HellasLEAF

Pains to say but it's true. Not sure if it's nerves or expectation but they aren't looking great in front of the home crowd, which you would think is the opposite in football. They play better in all the away match. Denmark head and shoulders better today, the game turning clearly from copping the first goal, which allowed them to sit even deeper and hit us on the counter. We went from dreaming to now hoping in a flash. It did not appear we were on Denmark's level in any aspect deeply humbling and concerning.

Is there a quality highlight packet. Not just the goals?

Denmark will have even more urgency for the 3 points now. We should look to capitalize on the counter if they open up at times. Will be a tough match for sure.

This is how a big football nation that is serious starts their campaign against lesser nations. So far so good pame! Karetsas 3rd minute goal lol. What a start..

Pame!

I think he can stay if only as an impact sub in a limited role if needed. And for no other reason than his shot which he creates problems with. I hope Delias continues but we need to see more from him and against better competition to really see his level.

I would move Karetsas more central now. Put someone else out wide right. If a ball came to him in a better area he could score.

The pitch is shocking. It's hurting our skill players and some of our connecting play. Not to make excuses, but it is. How do you have the National team and guest nation to a xorafi like this a dropi.

Is it raining there? What a cow patch.

I'm surprised he hasn't been talked about more reading up on him. Big potential with him size, confidence on the ball, good passing and tackling. He would be another great addition!

https://www.ekathimerini.com/sports/1267496/four-greek-talents-among-worlds-most-experienced-young-soccer-players/

King Karetsas at it again!! 👀 https://x.com/HellasFooty/status/1906399620898435190?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet

When does Tzimas come into the team: https://sports.yahoo.com/stefanos-tzimas-join-brighton-reported-224100248.html

It's an interesting question and honestly I don't know. The Greek NT always has that mentality to lean on the reliable names in its squad. Maybe a spot of youth. I think in Greece Ivan started the lineup he would be expected to start. More or less. He seen the result. He gave them that match out of respect. I think he knew deep down the team he should start in Scotland. There is no going back now. I think there is so little margin for error in these qualifiers we can't risk it. Ivan will not make a single change from that lineup in the next match imo. He should definitely go Vagiannidis over Rota. The interesting one will be Giannoulis or Tsimi. Bakasetas also has a lot of respect in the team. We'll see what happens there.

So when do they draw the new Nations League groups?

Incredible scenes today. Portugal up 4-3 on aggregate in extra time!

Ivan with a truly surprising starting lineup in change and experience. I cannot believe a team that young played a meaningful game for the NT. It's like he read my mind what I wanted and he made every single change. If Jovanovic gave the same team from the 1st match a go we would be in trouble but he really went for it. I had serious doubts that team could win in Scotland but once I seen the lineup it was definitely optimistic. The new Golden Era of Hellenic Football is upon us. I thought Zafeiris was immense. Dellias showed his confidence and his touch, Mouzakitis played above his age, Tzolis sold as usual, and Karetsas, it's all been said. Everyone played well, and perhaps even more motivated the weekend of the 25th Martiou!

I like that team, but I think 2 - 1 if we win. I have my doubts though. Scotland looked composed and have been turning in good results of late it will be difficult and we can't have an absent brain referee again with decisions like that. Hard to take the win seriously when they didn't even score at home one goal. Of equal concern is that Portugal lost. If Denmark win we will have Portugal in the qualifying group is this correct?

The problem with Tsimikas was his set piece nothing too threatening all balloons. His overall play is pretty good but he shouldn't be on set piece for the NT. On set piece we looked smaller than the Scottish and hardly threatened. Mantalos is lazy as F***. No room for this kind of soft lazy player in the middle of the park. Does nothing, no movement no energy. Not even skilled enough to be that invisible. I'm surprised to say it but we missed Bakasetas presence and shot in the team. I agree on Masouras. He should not be starting for the NT. Delias, I dunno. Looked skilled but soft not commanding presence. Needs more time he should have gotten more time leading up to this. Maybe time for Alexandropoulos and Mouzakitis to come in. It's concerning how young the team will look but overall there aren't better alternatives. Also Pavlidis should start the 2nd leg 100%. I don't know who's sitting for him but he is starting.

Not a good result. The penalty changed the game for sure but up until that point Greece didn't look better to me. I thought Scotland looked more experienced on the ball and we looked 2nd best. No presence in central midfield as I feared. Why do we persist with Mantalos. He should be finished from this team but we don't have many veterans they trust in there. Based on that performance maybe we are too soon for the top Nations League 17 year old Karetsas in his first cap (almost unheard of for the NT) was the player driving play. Both promising and concerning.

I don't see much presence in the centre midfield there.

Amazing news. Not even surprised. For national pride how can you even compare Belgium with Greece. All these young guys chose Greece for a reason they are true hellines.

Amazing draw! Getting rewarded for all this improved play and wins the Pot 2 was crucial. Portugal should go through and while Denmark will be a stern test we can at minimum come 2nd in this group realistically and even win the group (why not?). I think we are better than Denmark one on one right now my opinion we should respect them but not fear them. Even if we fall to a playoff I think they will not let it slip away a 2nd time Ivan will make sure.

Right so there is no backdoor into the WC for us through the Nations League now. Just potential promotion into League A for prestige of sorts and possibly improved FIFA rank (unless we don't do so hot up there). The positive in the end is that we have played well enough to move into pot 2 for WC draw. Realistically we can finish 2nd would need another playoff to go through. Not the worst scenario. Unless we win the group that is. I think I have this right but feel free to correct.

It's nice to be a pot 2 team again. It's a good sign we are back in the right direction.