should be "PAOK - taking it in the a** from corrupt Athens from 1926 - 2016". You guys, by that I mean the self entitled Athenian "big" boys, are incensed, because you can't automatically and easily rig things anymore ? Because you don't automatically have the referees in your back pocket ? Seriously. You know what I find amazing. How shrill the "outcry" has been from supporters. And how hypocritical. In the normal,world, if a club is financially strong and has political connections, it gets favoured. Or in our case, it means the Athens clicka are going to have to work harder to keep the rigging up. As for the video, no worries, I'll start bringing up videos from 1950 onwards in that case. You guys should concentrate on keeping Berg, not this vlakies. "Remember PAOK started this". Yeah, we gave you a smack in the mouth after 100 years of you stealing our lunch money. Whoop dee doo. Grow up. And you guys never supported us. It shows in the behaviour of people in recent weeks. You were only happy to support is in taking on Marinakis. You guys are only happy to support us as long as we win a battle here or there, but not any trophies, because in your eyes, they "really" belong to one of the "big" Athens 3. I suggest maybe a crowdfunding drive to help assist pay for referee bribing.

i would be quiet shocked if siopis got a start. I think its nearly a lock (barring injury) that zeca and maniati will be starting as dm's in Bosnia.

I don't think the playoffs are over for us, but the loss is a big blow. IMO a draw against PAO will still be a good result, it would put us 3 points behind AEK (im assuming they beat panionios) They would then have a double header against Pana and i can't see AEK beating them twice. It is absolutely paramount we take 6 points off panionios in those double games. For me if we come out our next 3 with 7 points (easier said than done but no reason we can't achieve it) then it will be game on well and truly for top spot. It's gonna be tough, and we can't afford another loss, but we are very much still in the hunt.

-------------------Karnezis---------------------- Torosidis-Manolas-Sokratis-Lykogiannis ----------Siopis/Kourbelis------Zeca----------------- Mantalos------Fortounis----------Stafylidis ------------------Mitroglou---------------------- I don;t like your starters at all. Maniatis and Zeca both do the same thing and they are unable to do crucial passes that will help offensively. Having them both in the same team is a no-go for me. I would like to start Siopis because this lad got what it takes to win a midfield. We lost the midfield last match vs Bosnia so we need to change it. I believe Skibbe has to end up with which midfielders to use in training. I really hope Tziolis is not one of them, and I really hope Maniatis is not one of them either, as he didnt exactly prove his career worth in Atromitos. Siopis seemed a lot more dominant while they both played for small budget teams. Kourbelis also a hard worker. Another possible add is Retsos but I think he is mostly suited for the CB role as his passing has nothing spectacular to it. Both Kourbe and Siopis are considered able to share the ball and also keep it with them. I believe Stafylidis as Left Midfielder/Winger is a no-go as well. Mantalos seems low on both wings. Fortounis as well. So why waste both of our wings. Give Lykogiannis a chance on the back. Besides all of the Bosnian wingers/flankers are nothing much talented. I believe Lykogiannis can handle it. Stafylidis is not much of a talent defensively either.