EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES BEACH SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025 OPENING CEREMONY
The Opening Ceremony of European Universities Beach Sports Championships 2025 took place on July 15th in Granada, at Hospital Real. The Ceremony was attended by Pedro Mercado Pacheco, Rector of the University of Granada; Gorka Lerchundi Rebollo, Sports Events and Facilities General Director; Jorge Iglesias Puerta, Sports Councillor and Suleyman Kocasert, EUSA SCAC Chair.
On behalf of the Organising Committee, participants were welcomed by Jordi Joan Mercadé.
EUSA Executive Committee representative Suleyman Kocasert welcomed all participants and wished all the teams and participants who came to test their skills and abilities well ahead of the start of the competition, while also thanking the Organising Committee for all their contributions.
The competition is organised by CSD & the University of Granada with the contribution of the Regional Government of Andalucía and the cities of Granada and Albolote.
The university and city have a strong tradition in hosting university-level sporting events, previously organizing EUC 2023 tennis, which guarantees a high level of professionalism and commitment to excellence. The event also enjoys strong support from the local municipality, civic institutions, and local sports associations.
The Championship will take place from July 14th to 20th in Albolote Municipal Sports Hall and Fuentenueva University Campus.
EUSA is represented by Sara Rozman, and the Technical Delegates are Anton Fichtinger and Marco Trespidi. They will make sure that the event runs smoothly and without problems.
The competition will host 18 beach handball teams, 9 of each gender, and 45 volleyball teams, 23 men's and 22 women's, as many as 48 universities from 18 countries.
The title of European Universities Beach Handball Champion is defended by Málaga University in both the men's and women's categories. In volleyball, the reigning men's champions are from Vytautas Magnus University, while the women's title is held by Lithuanian Sports University.
Expectations are high as athletes from across Europe gather to compete at the highest level of university sport, showcasing not only their athleticism but also the spirit of fair play, friendship, and cultural exchange.
The event was alive with energy, marked by music and vibrant delegations proudly waving their flags, creating a truly international and festive atmosphere. The parade of universities drew enthusiastic cheers from the audience as each university delegation entered with pride and excitement.
The ceremony featured a captivating performance by Pablo Giménez, presenting a vibrant display of traditional Andalusian guitar music that reflected the cultural richness of the host city.
Several athletes shared their enthusiasm about the event. Volunteers, many of whom are students from the host university, also expressed their pride in being part of the organisation team.
In line with EUSA’s commitment to sustainability, organisers implemented several eco-friendly initiatives, including digital information systems, reusable water stations, and waste separation zones across the competition venues.
The organisers hope the Championship will serve not only as a competitive platform but also as a legacy for future university sport in the region, inspiring young athletes and setting a benchmark for hosting international events.