Greece claimed gold in an inspiring final, dominating Hungary with a masterclass in defence and composed, clinical offence. From the first whistle, they controlled the tempo, never allowing Hungary to find their rhythm. In the bronze medal match, Spain edged out the USA in a thrilling clash of water polo giants. Led by a brilliant Anni Espar, the reigning Olympic champions showed poise and resilience after their semifinal heartbreak, holding off a fierce late push from a rising American squad to secure another well-earned podium finish.
The final perfectly reflected the strength and consistency Greece had demonstrated throughout the World Championships. Hungary, despite their grit and relentless effort, struggled to convert key opportunities—particularly on the woman-up—while Greece’s defence once again proved impenetrable. With heart, passion, and unity on full display, nothing could stand in the way of Greece as they fought their way to a historic second gold medal. Hungary battled with intensity, but it was Greece’s inspired campaign—from start to finish—that truly stood out.
Whenever these two water polo giants meet, fans know they’re in for something special—and this tournament was no exception. A new generation of American stars is emerging, with Team USA finishing in the top four after a hard-fought loss to Spain. The reigning Olympic champions and European powerhouse added another World Championship medal to their collection, delivering a well-rounded team performance to overcome the U.S.
In the 5th-place match, Australia fell just short against the Netherlands in a thrilling contest, while Italy powered past Japan in the battle for 7th. Despite the loss, Japan made history with their first-ever top-eight finish—an important milestone for their program.
Individual awards also highlighted the tournament’s standout talents: Greece’s Ioanna Stamatopoulou was named Best Goalkeeper, anchoring her team with remarkable saves throughout. Eleni Xenaki earned MVP of the final after a dominant showing, including a hat trick. Hungary’s Rita Keszthelyi was named Tournament MVP, capping another exceptional campaign that reinforced her status as one of the sport’s greats. Greece’s Foteini Tricha led all scorers with 25 goals, securing the tournament’s top scorer honours.
Gold Medal Game
Greece Crowned World Champions After Dominant Defensive Display
The game didn’t remain scoreless for long—just 54 seconds in, Maria Myriokefalitaki earned a penalty after a powerful turn at center, which Foteini Tricha calmly converted. Greece followed up with a compact defensive stand in their trademark M-zone, closing down Hungary’s first attempts with strong field blocks. The Magyars were held scoreless for the first four minutes until Natasa Rybanska leveled the score with a lob from distance. Boglarka Neszmelyi denied a well-constructed Greek offensive sequence, but Greece responded shortly after with a well-executed woman-up goal from the post, finished beautifully by Eleni Xenaki. Myriokefalitaki then earned another penalty, this time converted by Eleftheria Plevritou, giving Greece their first two-goal lead. Greece’s defensive unit held firm again, denying another Hungarian power play through yet another field block. The first period ended with Greece up by two, showcasing a disciplined and passionate defensive performance.
Early in the second quarter, Hungary earned another power-play opportunity, but once again Greece’s defence held strong. A brilliant save by Neszmelyi sparked a potential counterattack, but the pass went wide and denied Hungary a scoring chance. The match became a tactical battle, broken only when Tricha scored her second of the game on a power play. Hungary called an early timeout after earning a woman-up, but a Greek block stopped them once more. Eleftheria Plevritou created a dangerous opportunity with individual brilliance, but Neszmelyi stood tall in goal. Moments later, Vasiliki Plevritou added her name to the scoresheet with a cold long-distance strike.
Hungary pulled one back with a clutch fast break goal by Vanda Valyi, who finished a one-on-nobody chance. Greece responded instantly, with Xenaki drawing an exclusion and converting immediately for her second woman-up goal. Dora Leimeter answered with a cross-cage shot to reduce the gap, but Xenaki came up big again before halftime, completing her hat-trick with another power-play finish. Hungary added one more before the half as Kata Hajdu’s shot was deflected and beat Ioanna Stamatopoulou. But Greece didn’t let up—just 15 seconds before the buzzer, Myriokefalitaki converted another penalty, sending Greece into halftime with a commanding 8-4 lead.
Greece’s first-half performance was a showcase of elite-level defence, precise execution on the power play, and unwavering composure under pressure. Hungary fought hard, but were repeatedly frustrated by Greece’s relentless shot-blocking.
The second half began with Hungary once again earning a power play, and once again being denied by Greece’s women-down unit. Vasiliki Plevritou then struck again with a powerful skip shot to extend the lead to five. Hungary finally broke their scoring drought with a strong backhand goal by Rita Keszthelyi, followed by a finish from Dorottya Szilagyi to make it 9–6. Greece struggled briefly, picking up counter fouls and missing on a woman-up chance. Stamatopoulou came up with a vital steal and launched a counterattack, but the shot went wide. Hungary earned another power play, but couldn’t convert yet again. After over three minutes of scoreless exchanges, Stefania Santa burst out on a counterattack and scored after drawing a foul, re-establishing a four-goal lead in the last second of the third quarter.
Hungary tried to fight back early in the fourth, with Kamilla Faragó earning a key steal that led to another woman-up. But the Greek defence remained impeccable, allowing no clear chance. Greece countered immediately with a two-on-nobody, Santa finishing after a great assist from Tricha. Hungary gained another power play after a rebound, but once again Stamatopoulou made the save, sparking another counterattack—this time with Tricha finishing from Santa’s assist. Greece’s transition game and structured defence continued to dominate, giving Hungary no breathing room. The Magyars got one back, and Neszmelyi added a highlight save on a fast break, but Hungary still failed to convert a critical woman-up. Greece blocked yet another attempt. Hungary managed to reduce the deficit with a double woman-up goal and a counterattack finish, but with only a minute left, it served only to reduce the margin. With five seconds remaining, Stamatopoulou denied one final Hungarian attempt, sealing a flawless gold-medal performance.
After losing to Hungary in the group stage, Greece improved game by game, finishing with three outstanding performances to close the tournament. They quite literally threw themselves in front of every shot, finishing the final having allowed just 1 power play goal on 11 Hungarian attempts, while matching their defensive efforts with precision determination and selflessness in offence. Holding one of the tournament’s most dangerous offences to just nine goals, Greece completed a remarkable and inspired campaign to win their second-ever World Championship Gold Medal.
Gold Medal Match Result:
Greece 12 – 9 Hungary
Spain holds off late USA surge to claim Bronze
After heartbreaking semifinal defeats, both Spain and the United States entered the bronze medal match determined to finish the tournament on a high. What followed was a thrilling, high-level battle between two water polo giants.
Captain Anni Espar opened the scoring for Spain, but Ryann Neushul responded immediately for Team USA. The opening minutes were a tight back-and-forth, until rising star Daniela Moreno struck with a stunning direct foul shot, bouncing in off the post. Again, Neushul answered for the Americans, tying the game at 2–2 on a power play. Two powerful left-handed goals then gave Spain the first two-goal lead heading into the first break.
Spain continued to build momentum in the second quarter. Paula Leiton extended the lead to three with a woman-up goal before Emma Lineback cut it back for the USA. Jewel Roemer’s last-second lob narrowed the deficit to one, but goals from veterans Bea Ortiz and Espar reestablished a three-goal cushion for Spain at halftime. Espar completed a hat trick early in the third, converting a penalty to give Spain a four-goal lead. Emily Ausmus responded for the U.S., but Carlota Penalver soon answered with a strike off a 6-meter foul. Ausmus took over for the U.S. in the third, scoring a personal hat trick—including two power play conversions—to keep the game within reach. Emma Lineback then sparked hope for the Americans with two rapid goals, cutting the Spanish lead to just two entering the final period.
Lineback continued her dominant form in the fourth, scoring her fourth goal to make it a one-goal game and raise U.S. hopes for a late comeback. But Paula Camus delivered a clutch center-forward finish for Spain, restoring the two-goal cushion. Both teams traded goals in the final minutes, and Lineback added her fifth to make it 12–13, but Spain’s defence held strong to secure the win. Spain’s captain Anni Espar lad by example with an outstanding performance, recording four goals and four assists to guide her team to the bronze medal. Spain claims the bronze medal after a stunning match between two elite squads. This marks their sixth World Championship medal in the last eight editions, underlining their consistency and status as one of the sport’s premier programs.
Bronze Medal Match Result:
USA 12 – 13 Spain
5th Place: Australia 11 – 13 Netherlands
Australia and the Netherlands delivered a thrilling battle for fifth place, with both teams trading the lead in a tightly contested opening period. Some excellent defensive work on both ends kept the score at 2–2 after the first eight minutes. Australia pulled ahead by two after the first break, but Fleurien Bosveld turned the tide with back-to-back goals and a decisive assist to the post on a woman-up play, giving the Dutch the lead.
Alice Williams responded with a perfectly placed skip shot to level the score once again, but Bosveld added another assist—this time to Vivian Sevenich—to push the Netherlands back in front. Australia fought back, tying the game, before the Dutch struck twice to earn their first two-goal advantage. A well-executed power-play goal extended the lead to three. Williams brought Australia back within two, then capitalised on a penalty—her conversion giving her a hat trick for the period. The Netherlands tried a 7-on-6 attack late in the third, but were denied, leaving the score close heading into the final quarter.
Australia tied the game again early in the fourth through Hayley Ballesty. But a slick team play saw Lieke Rogge net her second in a woman-up to reclaim the lead for the Netherlands. Vivian Sevenich followed with a powerful backhand finish, extending the margin to two. Charlize Andrews responded with an individual effort after a sharp turn to bring Australia back within one. In the final seconds, the Netherlands sealed the deal with another power-play goal, securing a 13–11 win and finishing the tournament in 5th place.
7th Place: Japan 15 – 20 Italy
Italy took a commanding 5–0 lead in the opening four minutes, led by double packs from Lucrezia Cergol and Agnese Cocchiere, and a goal from Sofia Giustini. However, Japan quickly found their rhythm and shifted the momentum, responding with a flurry of fast-break goals. A buzzer-beater tied the game 5–5 by the end of the first quarter.
Cergol added three more goals in the second, pushing Italy ahead once again and helping them regain a three-goal cushion going into halftime. Japan struck early in the third through Maho Kobayashi, narrowing the deficit, but Italy stayed composed. Their defence held Japan scoreless for another five minutes, while Giustini added two more to end the third with a strong five-goal lead.
Italy extended their lead even further in the final quarter. Japan attempted a late comeback, but the Italian defence stood firm. With outstanding efficiency—Cergol and Cocchiere both going five for five—Italy secured a convincing win to claim 7th place at the World Championships.
Final Standings:
GOLD – Greece
SILVER – Hungary
BRONZE – Spain
4th – USA
5th – Netherlands
6th – Australia
7th – Italy
8th – Japan
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