At just 27 years old, Eleftheria Plevritou has carved her name into the history books of Greek sport. The captain of Greece’s Women’s National Water Polo Team is fresh off a monumental achievement: Leading her team to victory at the 2024 World Championship — a triumph that came not just through talent, but perseverance in the face of adversity.
Speaking from Malta, where she’s enjoying a rare and well-earned break, Plevritou joined a 3XY RADIO HELLAS sports show with Kosta Paterakia to reflect on the intense journey to the top, the challenges of competing from a country with limited resources, and what lies ahead for the sport she’s devoted her life to.
A career born in the Water
Born in Thessaloniki in 1997, Plevritou’s journey in water polo began at the age of eight. By 14, she was already playing at the top level, and in 2011, she joined Olympiacos — the powerhouse of Greek water polo — where she remained for more than a decade
That same year, the Greek women’s team made history by winning their first World Cup in China, a moment that inspired the teenage Plevritou to dream big.
“I joined the national team in 2011–2012, just after that historic win,” she recalled. “At 14, I was already getting called up. That was a proud moment — to continue the legacy.”
From those early years to 2024, her career flourished. She became a key figure not only for club and country but for the sport itself, earning multiple MVP awards and being recognised by the European Federation as one of the world’s elite players. In mid-2024, she took the next step in her career, signing with Hungarian club Ferencváros — a move she says has been nothing short of transformative.
A golden triumph against the odds
Greece’s recent World Championship win was more than just another medal. For Plevritou, it represented a victory over circumstances as much as over rivals.
“To be honest, it’s a miracle we’ve achieved what we have,” she said candidly. “When you compare the training conditions abroad to what we face in Greece, the contrast is enormous. There were times we trained in green water. Other times the pool was freezing — we’d do three-hour sessions without warming up.”
Even leading up to the Championship, the national team had to split their preparation between three different pools. “There’s no consistency, no stable base. What’s considered basic abroad — proper facilities, structured schedules — we treat as luxuries.”
And yet, despite it all, they triumphed. Greece took the hard road, facing powerhouse nations like Australia — Olympic silver medallists — and reigning champions the USA en route to the final.
“That quarter-final win against Australia was a turning point,” she said. “It gave us the confidence to take on the US. After beating them, we entered the final full of momentum.”
Staying focused to the last second
With one minute left in the final and a three-goal lead, many might have relaxed. But not Plevritou.
“There’s a general rule in our sport: never celebrate until the final whistle,” she said. “Even if the scoreboard says it’s over, it’s not over until it really is. We’ve seen matches turn in the last second. So we stayed focused.”
That focus, instilled by long-time coach Haris Pavlidis — who coached Plevritou for over a decade at Olympiacos — was key throughout the tournament. “We joked when we saw the scoreboard say ‘Greece Champions’ during a training session. We wanted to take a photo, but Haris said, ‘Win the gold first — then take the photo.’”
They did. And the photo became symbolic.
The Future: One Competition at a Time
With younger players now entering the squad, Plevritou sees promise in the future. But she remains grounded.
“The Olympics are the ultimate goal, of course. But before that, we’ve got the European Championship in January, then the Worlds in summer, and another European after that. We’re taking it one step at a time.”
Asked whether the players cared about who they’d face in the final — Hungary or Spain — Plevritou was resolute. “Honestly, I didn’t care. I trust this team. I’ve never been the kind of athlete to say, ‘I want to play this team.’ It’s not about who we play — it’s about how we play.”
Water Polo’s Future in Greece
Despite Greece’s ongoing success in the sport, water polo still doesn’t receive the attention it deserves — particularly in the women’s game.
“There’s still this outdated idea that water polo is a man’s sport, which just isn’t true,” she said. “No sport belongs to one gender. We’re seeing more and more kids getting involved — many inspired by watching us on TV — and that makes me incredibly happy.”
She’s hopeful that victories like this one will help spark wider interest and greater investment. “Greece has always been among the world’s best in water polo — men’s, women’s, youth. That won’t change.”
A rare moment of rest
Plevritou is currently enjoying her first proper break in a year — no club matches, no national team training.
“We don’t even get time off for Christmas or Easter,” she said. “This is the only time we really get to switch off.”
She’s spending that time in Malta, visiting her former teammate and close friend Margarita, herself a retired national player. “We didn’t sleep at all after the final — the adrenaline, the joy. So honestly, today I’m just going to sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll start exploring.”
A captain’s legacy
In a sport that demands every ounce of physical and mental strength, Eleftheria Plevritou has become a symbol of resilience and pride — not just for water polo, but for Greek sport as a whole.
With her gold medal freshly won and eyes firmly on the road to Paris 2028, she remains as committed as ever — to her team, to her country, and to a sport that, despite the challenges, continues to shine.
“We’ve been through a lot. But that’s what makes it all so meaningful,” she said. “We’ve proved what’s possible — even when the odds are against you.”
