pash

Portugal has a massive lead in that group anyway (6/0/0). Nobody was going to overtake them, unfortunately.

Lost to Israel 0-1

Eh. Just doesn't seem much better than Glykos. Leagues ahead of Olsen. I thought Kapino was retired?!

His height is fine. I'd say that his not being a crazy-good dribbler is all the more reason to put him as CF over winger. He just doesn't look good out on the wings. If he can't compete for headers (I don't watch him enough to know just how much of an aerial threat he is), then he can still use speed/positioning/muscle to get the job done. There's more than one way to skin a cat, after all. I'm in no hurry to see Diamantakos out there, our problems lie much deeper than at CF. Even though Mitroglou is allergic to goals.

Currently tried 1-1 (Lamprou, 51'). England scored off of a PK two minutes earlier.

It may have been Lokobol 2011 (which our K11s competed in). I can only find one reference to this online: http://www.paokfc.gr/en/paok-academy-en/tournoua/ <-- looks like the U12s beat Barcelona + won the Lokobol that year http://www.paokfc.gr/en/paok-academy-en/academy-en-parts/u11-en-nchc/roster-u11-en/ <-- Sznaucner's kid, btw, looks like a total badass

I remember what you're talking about - this happened two seasons ago, and the kids were very young. This was a tournament that was sponsored by a Russian team, I think? I'm trying to find the article(s) about it now. The squad would definitely still be with the team, it was recent.

Hasn't been playing. Pelkas needs to play this one alongside Fortounis and/or Mantalos. Keep one DM on, two attacking midfielders, and for Christ's sake start Karelis. I'd be quite happy to see Mitroglou ride the bench for this one as well (thus freeing up that extra spot in the midfield). All three of those attacking players, btw, are better centrally...but they're also all better as wingers than Karelis. It worked last year, after all.

I'm confused - I thought the ultimatum by FIFA was related to all levels of international competition, including the ethniki - was I wrong on that? Or is our team in the s%&#036;#&#33; house only after April 1st (and how does that effect other friendlies, like vs Australia)?

All the more reason not to play those four. Manolas can give two shits about the ethniki, Torosidis and Maniatis lack the pace and talent, and Tachtsidis isn't even an active player anymore. GIVE THEM THE BOOOOOOOOT

Not starting material, but you thought he was the best CB?

That's about the only place he looked lively. Like Manolas, he's secured a move where he wants to be, so now it's time to ride out his time with the NT.

I find your gender normative language upsetting.

WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE

Here's the press conference. Addresses our lack of wingers about 18 minutes in.

Can't believe we haven't noted yet - GREAT goal off of a free kick by Tzavellas. That left foot is made of gold.

So a win vs Panionios should pretty much guarantee our making it into the playoffs at least. Giannina has a pretty steep hill to climb either way.

Would really like to see Vellios get a shot in the next friendly. Something like the below. --Karnezis-- --Manolas--Sokratis--Tzavellas-- --Torosidis--Samaris--Tachtsidis--Stafylidis --Fortounis-- --Vellios--Karelis-- Pelkas would have been very useful today, it's good that he was called up for the Iceland match. Worked well with Mantalos/Fortounis a few months ago, so a 4-2-3-1 might be in order.

When the majority of one's career with the NT has been spent underachieving, that becomes the norm.

Looked questionable to me. I'll take it.

Oikonomous in for Manolas

If we can end this 3-1...it would be a very important victory, psychology-wise. Our guys have let every opponent get into their heads, and it's shown.

Wonderful breakaway, wasn't it? Both strikers could have scored off of that

GOAL KARELIS wonderfully done too

GOAL TZAVELLASSSSS