Great Hellas, did her miracle again! The national women’s polo team with a sensational appearance and starring her Irene Nino who scored five goals made her a “leaf and feather”. Italy which he defeated 14-12 taking after 13 years the qualification for the semi-finals of World Aquatics!
Magnificent performance by her players Alexias Kammenouwho despite the countless expulsions against them, did not “chew” and got the ticket for the foursome, where they will face the Hungary her Wednesday (14/2)!
THE Nicole Eleftheriadoushe was again the one who sealed the victory, as, just like in the European Championship in Eindhoven, she scored the last, crucial goal!
The match:
The two teams were quite misguided, but also stressed at the beginning of the match, with Italy and Greece having many missed opportunities and from a post, as a result of which they did not score in the first 3.5 minutes.
The “pomegranate” for the National Team, however, was broken by Margarita Pleuritou who made it 1-0. Alexia Kammenou’s team played fantastic defense and did not leave Italy any room to score, as a result of which they found the net for the second time with a scorer, this time Vassiliki Pleuritou, who once again took advantage of the player with a shot from the edge above.
The “blue and white” played smartly, winning kicks and forcing the Italians to lose possessions and shortly before the end of the first eight minutes, Irini Ninou made it 3-0!
In the second eight minutes, Italy reacted immediately, reducing the score to 3-1 with Giustini’s goal. The pattern remained the same with the National team forcing Italy not to exploit the player above.
The Greek women released the ball several times in the time limit, but first Maria Patra with an excellent shot and then Ninou with a fantastic finish made it 5-1 and forced the Italian coach to call a time-out. Upon returning to the pool, Kiara Tabani defeated Stamatopoulou with a goal, writing the score 5-2. In fact, typically the home team scored again with Tabani’s second personal goal for 5-3.
Greece did not flinch even though the intensity of the match had increased and after an incredible inspiration from Eleftheria Pleuritou, they came back to +3 with an amazing goal (6-3). Our representative group continued not to concede a goal and after a full-time phase won a penalty, but “lost” Xenakis who was sent off for a knock, as the referees ruled. The penalty, however, went into the net by Eleftheria Pleuritou who wrote 7-3 which was the score of the half.
The third eight minutes started in a bad way for Greece, after Italy found two quick goals with Avenio and Picocci making it 7-5 in two phases with a player up at the moment when Greece could not score forcing Alexia Kammenou to take time out in order to organize the attack. This, as a result, was successful, since Irene Ninou with her third goal for 8-5.
From that point on, the Greek region got “fire” and despite conceding Galardi’s goal, managed to make it 10-6 with Myriokephalitaki and Nino’s goal. Italy scored with Bettini, but in stoppage time Margarita Pleuritou scored for 11-7 which was the score of the 3rd quarter.
The 4th eight minutes started in a bad way for Greece, after two quick goals Italy reduced to 11-9 entering firmly in the claim of the match. Greece pressed and after winning a penalty which Nicole Eleftheriadou failed to take advantage of, she reached 12-9 with another penalty with Nino’s fifth goal. In fact, seconds later Vasiliki Pleuritou made it 13-9 with a terrific goal! Despite Picocci and Giustini getting Italy back into the match to go 13-11 down, Nicole Eleftheriadou, just like in Eindhoven, scored the last and decisive goal to make it 14-11, with Italy getting the last goal of the night making the final 14-12.
Italy: Condorelli, Tabani (2), Gallardi (1), Aveni (1), Giustini (2), Bettini (2), Picozzi (3), Bianconi, Palmieri, Marletta, Cochieri (1), Viacava, Badcelli
Hellas: Diamantopoulou, Eleftheria Pleuritou (2), Hydirioti, Eleftheriadou (1), Xenaki, Asimaki, Ninou (5), Vasiliki Pleuritou (2), Giannopoulou, Myriokephalitaki (1), Stamataopoulou, Elliniadi, Tricha, Margarita Pleuritou (2), Patra (1)
The eight minutes: 0-3, 3-7, 7-11, 12-14
Watch the stream of the match live on sport-fm.gr
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
