Sporting Kansas City forward Marinos Tzionis has been called up to the Cyprus Men’s National Team for their upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches. This call-up marks a significant moment for Tzionis as he prepares to contribute to his nation’s campaign to reach the prestigious European Championship.
Tzionis will join the Cyprus squad for two pivotal Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures in September. The first match sees Cyprus hosting Scotland on September 8th, followed by a challenging away game against Spain on September 11th. As a result of his international duty, Tzionis will be unavailable for Sporting Kansas City’s game against Inter Miami CF on September 9th but is expected to rejoin the club in time for their match against Minnesota United FC on September 16th.
Key Euro 2024 Qualifying Matches for Cyprus:
- Friday, Sept. 8 vs. Scotland, 1:45 p.m. CT, AEK Arena, Larnaca
- Monday, Sept. 11 at Spain, 1:45 p.m. CT, El Sardinero, Santander
Image: Marinos Tzionis, Sporting Kansas City forward, in a dynamic play during a Major League Soccer match.
Tzionis has become an integral part of the Cyprus national team setup, earning 24 caps and scoring two goals. His experience in UEFA Nations League and FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns makes him a valuable asset for Cyprus as they navigate the Euro Qualifiers. Since his debut for Cyprus’s senior team in 2020, Tzionis has steadily grown in stature. His goal-scoring record for his nation includes a crucial opening goal against Estonia in a 2-0 Nations League victory in March 2022 and the decisive goal against Greece in a 1-0 win in September of the same year.
Cyprus is vying for its first-ever qualification for the UEFA European Championship. Euro 2024 will feature 24 nations, with qualification paths for the top two teams from ten groups, host nation Germany, and three additional teams via a playoff system. Cyprus finds itself in Group A, a challenging group alongside Scotland, Spain, Georgia, and Norway, the latter boasting Manchester City star Erling Haaland. Currently, Cyprus is at the bottom of Group A and will be looking to improve their standing in the remaining qualifying matches. The Euro 2024 qualifying playoffs are scheduled for March 2024, offering another route to the finals.
Image: Marinos Tzionis representing Cyprus national team in a UEFA match, demonstrating his national team commitment.
Prior to his international success, Tzionis has also been a consistent performer for Sporting Kansas City since his arrival in early 2022, making 51 appearances across all competitions. He has contributed three goals for the club, including two in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and registered his first MLS assist in a 4-1 victory against Portland Timbers in May. His versatility and attacking prowess make him a key player for both club and country. Tzionis’s journey to the senior national team included representing Cyprus at the U-17 and U-19 levels, participating in European Championship qualifying tournaments.
Before joining Sporting Kansas City, Tzionis played for his hometown club Omonia Nicosia, where he scored 15 goals in 88 appearances. During his time with Omonia, he won the Cypriot First Division title and gained valuable experience in major European club competitions like the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.
As Tzionis heads off to join the Cyprus national team, Sporting Kansas City is preparing for an anticipated home game against St. Louis City SC. This Western Conference matchup is set to take place at Children’s Mercy Park.
