Greece’s U-21 national team did everything it could, fighting until the very last minute for the result that would have secured its direct qualification for the 2027 U-21 Euro, but the details didn’t go their way.
Greece defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 in the 10th and final match of Group 6 in the qualifiers, a result that wasn’t enough to secure a direct ticket to the final tournament, as they needed a victory by a margin of at least two goals.
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The U-21 National Team Heads to Kosovo
The “blue-and-whites” came out from the start determined to dictate the pace and chase the goal that would put them on track for qualification. Finally, the 1-0 lead came in the 32nd minute, with Mythou finding the back of the net and giving Greece the lead.
The second goal, however, never came. The national team pressed hard, created several key chances, and came close to making it 2-0 on multiple occasions, but failed to capitalize on its opportunities. The best chance came in the 90+2nd minute, when Theodosoulakis found himself one-on-one but was unable to beat the opposing goalkeeper.
Poland ultimately secured second place in the group and earned a direct berth, while the Greek U-21 national team will now advance to the playoffs.
The playoffs will take place in the next window, on November 9 and 17, with eight of the nine second-place teams from the groups competing for the final four spots in the Euro U21 finals, which will be hosted in the summer of 2027 in Albania and Serbia. The draw for the matchups is scheduled for Friday, October 9, in Nyon.
The starting lineup: Monastirlis, Kostoulas, Kalogeropoulos, Alexiou, Allen (84′ Theodosoulakis), Bakoulas (46′ Apostolakis), Almyras, Goumas (57′ Goumas), Pnevmonidis, Papakanellos (46′ Bregou), Mythou (74′ Rallis).
*photo source: GREECE NATIONAL TEAM
