In Thessaloniki, where the Toumba Stadium rises above the eastern side of the city, Greece have the chance to turn an impressive Nations League opening into command of League A Group 2. Ivan Jovanovic’s team welcome the Netherlands on six points after two away wins, 2-1 in Serbia and 1-0 against Jürgen Klopp’s new-look Germany. The Dutch arrive two points behind, knowing that victory would carry them above the hosts and further validate the early work of Xavi Hernández.
It is a meeting shaped by two encouraging starts rather than by a need for reinvention. Greece have found momentum through a young attacking group, while the Netherlands have quickly absorbed the ideas of a coach still at the beginning of his international tenure. Xavi’s first match brought a 1-1 draw with Germany in Amsterdam; his side then won 2-1 in Belgrade. “We should not be afraid of Greece, but we must respect them,” he said before the trip north-east across Europe. “They are performing well and have a great deal of talent, particularly in attack. It will be a difficult game.”
A settled Dutch core, despite fresh absences
With four fixtures packed into 11 days, many national teams have used this window to change heavily from one night to the next. Greece and the Netherlands appear likely to resist that temptation. Both coaches are expected to retain much of the spine that has delivered their opening results, though Xavi has been forced to revise his plans in several areas.
Brian Brobbey went off injured against Germany and Cody Gakpo suffered a similar fate in Serbia. Jan Paul van Hecke has now joined them on the unavailable list after taking a heavy blow to his foot in Belgrade. The defender withdrew early from training before returning to Tottenham.
Xavi has suggested that captain Virgil van Dijk could switch from the left to the right side of central defence. Jurriën Timber is the leading candidate to come in for Van Hecke, while Bart Verbruggen, Denzel Dumfries, Van Dijk and Micky van de Ven have been regular selections so far. Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders also look set to remain together in midfield.
Joey Veerman, now of Borussia Dortmund, replaced Quinton Timber during the Serbian win. Xavi sees Veerman as the organiser in the absence of the injured Frenkie de Jong, a role that asks him to give the Dutch midfield the control usually associated with the former Barcelona player. Quinton Timber, noted for his strength and driving power, remains another option available from the squad.
Greece’s emerging forward line meets Dutch improvisation
The Netherlands have had to adjust most visibly at the front. Crysencio Summerville has become important on the right, offering acceleration and direct running. Brobbey’s injury against Germany opened the door for Mexx Meerdink, the 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar forward who had previously been little known at international level. He responded emphatically, scoring twice in Serbia.
Ruben van Bommel has also stepped forward after Gakpo’s injury. The 22-year-old made his debut and supplied the assist for Gakpo’s late equaliser against Germany, before the Liverpool forward was ruled out. These are unfamiliar figures in a Netherlands attack that has had to adapt quickly, but their early contributions have allowed Xavi’s side to keep moving through the group.
Greece, meanwhile, carry their own promise into a stadium that rarely feels neutral when the national team comes to town. Christos Tzolis of Arsenal, Anastasios Douvikas of Como and Borussia Dortmund’s Konstantinos Karetsas lead a generation with real attacking ambition. Their team’s victory over Germany, sealed by a Dimitris Kourbelis goal, was Greece’s first ever win against the Germans and gave the campaign a sense of possibility.
Sunday’s contest therefore offers more than a table-topper. For Greece, it is an opportunity to confirm that the victories in Belgrade and against Germany were the beginning of something durable. For the Netherlands, it is a test of depth, resilience and Xavi’s ability to keep a changing forward line productive. Under the lights at Toumba, the group’s direction may become clearer.
