Day 3 | Day Four of the European Universities Handball Championship Delivers Thrills and Decisive Moments

The fourth day of the European Universities Handball Championship was packed with excitement from start to finish, featuring dramatic turnarounds and key matches that defined the semi-final lineup. With games running from 9 a.m. until late evening, the day offered a full spectrum of action, from dominant wins to tactical battles.

The morning kicked off with classification matches for 9th to 12th place. In the men's bracket, the University of Castilla-La Mancha outplayed the University of Beira Interior, securing a 34–27 victory. Despite strong effort, the home team struggled to keep up and saw one of its players sent off during the match. On the women’s side, the University of Beira Interior faced the University of Valencia. The Spanish side showed no mercy, claiming a convincing 28–11 win.

At 11 a.m., the Norwegian University of Science and Technology edged past the University of Maia with a 36–31 scoreline. The game was notable not only for the Norwegian win but also for a red card shown to a Norwegian player and a fair-play white card awarded to the Portuguese team doctor for his sportsmanlike conduct. Meanwhile, in the women's draw, the University of Côte d'Azur closed its tournament run with a hard-fought victory over the University of Würzburg. Both teams showed resilience and determination until the final whistle.

As the afternoon arrived, so did the highly anticipated quarterfinals, ramping up the intensity across the courts.

At 2 p.m., the men’s team from the University of Côte d'Azur secured a semi-final spot with a tactically dominant 31–24 victory over the German Sport University Cologne, in a match that also saw a German player sent off. In the women's bracket, the University of León defeated the University of Zagreb 32–23 in a confident display, advancing comfortably to the next round.

Two hours later, another France vs. Croatia clash took place, and again, France came out on top. The University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour eliminated the Zagreb University of Applied Sciences with a 35–26 win, confirming the strong form of the French teams. Simultaneously, the Polytechnic University of Bucharest triumphed over the University of Minho in one of the tightest matches of the day. Despite the Portuguese side fighting until the end, the Romanians emerged victorious with a 30–27 result.

At 6 p.m., the men’s team from the University of Minho entered the second half with renewed determination to turn the game around. However, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava’s offensive effectiveness proved decisive, leaving the Portuguese out of title contention with a final score of 40–35. At the same time, the women’s team from the University of Mainz secured a solid 30–17 victory over the German Sport University Cologne, advancing confidently to the next stage.

The evening brought even more action. The University of Zagreb showcased its offensive prowess with a resounding 40–19 win over Gumushane University. In the women’s competition, the Hungarian University of Sports Science had to dig deep to overcome the Norwegian University of Science and Technology 32–29 in an intense and highly competitive game.

With these final matches, the quarterfinals of the European Universities Handball Championship came to a close.

As night fell, athletes and volunteers took a well-deserved break from the intensity of the tournament to enjoy a taste of local culture at the São Tiago Fair. Traditional food, folk music, and the warm hospitality of the community offered a true reflection of the championship’s spirit: competition, respect, and cultural exchange—all in one place. A special highlight was the presence of a stand dedicated to the European Universities Handball Championship, where visitors could learn more about the event, take photos, and engage with members of the organizing committee.