Greece to Ireland and now… final with Holland!

He brought Ireland to its knees and will play its… rest with the Netherlands Hellas!

With the “double” in their luggage, the national team left Dublin, winning 2-0 of the “greens” in Aviva Stadium for the 6th matchday of the 2nd group of the qualifying phase of Euro 2024.

The blue and white one did more than half the work of the first part, with the collar ala… Graceful (with France) of Giakoumaki with a dynamite header in the 20th minute after a great cross from Tsimika and his goal Masura at 45’+4′.

In the second half, Poget’s side protected their lead despite pressure from the home side at the end, drawing 2/2 against Ireland and combined with the “gift” of France it was left alone 2nd, having a game more than the Netherlands. Now, Greece is preparing for “final” with “oranie” on Monday at OPAP Arena.

In the coach’s mind:

With the familiar 4-3-3 Poget lined up for the national team. Vlachodimos was in goal, with Mavropanos at his side in the center of defense with Retsos, who took the place of the injured Hatzidiakos. Right back Rota and left back Tsimikas. Kourbelis in the role of “cutter”, while Mandalos and Bakasetas had a more creative role. On the right “wing” Masouras and Pelkas on the left, while Giakoumakis was at the top.

With 3-4-2-1 Ireland lined up. Bazunu was under the rafters. In defense was the trio of Doherty, Duffy and Collins. Ogbene and Scales were on either flank, Brownie and Cullen in midfield, Smallbone and Knight in a more creative role, with Ferguson leading the attack.

The match

Ireland entered the match with momentum and enthusiasm, and with a boost from home, threatening the National Team on two occasions in the first minutes, which remained standing thanks to Vlachodimos, but also having a little luck. In the 4th minute Ogbene troubled our left, before laying on Smallbone, who executed, but the Nottingham Forest keeper got down well and cleared. Seconds later, Ferguson moved parallel to the box, tried his foot and the ball hit the 29-year-old goalkeeper’s right-hand post.

Greece began to find their footing with ten minutes to go and while they had received good news from Amsterdam with France’s goal, Mandalos’ shot to the bodies warmed them up in the 10th minute. The first threat from the Greek side was recorded in the 17th minute, with Bakaseta catching a shot from outside the area and Bazounou clearing. The third was also… druggy, with Tsimikas making a great cross and Giakoumakis a dynamite header, with the ball ending up in the net in the 20th minute.

Ireland tried to react immediately with the familiar recipe, as Smallbone was fouled and Ogbene shot to the bodies. In the 37th minute, the National team found a breather from 2-0, with Masoura opening the counter after a steal from Mandalos and the ace of Olympiakos turning for Giakoumakis who laid for Pelkas, who executed from a shooting position, but Bazunu kicked for a corner.

In an ideal way, the National team left for the locker room, raising the psychology to the heights with 2-0. Giakoumakis went on the counter after an excellent ball from Mandalos, he turned from the left for the area, with Pelkas laying a sloppy pass for Masoura who executed Bazounou from close range at 45’+4′.

Poget had no role to make after the break and that’s how it happened. In the 53rd minute, the National team almost made it 3-0, with Pelkas catching a lopsided shot from the left, after Bakasetas laid the ball for him, but the opposing goalkeeper again had the answer.

The National team managed their lead without much pressure, with the collected changes from both sides working in their favor after the dead time worked in their favour.

In the 74th minute, the National team threatened again, with Hatzigiovanis crossing unmolested from the right and Ioannidis beating the opposing defense in the air, but the ball went over the opponent’s goal.

From then on, Ireland went all out, stepped up the pressure and forced us, creating three good chances. Doherty in the 82nd minute headed in from a corner, with Masoura clearing on the line, while soon after the same player threatened again with the same recipe and Vlachodimos made an impressive save. In the… caps, Robinson maneuvered nicely and shot just wide. This was the last… roll of the home team, with the “double” essentially being locked shortly after, with the entry of Koulierakis, who helped to “clean up” the high balls.

Watch the film of the match via sport-fm.gr here

MVP: The award rightfully goes to Giakoumakis. He paves the way to victory with a goal that reminded of other seasons, he is also in the 2nd goal, sharing with Pelkas who gets the assist to Masoura, while he gives a ready goal to Pelkas’ great chance in 37′ and in general he had excellent contacts with the ball . Mandalos also played a very good game. He starts the phase with Pelkas, but also the phase of 0-2.

Whistle: There is a serious mistake against the national team in the 14th minute. Doherty’s marking on Giakoumakis does not look innocent at all and from the replay it appears to pull him into the area.