Greece kicks off Jovanovic era with Nations League games against ...
The “Ethniki” is set to embark on its journey under the leadership of Ivan Jovanovic this coming week as it faces Finland and Ireland in the UEFA Nations League, with the Serbian having already declared his ambition to help Greece qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The “blue-whites” will take on Finland at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium on Sunday morning, 4.45am (AEST), in their first game of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League.
Greece will be eager to have a good showing during their debut appearance in League B, with the nation to collide with Finland, Ireland, and heavyweights England (the favourite to win the group).
The “Ethniki” will hope they can secure all three points in Jovanovic’s first game at the helm and will hope to follow it up with a win in his first away trip as coach when they travel to play Ireland on Wednesday morning at 4.45am.
The Serbian coach stressed to media on Monday his optimism in his new post, believing the team deserved to go the Euros and his desire to ensure they qualify for the next major tournament.
“The team deserved to go to the Euros based on their performance in the games before that. It’s a shame for the kids, because they put in a lot of effort. Now, for them too it will be a challenge for the World Cup,” Jovanovic said.
“Several years have passed since Greek football was last represented at the level of national teams in a major competition.”
The former Panathinaikos coach admitted that he will only be satisfied in the long term “if we go to the World Cup”.
Jovanovic remarked that he feels a closeness to Greece after all the years he has spent playing and coaching in the country, with his task now being to lead a team that represents the entire nation forward.
“After all these years here, I really feel a part of this society, I feel it’s an important part of my life. That’s why I’m happy to take over the national team,” he said.
“The Greek has the ego, the faith and the courage to succeed. This characterises all Greek players, as long as I help them bring it out on the field.”
