At the 1st European Universities Games taking place in Cordoba, Thursday, July 19 was filled with an abundance of sports competition, from basketball, futsal, handball, tennis and volleyball – each of the before mentioned sports in group stages, eliminations or quarter finals.

The main focus definitely was put on the semifinal and final matches of women’s and men’s football competition. In women’s competition, played in Rabanales, bronze medal went to the University of Valencia from Spain, while in the finals the ladies from University Paul Sabatier Toulouse from France overwhelmed their French colleagues from the Pierre Mendes Grenoble University.

In men’s competition, played at the Fontanar stadium, the University of Montpellier from France won the third place, and the final match was between the Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University from Russia and the Halic University from Turkey. In the dynamic match, the Turkish students showed more skills and managed to obtain the champion’s title in football at the 1st edition of the EUSA Games.

The medals were awarded by Mr Manuel Torres, the President of the Organising Committee and Mr Aitor Canibe Sanchez, EUSA Executive Committee Member. Since football competitions concluded today, the volunteers, referees, linesmen and other staff were also thanked and their work recognised also by the public.

In the morning, a press conference was held at the University of Cordoba, attended by local, regional and some international press. Mr Adam Roczek, the President of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) commended the organisers for their impressive efforts and pointed out that successful organisation of such an event means that the local environment is able to host and organise any big event in the future.

The President of the Organising Committee Mr Manuel Torres also stressed the importance of the event for the University and the City of Cordoba, Andalusian region and also at the national level, and thanking EUSA and all the partners for their help and cooperation. The representatives of the Organising Committee of the 2nd European Universities Games Rotterdam 2014 also promoted the event.

Tomorrow, table tennis will commence in the team competitions; the General technical meeting for Table tennis was therefore organised today, noting the largest competition in table tennis in EUSA’s history. Tomorrow the volleyball finals are also taking place both in men’s and women’s events.

The 1st European Universities Games therefore have to offer many interesting matches and although not all students can return home with medals, they will definitely be enriched by a wonderful experience and new friendships.