Greece’s women’s water polo team delivered a sensational performance in Chengdu, China, defeating Olympic bronze medallists the Netherlands 15-13 to reach their first-ever World Cup final — a milestone moment for the sport in Greece.
By four goals and under immense pressure, the Greek squad mounted an extraordinary comeback under the leadership of head coach Haris Pavlidis. With a relentless 8-2 run in the final 12 minutes, they turned the semi-final around to secure a historic win and guarantee their place on the podium.
The match showcased not only Greece’s resilience but also their strategic mastery. Key contributions came from standout players like Vaso Plevritou and Fotini Tricha, whose precision in penalty conversions and counterattacks proved pivotal.
Despite the Netherlands holding the lead for most of the game, Greece surged ahead when it mattered most, displaying nerves of steel and sharp tactical execution.
The victory comes after earlier in the week Hellas defeated Italy 19-14 in a high-intensity quarter-final. That clash saw Greece take a commanding 12-9 halftime lead, powered by Vasiliki Plevritou’s hat trick and Eleni Xenaki’s top-corner brilliance. Despite a push from the Italians, Greece held firm with late goals from Maria Myriokefalitaki and Plevritou sealing the five-goal win.
Awaiting the result of the Spain vs Hungary semi-final, Greece now sets its sights on claiming gold — an achievement that would cement their status among the world’s elite.
