Northern Ireland’s Under-21s were narrowly defeated by Greece in a Euro qualifier in Lurgan this evening.
Greece needed a win and for rivals Germany to lose or draw if they were to finish top of Group F in the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage.
The Greeks won 1-0 at Mourneview Park, however Germany defeated Georgia 2-0 in Bielefeld to finish in the number one position on goal difference. Both the Germans and Greeks amassed 27 points from 10 games.
Tommy Wright’s Northern Ireland side were already guaranteed to finish third in the group with 14 points after defeating Malta away and drawing with Georgia in Ballymena during this international window.
For the final game in the group Wright made four changes to the side that started last week’s game against the Georgians.
Braiden Graham came in from the senior squad to lead the line, while Josh Gracey replaced Stephen McMullan in nets. Attacker Cole Brannigan and defender Conor Haughey were also brought in to the starting XI. Midfielder Ryan Donnelly, striker Makenzie Kirk and defender Conor Barr dropped to the bench
Greece pushed from the start but found the Northern Ireland defence resolute in the opening exchanges.
Both sides huffed and puffed before Braiden Graham swept a shot over the top following a flowing move.
Greece took the lead on 32 minutes when a corner from full back Noa Alen was met by striker Anestis Mythou and his flicked header found the top corner.
The visitors then saw plenty of the ball as they continued on the front foot. A Christos Almyras deflected shot dropped past the post.
Towards the end of the half Northern Ireland had a couple of chances. In injury time captain Eoin Kenny strode forward and slipped the ball to Graham whose low shot was pushed away by Greece keeper Dimitrios Monastirlis.
And a Jonny Russell corner found defender Josh Briggs inside the six-yard box, however his header was straight at the keeper.
Greece upped the ante after the break and put the Northern Ireland defence under pressure. Christos Alexiou had an attempt on goal before Josh Gracey produced a superb save, pushing out a piledriver from Christos Almyras.
Both Alen and substitute Dimitrios Kaloskamis went close as the Greeks pressed. However, the Northern Ireland defence continued to hold firm.
On 73 minutes Graham scooped an effort wide and minutes later he raced forward again and his low shot was deflected out for a corner.
Greece substitute Dimitris Rallis headed wide as the visitors went in search of a second goal.
In the closing stages Kenny raced down the left flank before firing in a shot which was pushed out by the Greece keeper.
Greek sub Ioannis Theodosoulakis steered an effort inches past the post in added time.
Greece had a couple of half-chances after that but they had done enough to secure the win.
It was a solid performance from Northern Ireland against a strong Greek team.
Northern Ireland: Joshua Gracey, Shea Kearney, Jonathan Russell, Josh Briggs, Sam Inwood, Conor Haughey, Cole Brannigan, Darren Robinson, Braiden Graham, Eoin Kenny (captain), James Simpson.
Substitutes: (used) Callum Burnside, Ryan Donnelly, Makenzie Kirk, Conor Barr; (unused) Fraser Barnsley, Jack Patterson, Kalum Thompson, Devlan Moses, Paul McGovern.
Greece: Dimitrios Monastirlis, Konstantinos Kostoulas, Noa Alen, Alexios Kalogeropoulos, Christos Alexiou, Theofanis Bakoulas, Stavros Pnevmonidis, Konstantinos Gkoumas, Anestis Mythou, Christos Almyras, Antonios Papakanellos.
Substitutes: (used) Adriano Bregou, Ioannis Apostolakis, Dimitrios Kaloskamis, Dimitris Rallis, Ioannis Theodosoulakis; (unused) Alexandros Tsompanidis (GK), Dimitrios Chatsidis, Dimitrios Keramitsis, Georgios Katris.
Action from Lurgan
