Elena Xenaki: "The title came through teamwork" - Marina Kotsioni: "We are a family"

The Vouliagmeni looked like a festive state on Saturday afternoon (31/5), as the women's team of Nautical Club returned to the top of Women's Water Polo A1 after twelve years. It was the 12th championship in the club's history, celebrated properly at the Lemos Swimming Pool, as soon as the fifth match of the Finals Play Off series with Olympiacos ended (12-11).

"Success came through teamwork," supported Elena Xenaki, who scored the most decisive goal of the fifth final, in the last 76 seconds of the match.

"When I returned home to Vouliagmeni last year, I set a goal to win a championship," she declared visibly satisfied and added meaningfully... "Sports really need such games. Beyond me and Marina (editor's note: Kotsioni), all the other girls had not experienced similar situations, to handle such pressure, especially when we made it 2-1 in the series. However, all responded. Especially Krassa did a great job overall. We overcame the absence of Lola Moulhaouzen and Tina Kayafa, believed in it, and achieved it. This title will give us greater motivation to continue the work and maintain continuity."

Also, Marina Kotsioni played a significant role in winning this year's championship. The goalkeeper of NO Vouliagmeni, who kept her team standing in the final seconds with an impressive save, maintaining the 12-11 score, did not hide her emotion.

She avoided saying much about her personal performance, as she, in turn, emphasized that the title was a collective effort. "Beyond one save in a game, goals and blocks matter. And in the fifth final, I believe we did a good job. Congratulations to the team for the success," she said and added: "It's very satisfying that after so many years, we had a competitive final series with very good athletes from both sides," and concluded:

"We waited many years to celebrate the championship. Throughout this period, we persisted in hard work with young girls and some additions. Last summer, Xenaki, a child of the Club, returned, and our joy multiplied. We are a family and we live all these moments together."

COE PRESS OFFICE