August 7 was a very busy day at the European Universities Games - EUGames 2014 in Rotterdam, clearly signalling the upcoming finals and conclusion of the event tomorrow. For all the finallists, please see the official website.

 

The day started with the meeting of representatives of national university sports associations - members of the European University Sports Association, present at the Games. The topic of the meeting was the discussion and consultation of the implemented age limit at EUSA sports competitions. Outcomes of the meeting will be used for further discussion and will be presented at the next EUSA Executive Committee Meeting in November.

 

On the invitation of the Erasmus University Rotterdam and its President of the Executive Board Mrs Pauline van der Meer Mohr, the representatives of EUSA met for an informal lunch at the Kuyl's Foundation, reflecting back on the preparation and execution of the event. EUSA President Mr Adam Roczek thanked the hosts for the hospitality and expressed his satisfaction to see the European Universities Games coming to university campus, offering excellent conditions to the participants to compete and socialise.

 

Today the last masterclass held during the Games was held; the topic was Sports and New Media. The discussions were moderated by Mr Gijsbregt Brouwer, leading expert on media and promotion in sport. He introduced the speakers - Mr Quintin Doest, from AppeltjeEitje, a company that developed the official website and mobile app of the Games; Mr Willem Besseler, from Social Supernova, a company which worked on social media strategy of the European Universities Games, also producing the event's video highlights. The keynote expert speaker was Mr Craig Spence, Communications and Marketing Director of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) who shared his personal experience and some strategies of IPC in new media.

 

On the competition level, the semi-finals of the remaining sports were played. In badminton, the final three matches for medal places will be held tomorrow, starting at 10:00 with competitions in singles and doubles.

 

In the remaining team sports the day was full of excitement as well. The 2nd group stage in football was completed, and tomorrow the matches for the final placement, including the Finals will be played. The matches will start at 9:00. Women's finals will be held at Toepad at noon, while the Men's finals will be played at 16:30 at the Excelsior stadium.

 

In volleyball we saw several intense matches and high-quality games, as teams were trying to do their best in order to be able to reach for the medals tomorrow. The finals will start at 15:30 for women and 18:00 for men at the Topsport center.

 

Basketball will be the last sport to finish the European Universities Games 2014. The finals will also be played at the Topsport center, starting at 17:30 for women and 20:00 for men. Immediately afterwards, the closing ceremony will be organised, concluding the event.

 

The official part of the day concluded with a meeting with all the EUSA international volunteers. Together with the organisers, we were able to offer over 100 students from all over Europe the opportunity to be actively involved in the event and join the local volunteers. The volunteers actually are the driving force of all major sports events - and this one was no exception. EUSA President Mr Roczek and EUGames Tournament Director Mr Henk Smit thanked the volunteers for their work, praising their commitment and enthusiasm. The volunteers also received diplomas as a recognition of their work.

 

Before the final day tomorrow - which will be even busier and more exciting - you are invited to take a view of the next highlights of the Games below:

 

 

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