The Greek nationwide group did the fitting factor, beating Finland 2-0 on the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, for the primary time of their historical past away from residence, and accomplished their duties in League B Group 2 of the Nations League with 5 wins in six matches.
Greece reached 15 factors, tied with England, however the first place was occupied by the “Three Lions”, who on the similar time crushed Eire 5-0, because of the higher purpose distinction.
The English received direct promotion to League A, however the purpose stays achievable for the “blue and white”, and it is going to be contested within the playoffs in March 2025.
In truth, along with promotion, Greece can safe a second likelihood to take part within the qualification playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, the place Jovanovic's group will enter the second capability group for the draw.
Competitively, the Nationwide Workforce managed from the start by controlling the possession, which they achieved with out a lot effort for the reason that residence group selected to arrange themselves defensively, enjoying with three stoppers and ready for the opponent.
The Greek group was circulating the ball nevertheless it was a velocity beneath the calls for of the match displaying a transparent lack of freshness and vitality, clearly affected by Thursday's defeat in opposition to England.
The Finns didn’t depart areas, whereas the alternatives of Jovanović's gamers within the final third of the pitch weren’t applicable, with the consequence that the large part in entrance of Joronen's purpose was missed.
There was additionally a weak point within the set items, because the “blue and white” executed a number of corners within the first 45 minutes, however aside from two misdirected headers by Mavropanos (8', 15') from Bakaseta's executions, there was no profit.
The comparatively finest second on this interval occurred within the thirty eighth minute, with Pavlidis getting into the realm and capturing, Hoskonen setting the projection and the ball discovering Masouras and ending up out.
The second half was diametrically opposed, with the Greek group getting off to a storming begin and opening the scoring within the 52nd minute with Bakaseta's shot from a superb cross by Koulierakis.
Earlier than the house group may understand it, they discovered themselves chasing a two-goal distinction, since 4 minutes later (56') Joronen headed away from an extended ball by Mavropanos, to attain from a distance with a high-hanging shot by Jolis to make it 2-0 and sport over for good.
Within the ninetieth minute, Ivan Jovanovic handed Christos Mouzakitis within the match, who grew to become the youngest footballer within the historical past of the Greek group to put on the jersey with the nationwide emblem in an official match.
YELLOW: Picarainen, Alho, Ivanov
FINLAND (Marku Kanerva): Joronen, Alho (82' Niskanen), Hoskonen, Ivanov, Pikarainen (67' Olila), Hakans (75' Puki), Lod, Kairinen, Kamara (75' Nisila), Kalman, Poianpalo (67' Adam).
GREECE (Ivan Jovanovic): Vlachodimos, Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas, Kourbelis (90' Mouzakitis), Mandalos (88' Retsos), Bakasetas (74' Pelkas), Masouras (74' Siopis), Pavlidis, Tzolis (88' Giannoulis).
