EUC BEACH HANDBALL 2025 CLOSING CEREMONY
The Beach Handball competition, one of the two sports featured in the European Universities Beach Sports Championships, came to an end on July 17th with a vibrant Closing Ceremony at the beach handball courts in Granada, Spain.
Beach handball wrote its final chapter on the golden sands of Granada. From the early hours, teams stepped onto the court with one mindset: going for the championship title. The event united athletes, volunteers, organisers, and fans in a celebration of achievement, friendship, and sporting spirit.
The sun was relentless, and so were the players. From the very first whistle, the games delivered intensity: tight defences, goals celebrated like the ultimate strike, and an intensity that tested every ounce of strength and focus.
Some walked away with the glory of the finals. Others finished with pride, knowing they gave everything in a championship that demanded the best. But each player left a mark on that sand: sweat, determination, and the unmistakable pride of their university.
More than 230 participants, forming 18 Beach Handball teams, representing 14 Universities from 7 countries, took part in this year’s edition of the event. This diverse representation made the Championship a true display of European unity through sport, with numerous languages, cultures, and traditions converging on one stage.
In the men’s final, the Hungarian University of Sports Science (HUN) claimed the championship title after a thrilling clash with the University of Porto (POR). The University of Malaga (ESP) secured the bronze with a strong performance.
On the women’s side, the hosts, the University of Granada (ESP), triumphed with gold, while their compatriots from the University of Malaga (ESP) earned the silver medal. The bronze went to Eszterhazy Karoly Catholic University (HUN), rounding off an exciting competition.
All matches delivered intense competition, cheering supporters, and emotional moments, creating memories that will last a lifetime for players and spectators alike.
The medals were presented by Suleyman Kocasert, EUSA SCAC Chair, Jordi Joan Mercade Torras, Director of the Sports Centre (CAD) of the University of Granada, Juan Luis Benitez Munoz - Vice-Rector for Student Services and Campus Life, University of Granada, and Irene Pedreira Romero, Director for International Projects and Networks.
Additional distinctions, such as MVP, Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer, and the Fair Play Award, were also distributed to honour outstanding individuals and teams.
The individual awards were presented by EUSA Technical Delegate Marco Trespidi for Top Scorer (Men & Women), EUSA Assistant Technical Delegate Ana Fernandez Diaz for Best Goalkeeper (Men & Women), and Gabriela Horvath, EHF Beach Handball Commission Chair, for Fair Play and Most Valuable Player (Men & Women).
In the men's competition, the award for Fair Play went into the hands of the University of Bergen (GER), while in the women's competition, this award was earned by the University of Goettingen.
MVP in the women's competition was Alba Díaz González from the University of Malaga, and in the men's competition D'Avid Kocsondi from the Hungarian University of Sports Science.
The award for Best Goalkeeper in the women's competition was won by Sophie Amalie Mobius Lindaas from Norwegian Sport University and in the men's competition was won by Antonio Monteiro from the University of Porto.
The Top Scorer award in the men's competition was won by Szalay Zalan from the Hungarian University of Sport Science, and in the women's competition by Buzsaki Bodza from Eszterhazy Karoly Catholic University.
Diplomas of success were given to the Local and EHF Referees, handed out by Jordi Joan Mercade Torras, Director of the Sports Centre (CAD) of the University of Granada, and Gabriela Horvath, EHF Beach Handball Commission Chair.
The EUSA flag was passed to Mr Jarko Saric, President of the Student Council of the University of Split, Croatia, as they are the next organisers for 2027. This symbolic moment marked the official end of this year's Championship and passed on the responsibility and excitement to the next host city.
Throughout the Championship, the competition was marked not only by top-level performance but also by strong values of sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and mutual respect. The dedicated volunteer team of over twenty local and international students played a key role in ensuring that the event ran smoothly from start to finish.
Audiences also enjoyed cultural side events, local hospitality, and the celebratory spirit that surrounded the city during the Championship.
From stunning comebacks to new records and surprise victories, this year's edition brought countless unforgettable moments both on and off the field.
The next EUC will take place in Split, Croatia; however, we are also inviting athletes to join the next competition as part of the European Universities Games 2026 in Salerno, Italy.