The inaugural – 1st edition of the European Universities Games concluded yesterday with the last finals of the remaining sports, followed by the closing ceremony at the La Axerquia auditorium in Cordoba, Spain. Although the official dates of the Games were between July 13 and 23, the competitions started a few days before already, resulting in 12 days of competitions.

Cordoba hosted 2583 participants, representing 253 teams from 151 universities coming from 32 countries, competing in 10 sports featured at the 1st European Universities Games: badminton, basketball, beach-volleyball, football, futsal, handball, rugby 7s, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.

The participants were able to compete with their peers in 677 matches altogether, and in the end the European Universities Games Champions were declared in the ten sports of the Games.

At the closing ceremony, all participants were welcomed by the Mayor of Cordoba Jose Antonio Nieto Ballesteros who also took the opportunity to thank all the volunteers for their hard work and dedication by presenting diplomas to their representatives.

The President of the Organising Committee Mr Manuel Torres thanked all the partners in the project, especially emphasising excellent cooperation between the University of Cordoba and the European University Sports Association. He stressed that thanks to the Games, Cordoba and partner cities in Andalucia became the European University Sports Capital this summer. He also thanked his team in the organising committee for their involvement and dedication to make the event successful.

Mr Adam Roczek, the President of the European University Sports Association was excited to see the first edition of the event so successful. He stressed that the success of the Games was not only because of the excellent work of the organising committee and all their partners, but also because of the participants – athletes and officials, who came to Cordoba and take part in this historical event. He also recognised the tremendous efforts of the volunteers and thanked them for their enthusiasm and hard work.

The stage was then given to the representatives of the Organising Committee of the 2nd European Universities Games. Mr Daniel Sikkens, the President of the Organising Committee gave a short introduction to the 2014 Games and invited the public to attend – either as participants, or as volunteers. Accompanied by the choir singing Gaudeamus Igitur, the EUSA Flag was then symbolically passed over from Cordoba to EUSA and onwards to Rotterdam as the next host of the European Universities Games.

During the closing ceremony, the participants and guests enjoyed an authentic cultural and entertainment programme, which finished with fireworks and a party.

Today, at the final press conference of the Games, Mr Adam Roczek, the President of the European University Sports Association thanked the Organising Committee, the University of Cordoba and local, regional and state authorities for their support and cooperation in making this historical event possible. He congratulated the organisers for putting a benchmark in organisation of such an event.

Mr Manuel Torres, the President of the Organising Committee recognised the hard work of the organisers, partners and sponsors and pointed out that the event was a success because strong cooperation between them, the authorities and the European University Sports Association. Mr Rifaat Chabouk, Operational Manager of the Games presented some facts and figures and gave an overview of the Games.

The floor was then given to Mr Jarijn Nijkamp, Marketing & Communication Manager of the 2nd European Universities Games, which will take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in July 2014. Mr Nijkamp thanked the organisers for the job well done and for the opportunity to observe and learn, and invited everyone to come to Rotterdam for the second edition of the Games.

All participants of the 1st European Universities Games are also invited to complete the survey about the event, which will help us evaluate the current edition and plan the next one.