The Opening Ceremony of the 13th European Universities Futsal Championships took place on July 19th in the twilight of Split's summer evenings with over 500 young and smiling faces of student-athletes and notable guests.

To keep everything in a student tone, a spectacular ceremony was held on the Square in front of the student dormitory "Dr. Franjo Tuđman" on Campus. This Championship is more than an "ordinary" competition, and this is confirmed by the guests who selflessly supported this event.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of public, academic and sports life: Member of Parliament and representative of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Mr Ante Bačić, Mayor of Split Mr Ivica Puljak, Deputy Prefect of the Split-Dalmatia County Mr Stipe Čogelja, Rector of the University of Split Mr Dragan Ljutić, as well as numerous other distinguished guests.

Mr Haris Pavletić, president of the Croatian Academic Sports Association (HASS) and 1st Vice-President of the European University Sports Association (EUSA), confirms that university competitions are increasingly popular and have become synonymous with success. "When I look at so many young and joyful people who have been reunited by Split, I am extremely happy and proud, this is a historic picture. I have to commend the Organizing Committee, but also all the teams that once again confirmed the prestige of student sports and enriched this competition. The hearts of students from 27 universities will beat in Split, which will live to the rhythm of futsal in the next few days. I believe that we will offer another new, different and unforgettable experience to all participants, and I wish good luck to all teams", concluded Pavletić.

The gathered crowd, representatives of the public life of the city of Split and the Republic of Croatia, numerous volunteers and passers-by, have announced that Split will breathe with the strength and motivation of over 500 university Futsal players for the next week.

Total number of 19 men's and 12 women's teams from 27 universities and 17 European countries will play little less than 100 matches, which will be played on the well-known grounds of the cult halls in Gripe and Poljud. 

The competition is organized by the University of Split and Split University Sports Association, and by the patronage of Croatian University Sports Federation as well as European University Sports Association. The host, simply called UniSport Team is experienced in organizing these types of events, as Split held European Universities Basketball Championship in 2013, EUSA 3x3, Beach Volleyball and Sports Climbing in 2017 and was included in EUG Zagreb-Rijeka 2016 as well as some more non-academic-championships.

EUSA is represented by Mr Tomasz Aftanski, EUSA Technical Delegate for Futsal and Mr Pol Arnan Rimbau, EUSA Staff Representative, of the competition, who will together with his team ensure that the event will run smoothly and without problems.

The title of European Universities Futsal Champion is defended by the University of Malaga in man competition and the University of Murcia in women competition, both coming from Spain.

Prior to the Opening Ceremony, on 18th of July the General Technical Meeting took place, hosting the draw for the competition. 

Here are some highlights from yesterday's Opening Ceremony.

For more information on the European Universities Championship in Futsal, please see https://futsal2023.eusa.eu/