Croatia’s Marko Zuvela (R) in action against Greece’s Alexandros Papanastasiou (L) during the European Aquatics Men’s Water Polo Championship match between Greece and Croatia in Belgrade, Serbia, 15 January 2026. EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC via AMNA
Greece achieved a landmark triumph in the European Men’s Water Polo Championships in Belgrade, defeating Croatia 11-10 in a nail-biting contest. The win marks the first time Greece has ever beaten Croatia in the history of the European Championships, a major step forward for the team as they advance toward the semifinals.
Strong Start and Key Scorers
Greece established an early advantage, with Konstantinos Gkiouvetsis contributing three of the team’s first four goals. Stylianos Argyropoulos shone in the second half, scoring four crucial goals, including the decisive backhand in the closing minutes. Olympian Konstantinos Genidounias, despite a red card in the final three minutes, helped guide his team through a tense finish.
Tactical Edge and Resilience
Greece led for most of the match, briefly extending their advantage to three goals. Croatia’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Marko Bijac, kept the game close, and Zvonimir Butic and Loren Fatovic repeatedly responded to Greek leads. Even with one player down after Genidounias’s exclusion, Greece maintained composure, with Papanastasiou blocking Croatia’s final attempt to force a shootout.
Implications for the Tournament
The victory secures Greece first place in Group B and grants them six points to carry into Group Phase II, where Italy will be their main challenge. Georgia also advanced from Group B, while Italy dominated Group D with a 20-6 win over Romania. Greece’s triumph against a historically tough opponent signals their growing strength and ambition as the tournament progresses.
Looking Ahead
With the win over Croatia, Greece has momentum and confidence heading into the next stage. The team now faces a demanding schedule, but the performance in Belgrade demonstrates that they can compete at the highest level, blending skill, strategy, and resilience. Fans will be watching closely as Greece aims for a historic semifinal berth in the European Championships.
