Ranzi Sports

GRE secured their first women’s water polo world championship title in 14 years with a decisive 12-9 victory over HUN on Wednesday (23 July) at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025.

The Greeks, who also triumphed in the World Cup in April, last claimed the World Championships in 2011 in Shanghai. Meanwhile, ESP held onto their bronze medal after defeating USA 13-12.

The final was an energetic contest from the outset. GRE took the lead with a goal from tournament’s top scorer Foteini TRICHA, but Natasa RYBANSKA (HUN) quickly equalized.

Both teams showcased strong defensive strategies, with goalkeepers effectively blocking shots, yet GRE finished the first quarter with a 3-1 lead and maintained it throughout.

HUN attempted to mount a comeback but could not penetrate GRE’s vigilant goalkeeper Ioanna STAMATOPOULOU, ultimately settling for consecutive silver medals in the world championship.

In the bronze medal match, reigning Olympic champions ESP faced a tense finish before narrowly defeating the 2024 world champions USA by a single point.

The Spanish team had been in the lead since the first quarter, but the resilient Americans kept the score tight, closing the gap to 13-12 in the last two minutes. Neither team scored again, allowing ESP to secure the victory.

The complete results from today are as follows –
Classification Games
7th/8th: JPN 15-20 ITA
5th/6th: AUS 11-13 NED

Bronze Medal Game
USA 12-13 ESP

Final
GRE 12-9 HUN

Player of the Final: Eleni XENAKI (GRE)
Top Scorer: Foteini TRICHA (GRE)
Top Goalkeeper: Ioanna STAMATOPOULOU (GRE)
Most Valuable Player: Rita KESZTHELYI (HUN)

The final standings for women’s water polo at Singapore 2025 are –

1. Greece
2. Hungary
3. Spain
4. United States of America
5. Netherlands
6. Australia
7. Italy
8. Japan
9. People’s Republic of China
10. New Zealand
11. Great Britain
12. France
13. Croatia
14. Argentina
15. South Africa
16. Singapore

The concluding day of water polo at the OCBC Aquatic Centre will feature ESP and HUN competing for gold in the men’s final while GRE and SRB aim for bronze