MItsaras9

On the whole i thought that the team played well against a strong Belgian side that is firing on all cylinders. Early on I thought that Stafylidis was for sure going to score, then it hit the post. Had that gone in the stadium would have erupted. That said, I liked the start of the game and I really was impressed with Donis and the trouble his speed was causing. The first Belgian goal was among the few times the shooter was not pressed by a defender. When you give a talented player that has a strong shot that much space...it can never be a good thing. Zeca's goal was a beauty and the incoming cross was a delight and the stadium was buzzing. Unfortunately Lukaku again victimized Papadopoulos to quickly regain the lead. I must say the Greek defence had him pretty quiet and contained all night up until that point. I would like to note an observation on Karnezis tonight. There were 3-4 times at least when he was so deep in his net, and should have challenged a bit more for the ball in his 18. I could be mistaken but perhaps even on Lukaku's goal he should have even come out and punched it out. Easier said than done. He did however make a few fantastic saves. With the absence of key players I wanted to mention that I thought that Maniatis played very well. Of course as everyone has an opinion on the selection of the Greek squad, you cannot please every armchair manager/coach. Our National team is what it is, and we have a limited pool of talent in comparison to the super powers of the world (for example Brazil could create 3 full squads that would be impressive). All said, I was proud of the team. I thought they played well. The coach Skibbe prepared his team properly for such a momentum clash. In the end we were not embarrassed by this FIFA power in Belgium. With the players that were available, the coach assembled a squad that gave their best. However, ended up short. With the remaining games, I concern myself not with what others team will do, hypothetically are capable of, play master predictor, and so on. What I would like to see is nothing more than the return to health/fitness of our players. A level headed, positive, and methodical approach to the final qualifiers. I stress again, that compared to our last qualifying campaign with Ranieri. I am pleased that even with the hiccups, and adversity that the Ethniki can continue to improve. Greece rarely has had easy qualifying campaigns, we like it the hard way.....always have, always will.

Papastathopoulos & Samaris were quoted at some point after the last game versus Belgium that this team was trying to foster a "family" unity that the Ethniki had lost. Papastathopoulos went on to say that given the nature of the make up of the personal on the Greek squad....Greece can play solid defensively, then must look for an opportunity be it as set play or on the counter. So as much as it would be a gift and luxury to be ladened with a stronger midfield and multiple snipers up front. The reality we are not this team. Defense, gritty performances, solid collective team efforts are the only way we can look to get points and results. Greece, like I have said before have never had many campaigns where success came easily. Many many matches and campaigns I, like many of you been on the edge of my seat. So here Greece is, and tomorrow we face a titan. On paper and according to the experts and betting line Belgium should win handily. However, often time the national team has had some memorable strong performances with it's back against the wall. It should be an interesting match, I want to see a smart street fight. Should I ask the Ethniki for 2 things tomorrow...1 would be to give the same effort as it did in the match in Belgium. Secondly is to play with heart and empty the tank on the field. I think any thing anything is possible and I hope a win for Greece over an overconfident Belgium. Why not

When the circumstances are properly look at, all the information is correct verified and understood, "we" the arm chair manager/coaches all sound fantastic. Unless, someone is hiding some "uber" Greek players underneath their Yiayia's bed....like talented creative playmakers, as well as a couple of goal scorers ( to assist Mitroglou) then we have to accept that we do not have the depth of some other NT in Europe. Some of these top level NT teams can actually sit out 2-3,4 of their best and put new faces in the lineup and cruise to a win. Heads up to some in the forum, last I checked that is not the Ethniki as it stands. We have 7 very good players that have what else we have available to field. You can say but this guy, or that guy and it can be debated. But at some point it must be accepted that anyway you shuffle the deck our options are limited, and we are exposed when injuries/suspensions to our backbone 7 occurs. Also when you have Skibbe putting new bodies in, or even when we debate as to which other new bodies could be inserted...remember most of the candidates are new/have not played together, etc. So after the Ranieri campaign which both coach and players s%$#! the bed. This campaign all said, has not been so bad as the really super negative few are pouting about. As the last world cup a nice looking Ethniki team, with more depth, more experience, and a solid chemistry.........went into a nose dive that was simply a nightmare. I am impressed with Lazaros in the little i have seen this season. But I just want to say in my own opinion which others may disagree. Lazaros selfish play in our last world cup game in Brazil, ultimately led to our loss in that match. For those who don't remember the break out, he had 3 options of passes and he went for the glory. Our team, until that time comes when simultaneously Greek mothers are bearing without our knowledge 23 babies that are going to be the best Greek soccer players ever............The Greek team needs to build of the principles, discipline, team work, heart, and effort that led the Ethniki to its finest hour. My final thought to all of you, if you have relatives or friends in Cyprus during all of the Greek festivals in North America, and the world....if you see them face to face give them a huge hug and thank them, or call/text/write a letter in the mail and thank them too.

Let's remember who played, who did not. Who has experience, who does not. Who had experience but normally does not play as much. A lot of things one cannot control ended up the Ethniki with a water down and inexperienced lineup. BUT all teams miss key players vs Injuries or otherwise and such is life. I saw highlights, but not the whole game. I was pleasantly surprised that Cyprus upset Bosnia down 2-0 to guns a blazing to win 3-2. Some exceptional goals I must say. So thank God for Cyprus today. That said players that were miss hopefully most are back for Sunday. The big question mark is Mitroglou. I have said a few times, when the Greek team has performed well it has been a TEAM effort. We DO NOT have a the spoils 4-5-6-7 superstars. Our trademark is defence and timely scoring, but it usually is 1-2 goals not victories of 3,4,5 goals or so. Since Euro 2004 We are usually sporting a lone striker, and it drops off from there calibre wise. As for the negativity in this forum about the next match(es), qualifying for the world cup in Russia. I beg the question, which of our campaigns where we did qualify were we just breezing along? Remind me, because I recall there were some campaigns stronger than others.....but for the most part. I recall close matches, sometimes a stumble, and most often we qualified at the very end. Greek drama. In regards to Sunday, with strong experienced players back, with it on the line...I expect a battle. If we do not match Belgiums battle level then we are in trouble. But if the leaders of this squad, with a hostile crowd, bring their best then in a card filled match Greece has to lay it on the line.

I think that Estonia will definitely come to play. Skibbe has to prepare the players that are available to battle hard, and pay attention to detail. It seems the consensus that that we do not have 3,4,5 ACE superstars like a select few National teams in Europe do. However, there are plenty of opportunities for the fresh faces to show us what they have. My hope is that the Ethniki will come to play at home, and that our collective questions are answered with play that reflects a team that is in the hunt for the path to Russia. Estonia is not to be taken lightly, let's put past "soft" performances (namely the dreaded Ranieri campaign which is on the players as much as the coach) and battle fiercely. As for Belgium....as others have said, let's put first things first. Should Greece play hard with heart, and follow the game plan Skibbe we should be alright. We can play arm chair managers/coaches for the Belgium match once Estonia is completed. I have confidence that Greece after our disastrous last campaign is looking up.

with torosidis out vs Estonia looks like Retsos should get capped. Lots of key injuries/suspensions. Hope the new squad members play smart and strong.

Estonia are going to play hard. As we have injuries and absences, I hope the replacement players can step up and give their best. This match really will show the character of this squad and see how Skibbe can prepare them for a scrappy yet vital match. I agree, Estonia cannot be taken lightly.

Although at times I would like to see some different squad selections. However, I must give to credit to Skibbe on working with the players to return Greece to respectability. Not every coach is a fit for every team and the squad that makes up that team. Greece has never been flashy, we lack the crazy over the top superstar power. But our best campaigns (beginning with Euro 2004) have been based on solid defensive play, timely goal keeping, smart set pieces, ability to absorb and capitalizing on the counter. In order for success, the Ethniki must have a good chemistry, heart, a team first mentality, and play for each other. I realize there is plenty of work to do beginning with Estonia. I know that we have some injuries & suspensions, but we have to put our big boy pants on .....as other teams miss key players through injuries etc. The Greek squads that have battled best, took each game 1 at a time. I hope that Skibbe and the players will keep evolving. Let's see the Greek team play smart, and leave it all on the field.

after a run of terrible luck and circumstances....i would like to see smart soccer against a cagey estonian team that we beat. F*** belgium, we could have won the last game if not for a last minute mistake. if we play hard, lets earn our luck and get two victories. why not

I Would rather see Mitroglou rest against Estonia, if that will mean he is fit to play against Belgium. No point in playing him, if it makes his injury worse for the match against Belgium. But again, there appears to be very little explaining the nature of his injury, the extent, and where he is currently at regarding fitness.

Ultimately I would like to see Greece play hard in both games. Estonia cannot be simply taken lightly, each and every game has to be taken seriously. We know the big battle will be Belgium, Greece must give their all. We can beat Belgium, they were fortunate to tie at home. It would be ideal to fight for the first spot, avoiding the 2nd place spot. It has been a bumpy road since the last world cup, but I am feeling better about the Ethniki. Let's hope some key players get healthy and go from there.

I agree that Kpaps is better, but sometime in the game it would be nice to see retsos introduced. That said, in the right circumstances. Until a lineup is released we are all arm chair managers

I am not opposed as some have mentioned to see Retsos get capped. It will be interesting how things unfold. This is NOT a line up I suggest, quite frankly I am uneasy as to whois available, who is fit, who is in form, who has experience, and who does not. Certainly some challenges for the coach and the roster he fields. Things get more interesting vs Belgium, the positive there is that Papastathopoulos is back. This is the big push for the Ethniki. Karnezis Torosidis Retsos Manolas Stafylidis Mantalos Fortounis Zeca Donis Diamantakos? Mitroglou?

It's very frustrating to find definitive updates for the Greek national team. I do like agonasport, but generally it is a challenge I find to determine what is the latest injuries/news/updates with the National team. So that said, from what I have read in this forum that Nikos Karelis is unavailable until October. I also saw that Mitroglou is injured on Agonasport but it does not give a timetable. I have been reading forums on the Ethniki and there is often debate as to who should play, who should sit, who sits etc. To be honest I don't know what the coach has planned. It is evident that there appears to be an understanding that we do not have clear superstars on our squad. We do have some good players, we have some potential youngsters, we also have some spare parts. That said, depending on our availability of players, I hope that Skibbe puts an effective roster that is prepared to battle hard in these 2 upcoming crucial fixtures.