Panionios makes it to final of LEN Trophy
The water polo team of Panionios managed to see off Barcelona over two legs and reach the final of the LEN Trophy on Saturday. Panionios had defeated the Catalans 11-8 in Athens last month and played a cautious game in Spain to lose by just one goal (7-6). The Nea Smyrni side even had the support of 100 fans who traveled across the Mediterranean to see their team qualify. Despite missing key player Antonis Vlontakis, the Greeks led on either side of half time 4-3 and 5-4, but Barcelona fought back to lead 7-5 and take the game to the edge. However it was Panionios who had the last laugh, making it 7-6 with Kostas Kokkinakis. This is the first time ever in any sport that Panionios has reached the final of a European competition. Its opponent will be Hungary’s Szeged Beton in the two-leg final to be played on April 8 and 22. «We wanted it more than the Barcelona players. Now we are going to the final to win it,» said a confident Panionios coach Costas Loudis.
