MARGARITA BITSAKOU | Ten Goals, Two Games and a New European Responsibility

At 24, PAOK's Greek international centre forward opened the Women's Euro Cup with ten goals in regulation across two matches. Behind those numbers is a player whose journey through Greek clubs and national youth teams has prepared her for a new responsibility in Thessaloniki.

Two matches. Ten goals. Two victories.

Margarita Bitsakou's European campaign began in Ede, Netherlands, with two performances that placed her at the centre of PAOK's attacking effort.

But the most interesting part of her story goes beyond the scoring figures.

It concerns the development of a centre forward who has experienced several competitive environments and is now taking on an important role in a team seeking to establish a stronger European presence.

Five goals when PAOK needed answers

PAOK's opening match against Polar Bears on October 30 was a demanding contest.

Bitsakou scored twice in quick succession during the second quarter, briefly giving the Greek side a two-goal advantage.

The Dutch hosts responded and went into halftime leading 6–5.

As the match entered its decisive stages, Bitsakou continued to provide attacking solutions, finishing regulation with five goals.

Paraskevi Graikou eventually brought PAOK level at 9–9, sending the contest to a penalty shootout.

Bitsakou converted her attempt, while goalkeeper Edina Gangl produced an important save as PAOK secured a 12–10 victory.

Five goals during the match and another successful attempt in the shootout represented a significant contribution to PAOK's opening win.

Another five goals in a very different game

Against ZVL 1886 the following day, PAOK established control much earlier.

From 2–2 in the first quarter, the Greek side produced six unanswered goals to build an 8–2 advantage.

A second five-goal scoring run later extended the lead to 13–4.

Bitsakou again led PAOK's scoring with five goals.

Although ZVL fought back in the final quarter, PAOK completed a 16–12 victory.

Two matches with very different competitive patterns produced the same individual scoring return.

What do ten goals really tell us?

Ten goals across two European matches represent a strong attacking start.

But scoring statistics alone cannot explain the complete contribution of a centre forward.

The position demands physical presence, positional awareness, the ability to influence defensive structures and an understanding of how to create opportunities for teammates.

A centre forward can affect a possession without necessarily taking the final shot.

Bitsakou's goals demonstrate her attacking production, but a more comprehensive evaluation requires shot-by-shot statistics and match footage.

How were her opportunities created?

How often did she establish favourable position?

How did opponents adjust their defensive coverage?

And how did her presence influence the decisions of PAOK's perimeter players?

These are the questions that turn a scoring report into meaningful player analysis.

From Patras to Thessaloniki

Born on July 19, 2002, Bitsakou began her club career at NE Patras, where she played from 2014 to 2020.

She subsequently joined Ethnikos Piraeus before spending three seasons at Alimos between 2021 and 2024.

Two seasons at Panionios followed.

In July 2026, PAOK announced her arrival for the 2026/27 season.

The move marked another chapter in a career already shaped by domestic competition and international experience.

A pathway through Greece's national teams

Bitsakou's international journey began at youth level.

She won Balkan youth gold medals in 2016 and 2017.

In 2018, she was part of Greece's bronze medal-winning team at the World Youth Championship.

A fifth-place finish at the 2019 European Youth Championship followed.

In 2021, she added a silver medal at the World Women's Junior Championship.

Her progression continued with involvement in the 2025 World Cup qualification tournament in Alexandroupolis.

For YARE, this pathway is particularly relevant.

It illustrates how international youth experience can become part of a longer process of development, adaptation and growing responsibility in senior club water polo.

Beyond the opening numbers

PAOK recruited Bitsakou to strengthen their centre-forward position.

Her first two European performances offer an encouraging indication of the attacking responsibility she can carry.

The next challenge is consistency.

Producing against different defensive systems, maintaining effective connections with the perimeter and influencing matches even without scoring will provide a fuller picture of her contribution.

For PAOK, the European campaign presents increasingly demanding challenges.

For Bitsakou, ten goals represent a strong opening statement.

But the most compelling part of the story may be the role she is still building.