Return to the World Cup qualifiers with Cyprus and Greece

Return to the World Cup qualifiers for the National Teams. On Thursday, the focus is on the effort of the Cyprus national team and Greece against Bosnia and Scotland respectively. The program has big favorites, with Austria being the biggest, which welcomes San Marino.

CYPRUS-BOSNIA (21:45)

Cyprus welcomes Bosnia in a very important and demanding match for the qualifying phase of the World Cup, against the backdrop of the continuation of the positive image that our National Team has begun to form. Despite the serious absences – with Fabiano, Piero Sotiriou, Ioannis Kostis and Christos Sielis being sidelined due to injuries – Akis Mantzios' team is called upon to show character and cohesion against the leader of the group.

The recent draw with Romania, where Cyprus came back from a 2-0 draw, is a sign of the mental strength that exists in the team. Mantzios seems to have begun to "pass" his philosophy, and now he is called upon to manage critical absences without losing the competitive identity that has begun to be built.

Bosnia, on the other hand, comes from a defeat against Austria and comes to the "Arena" with the aim of an immediate return to victories, which further raises the degree of difficulty for Cyprus.

However, if our National Team appears with the same energy, fighting spirit and spirit of return as against Romania, it has every reason to believe that it can look Bosnia in the eye and – why not – claim something positive even with the problems that exist.

SCOTLAND-GREECE (21:45)

The Greek national team is called upon to react immediately after the heavy 0-3 defeat by Denmark, in a defeat that "froze" the momentum that Ivan Jovanovic's team had begun to build. The trip to Scotland thus acquires the character of a test of personality and competitive reaction, as it is a match that can prove to be pivotal in the battle for qualification.

Despite the shock from Denmark, Greece has quality, experience and tactical discipline to return to success. Jovanovic's squad has shown that it can withstand difficult times, but now it is called upon to prove it against a team that has started the qualifiers dynamically.

Scotland, with 4 points and two clean sheets in as many games, shows seriousness and consistency. The recent victory over Belarus can be considered expected, but the stability of its defensive function is a key weapon.

The game is considered crucial for both teams, with Greece being narrow favourites, which is also reflected in the ever-declining odds of their betting victory. However, Scotland at home is always a tough opponent, and the match is expected to be decided in the details.

AUSTRIA-SAN MARINO (21:45)


A monologue is expected in Austria, with the favorite having the first and last word. The hosts welcome San Marino, the weakest – by far – team in the group, in a match where everything shows that it will have a rich score and a clear development.

Ralf Rangnick's team is coming with a high spirits, after the great double at home to Bosnia, which confirmed Austria's seriousness and stability. With four wins in as many games, the Austrians are aiming not only for victory, but also for an emphatic score that will also strengthen the goal difference, an element that may play a role in the continuation of the qualifiers.

Opposite, San Marino has 0 points, 1 goal for and 18 against. Fabrizio Costantini's team, as usual, tries to limit the damage in these types of matches. A positive performance or a decent defeat can be considered a "success", however the capacity gap is huge.