Eirini Ninou scored three as the three-time runners-up overcame the Italian team with a 12-9 triumph in the Croatian city.

Eleftheria Plevritou, Vasiliki Plevritou and Eleni Xenaki all bagged braces, while Ioanna Chydirioti, Maria Patra and Christina Siouti also got on the scoresheet.

Greece have secured a meeting with two-time winners Spain who continued their defence with a 10-7 win over The Netherlands.

Elena Ruiz Barril was the difference for Spain, scoring four times as they did enough to beat a spirited Dutch team.

Having fallen 5-2 behind, The Netherlands levelled matters at 5-5 thanks to captain Sabrina van der Sloot’s strike and Brigitte Sleeking’s double.

But after Ruiz Barril regained the lead for Spain, they did not look back as Paula Leiton Arrones, Pili Pena Carrasco, Anni Espar Llaquet and Beatriz Ortiz Munoz netted in the final period to wrap up the victory.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the semi-finals of the Men’s European Water Polo Championship as defending champions Hungary meet Spain and hosts Croatia tackle Italy.