The closing ceremony of the European Universities Games in Zagreb and Rijeka was held yesterday at the Korzo in Rijeka. The 3rd edition of the European Universities Games, which took place from July 12 to July 25, was the greatest and biggest so far in terms of the number of sports and participants.

More than 5000 participants representing 400 universities from 40 European countries competed in Rijeka and Zagreb over the last two weeks.



At the closing ceremony, broadcast also live on national Croatian TV, representatives of all key partners were present - participants, national university sports associations, volunteers, cities and universities of Rijeka and Zagreb, Croatian Government, Olympic Committee, sports organisations, as well as local public and fans. Organising Committee of the European Universities Games Zagreb-Rijeka 2016 (EUG2016) and the European University Sports Association (EUSA) thanked everyone for their contribution in making the Games a success.



"This great story is coming to an end in the best possible way, and students will return to their homes with beautiful memories and new friends. Students from all over Europe will carry the story of our country back home, and, judging from their feedback, all participants are really satisfied. The European Universities Games have met and exceeded their goals, both in the number of participants and in the success of the entire organization. The legacy of these Games, such as the newly built student dormitory in Rijeka and the renovated dormitories and sports facilities in Zagreb, are the things which made this effort worthwhile," said Mr Haris Pavletic, OC EUG2016 Vice-President.



"Rijeka, Zagreb, and all of Croatia should be proud of the great success of the Games. You have brought together thousands of people in the name of sport, made us feel like one big family and organized the best European Universities Games in history," confirmed EUSA President, Mr Adam Roczek.



The Closing ceremony featured a cultural and entertainment programme, and concluded with the lowering of EUSA flag, accompanied by the live performance of Gaudeamus Igitur anthem. EUSA flag was then passed to the representatives of the organisers of the next European Universities Games, which will take place in July 2018 in Coimbra, Portugal. Mr Daniel Daniel Monteiro, President of Portuguese Academic Federation of University Sport (FADU) accepted the flag and addressed the audience as well:



"First of all, I would like to congratulate the Croatian Academic Sports Federation, Zagreb and Rijeka on these great European Universities Games 2016. This is a great moment for the university sports movement. The standard of quality these games have set is high, and we will do our best to deliver an event as great as this one in Coimbra, Portugal in 2018."



The Games, which were opened with a great opening ceremony in Zagreb on July 12, officially concluded with the Closing ceremony in Rijeka on July 25, resulting in the largest European Universities Games so far and being the largest multi-sport event in recent Croatian history.

For more news, results and photos, please see www.eug2016.com.