The European Universities Bridge & Chess Championships 2017 concluded on Sunday, September 24, with an exciting and fun closing ceremony in Fuengirola, Spain - city which hosted the two competitions. Over 120 participants representing 25 Universities from 15 countries took part in this year’s edition of the events.

The event, which started with the General Technical Meetings on September 20 and competitions the day after, showed high level of bridge and chess, and the participants excelled not only in mind sports, but also in physical activity. 



The importance of healthy mind and body was marked by the celebration of the International Day of University Sport and the European Week of Sport, with athletes and officials enjoying beach games activities.



After the end of competitions, all participants were invited to the awarding and closing ceremony, which showed a great sportsmanship and brotherhood among all participants, who laughed together, cheered each other every time the medallists jumped into the podium and sang every time Gaudeamus Igitur was played in the hall.



After the introduction from the local organising committee, entertainment programme followed, with skating and circus acts, launching the ceremony.



Women Team Competition in chess was over on Friday, with Ural State Mining University (RUS) being first with 9 points, University of Belgrade (SRB) second with 7 points, and University of Physical Education (HUN) third with 6.



Last three rounds in chess Men’s Team Competition were held on Saturday afternoon, with Russian and Serbian teams fighting for the gold medal. At the end, Ural State Mining University (RUS) brought home gold also in men’s category, with the University of Belgrade (SRB) as runners-up. A tight fight between Open University of Israel (ISR), AGH University of Science and Technology (POL) and Poznan University of Economics and Business (POL) for the bronze medal ended with the Israeli making it to the podium.



Individual boards also gave awards, in both men and women team competition. Blitz tournament was scheduled on Sunday morning, and it turned to be a very interesting competition with 3’ rounds that struggled players to their mental limits.



Last tournament to finish was the Bridge Team Competition. It was a tight and beautiful fight between University of Padova (ITA) and Charles University (CZE), who finally achieved Gold and Silver. Technical University of Munich (GER), who lead most rounds, had a tough day on Sunday and ended third, getting the bronze medal.



All medals and awards were presented by Mr Wolf Fruehauf, EUSA honorary member and SCAC Chairman, Mr Pedro Cuevas, Sports Councillor of Fuengirola Town Hall, Mr Javier Ochoa, Spanish Chess Federation President, Mr Vicente Martinez Orga, International University of Andalucia representative, Mr Geert Magerman, EBL delegate and Mr Harry Van de Peppel and Mr Oleksander Sulypa as the respective EUSA Bridge and Chess Technical Delegates.



After the awardings, Mr Ochoa addressed the participants, followed by Mr Fruehuaf and concluded by Mr Cuevas who also officially declared the championships closed.



EUSA flag was lowered and passed to the representatives of the organisers of next EUSA Bridge & Chess Championship in 2019, which will be hosted in Budapest, Hungary. Big thanks to the European Bridge League (EBL), European Chess Union (ECU), the national Bridge and Chess federations, and especially to the local hosts, lead by the International University of Andalusia in cooperation with the local partners.

Please see fuengirola2017.eusa.eu for more details about this year's Bridge and Chess events and detailed results.