A new cycle begins for Greece after another major disappointment in Euro 2024 qualifying, where they were beaten in the play-offs by a Georgia side that had never before reached a major tournament.

New coach Ivan Jovanovic has replaced Gus Poyet and will be hoping to end a run of qualifying failures that stretches back to 2014.

Their fall from grace is illustrated by the fact that they are competing in the second tier for the first time since the inception of the Nations League, needing three attempts to get out of League C.

In 2018, Greece finished below Finland and Hungary, then missed out behind Slovenia in 2020, before finally topping a section that included Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Cyprus last time out.

There are echoes of the early 2000s in the current state of Greece's national team, when Otto Rehhagel inherited a complete mess in 2001 and turned them into European champions three years later.

While a repeat is unlikely, the success of Olympiacos in the Conference League should rejuvenate the game in the country, and the national team, with several members of the club currently in the squad, must take inspiration.

With England also being drawn in this group, it leaves the others with little chance of promotion, should the Three Lions take it more seriously than the last edition.

After finishing above Greece in 2018 to win promotion to League B, Finland have remained at this level, slightly punching above their weight, and that could well be their aim again.

Markku Kanerva's side earned a Euro 2024 playoff place thanks to their performance in the previous Nations League, but the dream was quickly dashed with a 4-1 thrashing in Cardiff against Wales, missing the opportunity to reach back-to-back Euros.

Despite that defeat though, the visitors have won seven of their last 13 away competitive games, keeping five clean sheets in the process, but their gameplan was anything but pragmatic in June, as a 4-2 defeat in Portugal was followed up by a 2-2 draw away to Scotland.

Greece possible starting lineup:

Tzolakis; Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Mantalos, Pelkas, Bakasetas; Masouras, Pavlidis, Tzolis

Finland possible starting lineup:

Hradecky; Alho, Tenho, Ivanov, Uronen; Kamara, Schuller; Lod, Pohjanpalo, Antman; Pukki

Prediction:Greece 1-1 Finland

Greece VS Finland stream and TV listing

International：Holasports