The Opening Ceremony of the 2023 European Universities Championship Rugby 7’s took place on the 28th of August in Lisbon at the historical Lisbon University Stadium.

The European Universities Rugby7s Championship is the 40th international event organized by FADU Portugal University Sports in their history and will take place from 28th until the 31st of August. 

The Competition will host a total of 11 teams, 7 male and 4 female from 9 universities from 6 countries. 

The Ceremony was attended by Andreas Csonka – EUSA Executive Committee Member, Ricardo Nora – President of the FADU Portugal University Sports, Luis Ferreira – Dean of the University of Lisbon, Elmano Margato – President of de Polytechnical Institute of Lisbon and Eduarda Marques – Regional Director of the Portuguese Sports and Youth and Institute.

On behalf of the Organising Committee participants were welcomed by Ricardo Nora. 

EUSA Executive Committee representative Andreas Csonka welcomed all participants and wished all the teams and participants who came to test their skills and abilities well ahead of the start of the competition, while also thanking the Organising Committee for all their contributions.

The competition is organized by FADU Portugal University Sports, University of Lisbon, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, and NOVA University of Lisbon, with the contribution of Lisbon City Hall, the Portuguese Sports and Youth Institute (IPDJ), Academic Federation of Lisbon (FAL) and the Higher Education Sports Association of Lisbon (ADESL). 

EUSA is represented by Andreas Csonka and the Technical Delegate - Mária Gyolcsos, Miha Zvan EUSA Sports Manager, Abosede Ajayi Chair of EUSA Medical Commision and Mr Luka Pozgaj, Results Management support. They will make sure that the event will run smoothly and without problems. 

The title of European Universities Rugby 7s Champion is defended by the male team of Georgian State University SEU and the female team of the Universitè Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier. 

The social program of the Opening Ceremony was contributed from a musical act, that made a special greeting to the athletes and present officials. 

Prior to the Opening Ceremony, the General Technical Meeting and the official draw, took place. 

Even if in the end of the ceremony, an unfortunate situation happened caused by the strong wind, we are happy tha fortunately all went without major injuries and consequenses to the people involved. 

For more information, please see https://rugby7s2023.eusa.eu/ while the photo album can be accesed here.