A few thoughts on this cycle - you can tell that our players are improving. Even last year, Kostoulas was barely playing, Karetsas and Tzolis were in the Netherlands, Delias was at Paok, Koulierakis was in a relegation German team. Mouzakitis/Tzolakis also just got a move. Ioannidis was hurt all of last year.
Give it a year, especially once Delias is fully recovered and playing at Dortmund, we will be a completely different team. Plus we will have an opportunity to see Tzimas as well. We are trending up, let's enjoy this.
Regarding the German/Holland sides we played, they are still top 10 teams even if all their stars weren't playing.