Greece vs Cyprus, The Derby of Eternal Frenemies!

Greece vs Cyprus, The Derby of Eternal Frenemies!

By Steve Kountourou

With the final round of international fixtures for this year about to commence, one that will catch the eye for many Greeks all around the world especially is the novel bout between Greece and sister country Cyprus in a Friendly fixture. The Ethniki return to action after a hugely disappointing 0-0 draw with Kosovo in the last round of Nations League fixtures, and looked to assert their dominance other their much smaller neighbors before two must win games vs the mighty defensive power house, as Greece manager John Van’t Schip described them, and a top of the table clash with Slovenia to see who will finish top of their group. 

Cyprus on the other hand, who have had a very torrid time in their group, are yet to score this season, although their 0-0 draw away to Azerbaijan was highlighted by an incredible goalkeeping performance from Apollon Limassol Keeper Demitris Demitriou. Greece were on the hunt for a much needed morale boosting win, for Cyprus it would be to at least score a goal, and maybe claim an unlucky victory over Greece for the first time since 2001. 

As always it was nice to hear both sides stand for the same national anthem, despite no fans to sing along in Rizoupoulis.

The match began with Greece almost immediately in control, with Chatzigiovanis making an encouraging run down the right hand side but his cross was well defended. Tsimikas then received the ball a few minutes later from a well taken long ball but his shot was well saved by Demitriou in the Cyprus goal. The Ethniki would find the net a few minutes later. After a poor parry away by Demitriou the rebound fell to Tzolis who took advantage of the mistake and slotted home to give the home side the 1-0 lead. After Greece took the lead, continuing to dominate possession with Cyprus pressuring them, but not being able to do anything with the ball in the final third, something they have struggled to do as of late. After a close chance from Greece, they eventually doubled their lead with Giakoumakis scoring a well taken goal on his debut, after chesting it down and firing it passed Demitriou to make it 2-0 to Greece. 

Cyprus had their first chance minutes later with Anotniou attempting a header but winning a corner in the process. Towards the half hour mark Cyprus started to find a bit more possession on the ball but looked as though they struggled to deal with Greece every time they counter attacked. The game continued with it being fairly end to end without either side really threatening each other's goal, Greece seeming content with their lead and looking tentatively for a 3rd, Cyprus down but certainly not out of it yet. After a couple of close chances from Greece, Cyprus counter again with Pittas having the best chance of the half for Cyprus. He should have shot but instead he tried crossing but with no one else in the box with him it went out for a corner.

After a plethora of substitutes from both sides, Cyprus had the first big chance of the 2nd half from a set piece, from Chambos Kyriakou was well saved by Barkas. Cyprus continued to let Greece have much of the ball but still had their fair share of opportunities, although Greece’s were definitely of better quality. Cyprus eventually found a way back into the game, after a Mavrias mistake and the ball found Elia, who scored Cyprus goal to make it  2-1. After their goal Cyprus seemed to gain confidence to take the game to Greece more despite still being the 2nd best team. Greece on the other hand looked a little less comfortable and pressed on for a 3rd goal to put the game to bed. Cyprus almost equalised with just over 20 minutes to go after a save from Barkas was poorly palmed away leaving his goal open and finding Elia who could have made it 2-2 if his shot was not well blocked. Moments later Greece almost had a 3rd with a well taken pass from Chatzigiovanis found a player but was also well blocked for a corner by Christos Shelis. 

The ensuing corner was saved excellently by Demitriou. With 20 minutes to go Cyprus won a free kick outside of Greece box but it could not go over the wall. Greece soon after also one a free kick but the shot was well saved again by Demitriou. The last 20 minutes saw a very exciting end to end affair with Greece trying to seal the win and Cyprus looking for a late equaliser. 5 minutes from time Demitriou made another confident save after going 1 on 1 with the attacker. With the game reaching his conclusion Cyprus had two corners that did not really threaten Barkas in goal. Eventually after winning a late foul, Greece were able to play out the last few minutes and the match ended 2-1 to the Ethniki.

For the first time, and as a special treat, I shall be doing a rating for all the players who participated in this fixture. So with me having to grow six other eyes to watch everyone on the pitch, let's take a look at how I thought each player did.

Greece Ratings 

GK Vasilis Barkas 6.5

Hardly troubled in the first half and was more of a spectator in that period. Looked calm and confident when called upon from any threats from a corner.

 

RB Charis Mavrias 6

With much of the attacking threat coming down the opposite side of the pitch, Mavrias was not as productive as Tsimikas but did link up well with Chatzigiovanis at times on the counter. Had a better start to the second half with some positive runs out of position. Eventually made a rather poor mistake to give Cyprus a goal and a way back into the game. He was subbed off before the 70th minute for Lazaros Rota.

CB Dimitrios Kourbelis 7.5

Hardly troubled until the middle of the first half and stayed fairly solid throughout the game. Fantastic assist for Giakoumakis first Greece goal.

CB Ioannis Michailidis 7

Looked confident to start in his distribution. Was comfortable alongside Kourbelis.Was much better in the match then against Austria.

LB Kostas Tsimikas 7

Good to see him for the first time since his transfer to Liverpool and was as dynamic down the left side of defence as ever. Great deliveries into the box. Was subbed off after the first half. 

CDM Zeca 7

Was dynamic in the middle of the park, was given plenty of space to pass to his more attacking counterparts. Was subbed off after the first half.

CM Kostas Fortounis 7

Started brightly and was very much involved in a lot of Greece attacking passes. Worked hard and overall had a productive game. Was subbed off after the first half. 

CM Anastasios Bakasetas 6

Hardly noticed him in the first half hour, other than a shot in the first 30 minutes that went to row Z. Passed the ball fairly well and was not really troubled. Was subbed off after the first half. 

LM Christos Tzolis 8

Was well placed to score his goal. Was causing Cyprus so much trouble down his flank. Was subbed off after the first half. 

ST Giorgos Giakoumakis 8 MOTM

Came close to scoring in the 1st 20 minutes. Eventually found the back of the net minutes later, brought the ball down well from a long ball to score his first international goal. Was a nuisance all game up front. 

RM Anastasios Chatzigiovanis 7

Looked positive early in the game with his runs down the right and early crosses into the box, almost assisting a 3rd goal with less than 10 minutes of the 1st half to go. Poor second half and was a tad more anonymous. 

Substitutes 

Vasillis Lampropoulos 5.5

Struggled a bit to contain Cyprus and did not seem as comfortable in defence. But did enough to not concede an equaliser.

Andreas Bouchalakis 5

Looked a tad out of sorts after he came on and gave away a free kick in a dangerous area outside their box. Was rather anonymous after that.

Dimitris Pelkas 5.5

Some good passing when he came on did not impact the game hugely. Kept the ball for too long at times and tried to do too much when passing was more logical a choice.

Dimitris Limnios 7

Started well, county either Tziolis left off and caused a lot of problems for Cyprus with his attacking runs. Had a couple of shots go just wide.

 

Lazaros Rota 6

Good defending and won the ball back for his side pretty much after coming on. After a little bit quiet after that.

Charalampos Lykogiannis 5 

Looked shaky throughout and made a couple big mistakes which gave a Cyprus a chance to attack down the flank all the 2nd half.

Manager Rating: 

John Van’t Schip: 7

Credit to JVS in how he set up the side. They took possession back very well and countered quickly with precise passing. His substitutes, while only a friendly fixture were a bit suspect and a couple of players he brought on struggled to get into the game when on the pitch.

Cyprus Ratings 

GK Dimitris Dimitriou 7.5

Disappointing start to the game with a shot he should have dealt with better which led to Greece’s first goal of the game. Could not do much to stop the 2nd from going in. Made an excellent save in the 2nd half to prevent a 3rd goal.

RB Charis Kyriakou 6

Defended well after Greece nearly scored their 3rd.

CB Fanos Katelaris 4.5

Struggled to deal with Greece’s attacking runs. Was subbed off after the first half. 

CB Christos Shelis 6

Allowed far too much time and space for the second goal. Was not very confident in passing forwards, always back to his keeper. Brilliant defending in the 2nd half to stop a close chance from going in. Was subbed with 15 minutes to go.

LB Nickolas Ioannou 5

Was constantly out run by Chatzigiovanis on his flank. Came off just after the hour mark.

CDM Chambos Kyriakou 5

Found it hard to cover his defence amid Greece’s long balls to their forwards. Did alright with a couple of set pieces

CM Alexander Gogic 5.5

Made a couple of decent passes and looked one of the more level headed players in midfield against a tough test vs Greece. Was subbed off after the first half 

CM Kostas Artymatas 5

Was rather anonymous throughout the 1st half and the rest of the game.

LM Ioannis Pittas 6

Had Cyprus best chance to score late in the 1st half but he decided to cross instead to no one in the box but still one a corner in the process. Gave away a free kick with less than 20 minutes to go. Did have an improved performance in the 2nd half.

ST Marios Elia 7

Was rather isolated up front, with hardly any passes reaching him. Was given the ball after a mistake from Mavrias and was able to pull one back for Cyprus. Was subbed off late in the game after an injury.

RM Minas Antoniou 7

Struggled at times to deal with Tsimikas down his flant. Caused Greece a bit of trouble mid way through the first half. Cheaply gave the ball back after a rare chance at a counter attack. Capitalized on Mavrias mistake to assist Elia

Substitutes 

Andreas Karo 6

Looked much better then in any competitive fixture he has played recently after he came on.

Grigoris Kastanos 6

Gave Cyprus a bit more attacking threat when he came on. Gave Greece a bit of trouble with his freekick in the 72nd minute. Kept the ball at times for a bit too long and slowed play down for his team.

Thomas Ioannou 5.5

Quiet during most of the 2nd half but defended well from Greece’s waves of attacks.

Vasilios Papafotis N/A

Did not see enough of him to give him a rating.

Marinos Tzionis N/A

Came on for the injured Elia but will not get a rating for me as it was too late in the match.

Manager Rating: 

Johan Welam 6.5

Set up the team daily defensively with not much creativity and allowed Greece into an early lead. Did make some substitutes that made a difference and a much more encouraging performance from his side in the second half. Need to build on the fact that Cyprus actually scored and played very well in the 2nd half.

Hellas Football 

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