Greece fell short against Italy once again, narrowly losing 11-10 and crashing out of the World Cup quarter-finals, despite holding a 10-8 lead three minutes into the big game.
The match started nervously from both teams, with defenses leading the way and attacks lacking impact. It was Italy who opened the scoring, with Greece having the answers. She found her peace in the pool and scored three consecutive goals against Genidounias, Giouvetsi and Papanastasiou, closing the first eight minutes with her individual 3-1.
The second eight minutes was disastrous for the athletes of Thodoris Vlachos, who saw Argyropoulos sent off with a red card for violence and the “blue and white” fighting for four minutes with one less player.
The National team lost their composure, Italy took advantage of it with five consecutive goals, consequently closing the second eight minutes with a total score of 6-5 in their favor.
The third quarter started like the second, with Italy finding the net first and making it difficult for Greece. However, the “blue and white” regained her lost composure, a sign of her psychological preparation, as a result of which she tied first at 7-7 and then at 8-8.
The third quarter ended with this score, after Zerdeva’s terrible save in the Italians’ last attack.
The eight minutes: 3-1, 2-5, 3-2,2-3.
Greece (Thodoris Vlachos): Zerdevas, Genidounias, Skoubakis, Giuvetsis, Foundoulis, Papanastasiou, Argyropoulos, Kanakakis, Alafragkis, Kakaris, Nikolaidis, Vlachopoulos, Tjortzatos, Papanikolaou.
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