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Very promising last 2 friendlies from the Ethniki. Gosh, i hope we qualify for the upcoming WC. The pain from missing out so narrowly on the Euro still hurts daily. A wc quali might help me forget that.

Greetings from Maui, Hawaii. Happy New Year to all the forum members and all the PAOK fans. Also Happy 100th Birthday to PAOK in 2026.

So much more satisfying that goal difference is the first tie breaker. Never thought I’d be saying that for a low scoring team historically like us but I’m cautiously optimistic. BRING THE HEAT BOYS. THE 11 YEAR TOURNAMENT DROUGHT ENDS WITH THIS CAMPAIGN. PAME PALIKARIA

Bakasetas is hanging around for another qualifying campaign, you better believe that. He wasn't initially called up for these games but called up as a replacement once Konstantelias was injured, that doesn't scream to me well planned out goodbye testimonial. I maintain Bakasetas has a role to play(off the bench), and to a lesser extent Kourbelis and even lesser extent Masouras. The team's defensive issues can't possibly be laid to blame at Bakasetas' feet. We created a bucket load of chances, as you mention in an attacking sense we have really turned the corner. Defensively we have massive issues. Individual errors which need to be rectified by the players themselves but also our structure and system doesn't seem to provide adequate protection. Jovanovic needs to sort it out and ASAP. You can't be going 3-0 up with 30 minutes to play and the match turns into a rodeo. We must get better at seeing out matches and playing out time to get the result. Otherwise no matter how beautiful we play or how many goals we score, qualifying for a major tournament will remain a pipe dream.

The minute there’s a little hype around this team and they start pulling in crowds they lay a massive egg in big games. They did it with the game against England here, they did it against Georgia and now Denmark.

It goes without saying, this game will be far tougher than the one against Belarus. The Danes who have been mainstays at major tournaments for the last 7 or so years, have been able to build that solid record of qualification on a strong defence. They have been typically tough to break down and have had plenty of results by keeping a clean sheet. So it will be the first real test for our young guns and all their attacking flair. I expect Denmark will look to keep it tight and allow us to have the bulk of possession. Our attack has been blowing teams away, so an early goal and who knows. But I would anticipate a cat and mouse game. I don't expect Jovanovic to make any changes to the starting 11 that we saw today. Even though plenty (myself included) wanted to see Konstantelias instead of Bakasetas, you can't deny Bakasetas has performed time and time again for the Ethniki. He had another good game against the Belarusians, so I don't think he will be dropped for this one.

Looking at a Scottish forum. They clearly think we are the best team in the group. Hopefully we make their words come true…

This is how a big football nation that is serious starts their campaign against lesser nations. So far so good pame! Karetsas 3rd minute goal lol. What a start..

A win here & a tie in the Denmark - Scotland game would be huge

Squad for this match and against Denmark: Βλαχοδήμος, Μανδάς, Τζολάκης, Μαυροπάνος, Χατζηδιάκος, Ρέτσος, Κουλιεράκης, Ρότα, Βαγιαννίδης, Γιαννούλης, Τσιμίκας, Σιώπης, Ζαφείρης, Μάνταλος, Κουρμπέλης, Μασούρας, Πέλκας, Τζόλης, Μουζακίτης, Κωνσταντέλιας, Ιωαννίδης, Παυλίδης, Μπακασέτας, Καρέτσας, Δουβίκας.

Triantis officially commits his future to Greece!

The real question's going to be, what do we do against Denmark? Everything we've seen under Jovanovic has been encouraging though

Really? Up until Feburary, we were absolutely playing the best and most attractive football in the league. Then injuries took hold and we have fallen apart since. Strongly disagree with that point as I do with saying the league was "down" in 2024. Olympiacos won a European title that season. We only just pipped AEK to win the title. Saying it was down is simply untrue and inidcates you either drink too much (likely) or are just desperate to justify your point (less likely but still plausible.) Not wanting Lucescu is fair enough, it is okay to not like him for whatever reason, but claiming we played ugly football all season is not true. We were lauded across the league for playing attractive football, we scored brilliant goals, were top of the table and were drawing comparisons to the great team of the 70's. Let me finish by saying, I don't think Lucescu should be guaranteed to coach next season. There clearly needs to be a review and assessment conducted. The jungle drums are rumbling and pressure mounting more than ever from fans and media alike. There comes a point when it is better to just shake hands and move on.

After that Denmark loss, he hasn't coached the same. He pulled the kids early and turned to a few veterans that have no place on the team. He led a solid Nations League tourney and s%$#! the bed in qualifiers. There was no reason not to qualify. I think many of us would agree that our best line up was the one against Scotland in the Nations League, and we haven't seen it since. Tetteh/Pavlidis Tzolis Delias Karetsas Mouzakitis Zafeiris Giannoulis Mavropanos Koulierakis Vagiannidis Tzolakis/Vlacho/Mandas (pick one)

At least Mandalos retired and he won't play again for the NT. Time for Bakasetas and Kourbelis to be dropped from the team as well.

KALO PARADEISO STA ADERFIA MAS

Its a disaster! Here in Canada gonna have to listen to all the build up without our beloved Ethniki. A lot of these minnow footballing nations with no history will be here, including Canada and USA lol... I was so looking forward to going to the matches in Toronto if we were playing there or NYC. Just so ANNOYED! This is our longest tournament drought equaling the Euro 1980 to World Cup 1994. I have a feeling it will be longer. I really do not have much confidence in seeing us make Euro 2028 especially after Greece got this draw. We managed to f up the greatest draw possible getting Denmark the weakest pot 1 team and Scotland from pot 2 and we made a total mess of it. Qualification done after match day 4? Even Poyet got us to the playoff in the Euros and we finished a respectable 3rd behind giants France and Holland and competed until the very last match day. This is very similar to the Euro 2016 qualification debacle that was intitally over seen by Ranieri that tool. Now Greece are playing in A league of the NL its going to be tough to say the least to get a back up ticket for the Euro 2028 playoffs. Just PISSED!!

I hate that I’m even saying this, because let’s be honest it’s basically over. We need an absolute miracle now. Scenario 1: Greece would have to run the table and beat Denmark, Scotland, and Belarus. Let’s say somehow, they pull off the upset and beat Denmark. Beating Scotland back in Athens and taking care of Belarus shouldn’t be too difficult. That would give Greece 12 points. If we assume Denmark and Scotland both beat Belarus, they’d each move to 10 points with one game left against each other. If that happens, we wouldn’t need help from anyone else: If Denmark and Scotland draw, they’d both finish on 11 points and Greece would take first place. If one of them wins, Greece would finish second and still grab a playoff spot. So, realistically, Greece still controls its own destiny, but only if they win all three games. Scenario 2: If Greece draws with Denmark, then we’d need Denmark to beat Scotland. That would leave both teams tied for second, meaning it all comes down to goal differential. Scotland currently has a big advantage there, so we’d need to absolutely smash Belarus and beat Scotland by a few goals to make it through. Not liking our chances at all but if they pull off a miracle on Sunday somehow beat Denmark that all changes. Group Standings Denmark- 7 Scotland - 7 Greece - 3 Belarus - 0

Our only chance now is getting 2nd as the chance at first is done. What looked to be a dream start by winning and having Scotland and Denmark draw, now looks to be a bad result for us. Would have been better if Denmark beat Scotland. To have at chance at 2nd and a playoff we need to beat Scotland twice and hope for at least a draw in Denmark. (Tough task) I’m still excited about this young team regardless of the result tonight. It’s by far the most skilled team we’ve had and as these kids grow together they will eventually learn how to handle these big games. We need to find a way to take 2nd I can’t handle missing another tournament..

Let's pump the break on all this negative talk. Konstantelias is uber talented, that is why PAOK is getting offer of $20M plus. We had not faced a team that was patient like Denmark and could counter like that. I am sure Jovanovic will see what we did wrong and fix it. We are a young team, these things take time..

This was a good lesson. We went away from what got us here. We beat England in Wembley and can't beat Denmark at home? Taking Karetsas out was the wrong move. Kourbelis should not start going forward.

What a game!! We look good!! When was the last time we could actually score goals like this…ever??? Remember when we had Santos, we had a good team but every game was 1-0…

Good call..

0-0 so far in Copenhagen I sense a 4th goal is coming for Greece soon

prwta8lhma kai kupello ston Purgo ton Leuko !

Please please take this form into the qualifiers!

Jovanovic deserves all the credit for having the balls to role with the kids who are shaping this team. So exciting to watch.

I hope in 2 years from now Greece will be competing in the semifinals of the Nations League during the month of June.

All we are say-ing, 'give kids a chaaance'...

Squad for the two upcoming friendlies: Βλαχοδήμος, Μανδάς, Τζολάκης, Μαυροπάνος, Χατζηδιάκος, Ρέτσος, Κουλιεράκης, Ρότα, Βαγιαννίδης, Γιαννούλης, Τσιμίκας, Σιώπης, Ζαφείρης, Αλεξανδρόπουλος, Κουρμπέλης, Μασούρας, Πέλκας, Τζόλης, Μουζακίτης, Κωνσταντέλιας, Ιωαννίδης, Παυλίδης, Φούντας, Καρέτσας, Δουβίκας, Μπακασέτας.

Last year i decided to start supporting our team economically even if living and working in Athens means probably i will not go to watch any game in Thessaloniki So i bought 2 season tickets for basketball which now i'm gonna renew-rebuy This year i think i will also buy my first season ticket in football And become a member to AC Erasitexnh SUPPORT OUR TEAM BUYING A SEASON TICKET !

Zeca announced his retirement and plays his last match tomorrow. As Pana has secured #2 I have no doubt he gets some playing time. So he ends with 34 caps and 2 goals for the Ethniki.

Today Zivkovic took part in full practice and Meite and Kenny in partial practice. Looks like all three will be in the squad for the game.

If we can improve on Ivan we should and fire him. I doubt that happens though. Greece is not that much better than Denmark or Scotland imo and didn't deserve to be in WC. Thin at the back (if we are talking potential elite players) and in the center midfield. It's most promising players still young. Greece moving through the Nations League C and B ranks is not that great an achievement they have a lot to prove if they are to qualify for Euro in 2 years or else will be on the sidelines again.

J1078 I was so annoyed when I tuned in an saw the starting eleven Jovanovich went with. WTF is Kourbelis doing starting he really should not even be on this team. He should have never been involved in this qualification campaign! Also Bakesetas in the eleven is a joke and at most he should be a sub. He had no real contribution to the match a side from taking a free kick off the foot of Karetsas and missing the target. I have said GREECE need to go all out and bring in a BIG NAME MANAGER that will not keep making these repeated mind boggling player personnel decisions.

It counts.

The last time this happened, Greece end up winning EURO 2004 : D

U19 Greek Cup quarterfinal: PAOK - Olympiakos: 3-1

Jovanovic ain’t it

Dominant win for Greece, the first half was an incredible attacking display and we could have scored 6 goals. Its a shame we gave away a penalty even though it was not one. I watched the last 30 mins of the Denmark match and I was not impressed by them. They did not generate much until the last 10 minutes. Scotland had a better and clear chance to take the win. Great result for the Ethniki and I think Greece will jump all over Denmark and try and put them away early.

Greece 4-0 Belarus HT Standing O from the crowd in Piraeus and deservingly so!

Karetsas loops it in, perfectly placed header by Pavlidis

The amount of bitching I get from you is beyond belief!

Apparently they are in the match day squad for the EFL cup. Hopefully this is the start for them getting more game time for the 1st team. They’d both be useful for the national team. I’d have them both now in the team. Both have had great seasons.

Congratz! They did it!

In the last 3 games, Greece looks virtually unstoppable.

Saying that Konstantelias just scored.

We are looking like a very young talented team with weapons off the bench. So nice to watch…

I don’t put too much into our defensive performance. Horrible pitch, everyone sliding. No one wants to get hurt. Some subs instead of normal starters

Thanks. Both are left footed. The eldest (by three minutes) is a LW and scored 12 goals plus assisted 18. The youngest is mostly used as a 10 or RW with 8 goals and 10 assists. Still two matches to play this season. Fiesta last homegame May 31st.