Greece has stormed into the quarterfinals of the World Aquatics Championships for the 11th consecutive time after a dominant 23–9 win over France, despite a shaky start.
After an evenly contested first half, the Greeks turned the tide with a blistering third period, outscoring France 8–0 and pulling well ahead.
The opening quarter saw Greece jump to a 3–0 lead before France replied rapidly with three goals in just over a minute. Valentine Heurtaux made headlines with a sensational buzzer-beater lob from 25 metres, levelling the scores 4–4 at the end of the first period.
France briefly took the lead again in the second quarter, but goals from Maria Patra, Stefania Santa, and captain Eleftheria Plevritou helped Greece edge ahead 8–7 at halftime.
The third quarter was the match’s turning point. Greece outclassed France with a clinical 8-goal burst, including a hat-trick from Vasiliki Plevritou and two more from standout player Foteini Tricha, who ended the match with five goals. France’s Erica Hardy was sent off with a red card during this phase, further compounding their troubles.
The final quarter saw Greece continue its dominance, netting seven more goals. Eleftheria Plevritou scored three of her four goals in the final minutes, with further contributions from Xenaki, Tornarou, and Tricha once more. Heurtaux and Lou Jean-Michel added two late goals for France, but it was too little, too late.
Post-match, Player of the Match Foteini Tricha remained focused: “Right now, we’re focusing on our next game… we have a tough game against Australia… and we will try our best to beat them so that we’ll be in the top four teams.”
Greece now prepares to face Olympic silver medallists Australia in the quarterfinals.
Source: World Aquatics
