Olympiacos began the Greek Men’s A1 Water Polo Finals with a confident 9–6 victory over Vouliagmeni, taking a 1–0 lead in the best-of-five championship series. The result moves them one step closer to claiming their 39th Greek league title.
Game 2 will take place on Wednesday, May 21 at 17:30 at the Vouliagmeni swimming pool, where Olympiacos will aim to double their lead and tighten their grip on the domestic crown.
Zalanki shines as Olympiacos take control
Olympiacos started strongly, imposing their pace from the first whistle. Zalanki struck first on a counter-attack, followed by a penalty conversion from Genidounias to make it 2–0. Despite some missed chances, Vouliagmeni cut the deficit to 2–1 through Chalyvopoulos late in the quarter.
The hosts continued their momentum in the second period. Kakaris finished a fast break for 3–1, and Zalanki added another with a precise shot on the power play. However, Vouliagmeni responded with two quick goals from Spahic and Kastrinakis, ending the half just one goal behind at 4–3.
Tight exchanges in the third quarter
Olympiacos regained their rhythm early in the third, with Zalanki completing his hat-trick from another man-up situation. Hatzis answered for Vouliagmeni, but Alafragkis struck from distance to restore a two-goal lead at 6–4. In the closing seconds, Zerdevas made a crucial save to deny Vouliagmeni and maintain Olympiacos’ advantage.
Olympiacos seal the win in the final quarter
Spahic narrowed the score to 6–5 from center-forward, but Olympiacos responded immediately, as captain Fountoulis scored on the power play to make it 7–5. Kalogeropoulos gave Vouliagmeni one last hope with a man-up goal, but Kakaris and Gillis struck late to secure a 9–6 final score and put Olympiacos ahead in the series.
Final Score: Olympiacos 9–6 Vouliagmeni
Quarter scores: 2–1, 2–2, 2–1, 3–2
Scorers
Olympiacos (Head Coach: Giorgos Droskas):
Zalanki 3, Kakaris 2, Genidounias 1, Fountoulis 1, Alafragkis 1, Gillis 1
Vouliagmeni (Head Coach: Vladimir Vujasinovic):
Spahic 2, Kalogeropoulos 1, Chalyvopoulos 1, Hatzis 1, Kastrinakis N. 1
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