The women’s national water polo team suffered a 12-9 defeat at the hands of Hungary, and will now play a match for seventh place at the Paris Olympic Games.
Once again, the women’s water polo national team tasted defeat at the Paris Olympic Games. Despite a strong start, the representative team lost 12-9 to Hungary in a classification match and will compete for seventh place on Saturday morning (10/8, 10:00) against Canada.
It is worth noting that during the quarterfinal match against Australia, both Alexia Kammenou and her assistant, Tasos Pirpiris, were expelled. Fontas Lebesis sat on the bench during the match.
The game was characterized by frequent expulsions. The Greek team started with moderate efficiency (3/7), but fared better than their Hungarian counterparts, who were scoreless from five attempts. Greece led 4-1 in the second quarter, but Hungary gradually found their rhythm, eventually equalizing at 4-4. The first half ended in a tie, with Margarita Plevritou already out of the game due to three penalties.
The third period saw the match open up, with Hungary’s star, Rita Kesteli, scoring two identical goals from free throws outside the 6m line and giving her team a 7-6 lead. While the Greek team had opportunities in extra player situations, they were unable to capitalize and the Hungarians gradually increased their lead in the final quarter.
Quarters: 2-1, 2-3, 3-4, 2-4
Line-ups:
- Greece (Fontas Lebesis): Diamantopoulou, Elef. Plevritou, Chydirioti 1, Eleftheriadou 2, Marg. Plevritou, Xenaki 2, Asimaki 1, Patra, Ninu 2, V. Plevritou 1, Giannopoulou, Myriokefalitatiki, Stamatopoulou
- Hungary (Atilla Mihok): Magyari, Silagi 1, Vali 3, Kourouts-Gourisati, Maie, Parks 1, Horvat, Kesteli 4, Laimeter, Ribanska 1, Farago, Garda 2, Nesmeli