Panionios claimed the first major result of the new Greek Water Polo League season, beating Vouliagmeni 14-11 in Nea Smyrni as the 2026-27 campaign got underway.
Olympiacos and Panathinaikos both opened with emphatic victories, while Apollon Smyrnis also made an impressive start and Chios rescued a dramatic draw against PAOK.
Panionios, now coached by Theodoros Chatzitheodorou, took control of their meeting with Vouliagmeni after an even opening period.
The sides were level at 4-4 after eight minutes, but Panionios tightened defensively and moved 8-6 ahead by half-time before stretching the advantage to 10-6 during the third quarter.
Vouliagmeni managed to close the gap later in the game, but Panionios held firm to secure a 14-11 victory.
Captain Alexandros Gounas was the standout performer with six goals, while Charalampos Troulos also scored six for Vouliagmeni.
Defending champions Olympiacos made a dominant start to their title defence with a 25-3 victory over Glyfada.
Olympiacos led 5-0 after the opening quarter and 11-1 at half-time before continuing to pull away after the break. Ten different players found the net in a commanding team performance.
Panathinaikos were similarly comfortable in their opening match, defeating newly promoted Ilisiakos 25-7.
Dimitris Mazis’ side, fresh from securing a place in the Champions League group stage, led 8-2 after the first quarter and 14-3 at half-time.
Papasefakis finished as Panathinaikos’ leading scorer with four goals, while Giouvetsis, Skoumpakis and Dolce each scored three.
Apollon Smyrnis produced another of the weekend’s biggest wins with a 26-10 victory away to Peristeri.
Nikola Bogdanovic scored six and Marko Vavic added five as Apollon established a 6-1 first-quarter lead and remained firmly in control for the rest of the contest.
One of the most dramatic moments of the opening weekend came in Chios, where the hosts secured a 10-10 draw against PAOK.
PAOK were ahead in the final seconds, but Grigoris Giannopoulos scored with a spectacular turning shot with just two seconds remaining to earn Chios a point.
Hydraikos also began the season with an important away victory, beating Ethnikos 10-8 in Piraeus.
Palaio Faliro completed the opening-round winners with a convincing 20-9 victory over Chania.
Greek Water Polo League – Round 1
Olympiacos 25-3 Glyfada
Palaio Faliro 20-9 Chania
Chios 10-10 PAOK
Panionios 14-11 Vouliagmeni
Peristeri 10-26 Apollon Smyrnis
Ethnikos 8-10 Hydraikos
Panathinaikos 25-7 Ilisiakos
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