We announced that every day until EUG 2018 we will publish interesting stories, meet inspirational people and learn facts about University sport. But, first we have to learn some interesting facts about host University, city of Coimbra and country of Portugal.

UNESCO World Heritage

Fourth edition of European Universities Games will be a real history lesson of higher education because it will be organised by one of the 10 oldest Universities in Europe, but the oldest continously running University, founded in 1290.

University is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage since 2013. How important the University itself is for the world can be described by couple of facts. University of Coimbra is one of 15 UNESCO World Hertigage sites in Portugal, and one of six universities at entire UNESCOs list. Only University of Coimbra and University of Alcala (Spain) defend the honor of Europe.

Significance of University of Coimbra to the region

University of Coimbra is the landmark of Coimbra and what keeps the city alive. In the city with the population slightly above 140 000 people, every 7th person is a student at the University of Coimbra. The significance of the University for the multicultural environment in the city is even more important. University of Coimbra has the largest community of international students in Portugal. That means that you won't find it hard speaking with the locals, because they are used to international students.

Student union of the University of Coimbra is responsible for making one of the biggest sport societies in Portugal – Coimbra Academic Association. The most famous team is the football club Academica that plays in the second division. They launched players like Sergio Conceicao and Miguel Veloso into the orbit. Other clubs, such as volleyball, handball and rugby team represent the city of Coimbra at the highest level in Portugal. And chess team of Academica is the reigning champion of Portugal.

Country of Inovation

University of Coimbra is the representative of a country that has amazing history and some facts will blow you away. Empire of Portugal is one of the 10 longest runing empires in the world because they had that status from 1415 all the way until 1999. They didn't change their border with Spain exactly 739 years (since 1279), that makes Portugal a country with oldest boarders. Ofcourse, in the meantime Portugal had colonies in 4 continents and that is the main reason why portugues is still the official language in 9 countries. And the last historical-political fact about Portugal is that they have longest alliance in the world. Anglo-Portugues Treaty with England was signed in 1373 and it is still in force.

Portugal still continues to be a gamechanging country. The second longest bridge in Europe, more than 17km long, connects Lisbon to the southern parts of Portugal. Also, they are one of the first countries in the world to legalize same sex marriage. And 2018 is a big year for Portugal, and the whole world. Since January Portugal generated 100% of electricity consumption from renewable sources. Wow!

And, ofcourse, best for last. This years EUG will be the biggest multi-sport event ever organized in Portugal. We couldn't be more proud!