Wednesday, July 23 was the first day of competitions for futsal and handball – two sports which are part of the European Universities Games 2014.

Apart of the beginning of futsal and handball, final preparations for the next sport to start were also done with the General Technical Meeting for Table Tennis, starting competitions tomorrow, on July 24. For all results and standings, please see the official website.

On July 24 there will also be the press conference before the Games, special receptions by the European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the Organising Committee and the main event of the day – the official opening ceremony of the Games. The opening will be held at the Excelsior Rotterdam Stadion-Woudestein.

A special meeting where the national team coordinators was also held today, focusing on the protocol for the Opening ceremony and other practical matters. The participants were welcomed by Mr Daniel Sikkens, Chairman of the Organising Committee Board; Mr Adam Roczek, EUSA President and Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, EUSA Secretary General. The speakers emphasised the importance of good cooperation of the participants, EUSA and the Organisers, having the support of the entire team, volunteers and support of the main partners, sponsors and funders. 

Special thanks and acknowledgement of support goes to the City of Rotterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, European Commission through the Erasmus+ Programme, Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and all other sponsors and partners. The event is also supported by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

More information about the European Universities Games can be found at the official website of the event at www.eugames2014.eu.