The Opening Ceremony of 8th European Universities Handball Championship took place on August 2 in Braga at Center Avenue. The Ceremony was attended by the Secretary of State for Sports and Youth of the Portuguese Government, Mr Emídio Guerreiro, the Councillor of Braga City Hall, Miss Sameiro Araújo, Rector of the University of Minho, Professor António Cunha and by the President of Portuguese University Sports Federation (FADU), Ms Filipa Godinho.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee participants were welcomed by Mr Carlos Videira, President of Organizing Committee of the 8th European Universities Handball Championship and EUSA Executive Committee member Mr Haris Pavletic, welcoming all participants and wishing them all the best in the event.



The event is organized by University of Minho and University of Minho Students’ Union with contribution of Portuguese University Sports Federation.



Minho University sports Service has been created in 1995, and since that, a large experience in organising national and international sport events has been developed: 1998 World University Futsal Championship, 2004 European Universities Volleyball Championship, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2012 the final stage of Portuguese University Championships, Qualifying Tournament for the World FIFA Futsal Championship’04, 2006 European Universities Basketball Championship, 2008 World University Badminton Championship, 2009 European Universities Taekwondo Championship, 2011 European Universities Taekwondo Championship, 2012 World University Futsal Championship, 2012 World University Chess Championship and the 2014 World University Handball Championship. In 2013, University of Minho won the Best European University Award, based on the sports achievements and results in EUSA competitions, amongst more than 400 universities from 44 countries.



The championship is taking place between August 2 to 9 at the University of Minho and Lamaçães Sports Halls. EUSA, the European University Sports Association, is represented by Mr Haris Pavletic and the Technical Delegates are Mr Frantisek Taborsky and Mrs Monika Hagen. They will make sure that the event will run smoothly and without problems. The Competition is hosting 6 men and 9 women teams representing 13 Universities from 7 countries.



The title of European Universities Champion is defended by Lviv State University of Physical Culture (UKR) in the female competition and by University of Minho (POR) in the male competition.

More info can be found at www.euchandball2015.uminho.pt and on www.facebook.com/euchandball2015.