Welcome to the exciting coverage of the 4th day of the European Universities Futsal Championship in Split2, taking place at the renowned Gripe and Poljud Sports Halls. As the group stage in the women's division concludes, teams are now gearing up for the intense quarterfinals. In the men's division, one more exhilarating match day remains, promising unforgettable moments of skill and competition.
The day started stronger for some teams than others. While the women's teams from
University of Munster (GER) and National Pedagogical Dragomanov University (UKR) scored 7 goals, each against the University of Reims Champagne Ardenne (FRA) and the University of Coimbra (POR), respectively.
„We just wanted to win today because we didn't yesterday. And we are happy that we were able to score a few goals and we can't wait for our next match now!“ player for the University of Munster Kristina Markfort.
In the match between Tampere University (FIN) and Rey Juan Carlos University (ESP), the Spaniards won 2-4 and secured their spot in the quarter-finals. At the game between University College Cork (IRL) and hometeam University of Split (CRO), we witnessed the very first penalty shootout of the tournament, after a close match and the result of 3-3. In the end, the host team couldn't keep up, as the Irish girls win with a score of 9-8.
In the afternoon came the men's division which did not disappoint! We saw some extremely close matches and some that showcased dominance on the pitch. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NOR) and the University of Jyvaskyla (FIN) played equally the whole match finishing it with a fair score of 1-1. A similar story happened at the last match of the day, where it seemed as though the University of Zagreb showed exceptional skill and strategy through the first half, and finishing it with a score of 3-1, the University of Caucasus turned the score around, ending the game
with a tie (3-3). On the other side, the University of Minho (POR) ended the first half with a tie against Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Education and Sport (AZE), but Azerbaijan managed to turn things around in their favour with the final score being 1-3.
University of Gdansk (POL) went further in their group stage campaign with a 6-2 victory over the University of Mainz (GER), while the Ivano-Frankivsk College of Physical Education (UKR) continued their winning streak playing against the University of Reims Champagne Ardenne (FRA) with the final score being 8-1. University of Toulouse II – Jean Jaures (FRA) played well against Lappeenranta-Lahti University (FIN) to try and progress to the quarter-final, which with a score of 6-1, they managed to get closer to the final 8.
Following that, two Croatian teams showed absolute dominance on the court. The hometown team, once again, played an incredible 40 minutes proving why they are one of the favourites to win the whole tournament. They managed to keep a clean sheet and scored 9 goals against the University of Pesc (HUN). Bernays University of Applied Sciences (CRO) managed to break a record for the most goals given, previously held by the same University, scoring 13 goals. The final result of the game against
the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SUI) was 13-2.
„Good game for us, we scored a lot of goals which made us gain confidence for the next matches. For tomorrow's game, we have some fans coming and we need to win if we want to go to the quarter-finals. I hope, well, I know we're going to be 100% in the game and I think the result will amazing for us.“ - Player of Edward Bernays University Nikola Gudašić.
As the echoes of cheers and the smell of fierce determination fill the air, the 4th day of the European Universities Futsal Championship has been nothing short of spectacular. The women's division has seen its group stage reach its gripping conclusion, with outstanding displays of talent and teamwork paving the way for the eagerly anticipated quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the men's division awaits on the final day of intense battles before moving onto the knockout stages.