Volunteers play a special role at the 13th European University Futsal Championship, behind the scenes of this summer's biggest event in the city of Split. Instead of in shifts, yesterday we made a volunteer day where everyone joined - both young and old. 

Easily recognizable, about 70 of them are always with smiling faces and in red shirts, all with the aim of contributing to the success and satisfaction of all participants of this university sports spectacle.

Volunteers were visited and greeted by Josip Pavić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who came to support this great day, as well as the Championship itself. After he further motivated and thanked the hard-working volunteers with messages of support, we had the opportunity to see how the state secretary finds his way among the futsal goalkeepers, after the exceptionally rich and medal-laden goalkeeper career he achieved in water polo.

"The event is great, it's a pleasure to be in Split again for the championship, which was well organized, and I thanked the University of Split, as well as the Croatian Academic Sports Association, who contributed to it. They raised the event to a higher level, not only in terms of sports but also in terms of the involvement of volunteers. We are proud to be partners of this event because we are pleased with the active student population", noted State Secretary Pavić with satisfaction.

Unisport's volunteer program and their ViLa Academy are the largest in Croatia and have laid excellent foundations for further development and all the benefits of volunteering. "All of us who work in sports should be 'servants' to athletes, it is the energy that drives sports at all levels, from university to Olympic. This is precisely the basis of the Olympic Charter. Today, when labour is so valuable, then volunteerism has even more value. People who come here and dedicate their time do not expect financial satisfaction, they get experience that they can capitalize on in the future”, said Toni Gamulin, president of the Organizing Committee of the Championship.

With new, positive energy, the halls at Gripe and Poljud especially shone. How could it not be when volunteers are the source of emotions, soul and heart of every event, including the European University Futsal Championship. Nine-year-old Bepo Pavičić is the best witness to this: "I spend a really good time at Gripe, I take care of the markers, jerseys and water for the players. By the way, I practice water polo, and volunteering is my favorite of all."

Let us remind you that the quarter-finals await us at Gripe, but the young, smiling faces of our volunteers are also waiting for you. So check the schedule here and support the favorites with a smile to our wonderful creatures, the lifeblood of this event. See you!