With Ethnikos and Vouliagmeni competing in the Euro Cup on the second matchday of 2023, only four games were played in the Greek A1.
In one of them, however, there was an unexpected turn of events, as PAOK won 6-8 on the road against Alimos.
Olympiacos’ thrashing of Peristeri (17-5) was less surprising, extending their league winning streak to 12 games. The Blue-Reds of Panionios have begun a winning streak of their own, defeating the visiting Larissa 9-5.
The dolphins from Patra recorded a nice 10-6 win over the team in Black and Yellow, AEK, thanks to a magnificent seven from Dionysia Koureta.
Alimos NAC 6 – 8 PAOK (2-1, 2-3, 1-3, 1-1)
Alimos: E. Lazaris, N. Chaldaiou 1, E. Kovasevic, N. Piovan, J. Lykothanasis, E. Paterou 2, A. Asimaki, S. Logothetis, L. Mihailovic 2, M. Bitsakou M. 1, E. Tsimara, I. Helmi, M. Karagianni, S. Kyrkou, D. Theofanopoulou.
PAOK: E. Syka-Lerioti, A. Bikou, E. Pustinikova 2, E. Tzelepi, M. Karypidou, I. Paraskevopoulou, P. Graikou 1, A. Akilbayeva 1, D. Fragia 1, C. Dona-Tsiaka, V. Niarhakou 1, A. Tzourka, H. Karypidou 2
There was a big surprise today in the Greek capital today as the high-flying Alimos were handed a shock 6-8 defeat at the hands of PAOK.
In a low-scoring but entertaining match, the team from Thessaloniki handed Alimos its fourth loss of the season.
There was little to differentiate the two teams. However, a 3-1 third quarter by the visitors (Virna Niarchakou, Evgenia Pustinikova, and Desponia Fragia) provided the Black and Whites with a fortress to defend in the fourth quarter.
And it was from an excellent defence that Panos Vergos’ team built a platform to win this game, with Alexia Tzourka having a particularly strong game in between the sticks. Up front, Evgenia Pustinikova, a former Russian international, was PAOK’s best offensive outlet, scoring twice.
Alimos are now in fifth place in the league, tied on points with fourth-placed Ethnikos after playing one more game.
Olympiacos 17 – 5 Peristeri SC (5-1, 4-2, 4-2, 4-0)
Olympiacos: C. Diamantopoulou, S. Santa 3, I. Chydirioti 2, N. Eleftheriadou 1, F. Tricha 1, E. Xenaki 1, D. Drakotou 1, M. Plevritou 1, S. Tornarou, A. Christodoulou-Out 1, K. Christmas 3, M. Myriokefalitaki 2, I. Stamatopoulou, E. Oikonomou, M. Oikonomou 1.
Peristeri: C. Zafiraki, A. Kolitsopoulou 1, S. Fragaki, E. Grozopoulou 1, C. Apostolidou 1, D. Konstantopoulou, V. Betsi, E. Berikou, P. Petta, D. Bekri, M. Kassari 1, M. Gotzia 1, S. Kovacevitis, A. Papasifaki, A.Kikidou
Olympiacos continue to machine their way through their opponents, with a 17-5 win over Peristeri.
Despite the fact that the holidays were only a few weeks ago, Santa and Christmas (3 goals each) brought gifts for the reigning Greek champions on their 12-kilometer journey to North Athens.
Peristeri didn’t stand a chance in this match, but their next game is crucial, as they host the only team in the league below them, Rethymnou from Crete.
Panionios GSS 9 – 5 NC Larissa (3-0, 3-1, 2-1, 1-3)
Panionios: I. Mavrotas 1, M. Bogachenko, A. Kotsafti 1, M. Mastrokallou, M. Galiatsatou 1, E. Loudis, Kotsia 3, A. Loudis 2, D. Papanastasiou, A. Papanastasiou 1, L. Mavrotas, M. Thomopoulou
Larissa: E. Archontaki, A Kokkinou, I. Touloumtzidou 2, V. Hasioti, A. Safeti, A. Koltsida, Sakellariou 1, K. Rogers 1, T. Galanopoulou, M. Mastori 1.
Panionios achieved their third consecutive victory in the Greek A1 with a relatively straightforward 9-5 victory over Larissa.
Tassos Papanastasiou’s squad held a commanding lead at the change of ends thanks to a first-quarter defensive shutout and three scores in each of the first two quarters.
Larissa made the final score appear a bit more respectable inside the last eight minutes, but they were soundly defeated in the capital. They haven’t picked up points since early December.
AEK 6 – 10 NE Patra (1-3, 2-2, 3-3, 0-2)
AEK: D. Nigro, K. McKenty 1, E. Georgiou 1, H. Biniari, A. Kalaitzi 1, A. Gilla 1, A. Frangelaki, E. Roumeliotis, E. Liapaki, A. Peteinatou, K. Michailidou 2.
Patra: A. Giannakea, A. Androutseli, V. Zofoli, T. Levi, E. Tsimara 2, M. Balatsa 1, M. Petasi, D. Koureta 7, O. Moirali, N. Balatsa,, I. Paraskevopoulou, N. Michalatou, I. Rack
Seventeen-year-old Dionysia Koureta was the star of the show for Patra, with her seven goals proving more than enough to defeat AEK 10-6 in Glyfada.
Patra took the lead from the start, and never let it go from there. Leading by two goals, they only needed to keep a clean sheet in the last quarter to win the game, and that’s exactly what they did.
With three victories in their last four games, Michalis Lazaridis’s squad is gaining excellent road points and climbing the standings.
Patra stays in 7th; AEK are still only a point ahead of Larissa in 9th.
Next Matchday (21st January)
PAOK vs ANO Glyfada
AEK vs NC Vouliagmeni
NE Patra vs Panionios GSS
NC Larissa vs Olympiacos
Perister SC vs NC Rethymnou
Ethnikos vs NAC Alimos
Standings
- Olympiacos – 12 – 36pts
- NC Vouliagmeni – 12 – 31pts
- ANO Glyfada – 12 – 25pts
- Ethnikos – 11 – 24pts
- Alimos NAC – 12 – 24pts
- Panionios GSS – 11 – 21pts
- NE Patra – 12 – 18pts
- PAOK – 12 – 15pts
- AEK – 12 – 7pts
- NC Larisa – 12 – 6pts
- Peristeri SC – 12 – 3pts
- NC Rethymnou – 12 – 1pts
Read more about Greek Water Polo
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
