Our national team drew 2-2 with Sweden in a friendly match held in Stockholm. Greece took the lead through Tsimikas in the 10th minute, while for Sweden, which will participate in the 2026 World Cup, Gjokeres (54th) and Nilsson (69th) scored, while Masouras equalized in the final phase of the match (90+5th).

For a half-time, Ivan Jovanovic’s team displayed their talent and the youthful enthusiasm of their players on the pitch. It was during this time that they led the scoreboard, while creating many opportunities, including two goals. In the 10th minute, assisted by Christos Tzolis, Tsimikas opened the scoring with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area. The “blue and white” team was impressive offensively, hitting two goals with a “thunderbolt” by Kourbelis in the 19th minute and a fantastic pass by Pavlidis in the 47th minute.

But the second half belonged to the home team. In the dress rehearsal before leaving for the World Cup in America, the Swedes showed that they were in good shape. They created several chances, but tied the score with the help of luck in the 54th minute. Giokeres committed a foul, the ball found Pavlidis and changed course just enough so that Tzolakis did not have time to react. In the 69th minute, an impressive run by Ali from the left “froze” the Greek defense and Nilsson, the recipient of the assist, scored from close range to make it 2-1. The massive substitutions (10 for each team) spoiled the rhythm of the game, which flowed without chances until, literally, the… penultimate second. Kostoulas crossed from the left, Masouras managed to get in front of Starfeld and with a header equalized. It was the 95th minute and immediately after that the referee blew the final whistle!

Referee: Andrew Jones (Wales)
Yellows: Retsos, Koulierakis
SWEDEN (Graham Potter): Nordfeld, Bernhardsson (64′ Alli), Lagerbilbe (64′ Schmidt), Hien (64′ Starfeld), Svensson (80′ Ekdal), Gudmundsson (64′ Strut), Svanberg (64′ Karlstrom), Ajyari (64′ Zeneli), Nygren (64′ Nilsson), Gjokeres (64′ Elanga), Isak (63′ Bergvall)
GREECE (Ivan Jovanovic): Tzolakis (80′ Mandas), Mavropanos (81′ Doi), Koulierakis (81′ Androutsos), Retsos (62′ Hadjidiakos), Rota (62′ Vagiannidis), Zafeiris (81′ Mouzakitis), Kourbelis (63′ Triantis), Tsimikas (62′ Kyriakopoulos), Tzolis (81′ Masouras), Tettei (62′ Kostoulas), Pavlidis (62′ Douvikas).