Greece U21s 1 - 0 Scotland U21s RECAP: Disappointment as Gemmill's men fail to qualify for Euros
Scotland Under-21s go in search of the win which will see them qualify for the country’s first European Championships at that level since 1996.
To do so they need to beat Greece in Panathinaiko’s famous Apostolos Nikolaidis stadium. It would be the second Scottish success in less than a week following the senior team’s huge win in Serbia to qualify for Euro 2020 with two games to be held at Hampden Park.
The 21s tournament is being held in Slovenia and Hungary with the group stage taking place in March before the knockout stages begin at the end of May.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFollow all the action with our live blog as the Young Team look to follow in the footsteps of the men’s team.
Greece Under-21s v Scotland Under-21s: Updates, reaction and analysis
Key Events
- Kick-off 4pm
- Scotland win will bring Euro qualification for first time since 1996
McLennan sends in a delightful ball but Hornby can only head the ball into the ground and straight at the goalkeeper.
It looked like it had opened up for Fraser Hornby as the ball rolled into his path in the box but he didn’t get it under control before it rolled to a team-mate whose shot was blocked for a corner.
It is running away from Scotland now.
A poor clearance from Doohan lands at the feet of Botos but the goalkeeper makes up for it with a save with his feet.
The two subs nearly combine for a goal. A long ball is flicked on by Hornby to Fiorini who eases it into the path of Turnbull but the Celtic midfielder’s shot is wild.
Good, positive dribbling from Middleton sees him create a chance for Barry Maguire but the Motherwell man, unmarked, tamely turns the ball wide.
Premier Sports. Arrgghhhh! Just needed to get that off my chest.
Scotland started positively with Connor McLennan and Allan Campbell forcing the issue and pushing forward into open space or pressing well to create openings.
However, there has never been proper control in the way the senior side had control of Serbia.
The pitch, it has to be said, is rotten but it can’t excuse some of the awful passes played.
Greece have shown a couple of flashes of excellence but the goal will give Scot Gemmill nightmares. It didn’t seem any of his players were in the position they were meant to be. Ryan Porteous was in the left-back position when he got caught sleeping at the back post.
A big 45 to come with much more needed from the likes of Glenn Middleton and Barry Magurie providing they stay on the pitch, plus the full-backs getting forward.