The 2017 European Universities Championships in 3x3 Basketball, Beach Volleyball and Sport Climbing have been officially opened with the Opening ceremony held at the main Procuratives in Split, Croatia on July 27. Over 400 participants, representing 64 universities from 27 European countries attended the event.

Parade of athletes, dance groups, animations and video projection joined in the attractive performance introduced the citizens of Split and their guests to this multi-sport event that is taking place in Split at the Riva, Poljud stadium and Znjan beach this week.



After the parade of athletes, the President of the organizational committee of EUSA Split 2017, Mr Boris Males, Vice-Rector of the University of Split, pointed out that the City of Split and Croatia strongly position themselves at the map of university sport by organizing and participating at the various university sport events in the last couple of years. Hoping that all the participants will go home with pleasant memories and emotions towards the city beneath the Marjan hill, he said: "I look forward to the day when you, someday, choose to return to Split – either as students at the University of Split as part of the Erasmus program or as dear guests together with their friends and families."



The Treasurer of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) Mr Lorenz Ursprung expressed gratitude to the Organizational committee and the volunteers for preparing these events, pointing out that they have put tremendous effort and passion into delivering an unforgettable event. He continued by addressing the athletes, team officials and referees; "Compete at your best. Respect your opponents. Meet them with an open heart, and enjoy the event and this beautiful city.



The Championships have been opened by the Mayor of Split, Mr Andro Krstulovic Opara, the host of the event, who pointed out the rich sport tradition of the city of Split and experience in organizing sporting events.



"I'm fully confident that the hosting of European Universities 3x3 Basketball, Sport Climbing and Beach Volleyball Championships will harvest not only new medals, but most importantly - new friendships, cooperation between universities, new competences and new experiences. This is the major worth of this event," said the Mayor, pointing out that the Split University Sport Association is the most active sport association in the country and "that exactly the university sport shall give new, healthy features to the existing Croatian sports system, both at national and local level."



Volunteers that were in charge for the opening ceremony and the organization of the entire EUSA European Universities Championships in Split, a total of 150, were thanked several times by the speakers, also using the opportunity to call all the citizens of Split and their guests to visit basketball and sport climbing events at Riva and Poljud stadium until July 28 and Beach Volleyball at the Znjan beach until July 30.



The championships are held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Croatia, organised by the Split University Sport Association, University of Split and the Croatian Academic Sport Association.



Partners on these events are the City of Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Student Center at the University of Split, Student Assembly of the University of Split, Sports Climbing Club Marulianus and the Beach Volleyball Club Žnjan.



EUSA is represented at this event by EUSA Treasurer Mr Lorenz Ursprung for Beach Volleyball, Executive Committee Member Mr Milan Zvan for 3x3 Basketball and Mr Tarmo Jaakson for Sport Climbing. For sports part, Beach Volleyball is coordinated by EUSA Technical Delegate Mr Adriano Paco, assisted by Ms Michalina Laz; for 3x3 Basketball the Technical Delegate is Mr Ilan Kowalsky, assisted by Mrs Jeanine Tjin-A-Sioe; and for Sport Climbing the Technical Delegate is Mr Matteo Pastori. The team is supported also by EUSA Communications and Projects Manager Mr Andrej Pisl, and Sports Assistant Mr Davor Travnikar.



For more information, head out to http://split2017.eusa.eu and select your sport of interest for more news and stay up-to-date with the results.