Day 6 of the European Universities Futsal Championship was a spectacle of excitement, featuring 15 thrilling matches at the well-known Gripe and Poljud Sports Halls in Split, Croatia.
The women's division witnessed fierce battles, with the University of Coimbra dominating University College Cork 8-2, and the University of Reims Champagne Ardenne edging out the University of Split with a nail-biting 3-2 win. The National Pedagogical Dragomanov University showcased its prowess in a 5-2 victory over Tampere University, while the University of Lisbon secured a narrow 3-2 win against the Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France. Rey Juan Carlos University and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology displayed their mettle with well-deserved wins, 4-2 and 1-0 respectively, against the University of Munster and the University of Zagreb.
In the men's division, even though some teams missed their chance to compete in the knockout stage, they put on impressive performances. The Eindhoven University of Technology triumphed over the University of Bristol 9-3, while the University of Pecs lost to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology 4-5. The University of Jyvaskyla secured a 2-1 victory over a fellow Finnish team. The University of Mainz and the University of Gdansk also emerged victorious in their matches against the University of Reims Champagne Ardenne and the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, with scores of 5-1 and 7-1 respectively.
The men's quarter-finals provided intense clashes, with Caucasus International University and Ivano-Frankivsk College of Physical Education going head-to-head. The match extended to penalties, where Ukrainians triumphed after a crucial miss from a Georgian player. In another fierce match, the University of Zagreb faced Bernays University of Applied Sciences, with the latter securing a 3-0 lead in the first half. Zagreb mounted a comeback, making the match nail-biting until the end, but Bernays still managed to progress forward with a 4-3 scoreline. University of Toulouse II – Jean Jaures emerged as the third semi-finalist with a 5-4 victory over Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Education and Sport.
The most thrilling encounter of the day was the men's semi-final between the University of Minho and the University of Split. The match showcased incredible talent, resilience, and strength from both teams, extending to one of the longest matches in the championship. With tremendous support from the home crowd, the University of Split emerged victorious with an impressive 6-2 scoreline, securing the last semi-final spot.
As the tournament heads into its final stages, the exceptional displays of skill, determination, and sportsmanship have captivated spectators and participants alike. The championship promises more unforgettable moments and more amazing matches.