Ellada2004

Yes good points Dean. We have a good pool of talent to draw from not on the level of France or Belgium but it's certainly better than Finland, Armenia and Hungary for example, mid tier teams that have beaten us recently. The guys from 2000 until 2014 did everything and left everything on the pitch. They fought way harder under Otto and Santos it wasn't flashy but they did what they had to do to get results. They didn't go on tv and bash the coach and his tactics or call ups etc. and threaten to retire from the NT. Van't Schip needs time to assemble his team and strategy going forward into wcup qualifying. No more changing coaches every 4-5 games we had two coaches in 15 years!! that's one of the main reasons why Greece were so successful for such a long time.

It’s brutal right now, i can’t believe I would have said this a year or so ago but under Skibbe we looked much better and the players looked more focused. I doubt if he had still been Manager that we would be sitting with 4 points after 5 matches in this group. It’s almost as bad as the euro 2016 debacle. I watched Cyprus today and they played some nice football compared to Greece. On there goal they moved the ball around nicely and quickly. They looked like a cohesive group, most of our players don’t seem to care when they put on the NT Jersey compared to when they are playing at there clubs. It’s such a shame that we are back in the dumps like during the 2016 euro qualifiers.

Yes those other guys can be effective but once I heard fortounis would be out for rest of qualifying that pretty much ruined our chances. It’s so frustrating he would have been able to pick out the right pass and have his way with Finland in the midfield.

Our defensive plan was the best it’s been this whole campaign including the friendly with Turkey. We didn’t concede the usual 2 goals in the first half as we have seen over the last 4 games. As @Dean97 said Manolas closed down Pukki who is quick and he seemed frustrated all night. At least Van’t Schip corrected the defence which especially let us down vs Armenia and ultimately costed us three points.

Hardly anything has gone right for the Ethniki in the last five years with the exception of the team getting to the World Cup playoff vs Croatia. We are in this endless cycle of blaming the coaches for there selections, subs etc. I think Van’t Schip picked a good starting 11. I thought vlachodimos should have started in net but Barkas was fine. The onus is on the players Bouchalakis had a chance to play in Masouras on the break I believe but he took to long and was dispossessed, not the coaches fault he doesn’t make that pass. Also Kourbelis for some reason makes a reckless challenge in a non dangerous area at the top of the box and concedes a pk. most of our crosses into the box were so bad for players at this level it’s unacceptable. Overall our side was slightly better than Finland’s and should have got a draw at least. If Fortounis is healthy and in the starting eleven then Greece wins this game as some other posters stated as well. It totally stinks that Greece are going to miss another tournament it’s even tougher to accept that they could not get 2nd in this group ONLY Italy have a better team than Greece ,Let’s see how they perform the next few matches especially when they play Bosnia at home and when they visit Italy. Van’t Schip needs time to get to know the players and get ready for 2022 World Cup qualifying.

Says the little Kanadezo. Ante Geia re jimako.

It’s tough J1078 I’ve been following the Ethniki from the late 80s and watching them in the World Cup in the USA to winning the Euro to now this terrible period since the 2014 World Cup. It’s baffling talent wise Greece are better than Finland who have a bunch of MLS players the team can’t score in these last 5 games except for the 2 goals they got in the second half in Bosnia. Had they scored the opening goal Finland would not have recovered. Kourbelis with a silly challenge giving up a pk. Not having Fortounis in the attack proved costly he would have carved Finland open with his passing and given service to Koulouris. The team is jinxed the past few years with injuries when we have key fixtures. Vant Schip should get his opportunity to continue, but in hind sight I think they should have kept Skibbe after the Nations league even though I too wanted him out after that campaign. I think things would not be as dire with him.

Jimbo stick to the hackey boards.

Canada would only beat us in hackey. Just as Finland does them in at every level in recent years.

Defensively we looked much better than under Ange but for crying out loud we cant get a goal or 2 vs Finland?? Kolovos was awful simple option to play the ball out wide on a counter with numbers and he trys to run through everyone like he's Maradona.

Well said!

It's really bad when we can't finish 2nd in this cream puff group with Finland, Bosnia and Armenia. Gamoto..

Embarrassing like losing to trashy Canada!! Kourbelis stupid challenge at the top of the box.

F***in crap

Yes I said it Finland are average side with a couple good players. It sucks that we don’t have Fortounis especially to orchestrate the attack. Soon Van’t Schip should throw Fetfa out there.

Better defensively if we played like that in the back vs Armenia we would have won. kolovos needs to come off his passing and touches are poor.. Greece just need a goal..

Our passing is so sloppy especially on the break out.

Pa Me ELLADA!!!

83 minute Armenia 1 Italy 3 Italy just scored two quick goals. Armenia have played well and even had a few chances on the counter when score was level.

HT Armenia 1 Italy 1 Referee gave a harsh 2nd yellow to Karpatian so Armenia are down to 10 men.

Really Barkas, I mean he was great vs Italy but with AEK lately he's been ok. I think he should go with Vlachodimos.

Try jokerlivestream works well. I'm watching Italy vs Armenia here.

Agonasport says he will most likely be starting. I can see that happening for his leadership and also to satisfy Sokratis and Manolas.

If Greece win we are in great position going forward as we get Liechtenstein next and Finland plays Italy where they will be fortunate to get a result . So hopefully after match day 6 Greece will be sitting on 10 Finland 9. Hopefully Armenia can tie Bosnia as Bosnia is known to slip up from time to time.

Another goal for Mitroglou! Bravo