Greece travelled to Serbia for their first meaningful match in 11 months and conjured up a precious 2-1 win at the death, and in doing so, answered a question that had baffled alchemists for millennia:
Is chrysopoiea actually possible?
‘Meaningful’ is relative of course. This is only the UEFA Nations League after all.
But columns, talk shows and social media accounts have been abuzz with Hellenic hype for weeks. “Greece’s golden generation“, they were calling it, and this was the Ethniki’s golden opportunity to serve up scientific proof.
Favourable seeding for UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying was on the line too. Serbia are the weakest (on paper) of Nations League Group A2. Nobody expects a miracle in Augsburg or Amsterdam, nobody sane anyway.
So this really was a critical fixture, played disappointingly in the drizzle and in front of approximately five people. Had the Serbians not heard the Golden Greeks were coming to town?
It seemed Serbia’s national team had not got the memo either. “Golden… who?” mused Andrija Zivkovic as the PAOK winger slammed in the opener after four minutes.
From then on, it was all Greece. The Ethniki could have chalked up a quintet of goals by the time 20 minutes had elapsed.
Yes, Serbia had a lead to defend and it was difficult to discern whether the siege was voluntary or not, but when the equaliser finally arrived, it was clear which side wanted the win and which side was happy with a point.
Kostas Tsimikas and Anastasios Douvikas certainly weren’t happy with a point.
In truth, it was not quite a gilded performance, but we’ll take silver all day long.
GK: Konstantinos Tzolakis – 7
Powerless for the opener and a spectator until the 90th minute.
The Hull City stopper then pulled off a miraculous match-saver with a move he must have learned in ballet class.
RB: Georgios Vagiannidis – 6
Could probably clear before Tadic set up the first goal of the night and at times is guilty of possessing papery physicality.
Going the other way, he was tremendous though. I just wish he would get forward more.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 7
It was a 5 out of 10 performance until it was a 9 out of 10 performance, so let’s split the difference.
The Liverpool back-up looked surprised a match of football had broken out in the first-half and was consistently one step too slow, including when tracking Zivkovic for his goal.
But I don’t think anyone has ever grown into a game more, one decent cross at a time, culminating in a lung-busting first-timer straight onto the head of Douvikas, who simply couldn’t miss.
CB: Konstantinos Mavropanos – 7
Was aggressive when he needed to be and comfortable on the ball, a very steady evening for the West Ham man.
CB: Panagiotis Retsos – 6
Looked shakier than his centre-back partner on the ball and probably should score at the start of the second-half if we’re all honest with ourselves.
The Olympiacos defender made up for it with a heart-in-mouth challenge from behind to deny Tadic a certain goal.
Thought he was Maradona in the 88th minute until he swiped wildly with an effort that almost kissed the corner flag.
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CM: Dimitris Kourbelis – 5
Sikly smooth in possession, but my god is he frustrating to watch off the ball.
Kourbelis is one of Greece’s only specialist defensive midfielders, but he was simply a passenger as Tadic strode into the penalty area and laid on the opener.
Later, I spotted him sauntering back from the centre circle while Jovic was in the process of blazing over the best chance of the first-half.
He always seems to be marked when Greece have the ball and never marking anyone when they don’t. He always seems to be walking even when he’s sprinting. It was a wet night in Belgrade, but it wasn’t raining fucking treacle.
CM: Christos Zafeiris – 7
Always buzzing about and doing the sensible thing, picking up scraps and winning duels all over the pitch.
The energy that was missing from Kourbelis’ display was thankfully provided by this dynamo.
CAM: Charalampos Kostoulas – 6
Despite missing a brace of gilt-edged chances early on, you would not have thought Kostoulas was making his first-ever senior start for Greece.
Brighton’s coaches have clearly drilled him in pressing and positioning until his legs fall off and his eyes pop out. And on the ball he was even better. The biggest compliment I can pay him is that he looks like a seasoned international, complete with silky flicks, tricks and youthful exuberance.
Having said all that, he should score.
RW: Konstantinos Karetsas – 7
By contrast, Karetsas is unlucky not to score with a couple of long-range sighters, including a remarkable long-range side-footed chip which glanced off the upright.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player chip with his instep before, let alone from outside the box. This boy is special.
LW: Christos Tzolis – 9
He’s just mustard, isn’t he?
Even while Greece toiled in front of goal for the majority of the match, Tzolis’ movement, interplay and cut-backs meant they remained a dangerous prospect throughout. Quality simply drips off his every touch, dribble and shot.
He deserved a goal to crown a consummate performance and what a goal it was. Weak foot, angle tightening, defender closing, low, hard, post, in.
Tzolis is the golden standard.
CF: Vangelis Pavlidis – 6
It was another ‘almost’ night for the Benfica hot-shot.
He almost turned home Kostoulas’ scuffed shot early on.
He almost netted after robbing Milinkovic-Savic outside the area.
He almost avoided dithering and dallying again from a Tzolis cut-back.
He almost connected properly with a header from a Tsimikas cross.
Predictably Pavlidis found his shooting boots when marginally offside in the 53rd minute and thank God he packed his assisting footwear for Tzolis’ equaliser.
SUB (for Kostoulas 63′): Fotis Ioannidis – 6
Could have done better at the end of the best move of the match shortly after his introduction. Is Pavlidis-itis contagious?
SUB (for Pavlidis 74′): Andreas Tetteh – 7
Set Tzolis away for what was almost the Arsenal man’s match-winning moment. He looks bright on the wing.
SUB (for Karetsas 74′): Anastasios Douvikas – 8
Bringing on a third striker felt decadent. Not sure I saw the Como man do much until he popped up with the last-gasp winner.
It was almost the exact opposite of Pavlidis’ performance. I know which one I prefer.
SUB (for Mavropanos 90+1′): Giannis Michailidis – N/A
Came on.
SUB (for Zafeiris 90+1′): Athanasios Androutsos – N/A
Deserved more minutes.
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