European "double" in Nea Smyrni for NO Vouliagmeni, 11-10 against Panionios and mathematical hopes of qualification

NO Vouliagmeni secured an important victory against Panionios at the Nea Smyrni swimming pool, winning 11-10 in a dramatic Greek derby during the 5th round of the Men's Water Polo Euro Cup Group Stage. With this result, Panionios remains at the bottom of Group B with 3 points, with no chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. On the other hand, NOV (who also took a sort of revenge for their defeat against Panionios in the 2nd round of the Group) reached 6 points, but their chances of qualification are slim and mainly mathematical. This is due to Ortigia from Syracuse defeating the previously unbeaten Hungarian Vasas 10-9.

In the 6th and final round, Panionios will travel to Italy to face Ortigia, while Vasas will come to Greece to face NO Vouliagmeni. The Vouliagmeni team needs a "gift" from Panionios, should they manage to win, to have a chance at securing a place in the next stage (favorable in case of a tie with Ortigia).

NOV took an early lead in the match in Nea Smyrni, going up 8-3 and 10-5, then Panionios narrowed the gap to just one goal, 11-10, with 2:05 remaining, but failed to do more. The ending was tumultuous. Immediately after the final horn, a scuffle broke out in the pool between players of the two teams, which ended with the intervention of calmer heads and referees trying to report what they witnessed in the Official Match Report and NOV officials wanting to file a protest.

PANIONIOS - NO VOULIAGMENI 10-11

Quarters: 2-3, 1-4, 2-3, 5-1.

See the lineups, goals, statistics, and match progress HERE.

Group B Standings (5 games played):

1. Vasas 12

2. Ortigia 9

3. NO Vouliagmeni 6

4. Panionios 3

Hellenic Swimming Federation Press Office: John Korakis