With Kostas Tzolakis making crucial saves and a strong performance from Nectarios Triantis, Greece’s national football team secured a 0-0 draw at the Puskás Arena in a friendly against Hungary.
The “blue and white” hit the post through Vangelis Pavlidis in the 63rd minute, while coach Ivan Jovanović experimented with a back three in the closing stages of the match.
Despite being troubled by Dominik Szoboszlai, Tzolakis stood firm with key interventions, ensuring Greece left Budapest with a goalless draw in this international friendly.
Greece’s biggest chance came in the 63rd minute, when Pavlidis was set up by Vangelis Vagiannidis. He beat goalkeeper Tóth and attempted a difficult-angle finish, but the ball struck the left post.
In the final stages, Jovanović tested a three-man defensive system with Koulierakis, Retsos, and Rota forming the back line.
The first big chance of the match came in the 7th minute with an excellent save from Tzolakis. Hungary combined well inside the Greek penalty area, with Szalai shooting from close range, but the Greek goalkeeper stretched to deny him.
Greece responded in the 11th minute. Bakasetas delivered a corner from the left, Koulierakis won the first header, and the ball reached Kourbelis on the right side, but his shot was saved by Tóth.
In the 16th minute, Kerkez delivered a dangerous cross from the left, with Rendzic finishing from close range, but Koulierakis made a crucial block.
Szoboszlai threatened in the 22nd minute with a direct free kick, but Tzolakis punched the effort away.
In the 38th minute, Greece launched a quick counterattack, with Pavlidis feeding Trianthis, who then found Tsimikas on the left. However, his shot was saved by Tóth.
Early in the second half, Szoboszlai produced a brilliant solo run from around 25 metres out, but Tzolakis responded again with a superb save in the 52nd minute.
Greece came close in the 63rd minute when Pavlidis beat the keeper, but his shot from a tight angle hit the post.
Another chance followed in the 69th minute, as Pavlidis fired over from outside the box.
In the final 15 minutes, Jovanović switched to a back three: Koulierakis, Retsos, and Rota. Muzakitis and Triantis operated in midfield, with Vagiannidis and Tsimikas as wing-backs, and Tzolis playing behind Tetteh and Pavlidis.
Greece’s next friendly will be against Sweden in Stockholm during the June international break.
