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I think it starts with the Super League in general. They tend to favor starting foreign/older players. The youth development of the league is the main reason why the national team does not excel. The national team is not the place for development - they should already be developed by the time they get there. Portugal has access to Brazilian players. Belgium and Croatia are better examples of countries we should try to emulate in terms of youth development. A few years back, Belgium did a study and found in order to be exceptional at something, in this case football, you need to devote x number of hours a week to your craft. They installed that model throughout their youth development programs and what you got is their "golden" generation. They might not have won any tourneys, but they have produced some exceptional players.

I saw online that according to reports "Greece will join Saudi Arabia & Egypt in a bid to host the 2030 World Cup. It is believed the Saudis are willing to foot most of the bill with Panathinaikos & PAOK getting new stadiums as part of the bid which would also use Karaiskakis & OPAP Arena." This would be a super weird pairing for WC hosts. I could see a Greece and Egypt WC using antiquity as a theme. Shoot even get Rome involved.

Good points Dean. I personally think Greece are heading in the right direction after the NL with Poyet & the team seems to be unified. It will be a tough Euro qualification group for sure with France & Holland but I think we can battle for second spot with Holland. If we do come up short we have the NL playoff and we will qualify from there. It’s been very tough not qualifying for the last 4 tournaments but let’s not forget Greece came within a playoff for 2018 World Cup but we ran into Croatia and they were a loaded side and eventual finalists. It didn’t help that for the first leg Manolas was unjustly suspended and that gave Croatia a huge advantage. 2020 Euro qualifying we started off well but all the in fighting costed us and losing Fortounis for the last 6 matches was a huge blow also. The last World Cup we had a tough group with Spain & Sweden but we got a result in Spain and not many countries can say that. Also we beat Sweden and should have beaten them again in Sweden but we were unlucky to not score a goal or two after totally dominating them in the first half in Stockholm. As I’ve said second place should have been ours but the previous manager made way to many mistakes that campaign that costed us points. I am really looking forward to the euro qualifiers.

I have to agree with most things you said. I just think with Greece it’s different, most players don’t develop or improve over time. I agree the national team is not a place to develop players but at the same time some seem to have more talent than those who are more experienced. A good combination is what we should look for. But I think it’s better to give players a chance when they are inform or have some momentum. Some young players like Koulierakis and Konstantelias have momentum and are playing well. Might aswell give them a chance to get used to international football as they have the talent and are the future. I also think it’s more about what someone can offer over someone else. In the end though the best of the best should playing. Konstantelias pulled off a man of the match performance recently against Atromitos. He’s skilful and quick and would be useful. PAOK seem like to be the only team wanting to produce Greek players. Also interestingly Bouchalakis hasn’t played much football lately as the Korean midfielder Hwang has taken his place and rightfully so. Kourbelis also seems like a rotational player these days. It hard to keep an eye on the league when there are so many foreigners playing but I’d rather keep an eye on the Greeks and see how they are doing.

We haven’t seen players like Samaris and Tachtsidis for ages. So what has Bouchalakis and Kourbelis done so special to play all the time? I’m not saying the first 2 are better but it’s not like the other 2 are much better either. I don’t like to limit our options as everyone should be in contention. Especially if your good enough and can make a positive difference to the team. But in our case something isn’t working since we aren’t making tournaments and our next group for euro qualifiers will be more difficult unfortunately. It’s time to trust our younger players. We’ve given citizenship to Vasiliadis. And we have not seen him once. We have Greek German players that should get citizenship just to expand our options. I understand national teams coaches pick players based on form and matches played but in our case this method doesn’t work. We should try different methods and see what works. Like for example players who are 27 with and not playing in the top 5 leagues should not be called up with a few exceptions like Vlachodimos. Then give young players who are 18-24 more chances to play. The thing is we need to change things around and give everyone a chance because we could find out that some players are better than others. Doing the same thing isn’t working. We need to go the next level.

I have been quiet lately on these forums, I guess I should give some input. I like Koulierakis from PAOK he seems to have it all at the age of 18. I feel Konstantelias is talented especially on the ball but has a lot to improve such as putting on more muscle and finishing. I don’t know why Koulierakis doesn’t get game time for the senior team. It wouldn’t hurt to see him in friendlies. The EPO and coach should be smarter to give these types of players game time. It would help with there development and help them improve. Also get a better contract in a better league. All I want is for our players to improve. I’m tired of saying the same things that’s why I haven’t been on. I’m also tired of seeing the same things when it comes to the league and national team. That’s why I haven’t been on these forums and I feel like I’m almost giving up. Why do we have to see the same old players get called up for? Why can’t we change it around especially in friendlies? I know the answer it’s because no one wants Greece to progress in football and they are more out for the money. It’s tiring. Theres no reason why countries who have a less population than us produce more players and make the tournaments and we don’t. Examples are like Croatia and Portugal. There’s need to some sort of structure and plan in place. Someone has to care for the betterment of football in Greece. We haven’t got many players playing in the top 5 leagues and we should. We have some exciting young players coming through but even they need improving and with time they will. I believe the national team needs more these young players in the team mixed in with players that play at the highest level. There’s also not many Greeks playing the league itself. Only PAOK seem to be giving chances to Greeks. Also how many times do we have to see Bouchalakis and Kourbelis in the midfield. It doesn’t work. I have to give some praise to Bakasetas though, I have been very critical with him he’s actually been scoring goals and assisting for Greece and that’s all we can ask for. He’s still isn’t our best footballer but if he can score the goals and assist I’m not complaining. I talk like this because I really want the best for Greek football and the national team I just wish the higher ups did too.

Looks like Ronaldo is going to Saudi Arabia. Rumors are that he’s going to be the poster boy of Saudi getting that bid. Imagine Ronaldo helping us get a WC after 2004 ?

I heard about this a week ago. Greece I heard could stage the opening game. The Saudis are willing to throw a tonne of money around to land the World Cup so if Qatar got it I think this bid could be successful as well. Also Portugal & Spain have a bid and added Ukraine? The UK are planning a bid as well.

Sad day on in football world. Pele one of the greatest players of all time has died.