As important part of their 100th anniversary, the Swedish University Sports Federation (SAIF) is organising their first European Universities Championship ever and chose to organize Badminton in Uppsala / Sweden from May 5 to May 11.

Uppsala is well known as oldest Swedish University founded in 1477 and as home of the Uppsala Badminton Club “Fyrisfjädern” the leading club in Sweden.


 

15 teams from 10 countries entered the team event at the European universities Badminton Championship, which was played in Sudirmancup format. Monday started with the round robin groups. The teams of University of Helsinki, Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, Stockholm University and University of Rouen winning the groups and managed to proceed to the semifinals to earn a well deserved medal.

The semifinals played on Tuesday were dominated by the University of Helsinki (3-0 vs. Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism) and University of Rouen (3-0 vs. Stockholm University).

In the final, the University of Rouen only could win the Women's Singles. The Finnish team from Helsinki, which is participating for the first time at the EUC, won the final 3-1. The team of the University of Helsinki was represented by Eetu Heino, Anton Kaisti, Sanni Rautala and Heini Ihalainen and can be congratulated for their win at the first appearance.


 

At the awards ceremony, Mr Mats Tibbelin, the President of the Swedish Badminton Federation and Mr Haris Pavletic as Executive Member of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) presented the medals and awards.

On Wednesday during the rest day, the participants had the chance to take part in Uppsala university life during the guided university tour and at night in the student nations organizing the social life of the students.

The individual tournament started on May 8 and the players winning medals in the team event are also favorites in the individual events.

Medallists

1. University of Helsinki (FIN)

2. University of Rouen (FRA)

3. Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism (RUS)

3. Stockholm University (SWE)

For more information, please see the official website www.eucbadminton2013.com.