Greece’s new attacking wave set for Nations League A debut | OneFootball

After years in the doldrums, Greece step into Nations League A for the first time, facing Serbia on Thursday at 20:45, live on the L'Équipe channel and L'Équipe Live Foot.

The HFF’s reboot has been shaped by the Anagennissi programme and a clear player profile, with an emphasis on exploiting space and being ruthless in duels, according to The Athletic’s reporting of project lead Konstantinos Vrakas.

Euro 2004 remains a landmark, yet the frontline now is led by Christos Tzolis of Arsenal, 24, Konstantinos Karetsas of Dortmund, 18, and Charalampos Kostoulas of Brighton, 19. Giannis Konstantelias of Dortmund, 23, and Stefanos Tzímas of Brighton, 20, are sidelined. Aside from Karetsas, who was developed in Belgium, this cohort came through in Greece.

Olympiakos, under owner Evangelos Marinakis, doubled down on youth and won the Youth League in 2024, a first for a Greek club. Kostoulas broke through there, then joined Brighton in summer 2025 for about €35m. PAOK’s pathway produced Tzolis, whose winding route made him Europe’s leading assist provider with Bruges last season before a move to Arsenal this summer for about €40m.

Anagennissi also adjusts formats, with 11-a-side only from under-14 level. Quotas require at least one Greek-trained under-21 on the pitch at all times in the Greek Cup, and at least two under-18 starters per team in D3.

Vrakas believes that if the plan is followed with perseverance, Greece could rank among Europe’s best within 10 years. Before any return to the Euros or World Cup, absent since 2012 and 2014 respectively, they now test themselves in League A behind Tzolis and Kostoulas.

Source: L'Équipe

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