Greece have retained their International Swimming Federation World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championship title in Kuwait City, as Serbia were disqualified from the competition.
Greece defeated Serbia 6-4 at the Al-Nasar Sport Club in Kuwait’s capital.
They went 2-0 up in the first quarter and were winning 3-1 at halftime before a scoreless third quarter.
An action-packed final period saw Serbia bring the score to 5-4 before Konstantinos Kakaris secured the victory for Greece just two minutes from time.
Goalkeeper Nikolaos Mitrakis was named the best in his position of the tournament, blocking countless Serbian attacks to help his team to gold.
“It was indescribable going back to back,” said Greek captain Alexandros Papanastasiou.
“It was hard work, not luck.
“The team proved that if it could do it once, it could do it again. I wish to thank my team, my coaches for making this possible.”
It was the third title for Greece, having won in the Turkish capital of Istanbul in 2001 and in the Serbian capital of Belgrade in 2017.
Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos congratulated the team on their victory. “Your new, brilliant victory places you at the global top of water polo, opening a bright future ahead for you,” he said.
