Greek Water Polo Queens Conquer the World — Again!

In a stunning show of skill, strategy, and unshakable spirit, Greece’s National Women’s Water Polo Team captured the gold medal at the 2025 FINA World Championship in Singapore, defeating powerhouse Hungary 12–9 in a final that will be remembered for years.

It was a night of glory, redemption, and history for coach Charis Pavlidis and his incredible team of athletes, who led the match from start to finish with unrelenting offense and suffocating defense.

“I asked for Hungary in the final,” Pavlidis later revealed. “Not only because the girls wanted revenge — but because I knew: if we went ahead early, we wouldn’t lose. And we didn’t.”

A Masterclass in Momentum

The Greek squad came out firing, storming to a 3–1 lead in the first quarter. They never let up, expanding their advantage to 8–4 by halftime. Although Hungary rallied briefly in the third quarter to narrow the gap to 9–6, a last-second goal by Stefania Santa reasserted Greece’s dominance.

The final quarter was a celebration in motion. With lightning-fast counterattacks and clinical finishes, the Greeks surged ahead to 12–6 before Hungary managed two late goals. It was too little, too late.

“I’ve never seen Hungary so afraid,” Pavlidis added, praising his team’s speed, discipline, and mental composure. “We could’ve scored even more. But we were magnificent.”

A Golden Legacy

This is Greece’s second World Championship title, following their legendary 2011 win in Shanghai. It brings their total to 14 international medals, solidifying their place among water polo’s global elite.

The road to gold was paved with resilience and redemption, as Greece had fallen just short in recent competitions. But in Singapore, the team clicked — and never looked back.

Adding a touch of destiny to the story, Pavlidis revealed a prophetic moment during training:“On our first day here, the scoreboard flashed ‘Greek Champions 2025’. The girls took pictures and I told them: ‘If you want to keep that memory, earn it.’ And they did.”

Greece United in Pride

The victory sparked nationwide celebration in Greece, with politicians and citizens alike hailing the “golden girls” as symbols of hope and excellence.

• President Konstantinos Tasoulas called the triumph “a historic gold that fills us with pride and joy”, adding: “You honor our flag and inspire the nation.”
• Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis posted: “You made us proud. Congratulations on this outstanding victory.”
• PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis hailed it as “an unforgettable success”.
• SYRIZA’s Socratis Famellos praised the athletes for their message of “hope, unity, and belief in the impossible.”

Not Just a Win — A Statement

This was more than an athletic victory. It was a moment that transcended sports, uniting a country often divided, and spotlighting the power of women in Greek sport.“This gold is more than a medal,” Famellos said. “It’s a reminder of what we can achieve through faith, hard work, and unity.”

Eyes on the Future

With their dominance in Singapore, the Greek women now set the bar for Olympic aspirations. Their composure, talent, and teamwork have not only earned them the world title — they’ve captured the hearts of a nation.

As for coach Pavlidis? He’s not done dreaming.This is a team that plays with love, with fire. As long as they keep that, we can go anywhere.”

The champions have spoken. The world is listening.

Source: pagenews.gr