Triara with Fotara in Ivan’s debut for the National Team!

He “cleaned” Finland in debut Jovanovic or Greece!

The National team triumphantly entered the era of the Serbian coach, which prevailed 3-0 in her return to “G. Karaiskakis” for the premiere of the Nations League. The executor for the cynical blue and white was o Fotis Ioannidiswho opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, taking advantage of a mistake by the opposing goalkeeper, while he was the one who had the final say in the match. After sending the ball into the net in the 76th minute with a header from Bakaseta’s corner.

The forward of Panathinaikos, who recalled why he has attracted the interest of several European clubs, he also had a goal (46′). The other goal of the National team came in the 37th minute, with Koulierakis executing from the heart of the opposing area, but Kalman being charged with an own goal. The former PAOK stopper was also excellent in his defensive duties, making key interventions in the first half, in which Greece did not have a good image, despite the two goals he scored.

In addition to Jovanovic, he also made his debut Sapphirewho came on as a second-half substitute.

At the top of the group is the National team, beating England to a draw.

In the coach’s mind

With 4-2-3-1 Ivan Jovanovic lined up for the National Team. In goal was Vlachodimos, with Mavropanos and Koulierakis in the stoppers, while Rota and Tsimikas in the backs. In the center the duo was Bouchalakis-Mandalos, with Hatzigiovanis and Pelkas on the “wings”, while Bakasetas was the… playmaker behind Ioannidis.

With 4-5-1 Finland started. Hrateski was in goal, with Hoskonen, Ivanov forming the stopper duo, while Stahl and Galvez were the backs. Peltola and Suler were the midfielders, with Kamara completing the trio and Adman-Lund being the wingers, converging quite a bit. At the top is Kalman.

The match

With enthusiasm and a willingness to gain the initiative of the movements early on, Greece entered the field and threatened only in the first minute. The nice collaboration between Pelka and Bakaseta put the former in a shooting position, but the ball was countered by his shot and went wide, with Csimika crossing over the opposing goalkeeper. Afterwards, Greece did not play orthodox for a significant period of time, appearing creatively short-circuited. From a long ball by Koulierakis he went to create a danger with Ioannidis in the 5th minute due to a bad reaction of the opposing stopper.

In the 12th minute, Finland had a very good moment to open the scoring. Kamara stepped into the area, took the turn, Adaman received the ball and his shot went just wide of the left post.

Greece, however, was the one that was able to find a way to the net in the 23rd minute. Goalkeeper Hrateski made a poor control after Galvez’s back turn and Ioannidis who always chases such phases was not given to him. He received the ball and pushed it into the net.

???? GOAL | Fotis Ioannidis | ???? Greece 1-0 Finland ????pic.twitter.com/KqkNwuh8Sp

— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 7, 2024

The national team had the goal, but the Finland them two best moments during this time. In the 30th minute, the visitors picked up the ball, playing a volley in our area, with Staal heading it and luckily Peltola didn’t find it full afterwards, being in front of the goal, so the danger passed.

Although Greece was not as productive in terms of phases, almost made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute. When Tsimikas stepped into the area, making the turn for Ioannidis who could not execute, but fed Hatzigiovannis who made a strong cross. He appeared to be exposed anyway.

Finally, in the 37th minute, Greece scored 2-0. Bakasetas made a nice game change, o Ioannidis he teamed up with Tsimikas who turned to the heart of the area, where Koulierakis was found, who executed with the right.

Konstantinos Koulierakis | ???? Greece 2-0 Finland ????pic.twitter.com/i7YjqWvvsK

— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 7, 2024

By the break, Greece’s defense gave Finland two more chances. Kalman was the protagonist in both. In the 43′ he threatened after a mistake by Bouchalakis, but Mavropanos said “no”, while in stoppage time, the defense became inactive again and found himself in a shooting position, but Koulierakis stopped him.

Much more focused and determined Greece entered the second half and it didn’t take long to find an opportunity. And indeed a great opportunity. After in the 46th minute, Ioannidis executed the penalty from the height and with Hrateski finding the ball a little, it ended up on his left beam. It didn’t take long for the second phase to come for Greece, with Constantelia and Tsimika working together nicely and the second’s turn finding Pelkas, who was blocked by the opposing defense in front of the goal.

More generally, Greece’s improvement in the second half was eye-opening, as they stepped up so much offensively (even though they didn’t have a ton of chances), while they tied up defensively as well. He put up a good fight.

The national team began to find more and more gaps in the counterattack, since Finland necessarily had to take risks and in the 69th minute found them vulnerable, but he didn’t make it 3-0. Constantelias fed Bakaseta who carried the ball, didn’t pass to Ioannidis and Hrateski blocked his right-footed shot.

He referred, however, to 76′, serving with a corner for the head of Ioannidis who dominated the air and found the net. The only great opportunity was recorded in the 89th minute from there on. In the regular season, with Vagiannidis, Konstantelias and Pelkas who were unable to send the ball into the net.

?? Fotis Ioannidis | ???? Greece 3-0 Finland ????pic.twitter.com/RGvX1BZGbR

— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 7, 2024

Watch the film of the match here.

MVP: Ioannidis. He had two goals, a brace and overall a very good presence, troubling any opponent who fell on him. Koulierakis also made a very good appearance, who… was denied the goal in the 2-0, after being charged as an own goal, but in the first half he had key interventions at intervals when the National Team faced problems.

Whistle: With the flow of the match, the referee went largely unnoticed. This is not to say that mistakes were not made. Something serious is not recorded, but the Swiss lost some phases. Probably because he wanted to allow rough play.

Greece (Ivan Jovanovic): Vlachodimos – Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas – Bouchalakis (65′ Zafeiris), Mandalos (65′ Siopis) – Hatzigiovanis (46′ Konstantelias), Bakasetas (77′ Pavlidis), Pelkas – Ioannidis (77′ Vagiannidis)

On the counter: Tzolakis, Mandas, Galanopoulos, Tzolis, Douvikas, Hatzidiakos, Giannoulis

Finland (Marku Kanerva): Hrateski – Staal, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Galvez – Peltola, Suler (45′ Nisila), Kamara (82′ Valta) – Adman (62′ Keskinen), Lund (62′ Jensen), Kalman (62′ Pohjanbalo)

On the counter: Joronen, Sinisalo, Vaisanen, Puki, Keksinen, Tenho, Uronen, Niskanen

Referee: Schneider (Switzerland)

Assistants: Marco Zirker (Switzerland), Benjamin Zirker (Switzerland)

Sven Wolfensberger (Switzerland)

VAR: Lucas Fechdrich (Switzerland), AVAR: Mirel Turkes