Greece downs Finland to cap off positive Nations League run
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The “Ethniki” made it five wins from their six Nations League matches after defeating Finland in Helsinki, missing out on winning the group but setting themselves up nicely for a promotion opportunity in the play-offs.
Greece beat the Finnish 0-2 at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the sixth and last matchday of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group stage, finishing second on 15 points in their League B group.
The “blue-whites” opened the scoring in the 52nd minute after a brilliant pass from centre half Konstantinos Koulierakis dissected through the hosts’ team, with captain Anastasios Bakasetas on the receiving end as he then slotted the ball into the net.
The goal saw Bakasetas move to seventh on the all-time goal scorers list for Greece with 17, equal with strikers Kostas Mitroglou and Demis Nikolaidis.
The “Ethniki” grabbed their second of the match quickly after their first when goalkeeper Jesse Joronen rushed out of his box to head the ball clear, with it reaching Greek winger Christos Tzolis who subsequently lobbed the ball in from distance into an empty net (56′).
The match notably saw the debut appearance of Olympiacos youngster Christos Mouzakitis, with the 17-year-old making history as the nation’s youngest ever player to debut in an official game.
England’s 5-0 thrashing of Ireland meant they sealed top spot and ascended into League A, with the Greeks now set to compete in the Promotion/Relegation play-offs next March for a chance to join the English in moving up a division.
The “Ethniki” will have their work cut out for them as they try to get promoted, with possible opponents including Belgium and Hungary.
Greece manager Ivan Jovanovic praised his side’s performance, both in their match with Finland and across the group stage more broadly, though urged patience and humility as they slowly build towards their ultimate goal: qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
“The play-offs that follow will be very serious games played against a strong team. It will be a first test,” Jovanovic said to media after the Finland clash.
“We have to be ready for it and then focus on the World Cup qualifiers where we have to be better than we have been now.”
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
