Greece has made history by winning its first-ever Women’s Water Polo World Cup, defeating Hungary 13-9 in a dominant final performance on Easter Sunday in Chengdu, China.
Under the guidance of head coach Charis Pavlidis, the Greek team delivered a commanding display. They led 6-4 at halftime and widened the gap with a decisive 6-3 run in the third quarter, entering the final period with a 12-7 advantage. Star centre forward Elena Xenaki was named the tournament MVP for her standout performances throughout the competition.
This victory marks Greece’s first time reaching the top four of the prestigious international tournament, making the triumph all the more significant.
En route to the final, Greece shocked the Netherlands with a thrilling 15-13 comeback win in the semifinals, rallying from a four-goal deficit against the reigning Olympic bronze medallists. Earlier, in the quarterfinals, they overpowered Italy with a convincing 19-14 victory.
Hungary secured their place in the final after upsetting powerhouse Spain in the other semifinal, but were ultimately outmatched by the relentless Greek squad.
Greece’s breakthrough win signals a new era for the national team, firmly establishing them among the elite in women’s international water polo.
