The president of the Hellenic Football Federation, Makis Gagatsis, sent a message regarding the two crucial matches the Greek national team has ahead of it at Toumba—tonight against the Netherlands and on Sunday against Germany—through the match program.
In detail: “On behalf of the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO), I welcome you to Toumba Stadium, where, over the course of four days, the National Team will host two representatives from the elite of world soccer: the Netherlands and Germany.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The National Team’s return to Thessaloniki after many years comes at a time when the city has already been at the center of major soccer events. Just two weeks ago, events were held here to mark the 100th anniversary of the Federation’s founding, and on the same day, the UEFA Executive Committee meeting was also hosted here.
And today, Thessaloniki is welcoming the national team with great enthusiasm, following its two recent consecutive victories in Belgrade and Augsburg. The public response was impressive: tickets for both upcoming matches sold out within a matter of hours, while tens of thousands of fans were placed on a waiting list to secure their entry into the stadium. What matters from tonight on, however, are the matches ahead of us.
The national team is competing in the top tier of the UEFA Nations League and is set to test its strength against opponents who consistently rank among the leading powers in European soccer. This is precisely the value of its presence in the top tier of the Nations League: to constantly face such significant competitive challenges, to stake its claim among the top-tier national teams, and ultimately to forge its path back to major tournaments. This is the journey we want to embark on together with our team. All of us together, from one end of the country to the other.
Thessaloniki is yet another stop on this journey. And the matches against the Netherlands and Germany are two more steps in our effort to keep the national team where it is today and lead it to where we want it to be tomorrow.
Good luck!”
*photo source: epo.gr
