The highlight of gameday 13 in the Greek A1 was a revitalised PAOK holding Glyfada to a 9-9 draw.
The Black and Whites from Thessaloniki, fresh off an impressive 8-6 victory over Alimos, shocked the league by holding their own against Glyfada, who are currently in the last eight of the Champions League.
While Olympiacos secured a dominant 17-5 win in Larissa, Vouliagmeni downed AEK in a resounding fashion (17-8), and Ethnikos secured a convincing 14-9 victory over Alimos.
Panionios GSS left no room for doubt in their match with Patra, winning by a 12-8 margin. At the bottom of the table, Peristeri secured a crucial 12-10 win over Rethymnou in a must-win game.
PAOK 9 – 9 Glyfada (1-1, 2-3, 3-3, 3-2)
PAOK: E. Lerioti, A. Bikou, E. Pustinikova 1, E. Tzelepi, M. Karypidou 3, I. Paraskevopoulou, P. Graikou, A. Akilbaiyeva, D. Fragia 1,V. , Niarhakou 1, A. Tzourka, I. Karypidou 3.
Glyfada: E. Karytsa, P. Ninou, T. Moustakaria 1, I. Wolves, E. Grigoropoulou 1, R. Kakaidi, E. Antoniadi, I. Kanellopoulou, I. Koolhaas 3, E. Fountotou 2, L. Katsoni, S. Kontogianni 2, V. Tsiara.
An impressive looking PAOK held ANO Glyfada to a 9-9 tie in Thessaloniki, as Panagiotis Vergos followed up their amazing victory at Alimos last weekend with a incredible draw.
Inspired by hat-tricks from the Karypidou sisters, PAOK denied Glyfada of the three points they were anticipating.
The game was closely contested from the start, with ANO Glyfada leading 8-6 at one point, but PAOK fought back with goals from the two Karypidou sisters levelling the score at 8-8. The match ended in a thrilling tie, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
As audacious as it sounds, PAOK might even believe they deserved more from the game, with the Black and Whites leading with just 3 minutes and 15 seconds remaining on the clock, thanks to a goal from Virginia Niarchakou.
The Champions League quarter-finalists though, ANO Glyfada, found an important equaliser via Eleni Grigoropoulou equalised moments later.
While a draw is certainly not ideal for Thodoris Andreakos and his Glyfada side, after a disappointing 10-8 defeat to Vouliagmeni in midweek, it was vital that his team not lose today.
As for PAOK, they are riding high on their recent string of success, having shocked the league by gaining four unexpected points from two games against the top teams. Its pretty impressive stuff, but it will be interesting to see if they can keep the run going against Vouliagmeni in seven days’ time.
Ethnikos 14 – 9 Alimos NAC (6-3, 3-3, 3-0, 2-3)
Ethnikos: E. Sotireli, A. Karampetsu, M. Borisova, V. Laskaridou, I. Kontoni 2, H. Beta, F. Chatzikyriakaki 1, A. Benekou 5, M. Rakitzi 1, E. Kanetidou 1, L. Benekou, C. Andrews 1, D. Bekri, E. Katsimpri 3, A. Klapsianou.
Alimos: E. Lazaris, N. Chaldaiou 3, E. Kovasevic, E. Piovan 1, J. Lykothanasis, E. Paterou 1, A. Asimaki 1, S. Logothetis 2, L. Mihailovic, M. Bitsakou, E. Tsimara 1, I. Helmi, M. Karagianni, S. Kyrkou, D. Theofanopoulou
Ethnikos secured a convincing 14-9 victory over Alimos, who continue to struggle to find their form.
Alimos were dealt a harsh reality check as they were outplayed by a dominant Ethnikos team in a 14-9 defeat. Despite their surprise victory over Ethnikos in the autumn, Stefano Leandros’ side proved to be too much for Alimos to handle, controlling the game from the opening quarter and never looking back.
Ethnikos was led by a dynamic duo of Alkistis Benekou and Effrosyni Katsimpri, who combined for eight goals, with Benekou netting five and Katsimpri adding three. The Blue-Whites are currently riding a wave of good form, having won four out of their last five league games, with their only defeat coming against powerhouse Olympiacos.
As they gear up for a crucial match in the Euro Cup in two weeks, Ethnikos will face a formidable opponent in the form of Hungarian champions UVSE. It will be a tough test for the team but they will be looking to continue their recent winning ways and make a statement on the European stage by retaining their European title from last season.
Alimos is now in a more realistic league position, matching their pre-season expectations, as they are now tied with Panionios on points, despite playing fewer games.
NC Larissa 5 – 17 Olympiacos (0-3, 0-6, 3-4, 2-4)
Larissa: E. Archontaki, A. Kokkinou, I. Touloumtzidou, V. Hasioti, A. Safeti 3, A. Koltsida, K. Rogers, T. Galanopoulou 1, A. Clapperton 1
Olympiacos: I. Stamatopoulou, E. Plevritou 1, I. Chydirioti 1, S. Santa 3, F. Tricha, K. Margariti, Siouti 2, Z. Tjortzakaki 4, Drakotou 1, V. Plevritou 4, A. Christodoulou-Out, M. Myriokefalitaki, S. Doureka, E. Economou, M. Economou 1
The powerhouse Olympiacos continued their winning streak with a dominant 17-5 victory over Larissa. The reigning Greek champs shut out their opponents in the first half and built a commanding 9-0 lead.
Coach Aleksandar Ciric showcased some of the team’s rising stars, including teenage sensations Kasiana Margariti, Amelia Christodoulou-Out, and the Economou sisters Maria and Eleni.
Zoe Tjortzakaki and Vasiliki both had standout goal-scoring performances, converting a total of 8 goals between them. Meanwhile, new addition Stefania Santa continues to make a big impact on the team, scoring three times in the match.
As the reigning Greek champions, Olympiacos have been steamrolling their opponents, leaving them in the dust. But even with their dominant record, they know that they can’t let their guard down, especially with the talented CN Mataro looming in the quarterfinals of the Champions League next month. Mataro boasts a fierce attacking line-up that Olympiacos will need to be on their toes to contain.
AEK 8 – 17 NC Vouliagmeni (3-5, 0-4, 2-6, 3-2)
AEK: D. Nigro, K. Mckenty 1, E. Georgiou 1, H. Biniari 1, A. Kalaitzi 1, A. Gilla 1, A. Frangelaki, E. Roumeliotis, E. Liapaki, K. Michailidou 1, A. Peteinatou, Fella 1, Dassiou 1
Vouliagmeni: M. Kotsioni, S. Kaiafa, D. Kalogeropoulou, E. Elliniadi 4, A. Giannopoulou 2, A. Ridge 5, E. Wright 3, K. Stratidaki, D. Andreadi 1, M. Mimidi 1, F. Angelidi 1, E. Patras, E. Markatseli, N. Krassa.
Vouliagmeni is on a mission to catch up to league leaders Olympiacos and they took another step towards that goal with a resounding 17-8 victory over AEK today. The game was tight early on, but by halftime, Kiki Liosi’s squad had all but secured the win with a 9-3 lead. The usual suspects for Vouliagmeni stepped up with Aussie Stinger, Amy Ridge scoring 5 goals and Eleni Elliniadi adding 4 more. Canadian Olympian, Emma Wright, has hit the ground running with her new team, finding three more goals today.
With only a four-point deficit to Olympiacos, Vouliagmeni is within striking distance but they will have to be careful of next week’s opponents PAOK, who pulled off a shocking win today. The pressure is on for Vouliagmeni as they look to close the gap and secure a spot on the top of the league.
NE Patra 8 – 12 Panionios GSS (2-4, 3-5, 2-1, 1-2)
Patra:Giannakea, Androutseli, Zofoli, Levi 1, Eufr. Tsimara 2, M. Balatsa 1, Maria Petasi 1, Koureta 1, Olga Moirali 2, N. Balatsa, Kontakou, Paraskevopoulou, Steenbeek, Mihakato, Kepenou.
Panionios: A. Mitsou, P. Casey 4, I. Mavrotas 1, M. Bogachenko 1, A. Kotsafti, M. Mastrokallou, M. Thomopoulou, E. Loudis 2, C. Kotsia 4, A. Loudis, D. Papanastasiou, A. Papanastasiou, L. Mavrotas, A. Keladiti.
Panionios secured a hard-fought victory over NE Patras with a decent 12-8 win.
The game was tight early on but the teams went into halftime with Panionios leading by just 4 scores. While the Patra Dolphins refused to go down without a fight and closed the gap to just two goals heading into the final quarter.
However, Bogachenko and Loudis stepped up for Panionios and secured the victory with two clutch goals, solidifying the final score of 12-8.
Securing their third consecutive victory, Panionios are now on an equal footing with Alimos in the league (24pts), having played a game less.
Patra’s season so far has been a rollercoaster ride, with a mixture of wins and losses, currently sitting at six wins and seven defeats.
Peristeri SC 12 – 10 NC Rethymnou (3-2, 3-3, 2-2, 4-3)
Peristeri:C. Zafiraki, A. Kolitsopoulou 5, S. Fragaki, E. Grozopoulou, C. Apostolidou 3, D. Konstantopoulou, V. Betsi, E. Berikou 2, P. Petta, D. Bekri 1, M. Kassari, M. Gotzia 1, S. Kovacevitis, A. Papasifaki, A. Kikidou
Rethymnou:M. Poulopoulou, D. Lampathaki, K. Kyriakaki, B. Doyle 2, E. Farmaki 2, N. Tsiougri 5, M. Zafeiraki, A. Sanchez, Z. Myriokefalitaki, S. Libitaki 1, A. Libitaki.
GS Peristeri secured a hard-fought 12-10 victory over a determined NC Rethymnou in an intense match that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Vangelis Patras’ team, led by the outstanding performance of Angeliki Kolitsopoulou, who scored a game-high five goals, maintained a lead throughout the game and deservedly took the points.
Despite the pressure from Rethymnou, who twice came close to equalising in the match, Peristeriou held strong and fended off their opponents’ attacks. This victory is a huge boost for the team as they gear up for a challenging stretch of games against Alimos, Glyfada and PAOK in their next three matches.
On the other hand, Rethymnou, who have only a single point to show for their season’s work so far, will be disappointed with the outcome as they had targeted this match as a must-win game. The team from Crete, while not considered a powerhouse, knows that the success of their season depends on matches like this one.
Next Matchday (28th January)
Olympiacos vs NE Patra
Panionios GSS vs AEK
NC Vouliagmeni vs PAOK
ANO Glyfada vs Ethnikos
Alimos NAC vs Peristeri SC
NC Rethymnou vs NC Larissa
Standings
- Olympiacos – 13 – 39pts
- NC Vouliagmeni – 13 – 34pts
- Ethnikos – 12 – 27pts
- ANO Glyfada – 13 – 26pts
- Alimos NAC – 13 – 24pts
- Panionios GSS – 12 – 24pts
- NE Patra – 13 – 18pts
- PAOK – 13 – 16pts
- AEK – 13 – 7pts
- NC Larissa – 13 – 6pts
- Peristeri SC – 13 – 6pts
- NC Rethymnou – 13 – 1pts
Greek Cup
The 6th Greek Cup for ladies is shaping up to be a thrilling tournament, with reigning national and European champion Olympiacos poised to defend their title as the heavy favorite. In the semifinals, the powerhouse team will face off against the determined squad of Alimos in a highly-anticipated match.
The second semifinal pair pits Ethnikos against Vouliagmeni, setting the stage for a fierce battle between two top teams. Olympiacos, with four trophies under their belt since the Cup’s inception in 2018, will look to continue their domination, while Vouliagmeni, who triumphed in 2019, will fight to reclaim their former glory.
Semifinals (February 3)
Alimos – Olympiacos
Ethnikos – Vouliagmeni
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