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Greece not qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2016 finals tournament in France could work in their favor in qualification for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. The players get a proper off-season break. Complacency will not creep into the squad after being brought back down to earth in Euro 2016 qualifying.
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Once again, the motherland taking on the fatherland. Cyprus not mathematically out yet, Greece much more likely to at least survive the group here.
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In Friday’s qualifier against Bosnia, Greece international Sokratis Papastathopoulos picked up a yellow card in the first half (foul on Dzeko) and will be suspended for Greece’s next qualifier again Estonia. Greece will host Estonia at the Karaiskakis stadium on August 31st for matchday seven of World Cup qualifying. Although Papastathopoulos’ absence is a big blow to the Greek defense, good news is that Kyriakos Papadopoulos will return to the team after serving a two-game suspension for his straight red card in November’s fixture against Bosnia. Papadopoulos will likely replace Sokratis in Greece’s backline for the fixture against Estonia. With Sokratis set to serve his suspension against Estonia, he will be available for Greece's important game against Belgium four days later.
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SKIBBE SET FOR BIG DECISIONS AHEAD OF BOSNIA MATCH The Greek National Team’s crucial match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in European Qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching. The away qualifier, to be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on June 9th, is a vital match that could go a long way in determining Greece’s chances for a place at Russia 2018. In the coming weeks, Ethniki boss Michael Skibbe will announce the squad for that crucial qualifier. And Skibbe will have some big decisions to make as five players will miss the match against the Bosnians. Andreas Samaris, Giorgos Tzavellas, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, and Panagiotis Tachtsidis are all ruled out due to suspension, with Samaris having accumulated yellows while Tzavellas and Tachtsidis were both sent off in the team’s last qualifier against Belgium. Kyriakos Papadopoulos will be serving his final match suspension for his actions against Bosnia in Greece. Also absent from the team will be long-term injury victim Nikos Karelis. Skibbe is widely reported to be interested in calling up left-back Babis Lykogiannis for the first time. The Sturm Graz player has impressed with his performances as of late putting himself in the frame for a call-up to the senior team after having represented Greece at youth level. Another player to have represented Greece’s younger national teams is also in line for a first call-up. Panathinaikos’ Dimitris Kourbelis could be selected as a back-up defensive midfielder. It’s a big question whether Skibbe will call up Kourbelis and also keep faith in the young talent that were drafted into the squad recently. The smart money is that the German manager will hold onto the likes of Thanasis Androutsos and bring in Kourbelis and Giorgos Manthatis. It wouldn’t exactly be called a youth revolution, however it would a clear sign that Skibbe values what young Greek talent can bring to the table. Goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis is set for a return to the team meaning that more than likely Dimitris Kyriakidis will be dropped from the squad. There could be some more surprises depending on injuries, however for now the squad is expected comprise of the players that were selected for the Belgium match. Below is the predicted squad for the match against Bosnia: Goalkeepers: Orestis Karnezis, Stefanos Kapino, Panagiotis Glykos Defenders: Kostas Manolas, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Vasilis Torosidis, Marios Oikonomou, Kostas Stafylidis, Babis Lykogiannis Midfielders: Zeca, Manolis Siopis, Kostas Fortounis, Giannis Maniatis, Petros Mantalos, Alexandros Tziolis, Thanasis Androutsos, Dimitris Kourbelis Forwards: Kostas Mitroglou, Giorgos Manthatis, Dimitris Diamantakos, Apostolos Vellios, Giannis Gianniotas, Tasos Bakasetas
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I believe this match will make or break Michael Skibbe's managerial career. it has a feel of 7 June 2003, Spain v Greece. Michael Skibbe has two or three uncapped youngsters from the Olympiacos system plus Mystakidis fom PAOK whom could mix in well with the tough & experienced campaigners of Karnezis, Sokratis, Manolas, Torosidis, Tzavellas, Samaris, Fortounis, Mitroglou & maybe a few others whom have been around the squad for quite a while to create the right formula to cause a upset away to Belgium. My prediction is Belgium 1 Greece 1.
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Next World Cup Qualifier as Cyprus host Estonia.
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My heart won't be pulled in two directions here. Cyprus looking for their first win at the Bosnians. Of course, last time Kypro went to Bosnian soil, worked out pretty damn well!
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