Women’s Greek Cup: Invincible reigning champs add to trophy cabinet

February 4, 2023

Photo: Koe.

Olympiacos women have lifted the Greek Cup for a fifth time, defeating Vouliagmeni 11-6.

There was only ever going to be one winner in the Greek Cup showdown at the Antonis Pepanos in Patra, as the unstoppable, invincible, and devastating Olympiacos proved their dominance in Greek women’s water polo once again. The first hurdle is complete; they are a quarter of a way to defending last season’s unprecedented quadruple.

The inevitability of the reigning European and national champions adding to their trophy cabinet was always lingering. Vouliagmeni were by no means bad today, but to beat this team, a team stacked with the perfect balance of steel and silk, you simply need to play the perfect game. The Nautical Club will now focus their attention on their second leg of the Euro Cup quarter finals next weekend.

Olympiacos have now won five of the six tournaments ever played and the last four iterations of the competition.

It won’t immediately fill Amy Ridge with a lot of joy after her team’s defeat in the final, but the Aussie Stinger dominated the scoring charts, slamming seven goals to secure her title as the top scorer of the Greek Cup Final 4 tournament. Her three goals today were outstanding, but even Vouliagmeni’s centre-backs efforts were not enough.

Meanwhile, Elena Xenaki was crowned the MVP, dazzling the crowds with her 12-goal performance, including a hat-trick in the final. The defensive wall of the tournament, Chrysoula Diamantopoulou, was named the best goalkeeper.

Incidentally, with three goals in the final, Xenaki cements her place in history books as the all-time top scorer in the final of the Greek Cup.

NC Vouliagmeni 6 – 11 Olympiacos (1-2, 2-4, 2-4, 1-1)

Vouliagmeni: M. Kotsioni, S. Kaiafa, D. Kalogeropoulou, E. Elliniadi 2, A. Giannopoulou 1, A. Ridge 3, J. Vidali, E. Wright, K. Stratidaki, D. Andreadi, M. Mimidi, F. Angelidis, E. Patras, E. Markatseli, N. Krassa.

Olympiacos: Diamantopoulou, E. Plevritou 2, I. Chydirioti 1, N. Eleftheriadou, F. Tricha, E. Xenaki 3, C. Siouti, M. Plevritou 1, S. Tornarou, V. Plevritou 2, K. Christmas 2, M. Myriokefalitaki, I. Stamatopoulou, S. Santa, Z. Tjortzakaki.

Both sides found it difficult to attack in the first half, but it was an element of the game that Aleksandar Ciric’s side improved on, but Kiki Liosi’s did not.

Amy Ridge scored the game’s first goal for Vouliagmeni, but Olympiacos quickly responded with goals from Eleftheria Pleuritou and Kyra Christmas to take the lead. Both teams missed numerous scoring opportunities in the first eight minutes, with the score remaining 2-1.

Vasiliki Pleuritou and Elena Xenaki each scored to extend Olympiacos’ lead during the second eight-minute period. Eleni Elliniadi and Amy Ridge scored for Vouliagmeni in an effort to catch up, but it was not enough as Olympiacos maintained their lead.

Elena Xenaki’s impressive turn and Ioanna Hydiriotis’ quick response to Vouliagmeni’s Elena Elliniadi’s goal allowed Olympiacos to continue to progress. The Olympiacos captain – Margarita Plevritou – added further to the Olympiacos’ lead, and while Kyra Christmas and Amy Ridge exchanged goals in the final eight minutes, the silverware was comfortably heading back to Piraeus.

The dominant force in Greek water polo was once again crowned champions of the Greek Cup – for the fifth time – showing that their aim of repeating the quadruple is not a dream, but a reality.