Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 204 (Interview with Author and Freelance Football (Soccer) Writer Mr. George Tsitsonis, as we discuss Greece National Team of the 1994 World Cup.)

 This is the 204^th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

 

For this episode, I interview Author and Freelance Football (Soccer) Writer Mr. George Tsitsonis, as we discuss Greece National Team of the 1994 World Cup.

 

Mr. Tsitsonis has also written for FourFourTwo Magazine, FIFA publications, FourFourTwo.com, Soccer International Magazine, Inside Soccer Magazine, Inside Futbol among others.

 

Mr. Tsitsonis appeared previously on the podcast discussing this 2004 adventure.

 

 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

 

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. George Tsitsonis’ contact info:

Twitter: @gtsitsonis

Bluesky: @gtsitsonis.bsky.social

Website: https://georgetsitsonis.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-tsitsonis-b48033103

 

Link to Mr. George Tsitsonis’ book:

https://www.amazon.com/Achieving-Impossible-Remarkable-Greeces-Victory/dp/1925914089

 

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SdrNaizcHILwNPG3ee0qt?si=zCc6EU6oS3OtegNJUSAEjw&nd=1&dlsi=28f38c52c79e4f37

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-204-interview/id1601074369?i=1000721402663

Compendium to The Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Part 204-Matches of Greece National team during the 1994 World Cup.

 Greece National Team matches during the 1994 World Cup

 

June 21, 1994, FIFA World Cup, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Argentina 4-Greece 0 (Gabriel Omar Batistuta 2, 45, 90 pen, Diego Armando Maradona 60)

June 26, 1994, FIFA World Cup, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Bulgaria 4-Greece 0 (Hristo Stoichkov 5 pen, 55 pen, Yordan Lechkov 66, Daniel Borimorov 90)

June 30, 1994, FIFA World Cup, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Nigeria 2-Greece 0 (Finidi George 45, Daniel Amokachi 90)

Greece’s 1994 World Cup Finals squad:

Goalkeepers:

1- Antonis Minou (Gymnastikós Sillegós Apollon Athina-Smyrni)

15-Christos Karkamanis (Gymnasticós Sillegós Aris- Thessaloniki)

20- Ilias Atmatsidis (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

 

Defenders:

2- Stratos Apostolakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)

3- Thanasis Kolitsidakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)      

4- Stelios Manolas (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

5- Yiannis Kalintzakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  

13- Vaios Karayiannis (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

17- Minas Handzitis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)

18- Kiriakos Karataidis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)

21-Alexandros Alexandris (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

 

Midfielders:

6- Jiotis Tsalouchidis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)

8- Nikos Nioblias (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  

10- Tasos Mitropoulos (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

11- Nikos Tsiantakis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)

12- Spyros Marangos (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)

19- Savas Kofidis (Gymnasticós Sillegós Aris- Thessaloniki)

22-Alexandros Alexiou (PAOK (Panthessalonikio Athlitiko Omilo Konstantinoupolis)- Thessaloniki)

 

Strikers:

7- Dimitris Saravakos (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)

9- Nikos Machlas (OFI (Ómilos Filathlós Iráklion)-Kriti)

14- Vassilis Dimitriadis (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

16- Alexandros Alexoudis (OFI (Ómilos Filathlós Iráklion)-Kriti)

 

Coach: Alketas Panagoulias

Team Captain: Dimitris Saravakos / Stratos Apostolakis / Tasos Mitropoulos

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora

Note:

1-All three goalkeepers played during this World Cup.

2-Every player of the 22-man squad played during this World Cup.

3-Each match of Greece was captained by a different player.

 

Photo From: Panini World Cup 1994

(Greece 1994 World Cup squad)

Date: June 21, 1994

Competition: FIFA World Cup-Group D

Result: Argentina 4-Greece 0

Venue: Boston, Massachusetts- Foxboro Stadium, USA

Attendance: 53,644

Referee: Arturo Angeles (USA)

Linesmen: Jan Dolstra (Holland), Hae-Yong Park (South Korea)

Kick-off time: 12:30

Goalscorers:

(Argentina): Gabriel Omar Batistuta 2, 45, 90 pen, Diego Armando Maradona 60

(Greece): None

Summary of goals:

1:0 (2^nd minute, Argentina): From the middle of the field on the right, Simeone sent Batistuta through who went on a solo run to score.

2:0 (45^th minute, Argentina): On the left side, Chamot passed to Batistuta who struck with a long-range shot from outside of the box.

3:0 (60^th minute, Argentina): After a combination play with Redondo, Maradona struck with a long-range shot from outside of the box.

4:0 (90^th minute, Argentina): Argentina were awarded a second penalty after Apostolakis handled in the box. Batistuta scored from the ensuing penalty kick.

Lineups:

Argentina:

12-Luis Alberto Islas (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)

3-José Antonio Chamot (Foggia Calcio / Italy)

4-Roberto Nestor Sensini (Associazione Calcio Parma / Italy)

5-Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri (Club Deportivo Tenerife / Spain)

6-Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri (Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro- Buenos Aires) 

7-Claudio Paul Caniggia (Associazione Sportiva Roma / Italy)

9-Gabriel Omar Batistuta (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina- Firenze / Italy)

10-Diego Armando Maradona (free agent) (17- Ariel Arnaldo Ortega (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires) 83)

13-Fernando Gabriel Caceres (Real Zaragoza / Spain)

14-Diego Pablo Simeone (Sevilla Fútbol Club / Spain)

19-Abel Eduardo Balbo (Associazione Sportiva Roma / Italy) (21- Alejandro Victor Mancuso (Club Atlético Boca Juniors -Buenos Aires) 80)

 

Coach: Alfio Ruben Basile

Booked: Fernando Gabriel Caceres 41

 

Team Captain: Diego Armando Maradona

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

 

Greece:

1- Antonis Minou (Gymnastikós Sillegós Apollon Athina-Smyrni)

4- Stelios Manolas (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

2- Stratos Apostolakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)

5- Yiannis Kalintzakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  

3- Thanasis Kolitsidakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)      

6- Jiotis Tsalouchidis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)

8- Nikos Nioblias (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  

19- Savas Kofidis (Gymnasticós Sillegós Aris- Thessaloniki)

11- Nikos Tsiantakis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas) (12- Spyros Marangos (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas) 46)

7- Dimitris Saravakos (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)

9- Nikos Machlas (OFI (Ómilos Filathlós Iráklion)-Kriti) (10- Tasos Mitropoulos (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina) 58)

 

Coach: Alketas Panagoulias

Booked: Jiotis Tsalouchidis 25, Stelios Manolas 56

Team Captain: Dimitris Saravakos

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 27 (1003), July 7-12, 1994

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Argentina 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 27 (1003), July 7-12, 1994

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Argentina 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: El Grafico 3899, 1994

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Argentina 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: El Grafico 3899, 1994

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Argentina 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: El Grafico, Libro De Seleccion-La Historia De Argentina En Los Mundiales-De Uruguay 30 A Corea-Japon 2002

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Argentina 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2516, June 28, 1994

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Argentina 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 46, No. 25, Issue 1164, July 11, 1994

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Argentina 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1994

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Argentina 4-Greece 0)

Date: June 26, 1994

Competition: FIFA World Cup-Group D

Result: Bulgaria 4-Greece 0

Venue: Chicago, Illinois-Soldier Field, USA

Attendance: 63,160

Referee: Ali Mohamed Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates)

Linesmen: Yousif Abdullah Al-Ghattan (Bahrain), Raimundo Calix Garcia (Honduras)

Kick-off time: 11:30

Goalscorers:

(Bulgaria): Hristo Stoichkov 5 pen, 55 pen, Yordan Lechkov 66, Daniel Borimorov 90

(Greece): None

Summary of goals:

1:0 (5^th minute, Bulgaria): Bulgaria were awarded a penalty after Alexoudis handled in the box. Stoichkov scored from the ensuing penalty kick.

2:0 (55^th minute, Bulgaria): Bulgaria were awarded a second penalty after Sirakov was fouled by Atzamidis in the box. Stoichkov scored from the ensuing penalty kick.

3:0 (66^th minute, Bulgaria): From the middle, Lechkov made a combination play with Yankov and advanced to score.

4:0 (90^th minute, Bulgaria): Stoichkov’s free kick was parried by Ilias Atmatsidis, Borimorov knocked in the rebound.

Lineups:

Bulgaria:

1- Borislav Mihailov (Football Club Mulhouse-Sud Alsace / France)

2- Emil Kremenliev (Fudbalski Klub Levski 1914-Sofia)   

4- Tzanko Tzvetanov (Fudbalski Klub Levski 1914-Sofia) (16- Ilian Kiriakov (Unió Esportiva Lleida / Spain) 77)

3- Trifon Ivanov (Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club / Switzerland)

5- Petar Houbchev (Hamburger Sport-Verein e.V. / Germany)

9- Yordan Lechkov (Hamburger Sport-Verein e.V. / Germany)

6- Zlatko Yankov (Fudbalski Klub Levski 1914-Sofia)   

10- Nasko Sirakov (Fudbalski Klub Levski 1914-Sofia)   

7- Emil Kostadinov (Futebol Clube do Porto / Portugal) (11- Daniel Borimorov (Fudbalski Klub Levski 1914-Sofia) 82)

8- Hristo Stoichkov (Fútbol Club Barcelona / Spain)

20- Krassimir Balakov (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa / Portugal)

 

Coach: Dimitar Penev

Booked: Petar Houbchev 18, Trifon Ivanov 27, Zlatko Yankov 35, Daniel Borimorov 85

 

Team Captain: Borislav Mihailov

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Green Shorts, White (Three Green horizontal stripes) Socks

Note:

1-This was Bulgaria’s first ever win in a World Cup match, 32 years after their first appearance and after 18 matches.

 

Greece:

20- Ilias Atmatsidis (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

2- Stratos Apostolakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)

5- Yiannis Kalintzakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  

13- Vaios Karayiannis (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

18- Kiriakos Karataidis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)

12- Spyros Marangos (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas) 

8- Nikos Nioblias (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  

17- Minas Handzitis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas) (10- Tasos Mitropoulos (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina) 47)

19- Savas Kofidis (Gymnasticós Sillegós Aris- Thessaloniki)

9- Nikos Machlas (OFI (Ómilos Filathlós Iráklion)-Kriti)

16- Alexandros Alexoudis (OFI (Ómilos Filathlós Iráklion)-Kriti) (14- Vassilis Dimitriadis (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina) 57)

 

Coach: Alketas Panagoulias

Booked: Alexandros Alexoudis 7, Minas Handzitis 43, Tasos Mitropoulos 60, Vaios Karayiannis 71

 

Team Captain: Stratos Apostolakis

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 28 (1004), July 13-19, 1994

(June 26, 1994, World Cup, Bulgaria 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 28 (1004), July 13-19, 1994

(June 26, 1994, World Cup, Bulgaria 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 66, July 1994

(June 26, 1994, World Cup, Bulgaria 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 67, August 1994

(June 26, 1994, World Cup, Bulgaria 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 85, February 1996

(June 26, 1994, World Cup, Bulgaria 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1994

(June 26, 1994, World Cup, Bulgaria 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 46, No. 25, Issue 1164, July 11, 1994

(June 26, 1994, World Cup, Bulgaria 4-Greece 0)

Date: June 30, 1994

Competition: FIFA World Cup-Group D

Result: Nigeria 2-Greece 0

Venue: Boston, Massachusetts- Foxboro Stadium, USA

Attendance: 53,001

Referee: Leslie Mottram (Scotland)

Linesmen: Hae-Yong Park (South Korea), Paulo Jorge Alves (Brazil)

Kick-off time: 19:30

Goalscorers:

(Nigeria): Finidi George 45, Daniel Amokachi 90

(Greece): None

Summary of goals:

1:0 (45^th minute, Nigeria): Amunike passed to the right and Finidi George chipped over Christos Karkamanis from just outside of the box.

2:0 (90^th minute, Nigeria): Daniel Amokachi scored with a shot from outside of the box.

Lineups:

Nigeria:

1- Peter Rufai (Go Ahead Eagles / Holland)

4- Stephen Keshi (Molenbeek / Belgium)

5- Uche Okechukwu (Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü –Istanbul / Turkey)

6- Chidi Nwanu (Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht / Belgium)

19- Michael Emenalo (free agent)

12- Samson Siasia (Football Club de Nantes / France)

15- Sunday Oliseh (Royal Club Liegeois / Belgium)

7- Finidi George (Amsterdamse Football Club Ajax / Holland) (21- Mutiu Adepoju (Real Racing Club de Santander / Spain) 83)

9- Rashidi Yekini (Vitória Futebol Clube-Setúbal / Portugal) (10- Augustine Okocha (Eintracht Frankfurt / Germany) 69)

11- Emmanuel Amunike (Zamalek / Egypt)

14- Daniel Amokachi (Club Brugge Koninklijke Vereniging / Belgium)

 

Coach: Clemens Westerhof (Holland)

Booked: Sunday Oliseh 66, Stephen Keshi 70

 

Team Captain: Peter Rufai

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: White (Pajama design/Green) Shirts, White (Pajama design/Green) Shorts, White (Three Green horizontal stripes) Socks

 

Greece:

15-Christos Karkamanis (Gymnasticós Sillegós Aris- Thessaloniki)

22-Alexandros Alexiou (PAOK (Panthessalonikio Athlitiko Omilo Konstantinoupolis)- Thessaloniki)

5-Yiannis Kalintzakis (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  

13-Vaios Karayiannis (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

17-Minas Handzitis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)  

6-Jiotis Tsalouchidis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas)

8-Nikos Nioblias (Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos-Athinas)  

19-Savas Kofidis (Gymnasticós Sillegós Aris- Thessaloniki)

10-Tasos Mitropoulos (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina) (11-Nikos Tsiantakis (Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Pirea-Pireas) 72)

21-Alexandros Alexandris (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina)

9-Nikos Machlas (OFI (Ómilos Filathlós Iráklion)-Kriti) (14-Vassilis Dimitriadis (AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupolis)-Athina) 71)

 

Coach: Alketas Panagoulias

Booked: Tasos Mitropoulos 33, Yiannis Kalintzakis 42

 

Team Captain: Tasos Mitropoulos

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

Photo From: Le Livre D'or du Football 1994, Author Gerard Ejnes

(June 30, 1994, World Cup, Nigeria 2-Greece 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2517, July 5, 1994

(June 30, 1994, World Cup, Nigeria 2-Greece 0)

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 47, No. 1, Issue 1165, July 18, 1994

(June 30, 1994, World Cup, Nigeria 2-Greece 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1994

(June 30, 1994, World Cup, Nigeria 2-Greece 0)

Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 203 (Interview with English Author Mr. Gary Sherrard, discussing his book ‘The Wilderness Years: Newcastle United 1978-1984’ (2025))

 This is the 203^rd episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

 

For this episode, I interview English Author Mr. Gary Sherrard, discussing his book, ‘The Wilderness Years: Newcastle United 1978-1984’ (2025).

 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

 

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Sherrard’s contact info:

Twitter (X): @garysherrard66

Link to Mr. Sherrard s book:

https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/wilderness-years

https://www.amazon.com/Wilderness-Years-Newcastle-United-1978-1984-ebook/dp/B0FDX17V6K?ref_=ast_author_dp

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2DzZlzcK3NTcWU9oGfO0co?si=c4j_CAlGTXyI33ApeVp4zg&nd=1&dlsi=9fc6b4e0bd2448c2

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-203-interview/id1601074369?i=1000721119925