Greek internationals Lazaros Rota (left) and Giannis Konstantelias [InTime News].
Greek soccer is hoping that the men’s national team will continue the effort that began last September with its managerial change.
The two playoff matches with Scotland, this Thursday at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and then on Sunday in Glasgow for the UEFA Nations League, do not only offer the Blue and Whites the chance to get promoted to League A of the competition, but will also confirm the expectations that exist for the future, with the goal of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The Greek internationals gathered on Monday and got to work, with coach Ivan Jovanovic having largely made his plans. He has been following the progress of the internationals both in Greece and abroad for tall he previous period, and he knows well what to expect from each of them in these two crucial matches.
Against an opponent with whom it has no particular history, but will also face in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, the Greek national team will try to win the first match with a clean sheet in defense, which will allow it to manage the return leg more easily.
“There is a great desire from all of us to be in the elite group of teams playing in the Nations League. It will help the players, Greek soccer and in general it will be an important factor that will increase the prestige of the national team”, pointed out the national coach.
Referring to the teenagers who are present in this squad, such as 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas and 18-year-olds Christos Mouzakitis and Babis Kostoulas, he stressed: “These are the future of Greek soccer and from our side we must give them all the opportunities so that through the experiences they will gain they can have the opportunity to represent Greece in the coming years.”
However Jovanovic also had some bad news, as holding midfielder Dimitris Kourbelis had a biceps injury in Monday’s training and was ruled out for the playoffs.
The response that the public is showing for the game is unprecedented, since the Hellenic Football Federation will probably announce a ticket sell-out on Tuesday.
Just two hours after the tickets were put up for sale on Monday, more than 15,000 went and by the evening they had exceeded 22,000. This will be the third consecutive sell-out match after the home games against Ireland and England for the group stage of the tournament.