In one of two Euro 2024 playoff Path C semifinals, Greece is set to face Kazakhstan in a crucial encounter on Thursday. The winner of this matchup will advance to the final stage of the playoffs, edging closer to securing a spot in the Euro 2024 Group F alongside Portugal, Turkey, and the Czech Republic. The match will take place at the OPAP Arena in Filadelfeia, Greece.
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- Kick-off: Thursday, March 21, 2024.
- Kick-off time: 12:45 pm PT / 3:45 pm ET.
- Venue: OPAP Arena, Filadelfeia, Greece.
Greece National Team News
Greece enters the semifinal clash with a near-full squad, with only Dimitris Giannoulis sidelined due to injury. Manager Poyet will receive a double suspension boost, with Petros Mantalos and Dimitrios Kourbelis returning to bolster the team's midfield. Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas is expected to reclaim his spot in the lineup, providing width on the left flank. Leading the attack will be AZ Alkmaar's Vangelis Pavlidis, who has been in fine form.
Kazakhstan National Team News
Kazakhstan will face defensive challenges as Nuraly Alip serves a one-game ban, but the team remains competitive. Key players like Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov, Zuyev, Beysebekov, and Kuat will play crucial roles in Kazakhstan's strategy. Zaynutdinov, in particular, holds the record as Kazakhstan's all-time leading male goalscorer and will be a significant threat to Greece's defense.
Greece projected starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Odisseas Vlachodimos.
- Defenders: Panagiotis Retsos, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Konstantinos Mavropanos.
- Midfielders: Lazaros Rota, Anastasios Bakasetas, Andreas Bouchalakis,
- Forwards: Vangelis Pavlidis, Giorgos Masouras.
Petros Mantalos, Kostas Tsimikas.
Kazakhstan projected starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Igor Shatsky.
- Defenders: Aleksandr Marochkin, Sergiy Maly, Marat Bystrov.
- Midfielders: Alexandr Zúyev, Abzal Beysebekov, Islambek Kuat, Jan Vorogovsky.
- Forwards: Baktiyar Zaynutdinov; Abat Aimbetov, Islam Chesnokov.