Ellada2004

Greece were disappointing in Nations League, definitely should have finished in 1st. Losing in Finland with an uninspired effort was what cost us the group. Although I will give Finland credit they have improved over the last year with a good run of results even recording a draw in Croatia in World Cup qualifying. Skibbes tactics and call ups screwed things up for us in this competition as was the case in Hungary bringing on Tzavellas. He was at fault for both goals in the 2-1 loss and couldn't keep up with the pace of the Hungarian forwards. Had the last game vs Estonia still mattered for first place Ange would have played the best starting 11 possible and I believe we at least get a 1-0 win. So now with the new coach starting off the Euro campaign and hopefully having our key players available from injury ie. Donis I can see us being much better. My prediction is Italy, Greece, Bosnia, Finland, Armenia, Liechenstein.

We got a favourable draw considering we were in Pot 4 it could have been alot tougher. Therefore I believe Greece should compete for second spot in this group. Group A would have been even better drawing in with England, chzech, Bulgaria. That would have been a dream draw second would be a lock maybe even first over the English.

If Greece are ready and have no injury issues then we should get 6 points from Liechenstein and Armenia most likely by 1-0 score lines but will take the wins. Finland I believe will pose some trouble if we can beat them in Finland that will be key as Greece always struggle there. Bosnia wanted no part of us, with the rivalry that has developed they would have preferred any other pot 4 side.Last campaign they got a draw in Athens with the OG of Pjanic free kick but Greece came back in injury time to take a point with Tzavellas wonder goal. In Bosnia Greece had the best chances to take all 3 points but Mantalos huge miss cost us there. Defensively the Bosnians can be exploited, I still see us getting a result in Bosnia we just have to wait and grind them down and take our chance. Italy will be hungry to rebound from missing the World Cup, but they dont boast a formidable lineup as they always use to. Veratti is there best and most influential player in the midfield. Chiellini is a great defender but he is getting up in age and up front they struggle to score goals. In goal Donnarumma is a great young talent but he has struggled a bit at club and in Nations League matches, not having the steadying influence of Buffon could hurt them. I think for the match in Greece the team will come out ready to play vs a huge footballing nation as they did vs Belgium, a win here would set us up well as it will be the third match of qualifying campaign.

Just saw on agona sports last time Greece played Italy was a friendly in 2008 in Athens game ended 1-1 with Gekas scoring. I had forgotten about that match. Our last time meeting Italy in competitive match was in 1982 world cup qualifiers. With Italy winning in Greece 0-2 and a 1-1 draw in Italy.

Prijovic coming off

Red card!

Goal Verela

Gotta start of with a convincing win vs Liechentstein and then pick up a draw at least in Bosnia. The KEY is to have our players injury free this campaign we need Donis to be healthy as he missed the Nations league, he could be a game changer for us up front were we need goals.

Good analysis. Coming in Pot 4 turned out to be a blessing thank God. Look at the draw Serbia, Scotland and Ireland got by going up to pot 3 much more difficult than ours.

Will be fine in this group, Greece rise to the occasion and will start are run of qualifying for major tournaments again. Italy are favorites in this group but they are beatable ATM its not like we got France, Portugal or Spain from Pot1. Bosnia aside from Dzeko and Pjanic dont scare me never have, especially with the way they defend as you saw first hand vs Belgium. Also Bosnia fans even though we are not playing up to our standard did not want to draw Greece.

Think you meant Armenia ?

I like our chances, during the week I had a feeling we were going to draw in with Belgium and Germany so this is fantastic. Italy are great at home were they dont lose qualifiers but watching them lately they are struggling to score goals if we can go to Belgium and draw then its possible to do the same here.

Poland group along with Austria and Israel would have been the best for Greece. Also Group A England, Czech Republic, and Bulgaria would have been advantageous. England always manage to score the easiest groups in World Cup & Euro qualifying those dirty English with there pay offs!

Some thoughts, Greece avoided a group with Netherlands and Germany Also we avoided group with Portugal, Ukraine and Serbia France, Iceland and Turkey, Albania the 4th pot team goes in that group so good for us Croatia, Wales and Slovakia in Group E

Its a good draw for us, Italy will be tough as they all ways qualify for major tournaments and will be hungry after missing the last World Cup, but I have watched them play in nations league and they were having there own troubles. Bosnia we know them well seems like we are always paired in the same group and know how to match up with them. Greece tied them at home last WCUP qualifiers with a late goal from Tzavellas and should have beat them in Bosnia if not for Mantalos missing an easy tap in. The team will be eager to face them its a rivalry. Finland may give us the most problems for whatever reason we struggle vs them. At least Greece avoided heavy weight Pot 1 sides France and Spain, Germany from Pot 2 and Serbia from Pot 3. Overall Greece can make it out of this group if the coach gets his selections and tactics right. PA ME ELLADA!!!

Bravo Donis, nice goal!

Right on with that. They went all the way and won Euro 2004 and then had successful run in Euro 2012 getting to the quarters only to lose to Germany and came within penalties of progressing to the 2014 World Cup quarters.

Oh crap!

^ Good points, first off the NT trumps all club teams. There should be no reason for low attendance especially with the upcoming Euro qualifying, were the NT will be drawn in with 3 decent sides and the importance of these matches. If I was in Greece I would go to every game I could, even if Malta or San Marinos of the world were visiting.

3-0, the 3rd goal was a weak one to let in short side.

If a lot of them are going to say these kinds of things and dont want the Ethniki playing at Toumba then the EPO should not go there. Play in Athens, why did they leave the Karaiskaki in the first place? Your right J1078 the NT needs all the home support to help lift the team. This is an unnecessary problem at this time.

I was so disgusted to read that statement from PAOK Gate 4. Whoever wrote that isn't a real Greek. Kolo poutso!

I am a PAO supporter but want to see all Greek sides do well in CL or Europa. I cant stand all these results from AEK to the NT recently and I cant stand to hear the xeni laughing at Greek Football.

That penalty was a joke and then Barkas miss kick led to the 2nd goal. AEK where playing well up until then.

We have just lost our way in the last 4 years. For over a decade Greece won a EURO and was going to knock out rounds of the Euros and World Cup and was ranked consistently near the top 15 in the FIFA rankings. Everyone has to get on the same page and get there s&@& together from the EPO, coach and his staff, and the players. We have a good pool of talent to draw from lets just hope a favorable draw is given to us and we get back on track and start getting back to playing our winning brand of football.