Bundesliga News

Germany and Greece draw a blank

2026-10-04

Freiburg's Derry Scherhant was a standout performer for Germany in what was his second international match. - © IMAGO/Bahho Kara Freiburg's Derry Scherhant was a standout performer for Germany in what was his second international match. - © IMAGO/Bahho Kara Germany remain third in their UEFA Nations League Group after a 0-0 draw with Greece in Thessaloniki on Sunday. The result means Jürgen Klopp ends the international break with one win, two draws and one defeat, heading into November's final N

Freiburg's Derry Scherhant was a standout performer for Germany in what was his second international match. - © IMAGO/Bahho Kara

Germany remain third in their UEFA Nations League Group after a 0-0 draw with Greece in Thessaloniki on Sunday. The result means Jürgen Klopp ends the international break with one win, two draws and one defeat, heading into November's final Nations League clashes.

Greece 0-0 Germany

Germany survived an early scare in Thessaloniki when Jonas Urbig produced a strong save to keep out Ioannis Masouras’ header, but Jürgen Klopp’s side soon took control. Derry Scherhant and David Raum both tested Konstantinos Tzolakis, before Jonathan Burkardt thought he had opened the scoring after being teed up by Scherhant. However, following a VAR check, the goal was ruled out for a Tom Bischof handball in the build-up. Scherhant then flashed another effort narrowly wide shortly before the break.

Germany continued to push after the restart, although Greece threatened from a corner when former VfB Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos headed into Urbig’s arms. Florian Wirtz then created a promising opening for Philipp Treu, but the Freiburg full-back opted to pass rather than shoot. Klopp turned to Nick Woltemade and Saïd El Mala from the bench as Germany continued their search for the breakthrough, but the Greek defence held firm and the visitors were forced to settle for a point.

As it happened!

Full-time: Greece 0-0 Germany

It's all over in Thessaloniki! Despite playing well in patches and creating plenty of chances, Jürgen Klopp's Germany are forced to settle for a 0-0 draw. The determined hosts defended and battled resolutely, and they also missed a couple of useful opportunities themselves. Greece now share top spot with the Netherlands in Group 2, while the Germans remain third.

Full-time

90'

+ 1

Three mins left

There will be three minutes of injury time at Toumba Stadium. Will we see a late goal from somewhere?

90'

Thiaw goes in the book

The Germany centre-back hauls down Kostoulas to stop a Greek counter-attack and receives a yellow.

90'

Yellow card

(yellow Card)

Malick Thiaw

88'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Charalampos Kostoulas

(substitution out)

Fotis Ioannidis

87'

Treu misses

A cross from the left is missed by Woltemade but instead falls to Treu - the defender gets it all wrong, unfortunately, and volleys over.

84'

Wirtz shoots over

Wirtz has space outside the box and aims an attempt towards goal, but Tzolakis is able watch it float harmlessly over the crossbar. The Greek fans will be relieved about that one.

83'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Mika Baur

(substitution out)

Derry Scherhant

83'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Bambasé Conté

(substitution out)

Tom Bischof

80'

Ten mins to go!

Right now this game is anybody's - a defensive error or moment of brilliance at either end could decide the match.

79'

Yellow card

(yellow Card)

Manolis Saliakas

78'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Panagiotis Retsos

(substitution out)

Konstantinos Mavropanos

78'

The Greeks sense an(other) upset

The Greeks have stepped up a gear in the last ten minutes and are now pushing for a goal that could well give them a second sensational victory in a row over Germany.

76'

Masouris should do better

Masouris ghosts in at the back of the box to meet a free-kick with his head, but he gets his timing wrong and the ball loops over the bar.

73'

Greece coach booked

Referee Turpin makes his way over to the sidelines to caution a visibly frustrated Jovanović.

73'

Yellow card

(yellow Card)

Ivan Jovanović

72'

Impressing defending by Greece

Germany continue to press and probe, but so far the Greek rearguard has stood firm, with ex-Stuttgart man Mavropanis in particularly commanding form.

68'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Christos Mouzakitis

(substitution out)

Dimitrios Kourbelis

66'

Yellow card

(yellow Card)

Philipp Treu

63'

Double sub by Klopp

Can El Mala or Woltemade provide the spark that Germany need?

63'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Nick Woltemade

(substitution out)

Jonathan Burkardt

63'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Saïd El Mala

(substitution out)

Lennart Karl

Scherhant danger snuffed out

Scherhant takes a pass neatly in his stride before being crowded out inside the penalty area. His eventual snapshot is unable to test Tzolakis.

61'

Into the final third of the match...

...and the intensity has definitely gone up a notch!

56'

Missed opportunity for Treu

Excellent work by Wirtz results in a shooting chance for Freiburg's Treu, but he opts to pass it instead and the chance goes a-begging!

53'

Yellow card

(yellow Card)

Christos Zafeiris

51'

Urbig saves Mavropanos' header

Mavropanos climbs above his man to get his head on an inswinging corner, but his attempt lacks power and Urbig is able to hold onto the ball.

46'

Two half-time changes for Greece

Greece head coach Jovanović brings in Androutsos and Dortmund's Karetsas in an attempt to beef up his team's attacking options.

46'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Konstantinos Karetsas

(substitution out)

Vangelis Pavlidis

46'

Substitution

(substitution in)

Thanasis Androutsos

(substitution out)

Alexandros Kyziridis

46'

Back at it at Toumba Stadium!

The ball is rolling once again in this Nations League A encounter.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Greece 0-0 Germany

The half-time whistle goes, and it's all-square at the interval. Greece had arguably the best chance of the match in just the second minute, when a Masouris header was well saved by Urbig. Since then, the action has been mainly up the other end, where Scherhant and Wirtz have posed a constant danger to the Greek defence, and where Burkhardt had a goal chalked off for a handball in the build-up. Germany will doubtless look to turn the screw in the second half!

Half-time

45'

+ 3

Burkardt goes close!

Burkardt stretches out a leg and tries to divert Wirtz's effort towards goal. Tzolakis briefly looks concerned, but the ball drifts wide.

45'

Four mins of added time

We're going to have four additional minutes in this first half in Thessaloniki.

43'

Scherhant shoots narrowly wide!

Another close one there, as Scherhant looks up and fires in a powerful attempt from outside the box that fizzes just wide!

Five mins to half-time

Can either of these teams snatch a breakthrough goal before the break?

36'

Anton cautioned

Anton fouls Kourbelis and is consequently shown a yellow card by the ref.

36'

Yellow card

(yellow Card)

Waldemar Anton

Goal disallowed

Great work by Scherhant sets up Burkardt for what appears to be his first-ever goal for Germany, but after a VAR check, a handball by Bischoff is spotted in the build-up, and the scoreboard is reset to 0-0. A let-off for Greece!

30'

Half an hour gone in Greece

Germany have had 75 percent of possession in the opening 30 minutes, but are yet to make a breakthrough.

25'

Tzolakis makes a vital stop from Raum!

Following a free-kick, Bischof lays the ball off to Raum. The on-rushing full-back thumps an effort low and hard, but Tzolakis is equal to it!

Scherhant denied!

Scherhant drives forward with purpose and tries to find the right-hand corner of the net, but Tzolakis does well to make the save.

22'

Yellow card

(yellow Card)

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Burkardt can't get out the way

Wirtz aims a header towards goal from Karl's cross, and curiously it's his team-mate Burkardt who blocks it inadvertently, despite his attempts to evade the ball.

19'

Germany gaining a foothold

The visitors are starting to spread the ball around nicely in an attempt to create opportunities down the wings. Good work by Pavlović results in Sherhant sending in an inviting cross, but Tzolakis collects fairly comfortably.

13'

Electric atmosphere

Every time Greece win possession or look to get the ball forward, the noise level rises impressively inside Toumba Stadium. The crowd is going to be like an extra man for the hosts tonight.

Wirtz's effort deflected over

A long period of German possession ends with Wirtz jinking his way into the box and forcing an attempt towards goal, but it's deflected and loops over the bar. Unlucky!

Scherhant has a go

The ball falls to Scherhant outside the box, but his curled effort is too close to Greek 'keeper Tzolakis.

What a chance!

Greece come so close to opening the scoring early on! Tsimikas whips in a great cross for Masouras - captaining his country tonight - and his firm header is well saved by Urbig!

And we're off!

Referee Turpin blows his whistle and this Nations League clash is underway!

Kick-off!

The anthems are playing...

...and we're just moments away from this one getting started.

Ten mins till kick-off!

The atmosphere is building in Thessaloniki, where the players should emerge for the anthems soon!

Wirtz captain

With Serge Gnabry having returned to Bayern Munich, former Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz will skipper Germany tonight against Greece.

Play video

3:26

Watch: Lennart Karl lighting up the game

All smiles in the German camp...

...as kick-off approaches.

More on that Greece team

There are five players in the Greece line-up who will be familiar to fans of German football: Koulierakis (ex-Wolfsburg), Saliakas (formerly of St. Pauli) and Mavropanos (former Stuttgart defender), as well as Masouras and Pavlidis (both ex-Bochum).

More on that Germany team

Jürgen Klopp has brought in three fresh faces in comparison with the side that defeated Serbia 2-0. Raum, Karl and Burkardt will start in place of Mittelstädt, Gnabry and Woltemade.