Brklyngrk

He killed people, innocent people. Their families will never get those people back, their children will grow up fatherless, their wives' widowed. I am sorry but you can't ask for mercy when you are responsible for so many deaths. Does he even feel remorse? What kind of precedent does that send? Every killer that wants to get released would just not eat.

That goal is an odd one. It may be legal but not in the spirit of the game. I can see how the goalie didn't see him, he was touching the post, everyone is tracking back. What the goalie did is what 90% of the goalies do and don't blame him for it. Goal counted but feels like a cheap way to go through, even if clean.

Manolas though, when fit, does play, and plays at a high level. Sokratis is playing now and will be getting a lot of minutes with OLY. Siovas has not been mentioned but I would love for all three of them to be called up along with Mavropanos/Hatzi (we have three games I believe). Also, I was curious to see how Bakasetas is doing in Turkey since most of us here are not that crazy about him starting. So I looked at whoscored.com for player ratings. He is the third highest rated player in their league and is one of the better scorers. Say what you want about the Turkish league but it is competitive.

I have friends who are Portuguese and follow Benfica. According to them, Vlachodimos has been used a scapegoat in Benfica. Apparently the team is having a bad season and the coach needed someone to blame. He said he dropped him because of a poor performances, specifically citing a game against Sporting I believe (a shot was deflected off him and went it for a goal). He played the next two games and got clean sheets but that wasn't enough for the coach to make the switch. The owner came out and said that he didn't understand the reasoning (coach and owner are not getting along). Most of their fans think that Vlaho is their best goalkeeper by far and are pissed at their coach.

i agree - the callup in general is a good sign.

So I would imagine - Giakoumakis/Pavlidis/Douvikas?? I think that makes sense giving that Giakoumakis has been tearing it up and Pavlidis has been playing well even though he hasn't scored as much as last year. A call up at least allows him to try him out with all the players. Let them practice together and see what happens.

Well - regarding Toro, seeing the competition, I can see why they would think that. We all have opinions on call ups and we all voice it amongst ourselves. As professional athletes, I am sure they all do the same especially when they see the talent. The key is not to make it public. Siovas/Fefta were made examples for their professionalism and rightfully so. Having said that, if they apologize, like Siovas did, then accept it and move on with the understanding that one more transgression and it's over.

Sokrates/Manolas did the ethniki a service. Under the coach at the time, preparation was a disaster. They voiced their concern and no one did anything. They were basically ignored. They had a three week camp and had not even scouted the opposition. The coach asked (I believe Siovas) do play left back at game time. A position he had never played in his life against Italy. Them speaking up was a service to the ethniki. They were the most senior and influential and the only ones who could make a change. The end result was that the coach was replaced and we got a clean slate. Say what you want, but JVS has been doing his best. He has made us more attacking and has the ethniki playing more offensive football. Under his watch, we have seen players like Tziolis and Limnios get call ups. While we couldn't break down Slovenia, he dominated that game and the gk made some great saves. Pre JVS, how often did you see a descent team (Slovenia) play with 10 men back against us? If attitude is a problem, then yes, by all means don't call them up. But if I remember correctly, that wasn't the case with those two. I believe he wanted to start fresh and realized how much influence they had over the team. He wanted to exclude them to instill his vision of the team and try new players. We all deserve second chances and if they want to serve and follow the rules, call them up. Even Fetfa (who actually broke team rules), should be given a chance if he asks for one. Team above all else.

Over 2-1

Manolas/Papa were told they could be back. Ninis is still not that old. If they honor their commitment, I do not have a problem with them.

You want your best players. If you don't want to include Mitroglou/Papastathopoulos bc they are older, I get it. Papastathopoulos may offer some leadership/professionalism but I understand. Attitude and professionalism though are imperative. If you can't offer that, then you don't belong.

Why not? Leave politics out of it. They have a good team and will be a good test.

Those are good games against quality opponents...

Manolas/Sok did not have an actual falling out with JVS if I remember correctly. He called them up initially and when the qualifiers were out of reach, he said he was going with younger players. He hasn't called them since. I am sure he didn't care for their attitude but I don't believe it was an actual argument.

RW - Limnios hasn't played much in Germany. He looked a little ragged last time he started with the ethniki. Not sure though who is the best option? Fetfa is not happening but that would be a good one. CB - This one will be interesting. Ideally it would be Manolas/Siovas but we shall see what the coach picks. RB - Not sure, Masouras has never been called up before. Not sure if JVS will pick him. If not him, Bakakis? Is Ballock going to be picked? CM - One will be Kourbellis/Zeca, the other should be Mantalos. Galo would have been a good choice if he didn't get hurt. Subs - I hope he selects Douvikas. Maybe even Ninis is he continues playing well (was injured and just got back).

I had read that the construction got pricey and with the delays that happened, they felt that it was better to move on.

They need a consistent home where they can get a good crowd, hopefully Toumba is that place....

He signed a 2 1/2 year deal, apparently many foreign teams were interested but he chose OLY over them.

If this was done in the states, let's say for the NFL, there would be a FULL investigation done by both the NFL and federal agencies. The NFL's investigations are just as thorough if not more so than the police departments. Tom Brady was accused of using deflated footballs and he got suspended and fined.

Maybe a young Holebas. They are both good players with I believe Tsimikas being the better player. Giannoulis is still good and he has had some great games, especially the game against Benfica.

I thought he was taken out to give their team a boost.

Doesn't Vrousai and Masouras play the same position at OLY?

How did they play today? It is clear that they need more depth.

Great job! Not many podcasts out there where we can listen to conversations about the Ethniki!!

While they may have clinched, they may use the last game to test players who haven't played. Those guys will be eager to impress and earn a spot on the WC team. Spain has a lot of depth.