Greece winger Giorgos Masouras called for a return to major tournaments as players congratulated the Hellenic Football Federation on reaching its centenary milestone.
The federation, known as the EPO, marks 100 years since its foundation on 14 November 2026. Members of the national squad paused their training camp to send video messages marking the historic occasion.
The squad is preparing for decisive UEFA Nations League fixtures, but players took time to express their pride in the governing body reaching a century of existence.
Masouras drew attention with his message by focusing on the ambition to compete at the next European Championship. He said he wished the federation well for a thousand years, but added that when the organisation reached 102 years, he hoped Greece would be playing at the tournament. He stressed that the team aimed to return to the biggest stage in European football.
Masouras targets European Championship qualification
His reference to the 102-year mark aligns with Euro 2028, which will take place exactly 102 years after the federation was founded in 1926. Greece famously won the European Championship at Euro 2004 in Portugal, but the national side has endured an extended absence from major competitions, having last reached the tournament finals at Euro 2012.
Dimitris Pelkas also shared greetings, expressing satisfaction with the development of the national side. Pelkas said he wished the federation another hundred years and then another hundred after that. He said the players were delighted to be members of the setup, noted that the national team was growing bigger and stronger, and offered his best wishes from the heart.
Decisive UEFA Nations League fixtures
The anniversary arrives during a critical week for Greece on the pitch. The team travel to Amsterdam to face the Netherlands on 13 November, with kick-off at 21:45 local time, before hosting Serbia on 16 November in another 21:45 kick-off.
Results from the two matches will decide Greece's final position in their Nations League group. Finishing in the top two positions will secure qualification for the quarter-finals of the competition.
The UEFA Nations League offers European sides a pathway to tournament seedings and competitive progression. For Greece, securing positive results against the Netherlands and Serbia would provide immediate momentum towards their goal of returning to regular major tournament qualification.
