Greece and Italy compete in international friendly match at Pankritio Stadium

On June 7, 2026, the Greek national football team hosted Italy in a friendly match at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion. The event was attended by 10,000 spectators and featured a pre-match ceremony including traditional Cretan dances and a performance by singer Vassilis Skoulas. This match serves as the final preparation for Greece before the Nations League competition begins in September, where the team is scheduled to face Germany, the Netherlands, and Serbia. Greece previously played a 2-2 draw against Sweden in Solna. Head coach Ivan Jovanovic emphasized the team's ongoing development and the integration of new players following a challenging season. Although the primary goals for the past year were not met, the coach expressed confidence in the squad's resilience and progress. The match marks the end of the current cycle of testing for the national team under Jovanovic's guidance.