Team Greece – Huge setback with Tontai’s injury

The streak of bad luck that has hit the Greek women’s national team in recent months continues, and the team’s journey to the CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026 Women began with an unpleasant surprise.

Aristea Tontai (27, 196 cm) did not travel with the squad that departed on Wednesday morning and, by all indications, she will not be competing in EuroVolley 2026. The international middle blocker has recently been struggling with lower back discomfort; however, her desire to help the national team led her to grit her teeth and push through.

The 27-year-old athlete followed a conservative management programme over the last few days, and while it initially seemed the problem would be resolved, the pain returned. On the literal eve of the trip to Brno, Czechia, the team’s medical staff gave a ‘red light’ regarding her participation.

As a result, Team Greece travelled (by air to Vienna and from there by road to Brno) with 13 players. It remains open whether she will be replaced in the 14-player roster (which must be submitted on Thursday at the preliminary inquiry) or if head coach Apostolos Oikonomou will ultimately have 13 players at his disposal.

As a reminder, Kiriaki Terzoglou, Andromachi Tsiogka, Stamatia Kyparissi, and Eleni Karakasi were also previously ruled out due to injury, while Eleni Baka had withdrawn for personal reasons.