Greece hosts the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League. Read the team news, predicted line-ups, form guide, kick-off time, and prediction.
Greece and the Netherlands meet in a crucial UEFA Nations League encounter at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Greece enter Matchday Three at the top of League A Group 2 after winning their opening two fixtures. The Netherlands are two points behind in second place, making this an early battle for control of the group.
Ivan Jovanovic’s Greece have collected six points, scored three goals and conceded once. The Netherlands have four points after a draw and a victory, with three goals scored and two conceded.
The match kicks off at 9:45 p.m. East Africa Time, offering Ugandan football supporters a convenient evening viewing window.
Greece vs Netherlands Match Details
| Match detail | Information |
| Competition | UEFA Nations League 2026-27 |
| Group | League A, Group 2 |
| Fixture | Greece vs Netherlands |
| Date | Thursday, October 1, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 9:45 p.m. EAT |
| Venue | Toumba Stadium |
| City | Thessaloniki, Greece |
Group A2 Standings Before Kick-Off
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals | Points |
| 1 | Greece | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3-1 | 6 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3-2 | 4 |
| 3 | Germany | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1-2 | 1 |
| 4 | Serbia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2-4 | 0 |
A Greek victory would create a five-point advantage over the Netherlands after three rounds. An away win would move the Dutch one point above the hosts, while a draw would preserve Greece’s position at the summit.
Greece Carry Confidence into Home Test
Greece began their Nations League campaign with an impressive 2-1 comeback victory away to Serbia. Anastasios Douvikas scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of second-half added time.
Jovanovic’s side then produced an even more notable result by defeating Germany 1-0 in Augsburg. Dimitris Kourbelis scored the decisive goal as goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and the Greek defence protected the lead.
Those two results represent an important response after an inconsistent period earlier in 2026. Greece have combined disciplined defending with more ambition in possession, while their emerging attackers have given Jovanovic several tactical options.
Christos Tzolis can threaten from wide areas, Konstantinos Karetsas offers creativity, and Vangelis Pavlidis provides movement through the centre. Greece can also use the physical presence of Charalampos Kostoulas or the finishing ability of Douvikas.
Netherlands Improving Under Xavi
The Netherlands opened their campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Germany. Cody Gakpo scored a stoppage-time equaliser after Lukas Nmecha had put the visitors ahead.
Xavi Hernandez then secured his first victory as Netherlands coach with a 2-1 win away to Serbia. Mexx Meerdink scored twice, strengthening his claim for a starting position against Greece.
The Dutch remain unbeaten in the group, but the trip to Thessaloniki represents Xavi’s most demanding test so far. Greece will defend compactly, compete intensely in midfield and attempt to attack spaces behind the advanced Dutch full-backs.
The Netherlands should control more possession through Ryan Gravenberch, Joey Veerman and Tijjani Reijnders. However, possession alone may not be enough against opponents who demonstrated considerable defensive discipline in Germany.
Greece Team News
Greece have no major new injury concerns reported ahead of the match. Jovanovic is therefore expected to retain the core that delivered victories over Serbia and Germany.
Tzolakis should continue in goal, with Konstantinos Mavropanos and Panagiotis Retsos forming the central defensive partnership. Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas is expected to start on the left, while Georgios Vagiannidis could occupy the opposite flank.
Kourbelis is pushing for a starting position after scoring against Germany. Karetsas, Tzolis, Kostoulas and Pavlidis are also competing for roles in an attack containing a useful mixture of pace, technique and physical strength.
Netherlands Team News
The Netherlands have several important absentees.
Gakpo has withdrawn after sustaining an ankle injury against Serbia. The Dutch federation’s match page confirms that he is unavailable for the remainder of the international period.
Jan Paul van Hecke will also miss the match after suffering a foot injury against Serbia. Xavi confirmed that Jurriën Timber is fit, while Nathan Aké and Jorrel Hato are alternative options alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.
Brian Brobbey has also been reported unavailable. Meerdink could therefore lead the attack after scoring twice in Belgrade. Crysencio Summerville and Ruben van Bommel are possible choices in the wide positions.
Justin Kluivert and Donyell Malen had already withdrawn from the original squad because of injuries, with Guus Til and Meerdink called up as replacements.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Greece: Tzolakis; Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Retsos, Tsimikas; Karetsas, Kourbelis, Zafeiris, Tzolis; Kostoulas, Pavlidis.
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, Veerman, Reijnders; Summerville, Meerdink, Van Bommel.
Confirmed line-ups should be released approximately one hour before kick-off.
Head-to-Head Record
The historical record strongly favours the Netherlands. UEFA records nine Dutch victories, one Greek win and one draw from 11 meetings. The Netherlands have scored 24 goals compared with Greece’s three.
| Team | Wins | Goals |
| Netherlands | 9 | 24 |
| Greece | 1 | 3 |
| Draws | 1 | — |
The Netherlands won both Euro 2024 qualifying meetings, including a 1-0 victory in Athens secured by Van Dijk’s late penalty. Greece’s only victory in this fixture was a 2-1 friendly win in 2016.
Players to Watch
Christos Tzolis: The Greek attacker can carry the ball quickly into open spaces and will target any gaps left by Denzel Dumfries.
Vangelis Pavlidis: His movement between the Dutch centre-backs could be important when Greece counterattacks or delivers crosses.
Mexx Meerdink: Two goals against Serbia have put the young forward in contention to start. He offers penalty-area movement and confidence.
Tijjani Reijnders: His ability to progress the ball and find shooting positions may be essential against Greece’s compact defensive structure.
Tactical Analysis
Greece are unlikely to compete for possession simply to match the Dutch. Jovanovic can instead use a compact defensive shape, protect central areas and release Tzolis and Karetsas quickly after turnovers.
The Netherlands will attempt to stretch Greece through Dumfries and Van de Ven before moving the ball into Reijnders between the lines. Gakpo’s absence removes one of their most reliable scorers, placing greater pressure on Meerdink and Summerville.
Set pieces may also prove decisive. Greece possess strong aerial defenders, while Van Dijk remains a major attacking target for Dutch corners and free-kicks.
What it means for Ugandan Supporters
The 9:45 p.m. EAT kick-off is well suited to Ugandan viewers because it falls within the established evening football window. Supporters can follow the match from home or at viewing centres without waiting beyond midnight for the opening whistle.
The fixture also features several players familiar to Ugandan followers of English and European club football, including Van Dijk, Timber, Aké, Gravenberch, Reijnders and Tsimikas. Team sheets are expected at about 8:45 p.m. EAT, when the Dutch defensive replacement for Van Hecke and Greece’s attacking combination should become clear.
Prediction
Greece’s perfect start, home support and defensive organisation make them difficult opponents. The Netherlands possess greater individual depth, but their attacking injuries reduce Xavi’s options.
- Full-time prediction: Greece 1-1 Netherlands
- Result lean: Draw
- Both teams to score: Yes
- Total-goals outlook: Under 3.5 goals
These predictions are opinions, not guaranteed outcomes.
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Conclusion
Greece enter the match with momentum after two impressive away victories, but the Netherlands’ strong head-to-head record and midfield quality make this a finely balanced contest.
The Dutch are capable of controlling possession, although the absences of Gakpo, Brobbey and Van Hecke could affect their cutting edge and defensive structure. Greece’s organisation and home advantage should help them compete throughout, making a closely fought 1-1 draw a reasonable prediction.
