Greece vs Ireland Recap | Game Summary and Individual Player Performances

Greece vs Ireland Recap | Game Summary and Individual Player Performances 

The dream is alive and well. 

By Konstantinos Massaras

By the time Euro 2024 kicks off almost exactly one year from today, it will have been ten years since our Ethniki Omada has competed in a major tournament. Finally, it seems we have constructed a squad that has the talent to, at the very least, qualify for one. 

Now whether it will be through this group of death, or a subsequent playoff, had a lot to do with this match against Ireland. It was Greece’s first competitive match at the Agia Sofia stadium, and they played it in front of a respectable 17,500 fans, who all created an excellent atmosphere. 

Greece came out strong in the first 10 minutes, notably with Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu barely denying an acrobatic Mavropanos effort off of a corner in the fifth minute. Bakasetas also had a few looks at goal but was also denied by Bazunu.

In the 11th minute, Kourbelis played an excellent ball over the top to Masouras, where he subsequently collided with Bazunu who just beat him to the ball. In the coming seconds, a Baldock cross found the hand of Irish winger Callum O’Dowda, who was a meter or so inside the box. After a period of confusion, the referee gave the penalty. Bakasetas stepped up as he has so many times in the last three years and slotted the ball in the back of the net.

Greece then let up on the gas pedal for twenty minutes or so, and Ireland quickly capitalized. The equalizer came in the 27th minute, when a well executed corner found the foot of Nathan Collins, who smashed the ball into the net. It was Ireland’s first shot on target.

Greece regained control for the rest of the first half, but could not find a second goal just yet. A few long efforts from Bakasetas did not give Bazunu much of a problem, and they went into the second half level.

In the 49th minute, Bakasetas created the moment of the match when he played a perfect ball into Masouras who regained the advantage with an excellent finish.

In the 78th minute, Giakoumakis, who had just come on for Pavlidis, had an excellent chance to seal the match, but somehow managed to put his effort over the bar. Kourbelis, who was excellent all night, intercepted an Irish header and played a perfect ball to Taxi Fountas. Fountas patiently waited for his MLS counterpart and found him. Giakoumakis did really well to control the pass and set up for the shot but made a real mess of it.

Ireland would test Vlachodimos a couple of times in the second half, and definitely made him work a bit, but it was nothing he couldn’t handle. In the final moments, a frustrated Doherty ran over and decked Tzavellas, who had only just come on, well after the whistle had gone for an Irish foul. He was given a straight red and sent off. The referee would then blow his whistle to signal full time. 

In these two June matches, most people would have agreed we needed three points. Well, we got them. Now I think it allows this team to travel to France understanding they have nothing to lose. If Greece were to somehow qualify from this group, it would not be because they finished above France. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t steal a point on Monday. It just means there are zero expectations. 

You just never know with this team.

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Here is how I think the players performed individually:

GK: Odysseas Vlachodimos - B

Didn’t have much to do in the first half and shouldn’t take too much blame for the goal. Some decent stops in the second half helped secure the three points.

LB: Kostas Tsimikas - B+

Really comfortable in defense and made some good runs forward. Got the better of Doherty all night. Definitely one of his better performances.

CB: Dinos Mavropanos - B

Far and away the best defender on the field, but it came with a few mistakes today. Although it was a well designed corner, Dinos was beaten to the ball by Collins for Ireland's only goal. 

CB: Pantelis Chatzidiakos - C

Definitely felt a little uncomfortable with and without the ball today. Still the best option we have to offer, other than Mavropanos of course, until Koulierakis develops into the player we think he will be. Haven’t had much to complain about the Mavropanos/Chatzidiakos partnership.

RB: George Baldock - B

Good overlapping runs with Masouras, and looked like he was getting better as the night moved on. Good connection with Bakasetas in the build up to the second goal. Really nice night for him.

CM: Petros Mantalos - C+

A fairly typical Mantalos performance. Nothing to really complain about but somewhat quiet overall. Did well in a few build ups in the first half that lacked a finishing product.

CM: Dimitris Kourbelis - A-

The silent man of the match right here. Impeccable tackling in the middle and connected a few excellent long balls forward. Easily one of the most consistent players in the Ethniki. 

LW: Dimitris Pelkas - D+

The worst performance of the night for me. A disastrous attempt at goal in the first half summarized the night for Pelkas as he couldn’t get anything going forward. 

CAM: Tasos Bakasetas - A

The captain came through again for our Ethniki. He has become automatic from the spot, and added an incredible assist tonight. 

RW: Giorgios Masouras - B+

A rather weak first half performance was made up in the second with the winning goal. Masouras now has three goals in the Ethniki’s last three competitive matches.

ST: Vangelis Pavlidis - C-

A few good ideas in the first half led to nothing. Although he lacked any type of real service, it was not a performance to write home about.

Subs:

ST: Giorgios Giakoumakis - C-

Had a shocking miss after a great buildup from Kourbelis and Fountas. It will be interesting to see who Poyet chooses to go up front.

LW: Taxicharis Fountas - C+

Should’ve had an assist to his name barring a Giakoumakis miss. Felt like he added more on the left wing than Pelkas, but didn’t get many opportunities.

CB: Giorgios Tzavellas - N/A

Played about 8 seconds before getting into the middle of an altercation. Never change Tzavella. 

CM: Manolis Siopis - N/A

May see more of him over Mantalos against France.

Hellas Football 

Follow @KostaMassaras