The Basketball tournament at the European Universities Games 2026 came to an exciting conclusion.

For the last matches, the atmosphere was at its peak and very festive. After days of intense competition, the best teams of the men’s and women’s tournaments showcased high-level basketball, determination, and teamwork, battling on the court for a spot on the podium.

In the women’s tournament, the title of European Universities Champion was claimed by the University of Valencia (ESP) after a spectacular final. They were joined on the podium by the University of Freiburg (GER), winning the silver medal, and the Polish Naval Academy of the Heroes of Westerplatte (POL), who claimed the bronze medal.

Outstanding individual performances were also celebrated. Paula Garcia Garcia from the University of Valencia (ESP) was crowned as the Most Valuable Player for the excellent level of her basketball and the consistency she proved throughout the tournament. The University of Maastricht (NED) received the significant Fair Play Award, recognising the team’s commitment to respect, integrity, and the values of university sport.

All-Star Team, honouring the best five players of the competition, included Annika Saltau (University of Freiburg), Paula Garcia Garcia (University of Valencia), Irene Broncano Avellaneda (University of Valencia), Pauline Mayer (University of Freiburg) and Bianca Maria Nan (University of Bucharest).

The men’s gold medal match lived up to expectations, with the University of Bologna (ITA) emerging as the new European Universities Champion following a thrilling final. Joining the champions on the podium were the University of Zagreb (CRO), who claimed the silver medal, and the University of Ljubljana (SLO), who won the bronze medal. 

University of Zadar (CRO) was awarded the Fair Play award, recognising the integrity and respect shown by its players over the competition. Individual awards were assigned as well to the best players of the tournament: Most Valuable Player award went into the hands of Cvitanovic Luka from the University of Zagreb (CRO).

All-Star Team award included: Cibej Matej (University of Ljubljana), Cvitanovic Luka (University of Zagreb), Lis Michal (Polish Naval Academy of the Heroes of Westerplatte), Scarponi Alessandro (University of Bologna), and Ghedini Riccardo (University of Bologna). 

While Basketball came to a successful conclusion, the first Football matches are about to start. The General Technical Meeting for Football took place today, bringing together team representatives and officials to review the competition's technical aspects. The tournament will feature 12 universities in the women's tournament and 16 universities in the men’s tournament.

EUSA Chair of the Football competition, Francis Cirianni, welcomed the audience, and the meeting unfolded with some useful information and technical specifications detailed by EUSA Technical Delegate, Andreas Demetriou, and EUSA Assistant Technical Delegate, Ignacio Peralta Contreras. The GTM concluded with the official draws, which determined the composition of each group. The football tournament is now ready to begin!

With another set of champions crowned and a new sport about to start, the European Universities Games 2026 continue to celebrate sporting excellence, friendship and the unique spirit of university sport. 

For more information on the results of the matches and the general standings, please see results.eusa.eu and eug2026.eu