[FM 17] If You’re Not First, You’re Last Redux – Redemption For The “Nearly Men” Of Europe

[Keano16]

4 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Those wolves better watch it.  Attila is on the warpath.  He's got some rage and impulse control issues.

Attila sounds like someone's ex-wife!

[ManUtd1]

*Quickly deletes posts so that the wife doesn't see them*

[Keano16]

[ManUtd1]

23 minutes ago, Keano16 said:

Yeah, well...Greg deserved that for being a selfish ****.  I, on the other hand, am a saint.  A paragon of virtue.  Above reproach.

*deletes internet history*

[ManUtd1]

Be thankful for the hard times, for they have made you

          

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

2045/46 Season Review

Patience, my dear Ludwig.  That's what it took.  Thankfully, you have patience in spades after putting up with me for all of these years.

A triumphant end to the season.  A 2-nil win over Stuttgart at the Commerzbank claimed the title with 2 matches to spare, as Bayern and Leipzig stumbled unexpectedly.  It was a great moment, as the 2nd XI were playing the match to a packed house, with all of the squad in attendance and Attila hunting from his perch in the rafters.  That, combined with the DFB-Pokal victory a few weeks later...Frankfurt has announced its presence with authority.  Barring 90 minutes of pure torture in Milan, and we'd have featured in a European cup final.  That was our only loss of the year in Europe.  Just the 1, and it proved fatal to our ambitions.  There's a lesson to be learned here, and I cannot wait to face Milan again.  I will need to make some decisions about the squad before next season begins -- who is staying, who is leaving (on loan or a permanent deal), who impressed enough while on loan last year to merit inclusion in the squad going forward, etc.

But, my celebrations are cut short.  The same for 10 of my Frankfurt players who've been selected in my  preliminary 30-man squad.  We've got business to attend to in South Africa, and our focus cannot waver for an instant.  Decisions about the Frankfurt squad must wait.

Apples and Emma will be bringing the twins to South Africa, to watch Daddy work.  It's hard to believe they just turned 10.  Gustav isn't the most athletic kid...much more cerebral, always offering tactical suggestions and tweaks.  He truly sees the game.  Linus has all the makings of top-class player.  I keep joking  with his mommies about joining up at Frankfurt with the youth sides...they haven't found it funny, but I've got a few years to work on them.  They'll come around.

Goals for 2046/47: Challenge for the World Cup in South Africa.  Win the Bundesliga.  Win the Champions League.

Squad|League Overview|Finances Overview|Income Detail|Expenditures Detail|Transfers

Bundesliga Fixtures|Champions League Fixtures|DFB-Pokal Fixtures

Champions League Review

Finally, after years of waiting, we saw a Champions League that did not come down to the same old teams, battling it out.  Granted, it wasn't like Anderlecht versus Shakhtar, but it was different.  More of this, please.

The final saw Anthony Goncalves' Lyon finally reach the pinnacle, after coming to dominate French football since my departure from Stade de Reims...but, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of their 1st leg semifinal display at the Commerzbank, Milan will not easily be denied under the watchful eye of their manager Enoch Frimpong, who formerly terrorized defenses as a forward for Monaco, PSG and Manchester United, winning 4 Champions League titles in the process.  A man comfortable with the spotlight, to be sure.

Lyon prevail.  A title years in the making.  Which is a little sad, because the narrative potential of Telleus taking over at Lyon (after his time at Saint-Etienne) was incalculable.

 

Challenge Overview

[ManUtd1]

I don't want anyone to think I'm a ****.  I want them to be 100 percent sure of it.

          

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

South Africa 2046 - World Cup Preview

I'm not going to pretend.  The spine of the side traveling to South Africa is the same that took Greece to the Finals 4 years ago in Germany.  The same fundamental squad that won the Euros in Kiev in 2044, playing strikerless.  The same fundamental side that reached the Confederations Cup final last year.

We're the top-ranked side in the world.  This generation of Greek players is in its prime.  Sure, there are some bright young talents coming to South Africa.  But, this is the best squad Greece have assembled in decades.  Make no mistake.  And, if they fail to bring home the trophy, the landscape will necessarily shift in 4 years' time.

This is our time.  Our moment.  We need a performance to match the occasion.

 

[Note: I'm going to keep this brief, as I'm dying to play through the World Cup this evening...if I can.]

  

Goalkeepers.  Kandilidis is the clear starter here, with Plantzos and Klokidis along as backups.  The Manchester United lad edges out my Klokidis as the primary backup.

         

Defenders.  Lleshi and Ziogas will be my starting inverted wingbacks.  Nantsos and Lefis will deputize at wingback.  Camaj will start as libero, with Mavropolous either his backup or at centerback alongside Leo or Kotitsas.  Voulgaris and youngster Veloudious are the backups at centerback.

   

Midfielders. Stoilas and Kontogiannis are my starting midfield pairing, with Vekopoulos and Krinitsas deputizing.

     

Attacking Midfielders.  As always with Greece, this is where things get truly exciting.  Christos Papadopoulos is an absolute beast and Greece's all-time leading goalscorer, but has struggled to perform at Shadow Striker.  He will play off one side of Kousteris, with Tsakiridis on the other.  Former Frankfurt player Karagiannis, Sfakianakis and Spiliotis are the backups here.

[Edit: I just realized that Kousteris is now tied with Papadopoulos on 48 international goals.  There's no question that he's flourished as our enganche and, with this likely being Kousteris' last big tournament, his chance...if he can take it!]

Edited April 27, 2017 by ManUtd1

[kidthekid]

The world cup is upon us. Here we go

 

[ManUtd1]

Ok, the pre-tournament friendlies could have gone better.  The key was making sure our fitness levels were up.  A goalkeeping error from Kolkidis against Canada proves my point about keeping him as third choice.

  

Now, let's do this thaang.

I'll only likely get through the Group Stage tonight, given how late it is.  But, time is a-wasting!

[ManUtd1]

I don't want anyone to think I'm a ****.  I want them to be 100 percent sure of it.

          

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

South Africa 2046 - World Cup Group Stage

We open against Ghana, and it is nearly a disaster.  Camaj gives up a penalty on a corner in the 18th...but PSG's Richard Asamoah spanks it wide right.  We're not dead yet.  Stoilas buries a free kick of our own a few minutes later, before Karagiannis turns back the clock with a bullet from 20 yards.  3 points against a strong African side.

France is up next, our biggest test in the Group Stage.  They annihilated the Saudis 3-0 in their first match, so the winner is through to the 2nd round.  A hard-fought midfield battle ensues, but we take a 1-nil lead into the half.  France level early in the 2nd, and we've got a match on our hands.  But neither side can break through, we end level.

We close the Group Stage against the Saudis.  I'm feeling optimistic, so rotate the squad heavily...hoping that the Fates won't punish my arrogance.  But then Sfakianakis buries one off the bar in the 8th.  Spiliotis buries a free kick in the 18th, ensuring we'll go through.  Tremendous stuff.  Now, the only question is whether Ghana can knock off France to qualify for the 2nd round...a first-half injury time goal for the Africans makes things interesting, as they need to win by 2 to catch up on goal difference.  We see out the match in professional fashion.  With all eyes on the scoreboard, a groan erupts as the French hold on for a 1-0 loss, to move through in 2nd place.

But that's where the Fates kick them where it hurts.  We draw Serbia, runners-up in Group E.  France draw Spain.

Utter carnage has erupted in South Africa, though, as many big-name nations are eliminated at the first hurdle.  The knockout rounds are going to be epic.

  

 

Yes, you're reading that correctly.  Of the remaining 16, only 3 are ineligible as past winners (France, Spain and Uruguay), while Mexico and Greece are already eligible.  11 potential teams.  Either France or Spain will be out of the tournament immediately, as well.

[Rikulec]

The World Cup is shaping up beautifully, and next season is going to be a massive one as well. Can't wait.

[wynter]

That's an incredible World Cup, here's hoping you can definitely make it to the latter stages. 

Out of curiosity, have you met board expectations yet?? 

[Joe.]

C'mon Colombia!

[Keano16]

The boys in green are marching onto world domination! 

[noikeee]

Congratulations on the Bundesliga title. Ja!

The World Cup is shaping up real nicely too. Very good chance you either come out of that with some silverware and/or a new side to manage. Preferably both. Shame your Greek side might very well be on route to cut off a couple of those teams in the top end of the draw - you'll be catching one out of Ukraine, Ireland, Wales and Switzerland on the semi-finals. If you make it that far, that is.

My preference would be a Greece-Croatia finale, had some very good times managing Croatia in the past.

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, Rikulec said:

The World Cup is shaping up beautifully, and next season is going to be a massive one as well. Can't wait.

9 hours ago, wynter said:

That's an incredible World Cup, here's hoping you can definitely make it to the latter stages. 

Out of curiosity, have you met board expectations yet?? 

9 hours ago, Joe. said:

C'mon Colombia!

7 hours ago, Keano16 said:

The boys in green are marching onto world domination! 

3 hours ago, noikeee said:

Congratulations on the Bundesliga title. Ja!

The World Cup is shaping up real nicely too. Very good chance you either come out of that with some silverware and/or a new side to manage. Preferably both. Shame your Greek side might very well be on route to cut off a couple of those teams in the top end of the draw - you'll be catching one out of Ukraine, Ireland, Wales and Switzerland on the semi-finals. If you make it that far, that is.

My preference would be a Greece-Croatia finale, had some very good times managing Croatia in the past.

Glad you guys are as excited as I am about how the World Cup is shaping up!  Doubt I'll get to play through it until late tonight, though...

The Greek FA's expectation is that I'll reach the semifinals...brutal, but not too unrealistic given our recent history.

 

Colombia and Croatia could make a run, but I've got a feeling about Scotland.  Serbia and Mexico are likely my biggest obstacles in the path to the final.  Ireland have had a great tournament, and it's hilarious to see them, Scotland and Wales progress while England were eliminated!  Hah!

Edited April 27, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.

          

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

South Africa 2046 - World Cup Second Round

A beautiful afternoon in Pretoria.  27th ranked Serbia stand between us and the quarterfinals.  I shake Muharemovic's hand as the sides arrive at the stadium, and we pause for a moment to reminisce about the days at Saint-Etienne.  The moment passes, and it's all business.

We control the opening stages, but have no meaningful look at goal.  In the 29th minute, Christos is sprung through on goal -- the Serbian keeper makes a brilliant save, but the rebound falls to Tsakiridis who makes no mistake!  1-nil to Greece!

Minutes later, Christos is sent through again, but is denied by a brilliant save!  It should be 2!  In the 38th, Christos is sent through again but tamely fires straight at the keeper!  3  great chances for our most fearsome player, but he has yet to put the ball in the back of the net.  The Serbian keeper his equal, even if Tsakiridis managed to bury the rebound.

We hit halftime in complete control.  But, we need to be wary.  We need to bury the match.

I need not have worried.  Some quick touches outside the box sees Tsakiridis fed with a yard of space, 18 yards from goal less than a minute from the half.  He makes no mistake.  2-nil!  We drop to In Catene to conserve energy.

In the 57th, Christos signals for a sub.  He's holding his thigh.  I fear this could be the end of his tournament.  Sfakianakis is tapped to replace him.  Not 10 minutes later, Kontogiannis finds Sfakianakis in the channel.  3-nil.  The rout is on.  The match is over.  Utter domination, and clinical finishing have done for Serbia.

We sit back even further, reducing the tempo to conserve energy for the quarterfinals.  Serbia snatch a weak goal in the 79th.  But it is mere consolation.

That was arguably the best we've played all tournament.  A comprehensive display through the 70th minute, when we revised our tactics to sit back.

The bad news?  Christos is out for the quarterfinal with a thigh strain.  The good news?  He'll be back if we progress.

The tie of the round, though, had to be Spain-France.  Carlos Cuellar's Spain were clinical -- 14 shots, 6 goals and a mere 44% possession.  They'll face Croatia, who had best be prepared.  We'll face Mexico, who slipped past Egypt.

Pure focus, lads.  Shut out the world.

 

   

 

   

 

 

[BoxToBox]

Ireland/Greece semi, come on!

[ManUtd1]

Dear Haters.  I have so much more for you to be mad at.  Just be patient.

          

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

South Africa 2046 - World Cup Quarterfinals

Mexico.  I'll never forget Argentina 2034, when I guided El Tri to the knockout rounds.  The most complete side I'd taken to a World Cup, with more depth than Sweden or the Netherlands.  A side on par with this Greek squad.  Yet, we fell against the hosts in the Second Round.  Brutal.

On paper, we are far better than the 2046 version of El Tri.  They're ranked 25th in the world, and have played a defensive 41311 all tournament.  A far cry from the expansive, attacking football we played 12 years ago.  Yet, no less dangerous.  They scalped England 2-1 and earned impressive draws against Peru and Germany in the Group Stage.

We all know that how a team appears on paper means less than a wet fart in the wind.  Especially at this stage.  All that matters is the performance on the pitch in Cape Town.  

The winner will face Ireland, who annihilated Switzerland 4-1, and have emerged as the neutrals' side of choice.

Karagiannis is in for the injured Christos Papadopoulos.  We start strong, with Tsakiridis nearly giving us the lead in the 4th minute.  But Piris stays big in the Mexican goal.  A flurry of action follows, but Mexico withstand the pressure.  We've got the upper hand.  Mexico are sitting deep, conceding space and possession.  In the 35th, I begin to tinker from our base PM Libre.  We reach the half with nothing more to show for our efforts.  But Mexico have barely ventured into our half.  45 to play.

65th minute.  Still level.  We switch to Scatenato, and ready our initial substitutions.  Krinitsas, old legs but a wily head, comes on for Kontogiannis.  Sfakianakis and set-piece specialist Spiliotis are on for the tiring Kousteris and Karagiannis.  

75 minutes passed.  80.  Neither side can break through.  We return to PM Libre, to be slightly less aggressive. 2 prizefighters, squaring off.  The midfield is utter carnage.  But no knockout blows land, even though Mexico has begun to get looks at the Greek goal.  We're going to extra time.

In Dublin, the huddled masses are elated.  Already on an extra day of rest, their champions will face a weary side in 3 days' time.

Something has to give.  In the 105th minute, something does.  A long goal kick from Piris sees Jofre foul Camaj needlessly...he's already on a yellow!  That's his second!  He's off!  Mexico reduced to 10 men for the final 15 minutes!

We switch back to Scatenato to press our advantage. Less than 10 minutes to play, and Mexico are firmly entrenched in their 18.  This match has penalties written all over it.

And that is where we land.  The lottery of a penalty shootout.  For a spot in the semifinals.

 

  

  

  

[ManUtd1]

Spoiler

Neither side able to break through after 120 minutes.  This is what we're left with.  21 tired men, an inconsolable Jofre.  12 yards.  2 nations.  A test of skill, nerve and sheer, dumb luck.

First Round:

Spoiler

Levillain steps up...and buries it in the side-netting!

 

Spiliotis will take the first kick for Greece...we're level!  The young man holds his nerve!

 

1-1

Second Round:

Spoiler

Cuartas restores Mexico's advantage!

 

Sfakianakis...one of Telleus' stalwarts over the past few years...BURIES IT!  A ROCKET DOWN THE MIDDLE!

 

2-2

Third Round:

Spoiler

Fernandez to take for Mexico...3-2!  Untouchable!

 

Stoilas advances stoically...he's played 120 minutes...does he have anything left in his legs?   OH MY!  YES HE DOES!!! 

 

WHO WILL BLINK FIRST!?!?!?  THE TENSION IS IMMENSE HERE IN CAPE TOWN!!!

3-3

 

 

[ManUtd1]

Spoiler

Gut-wrenching moments in Cape Town. Both sides holding their nerve.  Iron-willed, with ice in their veins.  To their credit, this has been a spectacular shootout thus far.  Brilliantly taken penalties, level on 3 after three rounds.

Fourth Round:

Spoiler

Ramirez steps forward...staring down Kandilidis in the Greek goal!  He's trying to get in his head!

 

BUT KANDILIDIS DENIES HIM!!! IMMENSE!!! A GIANT!!! HOW DID HE EVER GET THERE?!?!?!  RAMIREZ FACES THE LONGEST 50-YARD WALK OF HIS CAREER, ALONE!!! KANDILIDIS ON HIS KNEES, GESTICULATING TO THE GREEK SUPPORT WHO ARE CHANTING HIS NAME EN MASSE!!!

Camaj, the young libero...a chance to give Greece the advantage...so much riding on his shoulders...YES!!! ADVANTAGE GREECE!!!  IT WASN'T A WELL-TAKEN PENALTY, BUT NEVERTHELESS MANAGED TO SNEAK UNDER PIRIS!!!

 

4-3

Fifth Round (if necessary):

Spoiler

Hernandez must score to keep Mexico in the match...HE STRIKES IT LOW TO KANDILIDIS' LEFT...

 
 

Spoiler

 

AND IT SNEAKS JUST INSIDE THE POST!  BACK LEVEL!!!

TSAKIRIDIS STEPS FORWARD.  CALM.  COLLECTED.  WITH ONE KICK, HE CAN SEND GREECE TO THE PROMISED LAND...

 

Spoiler

 

PIRIS MOVES EARLY ... LEAVING TSAKIRIDIS TO CALMLY DINK THE BALL DOWN THE MIDDLE!!!  A PANEKA, IN THE BIGGEST MOMENT OF HIS CAREER!!! WHAT IMPUDENCE!!! WHAT NERVE!!!

GREECE ARE THROUGH TO FACE IRELAND IN THE SEMIFINALS!!!

 

 

Additional Rounds (if necessary):

Spoiler

This space left intentionally blank.

Final match overview:

Spoiler

Tsakiridis, you brilliant, arrogant fool.  You did it.

 

 

 

[kidthekid]

Venus was impressed

[ManUtd1]

51 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Ireland/Greece semi, come on!

You'll get your wish, brother.  I'd be lying if I said I was confident once we hit extra time.

2 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

Venus was impressed

You should have heard Gary Neville doing the live commentary when Tsakiridis struck his penalty.  Equal parts filth and joy.  It was basically this, but held for longer.

 

Edited April 27, 2017 by ManUtd1

[BoxToBox]

 

[ManUtd1]

59 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

 

Hahahaha...brilliant. 

Stephen Bradley has them playing a pretty straightforward 442 -- good ol' fashioned football.  None of this hipster nonsense.

[ManUtd1]

Alright, I won't be able to play the matches until tonight, but the semifinals are lined up.  We face Ireland in 3 days' time.  The next day, Croatia will face Colombia.  

 

So, at least one potentially-eligible side will be in the final.

[BoxToBox]

Really interesting pair of semi finals.

[Joe.]

Still routing for Colombia to be runners up! 

[Rikulec]

'Mon Telleus!

[Keano16]

5 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Ireland/Greece semi, come on!

Yes! Yes!

2 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Alright, I won't be able to play the matches until tonight, but the semifinals are lined up.  We face Ireland in 3 days' time.  The next day, Croatia will face Colombia.  

 

So, at least one potentially-eligible side will be in the final.

I'll only have to wait another 32 years for this to be a reality! Looks like you'll be with the Greeks for another 4 years.

[ManUtd1]

It's such a fine line between stupid and clever

          

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

South Africa 2046 - World Cup Semifinals

We're gassed.  There's no denying it.  No one is close to 100%.  Facing Ireland on 2 days' rest, we have little choice but to rotate the squad in Durban.  This decision will either be hailed as genius or madness, depending on the outcome of the match.  The Greek faithful believe, having watched our 2nd XI run circles around the Saudis in the Group Stage.

Ireland begin in a standard 442.  We'll play PM Libre.  My biggest worry is the centerbacks and libero.  Elsewhere, we can compete, and our backup attacking mids are extremely solid.  If things get nervy, I'll drop to In Catene to shield the back a bit better.

20 minutes in, and we've largely been controlling the match.  We just have little to show for it.  Kandilidis claims a poorly-hit cross and we launch forward in a counter, begun with a long throw.  Ireland recover, so we are forced to slow down...we settle, and begin to ping the ball around the pitch at high speed...eventually finding Lefis cutting into the box, he rattles the post from an oblique angle..claims his own rebound...AND BURIES IT!!!  ONE-NIL!!!

35 minutes in.  We're still in complete control.  We just need to start executing, to put Ireland away.  But, no...Higgins cuts inside  from the left wing, and finds Smith with half a yard of space...Kandilidis gets a hand on it, but cannot tip it wide.  Level.

I lay into the side at halftime.  Not good enough.  We need to be more clinical in front of goal.  In the 2nd half, we continue to control and maintain pressure.  In the 57th, Ireland are repeatedly unable to clear the ball -- each time, we simply recover and recycle possession...eventually finding Lefis cutting into the box.  Seizing his moment in the limelight, on the night he earns his 128th cap, the reliable Savvas Lefis buries his 2nd to put us back in the lead.  But our legs are getting heavy.  We drop into In Catene and prepare substitutions to tighten up.

We are resolute at the back, and our front three somehow find the legs to mount a masterful counter in the 68th minute, with Karagiannis feeding Sfakianakis...the Frankfurt lad launches the ball into the roof of the next from 16 yards.  3-1, as the clock starts to run down on Ireland's dreams.

But the match is far from over. We cannot give the Irish an inch.  Ireland go close on a corner in the 76th...a clean header just outside the near post, under heavy pressure.  15 minutes to play.

We will not be denied.  Ireland have no gas left in the tank.  They cannot mount any serious attack.  1 minute of extra time, as our support sing and dance throughout the stadium.

Ireland know the jig is up, and leave on a good note -- smiles on their faces, their support dancing the night away.  

We're through, thanks to the depth and spirit of our squad.  The mad gamble has paid off in spades.

 

  

  

    

[ManUtd1]

We will play Colombia in the final, after they defeated Croatia 3-1 (aet), in a nail-biter of a match.  

 

 

I want to win...because, well, of course I do...but having Colombia eligible would be amazing.  (h/t @Joe.)

Edited April 27, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Plucky Ireland fall to Croatia in extra time, in the 3rd place match.

 

Big Patty McDaid in goal...he can't do it by himself.

[Editor's note -- the final cannot be played for another 4+ hours.  Responsibilities and such.]

[ManUtd1]

2 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Really interesting pair of semi finals.

Great tournament -- the best one thus far in my save, hands down.

2 hours ago, Joe. said:

Still routing for Colombia to be runners up! 

So, you're rooting for me, now!  

To be fair, I am rooting like crazy for them now...

1 hour ago, Rikulec said:

'Mon Telleus!

Woot woot!

37 minutes ago, Keano16 said:

Yes! Yes!

I'll only have to wait another 32 years for this to be a reality! Looks like you'll be with the Greeks for another 4 years.

Great run -- shame that they couldn't pull out the third-place match, but it is meaningless.

[ManUtd1]

We do not remember days.  We remember moments.

          

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

South Africa 2046 - World Cup Final

 

 

  

 

 

FNB Stadium in Soweto.  A year ago, we lost the Confederations Cup Final to Cote d'Ivoire here.  It is time for our revenge.  Our supporters are out in force, as attractive and fun-loving as always.  Oddly enough, many of those seen in Kiev 2 years ago are here today.  Can we take the final step, having been denied 4 years ago by Portugal in Berlin?

We're here.  We're ready.  The advantage of an extra day of rest will mean nothing, even if Colombia had to go to extra time to defeat Croatia.  This is a moment you can't help but be ready for.

This side has been immense.  We're not carried by one player, or a handful.  It has been a true team effort.  The payoff is here today.  If we have the ****s to claim it.

Leave it on the pitch lads.  Don't you dare come back here without giving it your all.  This is our time.  Our moment.

Oh, for ****'s sake, Ludwig.  I know you're dying to say it, so just go ahead and say it...

Let's go, lads.  Immortality awaits.

[ManUtd1]

Our 1st XI is ready to roll, given our heavy squad rotation for the semifinal.  Christos is also back.  We'll start with PM Libre.  Colombia is playing a narrow 4312.

 

[ManUtd1]

10th minute, we break at pace ... Kousteris feeds Tsakiridis through on goal...

A DELICATE CHIP OVER THE ONRUSHING FORTICH!  1-NIL TO GREECE!  AS DELICATE AS A SUMMER BREEZE, LIFTING A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN'S DRE_- OWW!!! WHY ARE YOU KICKING ME, GARY!?!

[ManUtd1]

20 minutes in, and we're in complete control.  Colombia having to chase the match, which is exactly where we want them.

[ManUtd1]

39th minute...a one-way street in favor of Greece thus far. Tsakiridis receives the ball deep inside the Colombian half...he twists and turns, finding Kontogiannis making a run from deep...

[ManUtd1]

WILL HE SHOOT OR SQUARE IT FOR CHRISTOS?!

[ManUtd1]

HE SMASHES IT WIDE!  HEAD IN HIS HANDS, HE NEEDS TO MAKE UP FOR THAT ONE!

[ManUtd1]

Halftime.  We're doing everything right, but for putting the ball in the back of the net.  We need to finish them off.

[ManUtd1]

An hour gone, and still we stand strong.  But, all Colombia needs is one moment of brilliance, one opportunity, and it's a new match.

[ManUtd1]

67th minute....Ziogas intercepts and plays the ball to Christos, who pushes forward...the entire side is moving with him.... Christos drifts left...HE'S GOT KOUSTERIS AND TSAKIRIDIS HEADING FOR THE SPACE ON HIS RIGHT...IF HE CAN FIND THEM....

 

[ManUtd1]

NO!  A BRILLIANT TACKLE, AND COLOMBIA CLEAR!  But, the clearance falls to the Greek defense, lying in wait...   Several quick touches and Christos has a step on the defense...

 

[ManUtd1]

LAUNCHED INTO THE STRATOSPHERE!!!  ANYTHING THAT FLIES THAT FAR OUGHT TO HAVE A STEWARDESS ON IT!!!

[ManUtd1]

15 minutes to play, we've brought on two subs, and are preparing a third...aiming to drop into In Catene.  Not putting away our chances could still prove costly...

[ManUtd1]

Less than 10 minutes to play...Colombia finally begin to push forward...can they find an equalizer?!

 

[ManUtd1]

We remain in control. Christos wins a 50/50 ball, knocking it down for Spiliotis...  Who deftly dinks the ball to Tsakiridis...awkward bounce that...but Tsakiridis one-times it into space for Christos!  What a ball!!!

 

[ManUtd1]

CHRISTOS IS THROUGH IN THE CHANNEL...

[ManUtd1]

Christos' first touch is poor, taking him wide...and Fortich stays big to make the save!  That could have been the match!  Christos has had every opportunity to bury the match for Greece, but has fallen short time and time again.  3 minutes, plus stoppage time to play!