Brklyngrk

If they buy in, great, if not, then they will not play. But to have talents like them two and not call them up would not be smart. I do think Sokratis loves the national team and he spoke up bc he thought the coach was not preparing the team well. Reports that the coach changed formation right before kick-off in the Italy game are ridiculous, especially playing someone out of position who had never practiced there. The player having to speak up and saying he is not comfortable was not a good sign!!!

I think they both got frustrated with our tactics and the lack of hustle with the team. After a while, complacency gets contagious.

They lost in extra time...1-0

Overall, it seems that the first half disaster was necessary in order for us to accept a coach like JVS. To drop players like he did. The way we are playing now, I believe we definitely would have qualified. We may not have the most technical team but we hustle and are fast. Never thought I would use those words together in describing the team.

27 shots on goal - should have won by more. Promising!

I think that Giannoulis has locked up a spot after the last few games. Limnios as well. The rest of the spots are up for competition. But I do like the Galo/Kourbelis combo. Same with the Mantalos/Bakasetas/Limnios line.

Mantalos has won me over playing on that side. Limnios is constantly beating his marker. Even Koulouris coming on has made our attack more lively.

There it was!! Deserved!!

I also like how Vlaho knows to pick out Limnios on the right side. He keeps beating his marker.

19-3 shots on goal. We just don't have the final touch.

The goal was a tap in, Bakesetas saved a ball going out by outhustling his defender.

How fast is Limnios - impressed how he caught up to the pass by Vlaho!!

Bakasetas with the heads up play...

1-1

I thought they were making renovations but it typical fashion, they were not ready in time.

Next game should be in Crete - the ethniki's new home.

I think what JVS is doing is brilliant. He is using the rest of the qualifiers to experiment. He wants to see who can use going forward. For the most part, it has worked.

I was thinking that, just looking at what our Finnish friend said.

Is the Finnish squad using their second string?

14 shots against there 2, 60% possession. We have done everything but score. We do need more of an aerial presence (that should be taken care of once Sok/Manolas returns). Also, when Fortounis returns, we should score more.

Aside from the goal we gave up, we have played well. Our finishing is still lacking but we have done well. If we had our taller CBs, we may have taken advantage of the corners. Giannoulis has looked great!

Giannoulis looked good but so did Tsimakis the last time we played. Mantalos is a good player but not on the wing, would have preferred Massouras/Donis there. Limnios has cemented his claim as the LW. Pavlidis seems to be doing the same as the striker. The duo of Kourbalis/Galanopoulos did well. The two CBs weren't tested. Koulouris doesn't seem like a good fit with the ethniki yet. Would like to see the new kid get a look, but overall, we are heading in the right direction.

Restos played there last qualifiers for the U21. He hasn't really played for Leverkusen this year, coming off the bench when a cb has gotten injured.

He will do it for free. If he wins with Giannis, he can potentially get any NBA gig he wants.

It may be that Barkas has more familiarity with his defenders. Maybe he Vlaho cant communicate in Greek? Not sure....