Northern Ireland v Greece (02/06/2022)

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE - LEAGUE C GROUP 2 NORTHERN IRELAND V GREECE

NATIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | 02/06/2022 | £4

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02. TEAMS 03.

PRESIDENT ’S WELCOME

04. IAN BARACLOUGH 07. PATRICK NELSON 10. NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD 12. STEVEN DAVIS 18. DID YOU KNOW? 27. THE OPPONENTS 32. DION CHARLES 51. INTERNATIONAL RECORD

IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT: CONRAD KIRKWOOD CHIEF EXECUTIVE: PATRICK NELSON ADVERTISING: IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION PICTURES: PRESS EYE

OFFICIAL PUBL ICATION BY IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION NAT IONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM, DONEGALL AVE , BELFAST BT12 5LW

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS: DANNY LYNCH EDITOR: NIGEL T ILSON DESIGN: L ANDMARK / MADCOLOUR.COM PRINT: MADCOLOUR.COM PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIEWS IN THIS PROGRAMME DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION.

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NORTHERN IRELAND GREEN & WHITE

GREECE WHI TE & BLUE

MANAGER I. BARACLOUGH

MANAGER G. POYET

T. CARSON (ST MIRREN) J. CLARKE (GLENAVON) B. PEACOCK-FARRELL (SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY) L. SOUTHWOOD (READING)

O. VLACHODIMOS (BENFICA) A. PASCHALAKIS (PAOK) S. DIOUDIS (PANATHINAIKOS) G. ATHANASIADIS (SHERIFF TIRASPOL) G. TZAVELLAS (AEK ATHENS) D. GIANNOULIS (NORWICH CITY) K. TSIMIKAS (LIVERPOOL) P. CHATZIDIAKOS (AZ) K. MAVROPANOS (STUT TGART) L. ROTA (AEK ATHENS) I. KOTSIRAS (PANATHINAIKOS) D. GOUTAS (SIVASSPOR) P. MANTALOS (AEK ATHENS)

D. BALLARD (ARSENAL) C. BRADLEY (LIVERPOOL) C. BOYD-MUNCE (MIDDLESBROUGH) C. BROWN (CARDIFF CITY) J. EVANS (LEICESTER CITY) T. HUME (SUNDERLAND) P. LANE (FLEETWOOD TOWN) P. McNAIR (MIDDLESBROUGH) B. SPENCER (HUDDERSFIELD TOWN) S. CHARLES (MANCHESTER CITY) S. DAVIS (RANGERS) L. DONNELLY (MOTHERWELL) A. McCALMONT (LEEDS UNITED) A. McCANN (PRESTON NORTH END) C. McCANN (RANGERS) N. McGINN (DUNDEE) G. SAVILLE (MILLWALL) J. THOMPSON (STOKE CITY) D. CHARLES (BOLTON WANDERERS) K. LAFFERTY (KILMARNOCK) S. LAVERY (BLACKPOOL) C. McMENAMIN (GLENTORAN) C. WASHINGTON (CHARLTON ATHLETIC) G. WHYTE (CARDIFF CITY)

G. BALDOCK (SHEFFIELD UNITED) A. BOUCHALAKIS (OLYMPIACOS) D. KOURBELIS (PANATHINAIKOS) M. SIOPIS (TRABZONSPOR)

S. ALEXANDROPOULOS (PANATHINAIKOS) I. PAPANIKOLAOU (RAKOW CZESTOCHOWA)

G. MASOURAS (OLYMPIACOS) A. BAKASETAS (TRABZONSPOR) E. PAVLIDIS (AZ) D. LIMNIOS (TWENTE)

A. DOUVIKAS (UTRECHT) G. GIAKOUMAKIS (CELTIC) C. TZOLIS (NORWICH CITY) A. CHATZIGIOVANIS (PANATHINAIKOS)

MATCH DAY OFFICIALS REFEREE : ERIK LAMBRECHTS (BEL)

ASSISTANT REFEREE : RIEN VANYZERE (BEL) ASSISTANT REFEREE : JO DE WEIRDT (BEL) FOURTH OFFICIAL : NATHAN VERBOOMEN (BEL) VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE : BRAM VAN DRIESSCHE (BEL) ASSISTANT VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE : ALEXANDRE BOUCAUT (BEL) OBSERVER : ALEXANDRU DEACONU (ROU)

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

I extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Greece to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for this League C Group 2 game in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League competition.

And a warm welcome to all our fans and a big thank you to everyone who also attended the senior women’s team’s match against England in April and made it the biggest crowd ever for a senior women’s international in Northern Ireland. Today’s game sees Northern Ireland, top seeds in their group, start their third UEFA Nations League campaign with a home game against second seeds Greece and they will finish the group stage with an away match in Greece in late September. As usual there is a sense of hope and anticipation at the start of a new campaign. With the club season now over, today’s game is a much needed return to international football after the last home game against Hungary in March. Club allegiances will inevitably create interest in Liverpool player Kostas Tsimikas who has enjoyed FA Cup and Carabou Cup success this year. Northern Ireland and Greece last met , of course, in Belfast in the autumn of 2015 when goals from Steven Davis (two) and Josh Magennis secured a famous 3-1 victory to send Michael O’Neill’s team to Euro 2016. That result sparked unforgettable scenes of celebration and let us hope that augurs well for this campaign. The Greeks will no doubt ref lect on their success in the UEFA Euro 2004 final which they won 1-0 against a Portugal side that included Ronaldo and Figo.

Alexander the Great said “for the courageous nothing is unattainable” and I am sure that the courage in our team will hold us in good stead. I would like to record my thanks to Conor McLaughlin who announced his retirement from professional football in April following a long battle against persistent injuries. He was certainly a player who never let Northern Ireland down. He had the courage to give all that he had and more for us. Hopefully the team’s training camp in England in May will have given the squad further opportunities to bond and to prepare for a busy few weeks of international football this month. I trust that the Green and White Army will be in fine voice spurring the team on as usual . For those of you travelling to one or both of the games away to Cyprus and Kosovo this month, I thank you for your dedicated support and I hope that you have a safe and enjoyable trip. Enjoy the match tonight . CONRAD KIRKWOOD PRESIDENT IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

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So here we are at the start of another campaign and I am delighted to say the squad is in good shape ahead of what will be a tough schedule of fixtures over the next 11 days.

We don’t exactly have a great track record in the UEFA Nations League, however both the players and coaching staff believe we can put that right when we compete in the third edition of the competition. We’ve got a good mixture of youth and experience in the squad, with several exciting prospects who I am confident will show they are ready to take their game up a level on the international stage. I sense among the younger players that they are desperate to do well , while those that have been there and done it can be a calming inf luence on the rest . Four games in 11 days is going to be a stretch for everyone involved. But we have good depth to the group just now and I have no doubt we will have to make changes as we go along. It was disappointing to be relegated to League C in the second edition of the competition but that’s now firmly behind us and we must concentrate fully on the task of gaining promotion back to League B. Greece, like ourselves, will want a positive result tonight to kick-start their campaign in Group 2. That means we will have to be on our guard, but at the same time we have to be courageous and brave on the ball , especially with our great home support behind us. The four Nations League games this month and the two in September are so important as we look forward to next year’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Being at Germany 2024 is our long-term goal so these games play a part in that . It’s about looking at the squad, swelling the squad and giving people chances. We want to do well in the Nations League. We want to top the group, which could get us a play-off place for the Euros and that’s nothing to be sniffed at . You’ve also got to weigh up what’s right for the group and that’s seeing players come in and giving them their chance so you have more players with experience going into that Euros qualifying group when it comes around next year. Naturally, we will miss having Stuart Dallas in our ranks today and we wish him a speedy recovery following his leg break at the end of April . His absence presents an opportunity for someone else to step up, to show the determination and commitment that Stuart always shows when he pulls on the green jersey. Due to injury and fatigue following a gruelling season we are also missing some other experienced campaigners but again this presents an opportunity for others to show what they can do. And with our fantastic fans roaring them on – thanks as ever for your support tonight – I am sure all the players will rise to the occasion. IAN BARACLOUGH NORTHERN IRELAND MANAGER

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GOOD EVENING Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for the first in an unprecedented quadruple header of senior men’s international fixtures in just 11 days.

The decision to move the FIFA World Cup to December has made this a very unusual year from an international fixtures perspective. Today we face Greece in the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League and we will be back here on Sunday 12 June to play Cyprus, having visited Cyprus and Kosovo in the meantime! So no time for Ian and the squad to don their speedos and top up their tans over the next few days. Holidays will have to wait . The UEFA Nations League is now in its third edition and has been a great success from a broadcasting and commercial perspective so far, with teams pitted against other nations of similar stature in the competition, plus chances for promotion and relegation. For ourselves, results have not yet taken off, and we hope to put that to rights today and over the next few games as we now find ourselves in League C looking to bounce back with promotion to League B. As with most things in life, our Northern Ireland squad has to evolve and renew over time and we are delighted to welcome some new faces to Ian’s panel this time with Shea Charles, Charlie McCann, Conor McMenamin and Brodie Spencer all featuring for the first time. On the subject of broadcasting, we say hello today to our new live rights partner, Premier Sports, who will produce and show all of our home and away men’s senior international games over the next two years.

Sky have been our partner in this area since 2008, however in the latest commercial tender exercise undertaken by UEFA, who manage the rights process for all 55 national associations, Premier was the winner this time and we welcome them to the Irish FA family. Now that (hopefully) the worst of coronavirus is behind us after two very difficult years, we are delighted that we can fill the stadium with spectators again, and your backing is so important to the squad. For many years the GAWA soundtrack to a home game has helped us to scale the heights, perhaps no more so than when Greece last visited, as we sealed our place at UEFA Euro 2016 with a 3-1 win. So please get behind Ian and the players as much as you can tonight , and let’s see if we can repeat that famous result .

Enjoy the match! PATRICK NELSON CHIEF EXECUT IVE IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

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NORTHERN IRELAND GREEN & WHITE

TREVOR CARSON

JOSH CLARKE

POS: CLUB: GOALKEEPER READING LUKE SOUTHWOOD

POS: CLUB: DEFENDER ARSENAL DANIEL BALLARD

POS: CLUB: GOALKEEPER SHEFFIELD WED BAILEY PEACOCK-FARRELL

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

GOALKEEPER ST MIRREN

GOALKEEPER GLENAVON

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

34

7

0

17

0

0

25

30

0

24

1

0

22

13

1

POS: CLUB: DEFENDER MIDDLESBROUGH CAOLAN BOYD-MUNCE

POS: CLUB: DEFENDER LIVERPOOL CONOR BRADLEY

JONNY EVANS

TRAI HUME

CIARON BROWN

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

DEFENDER LEICESTER CITY

DEFENDER SUNDERLAND

DEFENDER CARDIFF CITY

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

18

5

0

22

0

0

24

9

0

34

94

4

20

1

0

PATRICK LANE

SHEA CHARLES

STEVEN DAVIS

PADDY McNAIR

BRODIE SPENCER

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

DEFENDER FLEETWOOD TOWN

MIDFIELDER MANCHESTER CITY

MIDFIELDER RANGERS

DEFENDER MIDDLESBROUGH

DEFENDER HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

21

1

0

27

53

5

18

0

0

18

0

0

37

134 13

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LIAM DONNELLY

ALFIE McCALMONT

POS: CLUB: MIDFIELDER RANGERS CHARLIE McCANN

NIALL McGINN

ALI McCANN

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

MIDFIELDER MOTHERWELL

MIDFIELDER LEEDS UNITED

MIDFIELDER DUNDEE

MIDFIELDER PRESTON N END

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

26

3

0

22

4

0

25

30

0

20

0

0

34

70

6

POS: CLUB: MIDFIELDER STOKE CITY JORDAN THOMPSON

GEORGE SAVILLE

DION CHARLES

KYLE LAFFERTY

SHAYNE LAVERY

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

MIDFIELDER MILLWALL

FORWARD BOLTON WANDERERS

FORWARD KILMARNOCK

FORWARD BLACKPOOL

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

28

37

0

23

11

1

25

22

0

26

8

0

34

85

20

POS: CLUB: FORWARD GLENTORAN CONOR McMENAMIN

POS: CLUB: FORWARD CHARLTON ATH CONOR WASHINGTON

GAVIN WHYTE

POS: CLUB:

FORWARD CARDIFF CITY

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

26

0

0

30

35

6

26

23

4

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STEV

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NIR V GRE

VEN 8 October 2015 was a magical night , 30 years in the making. Three decades after qualifying for the World Cup in Mexico, Northern Ireland - inspired by skipper Steven Davis - booked their place at Euro 2016 after a memorable 3-1 win over Greece in Belfast . STEVEN DAVIS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECT ION WORDS: Mark McIntosh The Sun

SQUAD NO: 08 \ NI APP: 134 CLUBS: ASTON VILLA (91) FULHAM (22)

RANGERS (LOAN 12) RANGERS (140) SOUTHAMPTON (193) RANGERS (LOAN 14) RANGERS (77)

PLACE OF BIRTH: BALLYMENA HEIGHT: 173CM WEIGHT: 72KG

DATE OF BIRTH: 01-01-1985

POSITION: MIDFIELD

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because you never know what it might mean further down the line. “That’s why we have to give it our utmost in all four games this month, starting with Greece. “We want to achieve something in this group but we know the quadruple header is going to be tough for everyone.” The skipper is certain there will be rotation in the team this month and that means the younger players will get a chance to show what they can do. “We’ve got good young players coming through and we’ve seen over the last couple of years some younger lads have been able to come in and nail down places in the side,” he said. “Hopefully it’ ll be a positive couple of weeks together but there are things to take out of the Nations League other than results. “You have to give young players exposure and experience. It’s not always going to click and happen overnight but the more experience they get will stand us in good stead, and I believe we are in a stronger position for doing that in recent years.” Davis is set to win his 135th cap against Greece tonight - and it will be his 65th senior international appearance at Windsor Park. It’s an experience the former Aston Villa and Southampton midfielder will never take for granted. He further explained: “When you’re younger and coming through, you’re buzzing to be around the group but you go through different phases throughout your international career. It’s always special for me. I love pulling on that jersey at home and walking out in our stadium. “The fans have always been amazing with me throughout my whole international career. “As you get a bit older you try to take things in a little bit more than when you’re younger and you start to think a little bit deeper about things like when it might be your last time. “I try to enjoy the moments as much as possible but it is also important to push to get the performances and results to make sure we are going in the right direction.”

GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Davis scored twice, either side of a Josh Magennis goal , to book his side’s seats on the plane to France and it’s a moment in his illustrious career the Rangers man will never forget . “It was such a special night . We’d managed to get ourselves into a really good position before the game and we knew going into that game we’d have a great chance of doing it ,” he said. “We knew what was required but to put on that level of performance and to be so comfortable in the game and be able to enjoy the moment was so special . “It will definitely go down as one of my fondest memories in my career by the time I finish, for sure.” Davis insisted the result and what it meant had a lasting impact on the Northern Ireland players. “Once you get that taste of success you want more. We spoke about it at the time, about trying to hold onto that and trying to push on to put ourselves in that position again,” he said. “The next World Cup campaign is a painful memory but we got so close to going to another major tournament . “But the Euros was an amazing tournament to be involved in. The fans had waited so long to be involved in a major tournament and for us it was a memory we’ ll cherish forever. Football is all about hoping and trying to achieve something together and hopefully we’ ll get to that stage again.” The UEFA Nations League, which kicks off tonight against Greece at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, provides a second avenue to potentially qualifying for Euro 2024. Up until now Northern Ireland have used the competition to introduce younger players to the squad and Davis believes it has been hugely beneficial , even if results haven’t been what he had hoped for. He pointed out : “I think it took a bit of time for people to understand what the benefit could be in the Nations League, but now we’ve seen it going into these games we know they are important

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DID YOU KNOW?

WORDS: MARSHALL GILLESPIE

Unfortunately Northern Ireland’s UEFA Nations League record is not the best . Over the course of the last two campaigns we have played a total of 10 games with our best performances being two 1-1 draws against Romania in Bucharest (Sep 2020) and Belfast (Nov 2020) . The remaining eight games have all ended in defeat , four at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and four on the road. Our full record is:

In 10 Nations League games Northern Ireland have found the net on just six occasions, with five of those six goals being scored in the second half of matches. The only first half goal has come from Paddy McNair who scored in the sixth minute of the 5-1 defeat to Norway. Our goalscorers in the competition to date have been: Will Grigg (08.09.2018) v Bosnia and Herzegovina (h) lost 1-2

Corry Evans (18.11.2018) v Austria (h) – lost 1-2 Gavin Whyte (04.09.2020) v Romania (a) – drew 1-1 Paddy McNair (07.09.2020) v Norway (h) – lost 1-5 Josh Magennis (15.11.2020) v Austria (a) – lost 1-2 Liam Boyce (18.11.2020) v Romania (h) - drew 1-1

P W D L F A 10 0 2 8 6 18

The only player to have played in all 10 previous Nations League matches for Northern Ireland is Stuart Dallas, who will sadly miss the four games in the competition this month due to a leg fracture sustained while playing for his club, Leeds United. Dallas started nine of those 10 games, accumulating a total of 823 minutes. In the remaining match against Norway in Oslo in October 2020 he came on as a substitute. Unfortunately though he put through his own net just seven minutes after replacing Michael Smith to give the home side all three points.

All six goals scored by Northern Ireland in the Nations League have been assisted by different players. The players are: Liam Boyce (08.09.2018) v Bosnia and Herzegovina (h) lost 1-2 Jordan Jones (18.11.2018) v Austria (h) – lost 1-2 Kyle Lafferty (04.09.2020) v Romania (a) – drew 1-1 Conor Washington (07.09.2020) v Norway (h) – lost 1-5 Paddy McNair (15.11.2020) v Austria (a) – lost 1-2 Matthew Kennedy (18.11.2020) v Romania (h) - drew 1-1

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Cardiff City winger Gavin Whyte has made the most appearances off the bench for Northern Ireland in the Nations League, coming on as a substitute on a total of five occasions. The former Crusaders man’s only goal in the competition came as a sub when, 20 minutes after replacing Conor Washington, he scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Romania in Bucharest back in September 2020.

Between them Michael O’Neill and Ian Baraclough used a total of 33 players in Northern Ireland’s two Nations League campaigns to date. Four of those 33 players made their full international debuts in the competition. They are: Kyle Vassell (18.11.2018) v Austria (h) Daniel Ballard (04.09.2020) v Romania (a) Alistair McCann (15.11.2020) v Austria (a) Matthew Kennedy (18.11.2020) v Romania (h)

Northern Ireland have picked up a total of 14 yellow cards in their 10 Nations League matches since 2018. The only two players to have received more than one caution are Oliver Norwood and Josh Magennis, both of whom were booked on two occasions. Magennis’ two yellows both came in the 1-1 draw against Romania in Bucharest , meaning he is the only Northern Ireland player to date to have been dismissed in the competition.

Over the last two Nations League campaigns Northern Ireland have used three goalkeepers. Burnley’s Bailey Peacock- Farrell , who has played in six games, and Trevor Carson and Michael McGovern, who have played in two apiece. Unfortunately none of the three netminders managed to keep a clean sheet during their stints between the sticks.

Tonight’s opponents Greece have played a total of 10 matches in the Nations League over the past two campaigns, winning four of them. Two of those victories have come away from home. Their recent record in the competition is quite impressive having remained unbeaten in their last six outings (three wins and three draws) . Their full record to date reads:

P W D L F A 10 4 3 3 8 6

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SCOUTING REPORT

Andy Greeves takes a closer look at Greece ahead of this evening’s UEFA Nations League encounter at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

LOWDOWN Having been appointed as Greece’s new head coach back in February this year, Gus Poyet took charge of the side for the first time on 25 March as they beat Romania 1-0 in a friendly thanks to a headed goal from Andreas Bouchalakis. Three days later the ‘Ethniki’ (or the ‘National’ as Greece are nicknamed) went down to a 1-0 defeat to Montenegro in another friendly. Tonight’s match is the first of four UEFA Nations League Group C2 fixtures that Greece will face in the next 12 days. The Ethniki are away to Kosovo on Sunday and at home to Cyprus and Kosovo next Thursday and Sunday respectively. TACTICS Having yet to play a competitive fixture under Poyet , it is difficult to predict how Greece might line up this evening. The Ethniki operated in a 4-3-3 formation in their friendly matches against Romania and Montenegro back in March, which appeared more like a 4-5-1 when they were out of possession. Poyet usually favoured a back four during his club management career, with his teams typically lining up in either a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation. Since their unlikely success at UEFA Euro 2004, where Greece lifted the trophy, the Ethniki have been regarded as a ‘defensive’ outfit . In his unveiling as head coach back in February, Poyet spoke pragmatically about the style of football to expect from his Greece side going forward. “We can play the most beautiful football in the world… but if we don’t reach the finals (UEFA Euro 2024) , we don’t reach the objectives,” he said. “We need to be practical , we need to be intelligent . We want to play the best football we can but we want to win.”

STRENGTHS Since a 3-2 defeat to Armenia back in June 2019, Greece have neither scored more or conceded more than two goals in a match, supporting the idea of them being a defensive-minded outfit . Particularly in matches against high-ranking opposition, the Ethniki have been happy to sit deep and counter attack. This approach has often paid dividends – Greece drew 1-1 away to Spain in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in March 2021 despite only having 20% possession and one shot on target all match. A 1-1 draw in Belgium in June 2021 was achieved in similar fashion, with the Ethniki putting together 166 less passes then their opponents on the night . Greece have a strong, experienced defensive spine. Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos has played over 150 matches for Portuguese giants Benfica, while veteran centre back Georgios Tzavellas – who can also operate at left back – was included in the Greek squad for UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Left back Kostas Tsimikas continues to impress for both Liverpool and the Greek national team. To portray Greece solely as a defensive outfit would be to do them a disservice. There are a number of attacking players in the squad capable of making things happen going forward, including the lively Christos Tzolis, who operates on the left f lank and is comfortable running with the ball at his feet and also making moves into the penalty area to score.

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THOSE ‘AMERICAN PIE’ MOMENTS

WORDS : WILLIAM CAMPBELL

When the American singer/ songwriter Don McLean was asked what his iconic 1970s song ‘American Pie’ meant, he answered: “It means I never have to work again”!

JOSH MAGENNIS CELEBRATES HIS GOAL AGAINST GREECE IN 2015 WHICH SE T NORTHERN IREL AND ON THEIR WAY TO EURO 2016

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Whilst we had full confidence in Billy Bingham and his side, we were unsure about his ploy of starting the raw and youthful Norman Whiteside in such a key match. We should never have worried. Norman, a boy in a man’s body, gained his spurs and the admiration of every Northern Ireland fan with his first challenge when he left an indelible mark on a Yugoslavian opponent and had him looking up with bemusement . A hero was born, but certainly not a one trick pony. Norman scored many goals for Northern Ireland and led the line with distinction until his knees would no longer let him, but I will always remember him for his robust challenge on a sultry Spanish night . A legend was truly born. A similar challenge happened seven seconds into our iconic victory over England in 2005. Ashley Cole (not a slouch in any way) is played the ball from the kick-off but James Quinn is on top of him in an instant and poor Mr Cole finds himself on the turf not sure (no doubt) who this rampant bull elephant who had challenged him is or where he had come from. It summed up perfectly how Northern Ireland were up for the game and how Sven Goran Eriksson’s pampered pooches were not . It is a moment I return to regularly when I need some uplifting moments, and that is just as pleasing a moment as when the ball actually hits the back of Paul Robinson’s net ( yet another moment in which Ashley Cole’s exasperated face features heavily) thanks to David Healy. So what are your favourite Northern Ireland ‘American Pie’ moments? We all have them and here’s hoping for plenty more in the future.

That sense of the moment of genius, a sublime coming together of the right idea, at the right time with the right person or people to make it happen is a unique phenomenon. It’s not that Don McLean was a one trick pony – ‘Vincent’ is as lyrically and musically beautiful as anything else – but ask the ordinary man in the street to name a McLean song and the likelihood is that ‘American Pie’ will be the answer given. Football is full of those ‘American Pie’ moments. The right player in the right place at the right time. I once asked former Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez what it was like to score the winning goal in an FA Cup Final . Lawrie, with his typical honesty, said he was lucky, that a lot of better players than him had never even played in an FA Cup Final . And he then added: “At least I know I’ ll always get work in May”! In my Northern Ireland fandom journey I can think of numerous ‘right man in right place’ moments, many of which are my favourite times, whether the Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn goals against Ukraine in Lyon, Josh Magennis’ goal against Greece the last time they played in Belfast that set us on our way to Euro 2016 or Paddy McCourt’s sublime finish against the Faroes. Those moments are all up there with the best of them, but two particularly stand out for me. I’ ll take you back to Zaragoza on a hot and sticky June evening in 1982. Actually being in Spain for the World Cup supporting Northern Ireland was a dream come true, never mind the excitement of the matches themselves. We were supposed to be turned over by a highly rated and technically gifted Yugoslavian side.

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THE COACH: GREECE

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

Greece boss Gus Poyet will be familiar to many Northern Ireland fans having both played and managed in the Premier League. A prolific midfielder during his playing days, Poyet spent seven years with La Liga side Real Zaragoza in the 1990s and he started the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final when Nayim’s famous long range strike in extra time earned the Spanish side victory over Arsenal . Poyet moved to Chelsea on a free transfer in 1997 and became a key figure in teams that won the FA Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup, Charity Shield and Super Cup. It was Poyet’s late goal against Real Madrid in Monaco that earned the Blues that Super Cup victory. The Uruguayan joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2001 and then transitioned into the coaching ranks as a player-assistant manager at Swindon Town alongside his ex-Chelsea team-mate Dennis Wise. Poyet was the number two to Wise at both Swindon and Leeds United, and he later occupied the role of first team coach at Spurs during Juande Ramos’ time in charge at White Hart Lane. In November 2009 Poyet landed his first managerial gig with Brighton and Hove Albion, who were then struggling in League One. The Seagulls won promotion to the Championship in Poyet’s first full season in charge and after guiding them to a top half finish in the next campaign Brighton made the play-offs the year after, only to lose to rivals Crystal Palace in the semi-finals. Poyet was relieved of his duties after that campaign – news which he said was broken to him by a BBC staff member while he worked as a pundit during the Confederations Cup – and the following October he became the first Uruguayan

to manager in the Premier League when he was appointed Sunderland boss. The Black Cats were rock bottom of the table but Poyet led them to safety, having also guided them to a League Cup final during that campaign. Sunderland parted company with him in March 2015 following a run of just one victory in 12 Premier League games. He has since had spells with clubs in Greece, Spain, China, France and Chile before being appointed the national team boss of Greece in February 2022. • Poyet made 187 appearances in the Premier League for both Chelsea and Spurs, more than any other Uruguayan has managed in the competition. • Among his fellow countrymen only Luis Suarez (69) has scored more top flight goals in England than Poyet’s 54. • He won the 1995 Copa America with Uruguay as they beat then World Cup holders Brazil on penalties in the final in Montevideo. • Poyet’s son Diego also enjoyed a career in England, playing for Charlton Athletic, West Ham United, Huddersfield Town and Milton Keynes Dons, while representing both the Three Lions and Uruguay at youth level .

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THE SQUAD: GREECE

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

ODYSSEAS VLACHODIMOS GOALKEEPER BENFICA

ALEXANDROS PASCHALAKIS GOALKEEPER PAOK AGE 32 CAPS 3 GOALS 0 Paschalakis has spent most of his career in his native Greece and is the first choice stopper for PAOK, with whom he won a league and cup double in 2018-19. He received his first international call-up in October 2018 and made his senior debut the following May in a friendly against Turkey.

SOKRATIS DIOUDIS GOALKEEPER PANATHINAIKOS AGE 29 CAPS 2 GOALS 0 Dioudis has been a regular for Panathinaikos since 2017, having spent two spells at Aris earlier in his career. Also played for Belgian side Club Brugge, where he backed up one-time Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan. Dioudis received his first Greece call-up in 2014 but had to wait until 2020 for his debut. DIMITRIOS GIANNOULIS DEFENDER NORWICH CITY AGE 26 CAPS 18 GOALS 0 Left-back who initially joined Norwich on loan in January 2021 when they were in the Championship. That move was made permanent when the Canaries were promoted and Giannoulis made 18 appearances in the top flight this term. Made his international debut in a friendly in 2018 and was sent off after just 43 minutes. KONSTANTINOS MAVROPANOS DEFENDER STUT TGART AGE 24 CAPS 9 GOALS 0 Mavropanos joined Arsenal in January 2018 when Arsene Wenger was still in charge, though he made only seven Premier League appearances for the club, the last of which came in 2019. He recently completed a permanent move to Stuttgart after two seasons on loan with the German club.

AGE 28 CAPS 23 GOALS 0 Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Vlachodimos began his senior career with his hometown club before joining his brother, Panagiotis, at Panathinaikos. Moved to Benfica in 2018 and has racked up over 150 appearances for the Portuguese giants. Represented Germany at multiple youth levels but debuted for Greece’s senior team in 2018. GEORGIOS ATHANASIADIS GOALKEEPER SHERIFF TIRASPOL AGE 29 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 Has spent the past season playing his club football in Moldova on a loan spell from AEK Athens. Athanasiadis was between the sticks when Sheriff famously beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu in the Champions League back in September. He made 10 saves and was voted man of the match. KOSTAS TSIMIKAS DEFENDER LIVERPOOL AGE 26 CAPS 18 GOALS 0 Another left-back who plays his club football in England, Tsimikas has quickly earned cult hero status with Liverpool, whom he joined from Olympiacos last August. He scored the winning penalty in the FA Cup final shootout victory over Chelsea last month. Made his senior Greece debut in October 2018. AGE 24 CAPS 3 GOALS 0 After spells in Slovakia and the Netherlands, Rota returned to his homeland when joining AEK in September 2021. The right-back first played for Greece in October 2020 against Moldova. He has started in only one of his three international appearances to date, in a 1-0 win over Romania in March. LAZAROS ROTA DEFENDER AEK ATHENS

GEORGIOS TZAVELLAS DEFENDER AEK ATHENS

AGE 34 CAPS 45 GOALS 3 Tzavellas won his first caps in 2010 and was part of the Greece squad at the 2014 World Cup, though he was not involved in either game against Northern Ireland in the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Has played club football in Greece, Germany, France and Turkey.

PANTELIS CHATZIDIAKOS DEFENDER AZ AGE 25 CAPS 15 GOALS 0

Central defender who plays his club football in Holland with AZ, whom he initially joined on youth terms. Chatzidiakos has made over 100 appearances in the Dutch top flight and has played in both the Europa League and Europa Conference League. He made his Greece debut against Italy in October 2019 in a Euro 2020 qualifier. IONNAIS KOTSIRAS DEFENDER PANATHINAIKOS AGE 29 CAPS 2 GOALS 0 Right-back who made his way through the Greek league system, eventually joining Panathinaikos in June 2021 after a long spell at Asteras Tripoli. Both of Kotsiras’ international caps have come from the bench, in a friendly defeat to Turkey in 2019 and in a 3-2 loss in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Armenia.

DIMITRIOS GOUTAS DEFENDER SIVASSPOR AGE 28 CAPS 2 GOALS 0 Central defender who

represented his country at various youth levels before making his senior debut in a 1-0 loss to Spain in November. Goutas was an unused substitute in Greece’s two friendlies in March. Now plays in Turkey – and scored five league goals this season – after previous stints in Greece, Belgium and Poland.

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DIMITRIOS KOURBELIS MIDFIELD PANATHINAIKOS AGE 29 CAPS 21 GOALS 1 Defensive midfielder who serves as the captain for Greek club Panathinaikos, whom he joined in 2016 after playing for Asteras Tripolis in the top flight. Kourbelis won his first international cap in 2017, but he has not appeared for his country since November 2020 after a lengthy injury lay-off. qualifies for Greece through his grandmother. Baldock has been a regular for the Blades since moving from MK Dons in 2017 and he made 70 Premier League appearances across Sheffield United’s two recent campaigns in the top flight. IONNAIS PAPANIKOLAOU MIDFIELD RAKOW CZESTOCHOWA AGE 23 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 The only uncapped outfield player in the group, Papanikolaou has been rewarded by head coach Gus Poyet for his good form in the Polish top flight. The winger has previously represented Greece at Under-21 level and featured for both Platanias and Panionios in the Greek top flight. EVANGELOS PAVLIDIS FORWARD AZ AGE 23 CAPS 23 GOALS 5 A prolific striker with Greece’s youth teams, Pavlidis has an impressive return at senior level, too. He plays his club football in the Netherlands and has scored 40 league goals across the past three seasons. Only Ajax’s Sebastien Haller and Vitesse’s Lois Openda netted more in the Eredivisie this season. GEORGE BALDOCK DEFENDER SHEFFIELD UNITED AGE 29 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 First call-up for Championship defender who was born in England but

MANOLIS SIOPIS MIDFIELD TRABZONSPOR AGE 28 CAPS 15 GOALS 0 Has spent the past three seasons in Turkey and this term helped Trabzonspor win the Turkish top flight for the first time in 38 years. Siopis, who previously played for Olympiacos and Aris in Greece, made his international debut in 2019 and appeared in six of his country’s eight World Cup 2022 qualifiers. PETROS MANTALOS MIDFIELD AEK ATHENS AGE 30 CAPS 43 GOALS 4 Captain at AEK Athens, whom he initially joined when they were in the second tier in 2014. Won his first international cap when playing in that division, too. Has racked up nearly 300 appearances for AEK, with whom he won the title in 2017-18. Came on during Greece’s previous visit to Belfast in 2015. GEORGIOS MASOURAS FORWARD OLYMPIACOS AGE 28 CAPS 23 GOALS 3 A striker who plays out wide, Masouras has scored 20 times in the Greek top flight across the past two seasons. Joined Olympiacos in 2019 and has won three titles since. Made his debut for Greece in November 2018. Each of his three Greece goals were the opening goals in games.

SOTIRIOS ALEXANDROPOULOS MIDFIELD PANATHINAIKOS AGE 20 CAPS 3 GOALS 0 Youngster who comes into this international window in good spirits after helping Panathinaikos win the Greek Milan, Alexandropoulos has already accumulated over 50 appearances for his club and came off the bench for Greece in both of March’s friendlies. 2021-22 season, having been a regular in his club’s 2020-21 Champions League campaign. Started all eight of Greece’s World Cup 2022 qualifiers. Cup last month. Linked with Italian giants AC ANDREAS BOUCHALAKIS MIDFIELD OLYMPIACOS AGE 29 CAPS 28 GOALS 1 Central midfielder who is in his second spell with Olympiacos after spending the 2017-18 season in the Championship with Nottingham Forest. Made eight appearances in the Europa League in the

ANASTASIOS BAKASETAS FORWARD TRABZONSPOR

AGE 28 CAPS 45 GOALS 5 Greece’s captain and one of the more experienced members of the squad. Having won the title in Greece with AEK Athens in 2017-18, Bakasetas helped Trabzonspor to win the championship in Turkey this past term. Three of his five international goals came in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

DIMITRIOS LIMNIOS FORWARD TWENTE

AGE 23 CAPS 20 GOALS 2 Limnios is coming off the back of a fine season in which he scored eight goals in the Eredivisie during a loan spell with Twente. Three of those came in his last two games. His parent club are Bundesliga outfit FC Koln. He joined them from PAOK, with whom he won the double.

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ANASTASIOS DOUVIKAS FORWARD UTRECHT AGE 22 CAPS 9 GOALS 1 Played in every league game for Utrecht this season and scored nine times in 36 appearances. Prior to moving to the Netherlands, he was a prolific forward in the Greek Super League with Volos. Made his senior international bow last year and opened his account in a World Cup qualifier against Kosovo.

GEORGIOS GIAKOUMAKIS FORWARD CELTIC AGE 27 CAPS 8 GOALS 1 Enjoyed a fine first season in Scotland, winning the title and scoring 13 times in 21 games to finish as the club’s leading marksman in the Premiership. In the 2020-21 season Giakoumakis netted 26 times for VVV-Venlo and was the top scorer in the Eredivisie even though his team were relegated. ANASTASIOS CHATZIGIOVANIS FORWARD PANATHINAIKOS AGE 24 CAPS 4 GOALS 0 Long-serving Panathinaikos player who mainly operates on the flanks. An international for Greece at Under-21 level, he won his first senior cap in the 2-1 friendly win over Cyprus in November 2020. His three appearances since, including two in the March friendlies, have all come from the bench.

CHRISTOS TZOLIS FORWARD NORWICH CITY AGE 20 CAPS 13 GOALS 1

Moved to Norwich from PAOK last August and scored twice and had two assists in a 6-0 EFL Cup win over Bournemouth on his debut. Ended up making 14 appearances in the Premier League. Voted the Greek Super League’s Young Footballer of the Year in 2020-21, he won his first senior cap in October 2020 as an 18-year-old.

#Colours of MAD

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

FACT FILE: GREECE

• Greece then recorded 1-0 victories over France, Czech Republic and Portugal to win the tournament in what remains one of the biggest shocks in modern football . • That was the start of the golden era of Greek football as they made it to three successive European Championships between 2004 and 2012, as well as back-to-back World Cups in 2010 and 2014. • Rehhagel’s team stormed through qualifying for Euro 2008, gaining 31 points – more than any other nation during the preliminary stage – but the defending champions were eliminated without picking up a single point in the finals. • Greece beat Ukraine in a play-off to make the World Cup in South Africa, which was only their second appearance at the tournament after 1994, when they lost all three games and didn’t score a single goal . At the 2010 World Cup, Greece recorded their first ever win at the finals over Nigeria, but defeats to South Korea and Argentina meant they bowed out at the group phase. • Rehhagel stepped away from his post after that tournament and was replaced by Fernando Santos, who would later lead Portugal to glory at Euro 2016 and in the 2019 Nations League. • Santos presided over a record 17-match unbeaten run at the start of his reign and guided the country to eighth in the FIFA World Rankings, the joint highest position in their history. • Under Santos, Greece reached the quarter- finals at Euro 2012 and the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup, after which the coach left for his native Portugal . The 2014 World Cup remains the most recent tournament they have qualified for. • Claudio Ranieri replaced Santos but was sacked after just four games in charge, with the final straw proving to be a 1-0 home loss to Faroe Islands. • Billy Bingham also coached Greece, between 1971 and 1973, shortly after his first spell in charge of the Northern Ireland national team and Linfield.

INTERNATIONAL • As was the case when Hungary came to Belfast back in March, the visit of Greece will evoke happy memories for the Green and White Army given the two countries’ most recent meetings in Euro 2016 qualifiers. • A 2-0 victory in Greece in October 2014 meant Northern Ireland began a qualification campaign with three successive victories for the first time ever. Jamie Ward and Kyle Lafferty were on target that day in a win over a side ranked 14th in the world at the time. • But the joy of that night in Athens was nothing compared to the emotions experienced in Belfast a year later, with a famous 3-1 victory at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park securing Northern Ireland’s spot at Euro 2016. Steven Davis scored a brace against the Greeks before Josh Magennis netted his first international goal on an unforgettable night . • Greece and Northern Ireland had previously met in the qualifiers for Euro 2004 – a tournament that is fondly remembered by those of a Greek persuasion. • The Greeks lost their opening two games in that group, against Spain and Ukraine, but won the next six, not conceding a goal in the process, to finish top ahead of La Roja. • James Quinn and Keith Gillespie were both sent off in a 2-0 loss to Greece in Belfast , while George McCartney saw red in a 1-0 defeat in Athens on the final matchday. That victory ensured Greece qualified for the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal . • Placed in a group with the hosts, Spain and Russia, Greece kicked off the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Portugal before drawing 1-1 with Spain. Despite losing 2-1 to Russia in their third group game, Otto Rehhagel’s team went through having scored more goals than Spain.

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• Many of Greece’s most capped players were in the Euro 2004 squad, including Giorgos Karagounis, who holds the record with 139 appearances. • With 29 goals in 74 games, Nikos Anastopoulos is the country’s all-time top scorer. Angelos Charisteas, who scored the winner at Euro 2004, is second on the list . • Greece are currently ranked 55th in the world, one place below Northern Ireland. They came into this international window having won just one of their previous five matches.

DOMESTIC • The Super League is the 14-club Greek top f light which runs from August to May each season. • In the most recent UEFA ranking of leagues, the Super League was placed 15th, sandwiched between the main divisions in Switzerland and Czech Republic. • An official Greek championship was first founded in 1927 and, in the 95 years since, only six clubs have won the title – Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, AEK, Aris, PAOK and AEL . • Last month Olympiacos won the title for the third successive season. Olympiacos have won the competition a record 47 times and have been the dominant side since the mid- 1990s. They have won 22 out of the past 26 championships. • Ex-Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, Brazil great Zico, former Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim and current Fulham manager Marco Silva have all been in charge of the club since 2009, while World Cup winners Rivaldo and Christian Karembeu, and former Northern Ireland internationals Derek Spence and Roy Carroll , are among their ex-players. • Despite Olympiacos’ dominance domestically, it is their great rivals Panathinaikos who have enjoyed more success on the European stage. The legendary Ferenc Puskas was in charge when Panathinaikos made it all the way to the European Cup final in 1971, but an Ajax team featuring the great Johan Cruyff beat the Greek side 2-0 at Wembley. • More recently Panathinaikos reached the European Cup semi-finals in the 1984-85 season, knocking out Linfield along the way, but they were beaten in the last four by Liverpool . • There was more semi-final heartbreak in the 1995-96 Champions League for Panathinaikos as another great Ajax side ousted the Greek club.

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