Greece Remain Unbeaten After Equalising With Germany

Stay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
Click NOW

Greece’s national team, coached by Ivan Jovanović, held Germany to a 0-0 draw at Toumba Stadium, keeping a clean sheet against the four-time world champions for the second time in a matter of days and extending their unbeaten run to four matches in Group 2 of UEFA Nations League A.

The result came through hard work and a determined defensive display, particularly in the second half, when Greece grew in confidence and competed on equal terms with their highly rated opponents.

The draw also strengthened Greece’s hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals. The national team now holds the advantage in the head-to-head tiebreaker against Germany and has secured third place in the group.

Germany dominate first half

Jovanović made four changes to his starting XI as he looked to freshen up the team following the 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. Germany coach Jürgen Klopp made three changes from the side that defeated Serbia 2-0.

Greece came close to scoring just 65 seconds into the match. Konstantinos Tsimikas delivered a cross from the left, and Giorgos Masouras met it with a powerful header, but Germany goalkeeper Noah Atubolu produced an excellent reflex save to keep it out.

From that point, however, Germany took control and spent long periods around Greece’s penalty area. Maximilian Beier and Florian Wirtz caused the greatest problems for the hosts.

Beier tested Greece with a curling shot in the 23rd minute, while David Raum fired a powerful volley two minutes later. Beier went close again with a fierce effort in the 43rd minute, before Wirtz forced another opportunity in stoppage time.

Germany also had a goal ruled out following a VAR intervention.

Beier raced down the left and cut the ball across the area, allowing Jonathan Burkardt to score from close range. However, after an on-field review, referee Clément Turpin ruled that Ibrahim Maza had handled the ball in the build-up.

Germany finished the first half with 15 shots to Greece’s one, making the 0-0 scoreline a favourable one for the hosts.

Greece improve after the break

Seeing his side struggle, Jovanović made a double substitution at half-time and changed Greece’s formation from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3.

The adjustment improved Greece’s performance. While the hosts did not completely transform the match, they competed more effectively and forced Klopp to make an early double substitution as Germany continued to search for the opening goal.

A well-worked German move created another chance for Beier in the 65th minute, but his diagonal effort again missed the target.

Greece then threatened at the other end. Masouras had an opportunity in the 76th minute but could not make enough of his head on a powerful cross from Christos Mouzakitis.

With greater confidence, Greece kept Germany further away from goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and managed the closing stages intelligently.

Germany came close again in the 86th minute when Raum crossed towards the far post, where the unmarked Tom Bischof sent his effort high.

By then, the thousands of Greek supporters inside Toumba had begun singing the national anthem, encouraging Jovanović’s players through the final minutes.

Greece held firm and secured the 0-0 draw.

Greece control their quarter-final hopes

Greece now have eight points and need three points from their two remaining November matches to reach the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.

Jovanović’s side will face the Netherlands away on November 13 before hosting Serbia on November 16.

The Netherlands also moved to eight points after beating Serbia 2-1, while Germany remain on five points.

Match details

Referee: Clément Turpin (France)

Yellow cards: Tsimikas, Zafeiris, Salias — Anton, Thiaw, Thielmann.

Greece: Tzolakis; Salias, Mavropanos (78′ Retsos), Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Kourbelis (68′ Mouzakitis), Zafeiris, Masouras, Kyziridis (46′ Androutsos); Pavlidis (46′ Karetsas), Ioannidis (88′ Koutsias).

Germany: Atubolu; Thielmann, Thiaw, Anton, Raum; Karl (73′ El Mala), Pavlovic, Bischof (83′ Bauer); Beier (83′ Conte), Wirtz, Burkardt (63′ Woltemade).

Jovanović also received a yellow card for protesting a decision in the 73rd minute.

Before the match, EPO president Makis Gagkatsis and his German counterpart, Bernd Neuendorf, joined German national-team supporters in laying a wreath at the memorial outside Gate 4 at Toumba. They honoured the six PAOK supporters who died in the Tempi tragedy 27 years ago.

Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.