Suggested Call Ups/Starting 11

[Dean97]

I dreamt we beat Germany in a WC semi final last night. We missed a pen to make it 3-0.

Haha wow. Let me guess, Bakasetas missed the penalty haha. I would love to see us beat Germany in the semi final as a reality.

[Reaper]

I dreamt we beat Germany in a WC semi final last night. We missed a pen to make it 3-0.

[Dean97]

I’d like to see this line up against Spain.

Vlachodimos
Manolas Sokratis Mavropanos
Limnios Zeca Bouchalakis Tsimikas
Fortounis Tzolis
Giakoumakis

OR

Vlachodimos
Kotsiras Manolas Mavropanos Tsimikas
Mantalos Zeca Fortounis
Pelkas
Tzolis Douvikas

The second seems more risky because we have more attackers. I hope we see this in the friendly.

The first line up seems the most logical. 3 of our best at the back. Limnios and Tsimikas as wing backs. Zeca and Bouchalakis holding with Fortounis and Tzolis as inverted wingers high up the field with both wing backs overlapping. Giakoumakis as the target man. Fortounis can drift in when he gets the chance and create through the middle with Limnios higher up on the wing.

We played a diamond in midfield against Italy. We could see that aswell. I think we will need numbers in midfield so we don’t get overrun on the counter. Also it concerns me of Bouchalakis makes mistake in midfield because he can’t recover in time for to his pace. That’s why with a 3rd CB we should be fine.

[Dean97]

As the games get closer it seems though injured players like Kourbelis, Bakakis and Galanopoulos aren’t going to make it in time. JVS was at the Atromitos-Asteras game. I think mostly to see RBs Natsos and Kotsiras play. I wouldn’t mind seeing either of them in the side. Bakakis doesn’t cut if for Greece. He’s injured now so I think his chances are low in being called up.

With Kourbelis still out with a long injury I think we will see Bouchalakis, Zeca and most likely Siopis as our DMs. I don’t know if Alexandropoulos will be called, I think it’s 50/50 at this stage. Also I can see Bakasetas in the team. He has been scoring nearly every week for his new side. It’s quite interesting both Pelkas and Bakasetas doing very well in Turkey. Both were very inconsistent in Greece. But I still think Bakasetas shouldn’t be starting for Greece.

Also luckily for us Manolas just came back from injury and I hope to see him called up. JVS seems to be changing his approach with his call ups and rightly so. Sokratis has been spoken to by JVS apparently but Sokratis said he needs more time to get back to his old self. He needs to get his fitness back up. I think he should get called up and play in the friendly to see if he’s alright.

Mavropanos also has been in great form. I’d like to see him involved. Apparently Jurgen Klopp doesn’t want his players going to play for there countries as they would have to come back and quarantine for 2 weeks. Which means Tsimikas could possibly not play in our games. He is definitely needed for us. So is Manolas, Sokratis and Mavropanos.

My biggest concern is that JVS calls up the likes of Tzavellas-Svarnas-Lampropoulos type players. Players who aren’t needed. We also shouldn’t waste a spot on Stafylidis. The guy hasn’t played and isn’t needed. Bakasetas I can see being involved but hopefully not as a starter.

It’s been reported that Giakoumakis, Pavlidis and Douvikas are the 3 strikers that will be called. I’m fine with that. I’d like to see Douvikas impress in the friendly and play one of our important games. I don’t see him playing against Spain because it’s the 1st match we play. But I’d give him 20 minutes if we need a goal. It’s time for Giakoumakis to show his worth for Greece and help with finishing off our chances. If Tzolis starts then I will feel more optimistic of us finishing our chances.

This is my prediction of the call ups.
Vlachodimos
Dioudis
??? (Barkas)
Rota
Kotsiras
Manolas
Sokratis?
Mavropanos
Hatzidiakos
Tzavellas
Giannoulis
Lykogiannis
Tsimikas??
Katranis
Bouchalakis
Zeca
Siopis
Alexandropoulos
Fortounis
Mantalos
Pelkas
Bakasetas
Tzolis
Masouras
Limnios
Douvikas
Pavlidis
Giakoumakis

This makes the most sense. I don’t want Tzavellas there but something tells me he’ll be there. Pelkas and Bakasetas have been playing well so I can’t see them not being there. I think if we have Tsimikas and Sokratis we have a fighting chance against Spain. I believe Mavropanos has the potential to surpass both Manolas and Sokratis. That’s my opinion. If he stays healthy.

[Dean97]

Sokratis might return to the national team.

https://www.sportime.gr/podosfairo/e...oti-antidrasi/

[Dean97]

I am glad that he is being sensible. While our attack has looked better, our defense has not been tested in the past few months. I think he realizes that we will not have 70% of the ball against Spain so it may be a better idea to call up guys who play in top leagues. As long as he has a good attitude, this is a great move. Btw, when was the last time Greece scored off a set piece???

We also need to start playing skilful players. I wonder what he’s going to do for the call ups. I don’t think he can afford to stick with the same personnel. He has to start making changes or otherwise we will get humiliated against Spain. Having a friendly in between gives some optimism with who he will call up. But we are always are never satisfied with the call ups. He might try something else like we saw with Cyprus. It will be hard to score from set pieces when most of your players especially CBs are 5’9 or 5’10.

With Manolas and maybe Mavropanos it will give us aerial presence with set pieces.

[Brklyngrk]

I am glad that he is being sensible. While our attack has looked better, our defense has not been tested in the past few months. I think he realizes that we will not have 70% of the ball against Spain so it may be a better idea to call up guys who play in top leagues. As long as he has a good attitude, this is a great move. Btw, when was the last time Greece scored off a set piece???

[Amorgos]

Given the current options, he should be, Siovas should also be included, them two would be a HUGE upgrade to the guys JVS has picked recently

[Dean97]

Great news for the Ethniki! Manolas is being considered to be called up for our next games. He shouldn’t be considered, he should be always locked in whenever available.

https://www.sportime.gr/podosfairo/e...ou-fant-schip/

[Dean97]

Can you post the latest calls ups, can't see them anywhere.

It hasn’t come out yet. I was just saying that Douvikas should be called up he has been playing very well.

[Reaper]

Douvikas HAS to be called up. The guy has been performing really well lately.

https://youtu.be/LY_Rv-vCN7c

Can you post the latest calls ups, can't see them anywhere.

[Dean97]

Douvikas HAS to be called up. The guy has been performing really well lately.

https://youtu.be/LY_Rv-vCN7c

[Dean97]

Speaking of FIFA 21 there’s a site called Sofifa.com and that’s where the fifa gaming community log on and comment on all the players ratings and potential ratings in the game. It has detailed information about a players abilities like in the game. The rating system is out of 99. For example Messi overall rating is 93. His potential rating is 93 aswell but that’s because he is 33 and reached his ceiling so to speak.

Ragarding Greek players Tzolis is rated 70 and has a potential rating of 87. Meaning as the years go on Tzolis can reach a world class rating of 87 if he continues to be in hot form in real life. The in game ratings are supposed to be realistic as possible to real life but sometimes it’s not perfect and that’s why you get a lot of people in the comments expressing there displeasure to the people who give the ratings.

If anyone is interested, here’s a link to all the Greek players ratings in the game. Some are on point and some are also very underrated and overrated. Also to mention, only the 4 big Greek teams are in the game as the league hasn’t got a licence to be in the game.

https://sofifa.com/players?na=22

[Reaper]

The last few times he played for the ethniki, he looked a little out of it. Not as explosive as when he was with PAOK.

On a side note, don't really play video games but I was playing FIFA 21 the other day and noticed how every time I played with Greece, my center backs were getting killed!!! Tzavellas/Hatzi/Svarnas don't cut it!!!

Sounds like FIFA 21 did their research.

Maybe Goutas at AEK will finally show his worth. Mavropanos also can add something.

[Brklyngrk]

The last few times he played for the ethniki, he looked a little out of it. Not as explosive as when he was with PAOK.

On a side note, don't really play video games but I was playing FIFA 21 the other day and noticed how every time I played with Greece, my center backs were getting killed!!! Tzavellas/Hatzi/Svarnas don't cut it!!!