Makynia

Paokara I agree with you given the players he has at his disposal and considering form I would go with that exact same lineup. I would go Pelkas, this kid runs his ass off all game as well just like Zeca and personally I would start Anestis at keeper. He kept two clean sheets vs AC Milan and was man of the match in Italy. He is far more in form than Karnezis. I believe for some reason Greece can get this done. I think the players are downplaying any comeback but they will come out and give it their best on Sunday.

Here is the lineup according to Livescore Karnezis Torosidis Sokratis Kyriakos Stafylidis Lazaros Zeca Tziolis Tachtsidis Fortounis Mitro I highly doubt Toro will play but pretty good lineup considering our injuries and BS suspension to Manolas

I just actually got an excellent explanation from a Croatian friend of mine that didn't even hear about the incident but explained that if a player receives a 3rd yellow and would miss the next match against a lesser opponent ie: Gibraltar which was the case for Manolas so he doesn't carry the two yellows into the two gms vs Croatia which are much more important games thus FIFA would review and if they deemed that such was the case they would apply a further 1 game suspension which is what they did but why the 27 day delay????? Also why did they impose the toughest home referee for our home fixture and one that Croatia counts 4 wins and one draw with when he refs their matches??? In any case the more they keep on stacking the odds against us the more we will prevail!!! Go Hellas!!!

Unbelievable!!! Corrupt FIFA at it again. They have it out for the Greeks and how is it they can determine that Manolas did it purposely or not and why did they wait this long were they still looking at the footage? Gianniotas got his tooth knocked out by a Bosnian coach and all they got was a stadium switch!!! In the end it won't matter as we can put in Kyriakos or Retsos and still keep a clean sheet and take care of business and they'll still have to watch our boring play defence and hit them on the counter attack brand of soccer in Russia. We'll be in Russia with our Orthodox brothers and so will Mantalos! Makynia out!!!

This is the lineup I believe he will go with in Croatia Karnezis Toro Manolas Sokratis Tzavellas Zeca Tachtsidis Lazaros Fortounis Stafylidis Mitro I hope he doesn't put in Tziolis. I will puke.

I think it's more because of all our injuries, he wants to see if the players will be fit and ready to go or if he has to call someone else. He does always submit last minute though as far as I can recall.

Who are they Mega? Is anyone ready to step in in such a crucial game?

Where are the call ups by Skibbe for the playoffs vs Croatia? Croatia already submitted their list.

Skibbe should call up Bakakis to replace Torosidis. From what I'm reading he is on fire ? for AEK. Deserves a call up.

I am a National team fan first and foremost and an AEK fan secondly. I love Mantalos and what he brings to the table. He is being played out of position on the National team but he still does well. The opportunity he had should have been buried no doubt. It reminds me of the Gekas sitter vs these same same Bosnians that he missed. Almost as bad. Moving forward I would start Fortounis at CAM and Donis on the left and Karelis on the right (he will be back healthy I believe vs Estonia). I would bring Mantalos off the bench if Fortounis is having a bad game. Then we have options at wing like Gianniotas, Mantalos, Stafylidis and possibly Klonaridis. This will solidify us on the wings and give us depth. I loved Donis looked very dangerous. Imagine a defense worrying about him and Karelis. This would free up Mitro and make us way more dangerous offensively.

I just read on Novasports.gr that the National team is meeting Thursday to start preparations for Bosnia. Where is the list of players selected by Skibbe? Just read also Zeca suffered a knock out 7-10 days not sure if he'll be ready for Bosnia game. Are we always the last ones to submit our list?

I think the back three has to be Manolas, Sokratis and Siovas no doubt about it. He has to insert Siovas into this gm and solidify the back. We can play 3-5-2 with Toro and Stafylidis as FB's He can go with Zeca, Mantalos, and Fortounis in the mid and Mitro and Gianniotas up front. I think this gives us best chance to resist their pressure and hit them on the counter attacks.

Kostaki you have it bang on except for Tachtsidis. It will be Zeca. I predict 1-1 draw or 2-1 Greece victory. Pame Elladara! Do us proud on Greek Independence Day

Looks like he hurt his shoulder and came off in the 30th min. I love this guy but he's built like butter. His body can't handle the physical game he plays.

Any links to the game?

Guys don't worry Zeca will become a Greek citizen in January and will be available for the Belgium match. This will definitely give us a boost and another option. Hopefully this means the end of Tziolis being called up.

Kosaca, I remember on another forum we had that has since closed down there were some Bosnians checking in from time to time and offering their two cents during the World Cup qualification in 2014. We played you twice and one was a draw in Greece when Gekas missed a sitter that my son would have scored on and we lost in Bosnia 3-1 where you guys fully deserved the victory and outplayed us. Mind you that was and is the only time you have beaten us. They were really rubbing it in that you finished ahead of us and we had to qualify through the playoffs vs Romania but they were rather nasty and unfriendly I remember quite clearly and I'm sure Red Sheriff does as well. Regardless we went on to the round of 16 where we lost to Costa Rica on penalties and you bowed out in the group stage. I am glad to hear that most Bosnians don't think badly about the Greeks and I personally don't dislike the Bosnians. I wish you guys good luck and like you said I hope we are treated to a great soccer match.

If this game isn't enough to convince Skibbe that Tziolis is utter crap then I don't know what to say. I know it was a friendly match but he is horrible and has no team thus shouldn't be anywhere near NT! Also Karelis was horrendous today absolutely brutal. I read that he is being played out of position but my 13 yr old makes better decisions and passes than this guy. I also agree Diamantakos was bad. Anyways turn the pg it was just a friendly after all (completely pointless and unnecessary in my opinion) and lets go grab those all important 3 points on Sunday that will get us closer to qualification.

Guys what channel in Greece is showing the game? Skai or Ote?

This is what I want to see for the Bosnia match Karnezis Toro KPaps Sokratis Stafylidis Samaris Tachtsidis Mantalos Fortounis Gianniotas/Karelis Mitro Greece wins 2-0 STAMP IT!!!

I hope this recent retirement by Holebas might inspire one Tziolis to follow in his footsteps......

Rockafeller what I mean about Ninis is he is our most in form Greek player right now. He is playing regularly at Charleroi, getting minutes and playing very well. I didn't say bring him in and put in the starting 11. I said he deserved a call up whereas Maniatis and Tziolis who play in the midfield didn't. My starters are Samaris, Mantalos and Fortounis but Ninis could be brought on as a sub and help create I'm sure. Especially against Gibraltar.

I don't agree with Maniatis and Tziolis or Vellios? Maniatis has a place on the team but not now when he is looking for a team. What's up w/the Vellios call up? Not deserved in my opinion. I don't understand these skippers logic. They always say they will pick most in form players and players without a team ie. Maniatis and Tziolis will not be selected yet they are. Ninis most in form Greek player right now not selected. Deserved a call up.

Agreed Holebas absolute must start as he is starting every game at Watford as well. Ninis is apparently our most in form Greek player right now. Must be in blue. Why Christodoulopoulos and Maniatis? They don't have teams at the moment I believe?