Greece turns the Nations League upside down, no snack for the Oranje
For the Oranje the recent Nations League‑win of Greece is no longer a small snack, reports Mikos Gouka. In Augsburg the Greek eleven defeated Germany 0-1, and in the opening match it beat Serbia 2-1. The stadium in Thessaloniki could have been five times full for that match.
Cultural turnaround in Greece
After years of sporting misery the South‑European country has undergone a clear cultural shift. Since 2014 the Greek national team has not taken part in an international final tournament, but the recent successes show that the drought is over. The absence of the 2026 World Cup, where Scotland and Denmark dominated qualification, makes the current surge all the more striking.
The fanatic Greek supporters now feel a huge passion again; the atmosphere in Thessaloniki is back from being gone. The recent victories over Serbia and Germany in the Nations League confirm that the old European championship performance from 2004 was not a one‑off miracle, but a renewed tradition.
Jovanovic's impact and young talents
In August 2024 the Serbian Ivan Jovanovic, now 64, was appointed as national coach. His earlier successes with APOEL Nicosia and Panathinaikos gave him an in‑depth knowledge of Greek football culture. He immediately saw a new generation ready to break through.
The young attacking midfielders Konstantinos Karetsas (18) and Giannis Konstantelias (23) moved for more than €60 million to Borussia Dortmund. Despite a serious cruciate ligament injury Konstantelias remains a promising talent. In addition Arsenal paid €40 million for the winger Christos Tzolis (24), and Brighton & Hove Albion paid around €60 million for the duo Charalampos Kostoulas (19) and Stefanos Tzimas (20) in 2025.
Transfer storm and European attention
The reliable goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis (23) moved from Olympiakos to Hull City, while the robust defender Konstantinos Koulierakis (22) joined AS Roma. Bayern Munich brought the 17‑year‑old defensive sensation Konstantinos Karandrikas into the under‑19 squad.
Vangelis Pavlidis scores weekly for Benfica, and the duo Fotis Ioannidis and Grigoris Vagiannidis is a staple at Sporting Lisbon. Anastasios Douvikas (27), the match‑winner against Serbia, now plays for the Italian club Como in the Champions League. Also Konstantinos Mavropanos (West Ham United) and Konstantinos Tsimikas (30) at Liverpool provide stability for the Greek squad.
Last update: 07:48. The article, written by Mikos Gouka, underscores that Greece is now one of the fastest‑rising football nations in Europe, with a talent pool that even the biggest European clubs attract.