Ethniki Omada; now and the future

In a World Cup year where International teams become the focus for all the world to see one team that will be missing out is none other than Greece. 
Greece's recent World Cup qualifying campaign has divided opinions. Some felt the team failed whilst others thought there was progress made after the disastrous Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. The truth is it probably lies somewhere in between.

German Michael Skibbe has now been in charge since 2015 having taken over towards the end of our Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. His results have for the most part been good considering the mess he inherted.

Regardless the coach is one of the main keys to success so it’s understandable that many will blame him. While the Greek Football Federation can do more to help (more on that later) and give the first team coach more resurces, the expectations are to win games so often veterans or players they trust are chosen to get results. With our National team that has often been the center of debate.

Part of the core that helped Greece get results were players like Tzavelas, Maniatis, and the much maligned Tziolis. Tziolis who everyone loves to hate did score the winning goal vs Cyprus to keep our World Cup hopes alive, Maniatis did a good job playing at Right Back and wherever he was asked and Tzavelas scored a last minute goal against Bosnia that gave us belief. In the end it wasn't good enough and the away match against Croatia was the biggest example that more youngsters must be added to help contribute.

The new people in charge of the Greek Federation include Euro 2004 winner Zisis Vryzas. His job is an important one going forward as there were no friendlies arranged, no organizational work at youth level, and no work of any sort to help the senior team. So while there was much debate on whether the German should stay on, in the end he was signed on to coach the team through the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign and according to him changes will be made as stated in a December interview. 
Skibbe Article: Until the official games begin in September, we have a few months to see new players. I do not have to call up Papastathopoulos, Mitroglou or Manolas. I know I can rely on them. It is, therefore, a good opportunity to test some young players. To work with them and to bring back to the group players like Karelis, who recently recovered from injury. We will thoroughly analyze - we already do - the roster of all teams to see who has the elements to play in the National Team. It is also an opportunity to replace some older players who are getting older and to renew the team.(Unfortunately Karelis has had more injury issues and will be out long for a while)

This doesn't mean we've seen the last of the veterans in the team as Skibbe defended Tziolis in an interview and essentially said he could still call him up, but It's a promising sign for those of us that have hoped he would freshen things up.

Since this interview Greece is reportedly in talks to schedule friendlies, Switzerland in March at Toumba, Egypt and possibly a friendly in June vs Peru. Add to that the new Nations League (Nations League Setup) you can see Skibbe will have plenty of opportunities to try different things.

Below I'll cover the players that either haven't played much or that haven't been called up yet. Players like Donis/ Retsos/ Fortounis/ Stafylidis/ & Mantalos won't be included as they're part of the setup.

Those who are ready now.

Dimitris Kourbelis (24 years old, Panathinaikos, Midfielder/CB) As Ouzounidis said when he bought him from Asteras Tripolis, he's Greece's future #6 (or deep lying midfielder). Able to dictate play in midfield (Something Greece desperately needs), a good passer, great positional play, and a great tackler. It might have taken him a while to get called up to the National team (Made his debut in the away qualifying match versus Bosnia) but most of that is down to a bad spell of injuries that held him back for a while. In short if there's anyone that needs to be added into the team (& starting) it’s Kourbelis without a doubt.

Manolis Siopis (23, Panionios midfielder on loan from Olympiakos) While he's not the biggest (1.71m or 5foot 7) I would argue he's one of the toughest players Greece has, his passing and positioning are flawless. I'm still amazed Olympiakos continues to send him out on loan, and while having been called up many times he somehow still hasn't made his full debut yet. (though I believe much of that is because Skibbe prefers physical/tall midfielders). He's an incredibly underrated player that looked up to Angelos Basinas growing up hence why their game is similar.

Michalis Bakakis (26, AEK, Right Back) in one of the many call ups Ranieri gave youngsters year’s back Bakakis was one of them. While at the time it might have seemed like a reach these past two years he's more than proven that he's capable of playing at the highest level. Arguably AEK's best fullback this season he can put good croses in, play both flanks and cover as well as anyone. He's been the one constant in AEK's season having played in Champions League qualifiers and Europa League games whilst helping them compete for the title. In a position where Greece has very few options outside of the solid but aging Torosidis, he deserves to be included in the team..

Giannis Mystakidis (23, PAOK, winger/midfielder) Injuries have now kept him out for about 8 months but recently he's returned for PAOK. When playing regularly he's one of Greece's best attackers able to beat players one on one, play through balls, shoot well from long range, as well as score from headers. Despite not having been called up by Skibbe he knows all about him: Mystakidis is a player that stands out for me at PAOK, he's progressed and is capable of a lot more, and of course he's a player I follow.

 Giannis Mystakidis Highlights

Alexandros Paschalakis (28, PAOK, Goalkeeper) having won the starting position at PAOK recently the goalkeeper standing at 1.98m (or 6'6 feet) is a giant that commands his area. He was great last year for Pas Giannina which he reportedly drew interest from Roma and others in Europe during the summer. Having moved to PAOK he's playing at a another level keeping seven clean sheets in his first seven games. With the goalkeeper position suddenly a problem with Karnezis/Kapinos/& Anestis all not starting for different reasons, he'll definitely needs to get a chance soon.

Those that have impressed Skibbe &/or in Europe these past two seasons.

Athanasios Androutsos (20, Olympiakos, Midfielder/Winger) having been given a debut by Bento last season with Olympiakos he was a revelation. While his teammate Retsos got all the accolades he was just as impressive and often their main creative force, coming up with huge assists, showing his great technique, and even doing a great job defensively for such a young player. At youth level he scored with ease and whilst that hasn't translated (yet) at the top level it’s only a matter of time. Regardless he's a huge talent that can help dictate play and add a lot to Greece's game, the only thing missing is experience and more playing time. The fact that 6-7 teams in Europe are regularly following and scouting him shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, neither is the fact that Skibbe (reportedly at least) is a fan having also already called him up once last year.

Kostas Galanopoulos (20, AEK, Midfielder) Having made his debut at 18 years of age for AEK a year in a Europa League qualifying game he's never looked out of place whenever given a chance to play. He's solid positionally, a solid defender, a decent passer, and is more than capable of scoring goals. At only 20 playing for a team challenging for the title he's definitely one to keep an eye on, and with Greece's troubles in midfield he deserves a chance sooner rather than later.

Leonardo Koutris (22, Olympiakos, Left Back) having made the step up to Olympiakos from Pas Giannina over the summer he quickly became a starter and hasn't looked back. Even in an underwhelming year for Olympiakos in Europe he's really stuck out. Despite never playing at such a high level he's been able to hold his own defensively against teams like Barcelona/ Juventus/ etc. and while he still needs to improve in that area no one can deny that he's an attacking threat. Capable of great crosses, a good shot from long range, and plenty of pace on him, that is something the Greek team desperately is lacking.

The Huge Talent that are waiting their turn.

Dimitrios Lymnios (19, PAOK, Winger) in a move that made a lot of noise last season PAOK paid 1million Euros for an 18 year old from another Greek team, an amount of money rarely paid for such a young player in Greece. While he had an adjustment period last season this season he's become an automatic starter and proving why that fee might even have been a steal for PAOK. A winger with pace, able to easily beat players one on one, and constantly improving his crosses and shooting. After Tasos Donis he's Greece's biggest hope in what has been a problem position for many years.

Konstantinos Mavropanos (20, Arsenal, Center Back) Having caused a stir with his move from Pas Giannina to Arsenal this January It's clear without a doubt that despite Greece's depth at that position he's someone that Skibbe simply cannot ignore. A demanding presence in the air, and improving in all facets of his game faster than most he's shown in his first season playing regularly at the top level that big things are yet to come for the youngster. So much so that Wenger decided to keep him at the club after initially deciding he wasn't ready for the first team.

Anargyros Kampetsis (20, Borussia Dortmund 2nd team, Striker) after playing in an Under 19 game a year ago against the Netherlands (& a year younger than his peers) his talent stood out, and Borussia Dortmund jumped at the chance to sign him. While many likely haven't heard of him scouts have mentioned he's a striker capable of reaching the heights of Mitroglou. He makes great runs into the box, has great technique/control and has shown he's got goals in him having scored a hat trick in a Champions League youth game against Apoel this season. 

Christos Mandas (16, Atromitos, Goalkeeper) a phenom that has already made his debut this season at the young age of 16 in the Greek Cup. Inter Milan's top scout has called him the Greek Donnarumma. Already 1.89m (or 6'2 feet tall), great with the ball at his feet and with a 2million release clause in his contract, several European teams are after him so the hype is real. Of course it’s very early now but remember that name!

Some others to keep an eye on:

Douvikas, Pantelidis, Antzoulas (Asteras Tripolis). Meliopoulos (Xanthi), Almpanis (Apollon Smyrnis), and Barkas (AEK) 

Another key development that has gone unnoticed is Greece has brought back the under 15's team. Add to that the underrated job that Goumas has done at the under 19 level as well as Vasillis Giorgopoulos with the under 17's you can see that there's some great work being done at youth level.

I strongly believe Greece is capable of a lot more than what we've seen and look forward to the future.

By Apostolos for @Hellas_Football