International call-ups and fixtures
The international break is here, but that doesn’t mean everyone gets a break, as several PAOK players are involved either for the qualifiers in the Nations League or the Africa Cup of Nations.
Giannis Konstantelias and the Greek national team travel to England to play at Wembley (England – Greece 21:45) on 10.10, while on 13.10 the match against Ireland follows at the «Georgios Karaiskakis» stadium (Ireland – Greece 21:45).
Kiril Despodov also has two games with the Bulgarian national team in the Nations League, first against Luxembourg at home on 12.10 and then away to Northern Ireland on 15.10.
Dominik Kotarski was called up to the Croatia squad again for the two matches against Scotland on 12.10 and Poland on 15.10.
There are also Black and white representatives in the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations. Omar Colley has been called up to the Gambia squad, which will face Madagascar twice on October 11 and 14. Mady Kamara’s Guinea will play against Ethiopia twice, on October 11 and 15, while Ali Samatta’s Tanzania will face the Republic of Congo on October 10.
Also, Fedor Chalov is joining up with the Russian national team for friendly games and a training camp from 7.10 to 15.10.
Konstantinos Balomenos and Lefteris Tasiouras were called up to the Greece Under-21 squad for the friendly game against Slovakia (11.10), and the EURO qualifying match against Croatia (15.10 at 18:00),
Eight PAOK players were called up to the Greece Under-19 squad for the tournament that will take place in Croatia from October 7 to 15. Those selected are Stathis Belleris, Giorgos Koupenos, Dimitris Bataoula, Giorgos Kosidis, Marios Kalaitsidis, Grigoris Politakis, Dimitris Hatsidis and Anestis Mythos. Greece will play three games, against the Republic of Ireland on 09.10, against Mexico on 12.10, and against Croatia on 15.10.
The Greek Uunder-17 team will also participate in a friendly tournament, in Finland from 7 to 12.10. They will play two games against Finland on 9 and 11 October. Traianos Mokris, Michalis Papadopoulos, Giorgos Krommydas and Konstantinos Souvlatzis were called up. It should be noted that Dimitris Berdos was also called up, but he was injured (fortunately not seriously) and misses out.
Several youngsters were also included in Greece’s Under-15 squad, which took part in a tournament in Serbia (28.09-05.10). The Greeks recorded three wins in as many matches, and were tied for first place with Scotland. Those involved were Christoforos Vatsos, Thomas Nikiforos, Athanasios Floros, Panagiotis Douralis, Loukas Verindianos, Stavros Kogalidis and Arby Louskas. Unfortunately, however, Thomas Nikiforos suffered a serious injury, underwent surgery and is now recovering. It should be noted that Giorgos Tentolouris was also called up, but he was also injured (fortunately not seriously) and missed out.
Also, Evangelos Giokas will compete with the Albania Under-17 team in the EURO qualifiers from 6 to 16.10, as will Maximilian Scznauczner with the Polish Under-19 side, who will play in matches from 6 to 16 October.