Victorious premiere for our National Team, 13-11 against Italy (pics)

Anxiety-inducing indeed, but our National Team managed to start victoriously in the World Women's Youth Water Polo Championship U20, in Salvador, Brazil. They defeated Italy with a hard-fought 13-11 victory in the first match of Group B - the toughest group in the tournament - and they continue to look ahead with ambitions.

The Greek team, which started the game well and took a 3-1 and 4-2 lead, struggled against the Italians, who went ahead 6-4 in the middle of the second quarter. Later on, our National Team found offensive solutions again, but the game was a derby with constant score fluctuations until shortly before the end.

Greece took the lead 9-7, but Italy regained the advantage at 10-9 and 11-10. However, in the last four and a half minutes of the game, the girls of Georgios Dotskas dominated completely, improved defensively and found offensive solutions with Karampetsou and Krassa, and with a 3-0 run, they secured the victory with a final score of 13-11.

The top scorer and MVP was Nefeli Krassa with 5 goals.

The next match for our National Team is tomorrow, Tuesday 12/8, at 1:00 in the morning, against the USA.

GREECE - ITALY 13-11

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

GREECE (Georgios Dotskas): Konstantopoulou, Krassa 5, Kovacevic, Fouraki 1, Drakotou 1, Piovan, Klapsianou, Koureta 1, Beta, Triha 2, Karampetsou 3, Kyriakopoulou, Saltamanika, Graikou.

For Italy, the scorers were: Casara 3, Bianco 2, Di Maria 1, Bianchi 1, De Marchi 1, Rocca 1, Manutso 1, Minuto 1.

Detailed statistics HERE, match statistics HERE, and the game progression HERE.

In the other match of the 1st round of Group B: Hungary - USA 10-11.

Greek Water Polo Federation Press Office