The first one! Greece traveled to Belgrade in search of its maiden medal at a men’s European water polo championship—and will return home with the bronze.

Greece, which already has an Olympic medal and five medals at World Championships, now also has a medal at the European level—and did it in emphatic fashion.

In Sunday’s (25/1) bronze-medal match, Greece defeated Italy 12–5 and climbed onto the third step of the podium.

The team coached by Thodoris Vlachos went ahead 4–0 and 7–1 and was never in danger at any point in the match.

Stelios Argyropoulos was the top scorer with four goals, Kostas Kakaris (voted MVP of the match) dominated at center forward, while Manos Zerdevas shut the door with outstanding numbers in goal.

Greece produced incredible defense and held Italy to 3/17 with the man advantage.

Scoring progression:
1–0 Giouvetsis (man up), 2–0 Kakaris (center forward), 3–0 Argyropoulos (man up), 4–0 Argyropoulos (man up), 4–1 Ferrero (penalty), 5–1 Kalogeropoulos (man up), 6–1 Papanastasiou (counterattack), 7–1 Kalogeropoulos (man up), 7–2 Condemi (man up), 8–2 Kakaris (center forward), 8–3 Condemi (man up), 9–3 Giouvetsis (perimeter), 10–3 Nikolaidis (man up), 10–4 Ferrero (perimeter), 11–4 Argyropoulos (man up), 11–5 Baltzarini (man up), 12–5 Argyropoulos (man up).

Greece converted 8/12 with the man advantage, scoring one goal from the perimeter, two from the center-forward position, and one on the counterattack.
Italy went 3/17 with the man advantage, 1/1 on penalties, and scored one goal from the perimeter.

Quarter scores: 4–1, 3–1, 3–2, 2–1

Greece (coach: Thodoris Vlachos): Zerdevas, Genidounias, Skoumpakis, Giouvetsis 2, Argyropoulos 4, Papanastasiou 1, Gkillas, Kalogeropoulos 2, Chalyvopoulos, Kakaris 2, Nikolaidis 1, Papanikolaou, Tzortzatos, Pouros.

Italy (coach: Sandro Campagna): Del Lungo, Cassia, Alesiani, Del Basso, Ferrero 2, Di Soma, Dolce, Gianazza, Iocchi Gratta, Bruni, Condemi 2, Carnezeki, De Micheli, Baltzarini 1.