Jürgen Klopp continued his wait for his first win as Germany manager as Greece claimed a shocking victory over his team at the WWK ARENA in Augsburg.
This was Klopp’s second game as Germany’s head coach and his first at home, after a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands, settled by his former Liverpool player Cody Gakpo in the opening Matchday fixture. Klopp made 5 changes and named a new-look XI for the clash. Germany controlled the game for large spells, but were undone by Dimitrios Kourbelis’ 74th-minute goal that deflected off Joshua Kimmich on the way in. Kourbelis’ goal was the difference and Germany were left with a single point from their first two Nations League fixtures.
Greece arrived on the back of nine victories in their last ten UEFA Nations League fixtures away from home and were confident going into the tie. It was their first match against Germany since June 2024. The hosts aimed to extend their three-game winning run at home in the UNL, having triumphed in their last three matches on home soil without conceding.
Germany: All bark and no bite
Germany dominated proceedings in the opening half but were unable to string clear-cut goalscoring chances from a rigid Greek defence. Karim Adeyemi came close to giving Germany the lead just past the half-hour mark but was brilliantly denied by Konstantinos Tzolakis. Germany had 75% possession but struggled to break Greece’s defence apart, and the scores were tied at the break.
Germany debutant Bambasé Conté came closer to scoring the opener shortly after the restart but
Kostas Tzolakis denied him at full stretch before tipping Kimmich’s dipping free-kick over the bar. Felix Nmecha fired wide afterwards. Greece grew into the match gradually and nearly grabbed the lead when Joshua Kimmich was dispossessed in his own half before Vangelis Pavlidis dragged the ball wide from a one-on-one opportunity.
Greece’s persistence paid off as they scored the matchwinner 16 minutes from time. Arsenal winger Christos Tzolis skipped past Josha Vagnoman before releasing a cutback to Kourbelis, who feinted past Nmecha before hammering a low shot towards goal, with the ball deflecting off Kimmich on the way in. A landmark goal for Kourbelis that rewrote history. Germany couldn’t mount a positive response, and Greece saw out the match to seal the three points and a famous victory.
Jürgen Klopp rallied his team after the crushing defeat and asked that criticism be directed at him, not the players.
“There’s no reason for me to fall into depression and say, we’re so bad, we’re not. But we’re not that good either. I don’t want the players to be judged definitively. If you want to criticize someone, criticize me. Let the new players develop. The established players are top players at their clubs, and they have my support.”
“Feel free to criticize me, but not the boys. We don’t need to completely tear everything apart. I was surprised that some people booed. The future is as bright as we make it. We’ll take it on with everything we have.”
Jürgen Klopp added in a statement to UEFA:
“Football, that’s how it is. Drawing this game tonight, I could have easily taken it, but losing – that’s harsh. I don’t think we deserved that, but it happened anyway, and here we are. Greece had a plan for the game tonight. We have to be more convinced about what we are doing.”
Ivan Jovanović, Greece head coach, revealed his happiness at the record-breaking victory in a statement to UEFA:
“It was a very important victory against a big opponent and a historic victory for the national team of Greece here in Germany. Two victories in the first two games is something that is very important for the development of the group. We are very happy with this.”
Dimitris Kourbelis, who scored his match-winner, credited his team’s resilience and hunger to Alpha TV:
“A very big result against a really big force in world football. We fought hard and suffered on the pitch. That’s the only way you can get results against teams of this level. We deserve to play big games and be in a big tournament. We have two difficult games ahead of us against the Netherlands and Germany. I believe in the potential of this team.”
What next
Greece made it two victories in two matches, having defeated Serbia in their opening match, and they returned to their deserved spot atop the table in Nations League Group 2. They are on course to seal a spot in the quarterfinals. Greece ended their ten-game winless run against Germany, after registering seven losses and three draws in their previous matches. This was Greece’s biggest victory against a top-ranked side since they defeated fourth-ranked England at Wembley in 2024.
Germany are winless in four matches, a run that stretches back to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Jürgen Klopp was appointed on a four-year deal, and he needs time to mould this German team into his team. There have been a few positive signs, but they still have a long way to go.
Germany are in action against Serbia in Munich on Thursday before travelling to face Greece in the reverse fixture next Sunday. Greece will host the Netherlands on Thursday and Germany next Sunday.
