Greece’s first-ever win over Germany was the stuff of dreams, predicted only by the religiously inclined and the mentally unstable.
“Nobody expects a miracle in Augsburg or Amsterdam, nobody sane anyway” wrote some second-rate journalist who doesn’t know what he’s talking about on Thursday.
But it truly was an insane result.
The pre-match head-to-head record read: Seven losses, three draws, zero wins.
It was also 46 years since Greece emerged unscathed from a match against the Germans, a game so long ago that the nation was still a decade away from uniting its two halves.
What chance, then, did Ivan Jovanovic’s team of talented but unproven youngsters have against Jurgen Klopp’s four-time world conquerors?
But the former Liverpool manager appeared to be treating these UEFA Nations League fixtures like school try-outs, splitting his wealth of options in twain for this bumper international break, presumably to give the whole class the opportunity to impress the new PE teacher.
So no starts for Florian Wirtz, Serge Gnabry and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. Neither for injured duo Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.
By contrast, Jovanovic was taking charge of a squad energised by their dramatic win in Belgrade, and his pleasure at the manner of the late victory was reflected in just two changes: OFI captain Athanasios Androutsos in for Asteras midfielder Dimitris Kourbelis, and the effervescent Andreas Tetteh in for the burgeoning Charalampos Kostoulas.
It turned out to be a completely different performance against a completely different opponent.
But in the end, the same result: Greece won.
GK: Konstantinos Tzolakis – 9
It was a masterclass in shot-stopping from the Hull City goalkeeper.
Hard and low or high and floaty, no matter the ball, Tzolakis managed to wrap his mitts around it. He claimed every cross, rushed out to halt advancing attackers and was never going to be beaten by the hailstorm of potshots that rained down on his goal.
My personal favourite was when he caught the ball with his knees. Now that’s just showing off.
RB: Georgios Vagiannidis – 6
Dealt with the dangerous Adeyemi and Schade with varying degrees of success.
Perhaps can count himself unlucky to be dragged at half-time, but his needless early yellow probably had something to do with it. What Greece definitely didn’t need was a second-half sending off.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 6
It was yet another game in which Tsimikas eventually found his feet after a wobbly start.
There were a handful of sloppy moments here and there, but defensively he was sound.
CB: Konstantinos Mavropanos – 9
Mavropanos would head a bomb if you chucked it at him.
The West Ham defender put on a clinic in last-ditch defending in Augsburg. He was simply always there to tackle, clear and block just in the nick of time.
It was an aggressive display straight out of the Jamie Carragher textbook, and that is most definitely a compliment.
CB: Panagiotis Retsos – 6
You can never fully relax when he’s on the ball. He’s normally always great with his feet, but when he’s not, he’s really not.
Picked up a yellow for a rash challenge, not ideal when you’re under siege.
Did his job at the back though, and that’s really all that matters.
CM: Athanasios Androutsos – 7
Ran his socks off, and then ran his shorts off too.
OFI’s captain man marked debutant Conte completely out of the game and was still shuttling up and down when the clock ticked past 90.
Androutsos kept his position, protected his centre-backs and didn’t give the opposition a sniff all night.
CM: Christos Zafeiris – 6
Another waspish display from the PAOK midfielder, who was disciplined when he needed to be and all over the Germans like a honey badger when you least expected it.
His exertions caught up with him after half-time and was awarded an early rest.
RW: Konstantinos Karetsas – 7
Tasked with dropping into right wing-back when Greece were under pressure, Karetsas still managed to dazzle up the pitch when the shackles were loosened.
The teenager is always a threat on the counter and seems perenially on the verge of producing the spectacular.
LW: Christos Tzolis – 7
Despite his height, Tzolis was a fantastic outlet to relieve pressure and drag the Ethniki up the pitch.
Not quite the superstar performance as against the Serbs, but the Arsenal winger always seemed to make the right run, pass or shot going forward.
It will get missed in the clamour, but his defending to put off Ebnoutalib in the first-half was nothing short of sublime.
CF: Andreas Tetteh – 7
Hustled and harried Yann Bisseck from the off in a titanic physical battle. The Panathinaikos striker even got his opponent booked, but didn’t take full advantage thereafter.
Some early bursting runs eventually faded into disciplined pressing as Germany grew more threatening. A decent night’s work.
CF: Vangelis Pavlidis – 6
Bizarrely didn’t have a single shot all night.
Pavlidis was forced into a more supporting role, when his strengths clearly lie in between the posts. Too often he was found dropping deep to received the ball or start attacks, when he should be the one on the end of them.
His work rate off the ball cannot be denied however, and he created the best chance of the match with an act of pressing Klopp has wet dreams about.
- READ: Could Greece ever host the FIFA World Cup
- READ: Greece’s talented generation: The time for excuses is over
SUB (for Vagiannidis 45′): Manolis Saliakas – 6
Solid.
Didn’t notice him do an awful lot, which means he didn’t put a foot wrong.
SUB (for Zafeiris 59′): Dimitris Kourbelis – 8
Great aggression when he came on and even better composure for the deflected finish.
Maybe he could give Ioannidis some lessons on keeping a cool head in front of goal.
SUB (for Tetteh 59′): Fotis Ioannidis – 5
Missed the best chance of the match. Pavlidis laid it on a platter with all the trimmings. He simply must score.
SUB (for Tzolis 81′): Giorgos Masouras – 6
Brought much-needed energy to the final stages.
SUB (for Pavlidis 89′): Giannis Michailidis – N/A
Came on.
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