paokarag4

that is extremely convenient ;)

agree, only way pelkas sees the pitch is if we are desperate for a goal. Can see Lazaros/Stafy starting on the wings. Unless Skibbe goes ultra defensive and plays Zeca wide instead of Lazaro/Bakasetas, which I wouldn't be shocked if he did it but don't think its the way to go personally

Pelkas called up for the ethniki's world cup playoffs against Croatia.

And as expected the squad has been announced, no surprises, only one really is pelka being included as a doni/mantalo replacement. Toro included, they are obviously going to give him every chance to make it. Even if it's for the 2nd leg.

the last 2-3 years, we've always announced our squad a week before the game. So i'd expect the announcement tonight

AEK haven't been great coming off european games this season, but we've been awful away from home. Mantalos out, if we are ever going to beat them in Athens, it's now. I say that with zero confidence given our performances and particularly our performances away from home this season

with all the uncertainty around our injured players and if they'll be back in time, we have some clarity and great news on Manolas. He's expected to play midweek against Chelsea in the Champions league and if that's the case he'll have 2 games under his belt (assuming he plays in the league next weekend) heading into the playoffs. Great news! http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/National-Greece/ta-kala-nea-gia-ton-manwla-hrthan-apo-italia.4913809.html

What do you think the knock on Fetfa has been all these years? He has been through 3 clubs, and countless coaches and could never really nail down a starting XI spot. There is a reason, when fetfa has no responsibility and you just tell him to play he looks great. But football at the top level is much more than just go out and express yourself. Football is littered with talented players that couldn't cut it because they didn't abide by team rules and had their own ideas as to how they should play. In saying that does he have a place in the squad and playing 15 mins when we need a goal? Maybe, but i think the fact he went to the middle east at such a young age speaks volume of the type of person he is and what is important to him.

They are not starting material. Gianniotas only gets called up due to our lack of attacking players, and specifically our lack of wingers. He is average, he tries hard but doesn't quite have what it takes. If Donis continues the way he is going he'll be a starter for the next 10+plus years. The other wide position is still up for grabs, Skibbe, just like other ethniki coaches before him favours someone who he knows what he's gonna get out of him (mantalos) Mantalos does not look his usual self out wide, but he tracks back and he's capable of linking up with Fortouni and playing a pass. Mantalos is a class above Gianniota. Not saying I'd start Mantalos out wide, but just explaining as to why i think he gets the start. In saying that, not sure who I'd put there, I guess there's a case to be made for Lazaros.

Torosidis was subbed off after 25 mins for bologna last night. He was stretching for a ball and then was grabbing at his right hamstring. Don't know how serve it is yet, but if it's a strain it would still be unlikely he makes it. The gods seem to be against us...

100% agree with you @BostonThanatos, well said

This article is suggesting Donis has a good chance of just making it back for the Croatia games... Time will reveal i guess. Would be huge to have him available even if all he can offer is 20 mins off the bench http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/National-Greece/kai-omws-o-dwnhs-mporei-na-prolavei-ta-mparaz.4900322.html

agree the south american lads at the back are fiery, there will be the standard spot fires that break out, hopefully our boys can contain themselves and don't go too far

pretty cool and great for this year's signings to have that experience. Hopefully we get a positive result on sunday

Croatia it is, first leg away from home It will be tough no doubt, Croatia have a quality team and particularly their midfield/attack is good. The question as seems to be with Croatia, is their defence; they'll boss midfield and possession, we'll get our chances, just need to take them. Would have preferred the second leg away

we aren't actually suggesting that the refs were trying to get PAO over the line? they were reduced to 9 men, would that have happened? If anything it highlights the poor level of officiating in Greece. Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware of the corruption that has/does exist. But every week in nearly every game I see a player that is a meter onside flagged for being off, yellow cards given for things that are barely fouls, no cards given for fouls that are boarder line sending off; the refs are shocking. And that's before outside forces get involved

Fifa rankings released, as expected officially seeded for the playoff draw: Switzerland, Italy, Croatia and Denmark. Unseeded: Sweden, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Greece.

Played the full 90 and scored the equalizing goal in the 88th min, in Marseille's 3-3 draw with lowly Strasbourg. Need him fit and firing come playoffs so hopefully he's a starter from here on in

does anyone know how to get around the aklaouti click on ads thing that pops up? i click the ads and let them load like it says but the picture doesnt start on the stream

@Boxou Only the group winners from League A play-off in a final 4 system. The other league winners, gain promotion. Everywhere I read has the nations league winners going into a PLAYOFF SYSTEM to reach the finals of Euro 2020. So yes you can qualify via the nations league but there will be another play-off round post traditional qualifiers

Mak is definitely suited to playing in more space. His dribbling is essentially out pacing a defender which is hard to do, as you say pash when a team sits so deep and there is no space. He has not looked his old self since he came across, hopefully it is just him finding his feet and getting fit again, because if I'm honest he has been pretty poor so far.

Just reading through the format, the only way to gain direct qualification into Euro 2020 is through the qualifiers, which will begin in march 2019. The nations league will only provide playoff spots to the winners of their respective sections. Unless the winners of the nations league group qualify automatically through the qualifiers, the playoff spot would then go to the next best rank side in the nations league. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_qualifying#Format

There will still be traditional qualifiers after the nations league. The nations league will offer playoff spots, while the qualifiers will offer direct qualification. The only teams who can qualify directly for the Euros through this, are the teams in League A, who have the opportunity to qualify to the "tournament" and I believe the winner of that will go direct to the Euros.

Something to keep our eyes on, Mitro, Tzavella, Stafylidi and Retso are one yellow away from missing the first leg of the play-off (assuming we get it done tonight) Losing Mitro would be a disaster, while if we lost both our left backs it would leave us with a hole

Although Italy would be tough, would love for it to happen. For those posters who are from Melbourne it would be huge here!! So many Italians and Greeks and many who are friends and have had footballing banter for years, would love to see the 2 nations go head to head with so much on the line. I don't really fear anyone, of course I prefer to avoid Portugal but the way we play suits playing sides that like to boss the ball. Skibbe sets the team up to counter with purpose, not like years gone by where we would just defend and offer nothing in attack. Whoever we get bring it on, 2 years ago making the playoffs seemed like a pipe dream. All of this of course, assuming we don't poo the bed against Gibraltar.