EUSA European University Futsal Championship 2023 Concludes in Split: The Flag Passes to Zagreb
The 13th EUSA European University Futsal Championship came to an exciting close in Split on July 26th, 2023, with a vibrant and heartfelt closing ceremony held at Gripe Sports Centre. As part of the traditional proceedings, the EUSA flag was formally handed over to the next host city, Zagreb, by Toni Gamulin, the president of the Organizing Committee of the 2023 event, and Haris Pavletić, EUSA Vice-President. Receiving the flag was Mr. Marko Lepoglavec, the Sports Director of the Zagreb University Sports Federation (UniSport ZG), officially marking the beginning of preparations for the 2025 edition in Zagreb. The futsal spirit stays in Croatia!
The closing ceremony was filled with cheers and celebrations, as athletes, coaches, and volunteers gathered to mark the end of an incredible week of competitive futsal. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and unity, underscoring the power of university sports to bring people together across borders and backgrounds. Over the past week, Split welcomed over 700 participants from 29 universities across 17 countries, showcasing some of the best talent in university futsal.
Championship Highlights
The competition featured thrilling matches and high-quality performances from both men's and women's teams. The men's championship concluded with a gold medal victory for Ivano-Frankivsk College of Physical Education from Ukraine, who triumphed over Bernays University College Zagreb from Croatia in a hard-fought final. The bronze medal was secured by University of Split after an exciting win against University of Toulouse from France.
In the women's competition, University Rey Juan Carlos from Spain took home the gold after an impressive victory in the final, while the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University from Ukraine claimed the silver medal. The bronze was won by Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, who showed resilience and determination throughout the tournament.
These accomplishments highlight the strength and diversity of university futsal across Europe, with competitive teams from various nations stepping up and giving their best on the court. Croatian teams performed admirably, with both Bernays University College and University of Split reaching the podium, but the broader story of the championship was the spirit of unity and sportsmanship that transcended national borders.
While the scores and rankings are an important aspect of the competition, the true highlight of this championship was the atmosphere of friendship and cultural exchange. Beyond the results, the participants took home new experiences, friendships, and memories from the sunny city of Split.
The handover of the flag to Zagreb signals the continuation of the university futsal tradition in Croatia, with preparations now underway for what promises to be another spectacular event in 2025. The excitement is already building as Zagreb will host the 14th EUSA European University Futsal Championship, welcoming teams and fans from all over Europe to experience the very best of university futsal once again.