Greece head coach Ivan Jovanovic says upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures will show where the national team stands during their debut in League A.
The Greek national team will begin their campaign in the top tier of the competition away to Serbia on September 24, before hosting Germany three days later on September 27.
Greece will play six group matches in total against high-level opponents, with the group also featuring the Netherlands. Jovanovic described the tournament as a major opportunity for his team, stating that facing such exceptional sides will help assess the squad's readiness while setting a clear objective to retain their place in the top tier for future editions of the competition.
Scheduling Challenges and Tactical Preparation
Addressing the calendar for the international window, Jovanovic highlighted that the current scheduling format is being implemented for the first time. He noted that managing four matches in under two weeks alongside travel commitments creates significant difficulty for coaching staff, who have virtually no time for detailed tactical preparations on the pitch.
Because of the tight timeframe, Jovanovic explained that the coaching staff will spend more time analyzing video performance than conducting standard training sessions. He stressed that the squad must adapt quickly to the demanding schedule, noting that similar calendar pressures could recur next September during qualifiers for the European Championship.
Team Venue and Fan Support in Thessaloniki
Jovanovic expressed satisfaction that Greece will play their home matches against Germany and the Netherlands in Thessaloniki. He recalled that the national side has always enjoyed strong backing from supporters during past fixtures held in Athens and Crete, adding that fan enthusiasm in Thessaloniki will be vital for the team during two extremely challenging games.
Background on Greece in International Football
Ivan Jovanovic took charge of the Greek national team aiming to rebuild the squad following previous campaigns in lower tiers of European competition. Greece earned promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League after topping their group in League B during the previous edition of the tournament.
The UEFA Nations League was introduced by European football's governing body to replace international friendlies with competitive matches divided across four tiers. Moving fixtures to Thessaloniki marks a return to northern Greece for the national team, which traditionally plays home games at venues across Athens and Crete.
