Giannis Goumas’ boys have a date with history on Thursday 17 July, as they face Russia in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-final. Should they win, they will play against one of two powerhouses, France or Spain who face off in Katerini later on Thursday. Greece players aim for their third final, after 2007 and 2012. On both occasions, Greece lost to Spain 1-0.

The journey towards the semis

As hosts of the tournament, Greece had a spot secured among the eight teams of the final stage without having to go through qualifiers or playing the Elite Round. The other seven teams had to fight hard in order to book their place in the tournament. The draw held at Katerini on 9 June saw Greece in the same section as France –renowned for their excellent work at youth levels- and the always dangerous Ukraine and Austria.

Greece got off to a dreamy start. They defeated Ukraine 2-0, courtesy of goals by Orfanidis and Karachalios. Up next they faced Austria in Larissa. Goumas’ pupils knew that, had they won, they would have secured their passage to the final four. In an attractive encounter with action at both ends, the goalless draw left everything to be decided on the last matchday.

Last Sunday, there were several permutations looking ahead to the deciding matches of Group 1. Greece would advance with a victory or draw against France in Katerini. Losing to France would put them in peril and their fate would be decided by the score of the Austria vs Ukraine match held simultaneously at Veria. France scored at the beginning of each half for a 2-0 win over Greece and everything depended on the final outcome of the other encounter. Austria level 2-2 in the 87th minute but couldn’t find the winner in the time left. Celebrations were in order in the Greek camp.

The black-and-white element

There are four PAOK players in the U19 squad of Greece: Koulouris, Pozoglou, Vasaitis and Τselepidis. As for Deligiannidis, he was in the provisional squad and participated in the friendlies, but was dropped after the final cut, a few days before the tournament kicked off.

Efthymis Koulouris is among the oldest members of the squad, in terms of participations. He joined Greece’s youth teams in 2013 and has already 21 caps and 4 goals for the U19s, becoming in the process a valuable cog of the squad and their skipper. Stelios Pozoglou made his debut last season and, since then, he has always been in the lists. The young winger has 11 matches and 2 goals for Greece U19.
 

Two more players of the “Double-Headed Eagle’s” U20s joined Greece’s U19s this season. Nikos Vasaitis and Timos Tselepidis took part in the team’s preparation stage and earned a spot in the finals’ roster. Vasaitis earned his first cap in a friendly encounter against Finland in September 2014 and went on to play seven friendlies and score one goal. As for Tselepidis, he had played in just three friendly encounters before earning a spot in the initial line-up of Greece in the U19 finals. During the preparation stage, Greece drew 2-2 against Denmark in Kavala, the two PAOK boys scoring the goals. Tselepidis netted the opener after just five minutes of play, while his substitute, Vasaitis, earned Greece a draw in the 78th minute.

In the group stage, Tselepidis played all 270 minutes and Koulouris started against Ukraine and France and played 61 and 89 minutes respectively. Pozoglou played in the first half of the opening game, was introduced for the last half-hour of the Austria match, but couldn’t feature against France due to abdominal pains. Vasaitis has yet to play in the U19 finals.

Captain speaking

Efthymis Koulouris spoke exclusively to paokfc.gr before the semi-final against Russia and shared his thoughts on Greece’s U19 side and on PAOK, as they embark on their new season on Thursday, playing against NK Lokomotiva Zagreb.

Efthymis, congratulations on the team’s qualification to the semi-final. What are your thoughts regarding Greece’s success?

«We are very happy about it. We wanted so much to be part of Europe’s top four. It’s important for us and for our country and we are proud to wear this shirt and to make it all the way to the semis. We have left celebrations aside and are now focusing on Russia. We want to win this game and we will give it everything to succeed.»

What is the objective of your team? Do you think about the trophy? How is the mood in the camp?

«Of course we think about the trophy. High aims help us bring our best on the pitch. We are through and very happy about it. Now we forget about the previous matches and focus on our upcoming rivals. We believe that, if we play as good as we can, we will qualify for the final. We will do our best and see how things go«.

Most guys of the team had a tough and full season of many matches. Are you tired or rather too excited with Greece’s games that you forget your fatigue?

«Of course there is fatigue. We are only human. We managed to focus on certain things through our preparation and trainings, while also resting as much as we can both physically and mentally. However, being in the last four of Europe, we all leave fatigue aside and only focus on the game. We will try to give our 100% on Thursday.»

PAOK kick off their UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign on Thursday. What do you think about the ties against NK Lokomotiva? What would you wish your clubmates?

«First of all, let me wish good luck to my PAOK clubmates. I have learned from them and from the media, that preseason is going very well and that they have prepared well for the matches. It is a tough period for football, but I believe they will be ready against NK Lokomotiva Zagreb and will clinch qualification. Last season ended late and the current one starts very early. I am sure that we will do well in the second qualifying round and will go through.»

You are still on your 2014-15 season, but could you tell us your thoughts and aspirations for the new season?

«I want to return and join the team, adapt to the new coach’s philosophy and the team. Right now I am focused on the national team. When our duty is finished here, I will return and work hard. I am hoping for a full season and I will give it my best for PAOK to succeed.»

Next step for Koulouris and his Greek teammates, the U19 Euro final against Larissa on Thursday 16 July at AEL FC Arena, with a view to the final of 19 July.

Good luck!