At a symbolic site of Croatian unity, in front of the Vukovar Water Tower, the opening ceremony of the European University Water Polo Championship was held last night, officially launching the most significant sporting event of the summer in Vukovar.

The ceremony was attended by over 200 guests, including representatives of national and European sports institutions, local and state authorities, as well as numerous citizens who came to show their support for the athletes and organizers.

On behalf of the hosts, Željko Sudarić, Dean of the University of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar and President of the Organizing Committee, addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of this championship for the international promotion of Vukovar, as well as for the advancement of student sports and inter-university cooperation.

Other speakers at the event included Filip Sušac, Deputy Mayor of Vukovar, Marko Dikonić, Head of the Office of the Vukovar-Srijem County Prefect, Minister David Vlajčić, envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Nikola Mažar, envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Milan Žvan, representative of the European University Sports Association, Haris Pavletić, President of the Croatian Academic Sports Federation, and Tomislav Paškvalin, envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia and celebrated Croatian water polo player, who officially opened the competition.

A particularly emotional moment during the ceremony was the performance of the Croatian national anthem by Ivona Krainović, a young musician from Vukovar. The spirit and energy of multiculturalism were further enhanced by the parade of university delegations and performances by the local cultural and artistic association (KUD), a tamburitza ensemble, and Vukovar majorettes.

The European University Water Polo Championship is taking place from July 7^th to 13^th and brings together more than 150 student-athletes from seven university teams from France, Hungary, and Turkey. Croatia is represented by the team from the University of Zagreb.

The matches are being held at the Vukovar City Pool, with the main organizer being the University of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar, in cooperation with the Croatian Academic Sports Federation and the European University Sports Association, and with support from the City of Vukovar, Vukovar-Srijem County, as well as numerous partners and volunteers.