Team Hellas Opens Women’s U-22 European Championship Against Sweden and Austria

By Sophia Karavantos-Schnur 

The Hellas Women’s U-22 National Softball Team is set to begin its run at the 2026 WBSC Europe U-22 Women’s Softball European Championship with two important Group A matchups against Sweden and Austria on Monday, July 20.

Team Hellas will open the tournament against Sweden at noon before returning to the field to face Austria at 5 p.m. CET.

Greece enters the championship with a roster that combines collegiate experience, international competition and promising young talent. Head Coach Chelsea Lisikatos will lead the team alongside offense coach Nicholas Lisikatos, pitching coach Misty Beaver and defense coach William Ortiz, Jr. 

Several players bring valuable collegiate experience into the championship. Pitcher and utility player Kasey Xenidis competes for Wilmington University after previously playing at Rowan University. Xenidis earned Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week honors during the 2026 season after allowing just one unearned run across nine relief innings and holding opposing hitters to a .111 batting average. She earned a victory by throwing six scoreless innings while allowing only one hit against Sioux Falls.

Pitcher and infielder Sophia Vlahos completed her freshman season at Mount St. Mary’s, where she contributed both in the circle and at the plate. Vlahos earned her first collegiate pitching victory with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief against George Mason and hit .250 in limited offensive opportunities. Before college, she recorded a .561 career batting average with 82 RBIs at McKinney Boyd High School while posting a 1.01 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .155 batting average.

The Greece roster also includes Alessandra Iliakis, Kirsten Malasky, Vereniki Maniadi, Sylvia Mudis, Sophie Pappas, Seveene Patakos, Georgia Polydoros, Selina Psarras, Chloe Trimandilis, Demetra Trimis, and Sofia Zepeda.

Polydoros is expected to provide experience and stability in the outfield, while players such as Xenidis and Vlahos give the coaching staff flexibility in the circle and at multiple defensive positions. That versatility could prove especially important during the opening doubleheader.

Team Greece will look to work as a cohesive unit on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Hellas will need to produce quality at-bats, move runners and capitalize when runners reach scoring position. In the field, consistent pitching, strong communication and limiting extra opportunities will be essential against both Sweden and Austria.

With a balanced roster and a staff focused on every phase of the game, Greece enters the European Championship ready to compete and represent Hellas with pride. A strong opening day would give the team valuable momentum as it continues its journey through the tournament.

Fans can stay up to date throughout the tournament by following the official WBSC Europe schedule and streaming platforms, as well as the Hellas National Softball Team’s social media channels, as Greece begins its U-22 European Championship campaign.