jarvis1981

The ghosts of losing to the Faroe Islands must still be a haunting this team. No way should Greece be looking up to teams like Belarus, Northern Mac, Israel and the rest. Here are the goals from the Austria game. https://highlightsfootball.net/video/austria-vs-greece-highlights/

I agree with you completely on this. The Canadian government could get rid of a large expense (bureaucracy -EI and Welfare admins) and give money to the people who will spend it in the economy while not reducing incentive to work like welfare does. It won't happen though. Why? You can't get kickbacks from average individuals who need the funds while you can get kickbacks from large corporations who use tax havens. Air Canada is now on the list for getting government funds. My bet is that it's a done deal.

Greece could get smoked in this game based on the results of the previous game where Italy dashed to a 3-0 and then coasted while on the road. At home they (Italy) will put in subs who may want to score in front of the home crowd and run up the score. I do, however, think it's a real plus that none of the regular veterans are there this weekend for Greece. The young players have nothing to lose and they have a chance to showcase themselves for the future. I hope they play well no matter what the final score and they continue that play against BHG.

So with Greece officially out of the running we can now look to see how the coach does over the balance of the remaining games. Does he give new guys a chance? Does he allow his team to be creative or play defensive? Does he have an overall plan to get the team to where they should be? Losing to Armenia at home, tie with Liechenstein, losing to Faroe islands and generally being slapped around by any team with quality is not where this team needs to be. Sometimes you have to rebuild the foundation and Greece, it appears, is at this point.

This is probably true. On a more realistic front I always suggested that England would do better if they didn't pick the Rooneys of the world and instead take the slightly lower players who don't make the millions but really want to shine on the international stage. It's the same reason weak teams sometimes do well as they give it their all. I said during the Finnish game that the big back three should call it quits (or not be invited back). If you want to change the culture of this team then you go with a clean slate and go with youth who don't think GREEK futbol. Ever game is the same, no skill, no speed - only back passes, safe plays and long balls and maybe you get a lucky header. Watch the other games, watch how they play as a team and can do all the basics. Move the ball, make passes, collect passes, make the smart play and be in the game from the start. Someone should get 20 Greeks from the diaspora and challenge the national team. I like their chances. Good for Liechenstien by the way Hope they party all night with their result.

This comment says it all. This team can't put together 3 passes in close quarters. Some players have trouble controlling passes even when nobody is around them. I see balls bouncing off guys legs 5 yards away from them. I saw times when players had team members wide open for a short pass and didn't have the vision to see them. Other times I see the big three on defense pass the ball back to the keeper as they couldn't handle basis pressure from the FINNS!! Gut this team. No player over 25 should be playing the rest of these qualification matches. Give all the old guys a free trip to Mykonos but get them off the team. Something has to be done for the next tournament as this one is gone.

Manolas, Sokratis and Toro. If Greece loses this match, maybe it's time to replace the back group. So tired of seeing these guys pass it back to the keeper. They are supposed to be good players. They don't play that inspired and get beat a fair bit. They can't be confused with the back line of the 2004 team.

Finland have a lot more skill and give a much better effort, hence the result thus far. Greece need to sub in some guys who can create some offense. Doesn't matter if you lose 1-0 or 9-0. The team needs to take some chances.

1-0 Finland and they deserved the lead. Greece were pinned in their zone for the first few minutes and Finland had two great chances. A stupid challenge by a Greek player in the box. It's going to be called . You can't sit back and expect to qualify. Greece has their work cut out for them.

Finland have had the better of the play and came close to scoring just before half. Greece has one very good cross but it was deflected out by a Finn defenseman. Two yellow cards for Greece but those players can be replaced as the game goes on. Can't afford to go down to 10 men or less. Overall, not a great performance but they are still in the game.

Pukki got a hat trick against Newcastle but the defense was porous. Pukki had numerous chances throughout the game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LGsX6jBRW8 Greece is capable of playing tough defense even though it has been there lately. Interested to see how Greece plays. Do they come out as a team and play to the level they should be at; or do they look forward their vacation on the Greek islands. Their backed into a corner but it's not like they have to beat teams that are unbeatable. Greece has to go for the win in Finland but being patient is the key. It's still a 90 minute game the last time I checked and Finland might be taking Greece lightly since Greece has never won there before. Good luck to the team.

Can Greece get some players with some speed! It's okay to have a slower team if they have good ball possession and passing skills but Greece lacks in this area compared to other teams for reasons that should have it's own thread. So, if you don't have skill then at least have speed. The Italians were running by Greek players even when they had the ball. USA years ago didn't have a good soccer team but the coach decided to add speed to it's team and it became decent in a short period of time. I recall them adding a player called Coby Jones who was a track star converted to soccer. Just kick the ball down the wing and he chased it down. Great soccer ….no, but it's a lot better than doing nothing. Add some speed and then see what fast players can have or improve on the skill play. Greece has produced some great basketball players lately and some tennis players. Why is soccer falling behind?

The all defence type teams are a thing of the past. Even the Italian team doesn't do that anymore and they were the best at it during the 70s and 80s. Greece did it in 2004 but that was the last team that won a major event with that type of play. Too many good players on too many good teams. You have to have a team that is capable of scoring. Some say that the best defense is a good offense. Spain won a world cup using a bunch of midfielders who never gave up the ball.

Just thinking about the lack of speed on this team. Other than some of the defenders most of the players on this team should have a minimum speed requirement. It doesn't matter how many goals you score in division three elsewhere. In world cup games the top teams have speed to burn so you need to be able to stick with them because otherwise you will never touch the ball.

Well Greece had a take-a-way a few minutes ago and the player could have walked in to about the top of the box and let go the shot but instead he passes the ball to a player who is clearly offside. You have to have your mind in the game and not just hope for things. It's one thing to be beaten by a better team but at least be alert during the game.

Italy is already warming up their subs to get some playing time. Wow....not a confidence booster for the team.

Can Greece beat Armenia? I am not so sure.

Not a skill goal by Italy, strictly a fitness goal. Extra player simply ran into the play and the Greek defender slowed down several yards earlier. In effect it was a 4 on 3 goal and no chance to stop it. If you run with the player then you deflect it out of play or even take control.

https://www.google.ca/search?source=hp&ei=2TuWXPLcM8KwjwS2mLWQCQ&q=euro+2020+qualifiers&oq=euro+&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i131j0j0i131l2j0l2j0i131l3j0.912.2050..4039...0.0..0.372.716.4j3-1......0....1..gws-wiz.....0.ZsSQj84sT3M#sie=lg;/g/11bx56kxml;2;/m/0zdsnbj;mt;fp;1;;&spf=1553349580856 Board with updates of all scores. Still 1-0 Fins at the 64 minute mark. Rain coming down hard now.

I believe Mitro is 31 so he not a young player by soccer standards. Using him as a sub seems like a good idea. He would be called on in the last 20 minutes if the team is in need of a goal and the opposition is defending. Using him for a short period means that he is less prone to injury which has happened at least twice in recent games. He can use his size and not worry about coming back late in the game. He would still go with the team to Mykonos after the games as well

This is key. Not only can't Greece play a defensive game but most teams in the world can't do it anymore and hope to get that 1-0 win. Last tournament in Russia you saw a number of teams score that late goal to win or tie. In many sports they say that the best defense is a good offense. I think that is starting to be the case with soccer. Italy smoked Liechtenstein. Greece can't sit back against them. They have to take care of the ball and make them play some defense.

2-2 Final Greece will take it but they have to look at other players to add to this roster. Need more skill up front.

Somebody check Fortunis' credit rating. The guy is playing like he is on the take. Terrible basic plays in the last part of this game.

Fortunis has not been good the last 10 minutes. Two bad passes. Two poor shots. He could have been a hero.

Goal......2-2 but this game is not over yet. Stay awake boys.