In a game that will be etched in history, the Greek Women’s National Water Polo team delivered one of the most dominant performances in their history, stunning the USA with an emphatic and utterly deserved 14-10 victory. This incredible triumph secures their place in the grand final of the World Aquatics Championship in Singapore.
The “blue and white” squad exhibited an unparalleled fighting spirit against the formidable Americans. Anchored by an astonishing defensive effort and the heroic saves of goalkeeper Ioanna Stamatopoulou, Greece dictated the pace of the semi-final, achieving a long-awaited and monumental win against the sport’s global powerhouse.
With morale soaring, Haris Pavlidis’s “mermaids” now stand on the brink of securing only the second gold medal in Greece’s World Championship history, a feat last accomplished in Shanghai, China, in 2011. They eagerly await their final opponent, to be decided by the clash between Hungary and Spain.
Greece’s water polo team offers a masterclass
The match opened with a tense, balanced first quarter. Greece’s defense was rock-solid, stifling the American attack. Despite Lineback’s opening goal for the USA in the first minute, both defenses largely controlled the pool. Greece, however, faced early frustration, hitting the post three times, while Ioanna Stamatopoulou was in inspired form, making save after crucial save.
A dramatic sequence unfolded just before the first quarter’s end. Eleftheria Plevritou seemingly leveled the score at 1-1. However, a contentious challenge from the Americans led to a penalty awarded to the USA, with Flynn converting for a 0-2 lead. Yet, Greece refused to be rattled. Showing immense resilience, Stefania Santa and Eleftheria Plevritou scored in the final 40 seconds, bringing the score to a hard-fought 2-2 by the end of the first eight minutes.
Greece carried this momentum into the second quarter. Stamatopoulou continued her phenomenal performance, frustrating every American attempt, particularly on power plays. The “blue and white” team surged ahead, with goals from Vasiliki Plevritou, Xenaki, and Tricha, establishing a commanding 5-3 lead with 3.5 minutes remaining before halftime. Though the Americans briefly cut the deficit via a Niousoul penalty, Greece immediately responded with a brilliant assist from Eleftheria Plevritou to Xenaki, making it 6-4. A dubious penalty call for the USA in the dying seconds, following a denied penalty for Greece on Koureta, brought the halftime score to 6-5 in favor of the Greeks.
The third quarter saw the USA start strongly, momentarily regaining the lead at 7-6 in the 18th minute with goals from Aousmus and Niousoul, capitalizing on a brief relaxation in the Greek defense. This, however, only served to ignite Greece’s competitive fire. Maria Myriokefalitaki provided the spark, scoring a phenomenal goal against three defenders from a free-throw position to equalize at 7-7. Although the USA briefly nudged ahead, Maria Patra’s surprising shot and Stefania Santa’s incredible diagonal strike ensured Greece ended the third period with a crucial 9-8 lead.
The final eight minutes: Greece maintained their composure and extended their lead, ultimately securing a monumental 14-10 victory.
Final Score: 2-2, 6-5, 9-8, 14-10.
Greece (Coach: Haris Pavlidis): Stamatopoulou, Eleftheria Plevritou 1, Tricha 1, Santa 3, Giannopoulou, Xenaki 3, Ninou, Patra 1, Siouti, Vasiliki Plevritou 4, Tornarou, Myriokefilitaki 1, Koureta, Tzourka.
In April, Greece was crowned the new Women’s Water Polo World Cup champion after defeating Hungary 13-9 in the World Cup final in Chengdu, China.
Related: Greece’s Water Polo Teams Advance to Semis at Singapore World Aquatics Championships
