Quarterfinal clashes and semifinal surprises

Day 6 of the European Universities Futsal Championship delivered intensity and excitement across all four venues. From dramatic penalty shootouts to overwhelming wins, the group phase is now completely behind us as the championship heads into its final, decisive days.

Sports Hall Dražen Petrović

Women’s Tournament

• Tampere University vs University of Jyväskylä (1:1, 5:4 pen.)
  The first game of the day was an all-Finnish matchup in the 9th–15th place bracket. Tampere took the lead in the 17th minute, but Jyväskylä equalized before full-time. The game was ultimately decided by penalties, where Tampere’s goalkeeper made a crucial save to secure the win.
  
  
• University of Zagreb vs Nantes University (2:2, 3:4 pen.)
  Zagreb stunned the French team with a goal in the first minute and doubled their lead shortly after. Nantes responded just before halftime and equalized early in the second half. The penalty shootout ended in favor of the French side, sending Nantes to the semifinals and Zagreb out of title contention.

Men’s Tournament

• University of Valencia vs University of Split (2:2, 5:4 pen.)
  One of the standout matches of the quarterfinals saw University of Split face off against the technically skilled University of Valencia. Both teams exchanged goals in a match filled with end-to-end action. At 2–2 after full time, it was Valencia who kept their nerves during the shootout, scoring all five penalties while Split missed one, thus ending Croatia’s hopes of seeing both their teams in the semifinals.
  
  
• University of Zagreb vs University of Castilla-La Mancha (4:5)
  In another quarterfinal thriller, the University of Zagreb played their second match of the day, this time against the goal-hungry University of Castilla-La Mancha. Despite the fatigue, Zagreb gave their all in front of a packed home crowd. The Spanish side opened with a fast pace and strong attack, and the scoreboard kept ticking. The match turned into a goal-for-goal exchange, but Castilla-La Mancha edged ahead in the final minutes, holding on to a 5–4 win.

Sports Hall Sutinska vrela

Women’s Tournament

• University of Bergen vs University of Amsterdam (6:1)
  The Norwegian side showcased a complete performance, dismantling Amsterdam with speed, precision, and aggressive pressing. Bergen’s Bethine Brock opened the scoring in the 8th minute, and shortly after, Bonesronning Skogan doubled the lead. Amsterdam got lucky just before halftime with an own goal from Bergen, but that would be their only moment of celebration. The second half saw the Norwegians shift into high gear, scoring four more goals and advancing in the 9th–15th placement bracket with a commanding win.
  
  
• University of Barcelona vs Gazi University (16:0)
  In a jaw-dropping display of attacking dominance, the University of Barcelona produced one of the most lopsided results of the championship. Their passing combinations, speed, and finishing were on full display against Türkiye’s Gazi University. Andrea Luna Rizo stole the show with a clinical hat-trick. Barcelona scored nine goals in the first half and added seven more in the second, ending the match at an astonishing 16:0. This result further solidified their status as favorites in the women's tournament.

Men’s Tournament

• Azerbaijan State Academy vs University of Paris (5:4)
  This was arguably one of the most emotional rollercoasters of the day. The match exploded from the very beginning with both teams scoring in the opening minute. Paris’s goalkeeper stunned everyone by scoring twice in the first half, helping his team take a 3–1 lead at the break. But ASA refused to back down. In a furious second-half comeback, they leveled the match at 4–4 and finally netted the winner in the dying seconds. The Azerbaijani bench erupted with joy as they sealed a memorable 5–4 win.
  
  
• Jan Evangelista Purkyne University vs University of Warsaw (2:3)
  What began as a match between two friendly sides quickly turned into a fierce battle. UJEP took the lead just before halftime, but Warsaw came out aggressive in the second half. Using their goalkeeper to support attacks, they pressed high and scored twice in quick succession. Though UJEP pulled one back, it wasn’t enough. The Polish team held on for a 3–2 win, advancing to the semifinals for the first time in their history.
  
  

Sports Hall Trešnjevka

Women’s Tournament

• Rey Juan Carlos University vs WSG Bydgoszcz (5:0)
  Rey Juan Carlos University displayed tactical discipline and offensive precision in their 5–0 win over WSG Bydgoszcz. The Spanish side took early control, scoring twice within the first nine minutes. While Bydgoszcz tried to mount a response, they couldn’t break through the organized URJC defense. The second half saw the Spaniards step up the pace once more, scoring three goals from the 30th minute until the final whistle. A clean sheet and a convincing performance sent a clear message from URJC in the placement round.

Men’s Tournament

• Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology vs University of Warwick (8:1)
  It was a dominant display from LUT University, led by a sensational performance from Tommi Lokki, who netted five goals in total. The first half remained relatively quiet, with only Lokki’s 18th-minute strike separating the teams at the break. But the second half saw LUT explode into life—Lokki added four more goals, supported by additional finishes from teammates, turning the match into a rout. University of Warwick managed to grab a late consolation goal in the final seconds (39:48), but the Finnish side cruised to a commanding 8:1 victory in this 9th–15th placement match.
  
  
• University of Debrecen vs University of Pécs (4:2)
  In an all-Hungarian showdown, Debrecen struck early with a goal from Otto Laszlo Vass. The first half turned heated when Pécs’s Barnabas Toth received a red card. Playing with a numerical advantage, Debrecen regained control in the second half. Though Pécs equalized twice, Debrecen remained patient and struck back late with goals from Daniel Laszlo Urr and Kristof Erdei to seal a 4–2 victory.

Sports Hall Pešćenica

Women’s Tournament

• University of Münster vs University of Burgundy (4:2)
  This women’s quarterfinal started cautiously, with both teams trading goals before halftime. The German side regrouped during the break and came out with renewed energy. They dominated possession, broke through Burgundy’s defense, and converted their chances to secure a strong 4:2 win, moving them into the semifinals.
  
  
• National Pedagogical Dragomanov University vs University of Minho (4:1)
  The Ukrainian fans created an electric atmosphere, pushing Dragomanov University through a fiercely contested quarterfinal. The team took the lead in the first half and, despite Minho equalizing early in the second, kept their composure. Two late goals from Ukraine broke Portuguese hearts and sent Dragomanov to the semifinals with a passionate 4:1 win.

Men’s Tournament

• University of Mainz vs Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France (3:7)
  The match began with an own goal by UPHF in the opening minutes, giving Mainz an early lead. What followed was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging goals until the score reached 3–3. From there, UPHF took full control—dominating the final stretch with four unanswered goals. The French side sealed a strong 7:3 win in this 9th–15th placement clash, showing composure and attacking power after a chaotic start.

Up next: semifinals and medal matches!
With Day 6 in the books, the remaining teams now prepare for the most important battles yet. Who will reach the podium? Who will take home the gold? The answers will come soon—stay with us for all the action from Zagreb!

Check out all the results HERE and all the important links (such as pictures, livestream and other) HERE.