Following the two victories in Belgrade and Augsburg, it’s now Thessaloniki’s turn for the Greek national team. Greece hosts the Netherlands on Thursday (October 1, 9:45 p.m.) at Toumba Stadium, and Ivan Jovanović didn’t mince words.
The national team coach described the “Oranje” as the strongest opponent the “blue-and-whites” will face in the Nations League, while he praised the national team players, emphasizing that they always give their best when called up to the national team.
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“If we can do it on the road, why shouldn’t we win at home too?” he said, setting the tone for another three points.
Here’s what Ivan Jovanović said in detail at the press conference
After Greece’s two wins, do you still feel that qualifying for a major tournament is the same as achieving success in the Nations League? “Yes. Those were two group stage matches; we have four more to go. It’s another qualification for a major tournament. I feel the same way. The only difference was the joy the people in Germany felt. It was something unique for the Greeks in Germany. These are the moments that define a game. The match against Germany was special. We have four more games, and we still have a lot of work to do.”
How do you feel about returning to the city where you made your name? “It’s always wonderful. When I left in 2008 to join APOEL, I didn’t expect it would be so many years before I returned to the city I first came to in 1989. I spent nearly 20 years in Thessaloniki. The feelings are always special. It’s a city where I have many friends—my city, in a way.”
What needs to happen for the players to put their “ego” aside? “Whenever the guys play, they give it their all and push themselves to the limit. Throughout history, there have been no players on the national teams who don’t come with great joy to play for the national team. No one sees playing for the national team as just an obligation. It’s an honor for them to represent their country. The current generation definitely needs what we don’t have: a little time. We have many young players on the team. We’re handling it the right way without rushing things. We have many players at a prime age for soccer; they have a future. Time is really pressing us to return to major tournaments. We have the support of the Nations League and the World Cup qualifiers. We’ve played in stadiums that were always packed, and that’s a huge motivator for the players when they know there’s a lot of interest in their games.”
Are four matches in 10 days a problem? “It’s a major issue. Many of the players who came here had just played three high-level matches with their clubs. So, they’ll have seven matches in less than three weeks. That’s just how the schedule is. In larger federations, the problem is less of an issue because they have many options. We’re always concerned about the players’ condition. Especially when the pace is intense, we have to be more careful about the fatigue that a “window” like this can cause. Before the tournament, I had a different opinion. Watching the matches, they’re tougher than I expected. It’s the travel, the intensity we experience in these games.”
The national team hasn’t been able to perform well in front of a packed stadium in recent years. Is it a challenge to manage the crowd’s energy? “The atmosphere at the national team’s games isn’t the same as when our clubs play. There’s also something that puts a little more pressure on us. There are many reasons why we haven’t gotten results at home. At the international level, it’s more difficult. There have always been top-level teams. We’ll try to change that. Why shouldn’t we do the same in Greece when we’re playing on the road?”
Is the current Dutch team the better one compared to Serbia and the Netherlands? “Yes. They’re among the best in Europe because of the quality of their players, their style, and their speed. The coach’s choice of playing style was the right one. I believe this is a team with a bright future.
If these two matches are vindication for everyone, and also for how the atmosphere has changed for Kurbelis: “We’ve been living with this for years, and we’ll continue to live with it for the next 20 years. The mindset hasn’t changed. We’re emotional. When you win, everything’s fine, and when you don’t, you have to clear the air. It’s hard to handle. You get used to it. It always keeps you on your toes, because there’s no such thing as time to spare when it comes to sports fans in Greece. It has its pros and cons. It’s incredibly exciting. I really enjoy being part of this scene, because it keeps you on your toes.”
*photo source: epo.gr
