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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

Big success for PAOK's basketball team, which qualified to the final of the FIBA Europe Cup after defeating Cholet BC 90:88 in France erasing the 1 point deficit from the first semifinal game (88:89) in Thessaloniki. After 29 years PAOK BC will play once again in an European final: 16-Apr-2025: Bilbao Basket - PAOK 23-Apr-2025: PAOK - Bilbao Basket

After years of lacking a quality striker, all of sudden the Ethniki has 3 playing at a high level + Tzimas about to join a Premier League side. And you can throw in Kostoulas to that mix, although I am not sure that he actually has a natural position and I don't think he is an out and out striker. As a general rule, I don't think Greek footballers should be moving at such a young age to England. It didn't work out for Tzolis, Tsimikas really had to bide his time and was almost unsighted for a whole season until becoming a trusted depth player. Mavropanos went to Arsenal super young and eventually had to move to Germany for 2-3 years before moving back to EPL. I just don't think it suits our young players, especially so early in their professional careers. Different to go back as a more seasoned professional who has spent a few years playing abroad. Which is why I think moving to Germany should always be the priority. Beyond that, Portugal, Belgium and even Holland are a good smaller step-up before making a bigger leap. These countries and leagues have a reputation for developing talent and being patient. Unlike your England's, Spain's and Italy's which are a lot more cut throat. I hope Tzimas is the exception, Brighton has become known for signing talents and on selling them for a big profit. There is always added pressure and expectation when you come with a decently sized price tag. Good luck to the kid and I am sure he will get his shot with the Ethniki in the near-ish future.

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.

I believe if your good enough your old enough. As shown in our last game the young guys can go. They’ve even lifted the team at a higher level. Χριστός Ανέστη

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.

And with this win and Levadiakos imploding with another defeat versus Kifisia we assured ourselves of another European season with ekdromes.

Must buy Giakoumakis. He has impressive stats in Europe: 4 goals in 7 matches (and not a single one the whole 90+stoppage time). Overall 12 goals in 25 matches (did not check the minutes he played but I don't think he has played whole games). He has gelled in perfect and seems to found his freedom (thanks Fats Domino!) in Thessaloniki with his family. And he is only 31. A baby according to Razvan.

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

Next "transfer": Rayan Oyebade (born 30-4-2007) of West Ham United U21 has decided to join Greece. Oyebade has a Nigerian father and a Greek mother.

Not only the 3-1-0 but also lots of bonuspoints for 3 teams reaching the top 24: https://kassiesa.net/uefa/league/2026/cotable.html They have no teams in the Champions League or Europa League. Greece has three teams, two matchdays and hopefully bonuspoints to collect.

what a fing joke! 0-0 at HT. Jovanovich starting Mantalos and Masouras he ruined our world cup dream!

A 0-5 win in Malta for the lads in the first qualifier for Euro 2027. Pnevmonidis and Koutsias two goals each. Rallis completing the manita.

Pains to say but it's true. Not sure if it's nerves or expectation but they aren't looking great in front of the home crowd, which you would think is the opposite in football. They play better in all the away match. Denmark head and shoulders better today, the game turning clearly from copping the first goal, which allowed them to sit even deeper and hit us on the counter. We went from dreaming to now hoping in a flash. It did not appear we were on Denmark's level in any aspect deeply humbling and concerning.

We're in the driving seat now, nice!

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.

Can I just say: if Pavlenka plays anywhere near this well going forward, we will not miss Kotarski AT ALL. Guy was man of both matches for me.

Congratz! They did it!

I guess the good news from yesterday's draw (2nd qualifying round for CL) is that we cannot be drawn against Rangers if they lose, because they are playing Panathinaikos. That's a good one to skip.

hahaha fantastic, we are well and truly in the swing of silly season. The longer this drags on, as tends to be the case, you think it is less likely he will actually sign. Conflicting reports is interesting, especially considering the initial reports that he had agreed to come where coming from Scotland.....

Grab a Malamatina and relax, agori mou. Mind your heart.

Buddy I still think we're getting 2nd place!