In an exhilarating match held last week, Greece saw the emergence of a new football star, 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas, who wasted no time in leaving his mark on his debut against Scotland in a Nations League playoff. Just minutes into the game, Karetsas showcased his potential with a series of impactful shots against the Scottish team.
On a memorable Sunday evening, Karetsas made a significant impression on the football stage. This young athlete was part of a dynamic Greek squad that triumphed over Scotland with a decisive 3-0 win. The highlight of the match came in the 42nd minute when Karetsas executed a brilliantly-timed lob over Scotland’s seasoned goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, setting a record as Greece’s youngest goal scorer.
Overcome with emotion, Karetsas celebrated his achievement by kissing the team badge on his jersey and rushing towards the jubilant Greek supporters at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. Reacting swiftly, UEFA shared a photograph of the young player with his arms raised in triumph, accompanied by the caption, “Konstantinos Karetsas. Remember the name.”
This 3-1 aggregate result secured Greece’s promotion to the premier division of the UEFA competition, igniting excitement amongst fans reminiscent of the nation’s surprising European Championship victory in 2004.
Originally born in Belgium to a family from northern Greece, Karetsas made the pivotal decision to represent Greece instead of his birth nation, a choice he stands firmly behind. Reflecting on this, Karetsas expressed, “I made the right choice. Choosing Belgium would have meant always having Greece at the back of my mind,” after his debut match at Karaiskakis stadium near Athens, where he occasionally struggled to articulate in Greek.
Playing as an attacking midfielder for his local club KRC Genk, Karetsas has already garnered praise in Belgium for his skillful play and creativity on the field.
The Greek team’s energetic performance in Glasgow did not go unnoticed. Scotland’s coach, Steve Clarke, acknowledged their strong play, stating, “Greece had more energy and were a little bit sharper. So, the best team won on the night.”
Greece’s coach, Ivan Jovanovic, made significant alterations to the lineup on Sunday, focusing on youth and revitalizing the squad. This approach proved effective, continuing their impressive run, including a surprise victory over England with a 2-1 score last October at Wembley.
“What we always strive for is for our players to show the Greek spirit on the field,” Jovanovic remarked. “That means they have to be bold – to display courage and audacity. This victory is something we’ve been working toward for a long time.”
Looking ahead, Greece and Scotland are set to clash again in October and November during the World Cup qualifiers, in a group that also features Belarus and Denmark.