Greece was crowned the new Women’s Water Polo World Cup champion after defeating Hungary 13-9 in the final in Chengdu, China, on Easter Sunday.
The Greek squad, coached by Charis Pavlidis, dominated from the start, leading 6-4 at halftime and pulling away with a 6-3 third quarter to take a commanding 12-7 lead. Elena Xenaki was named the tournament MVP.
This is the first time Greece has reached the top four of the competition.
In the semis, the Greeks stunned the Netherlands with a dramatic comeback from a four-goal deficit to win 15-13. The Dutch were bronze medalists at the Paris Olympics just months earlier. In the quarterfinals, Greece knocked out Italy 19-14.
Hungary reached the final after upsetting Spain in the other semifinal.