The final day of the 14th EUSA European Universities Rowing Championship at Lake Jarun in Zagreb was a showcase of extraordinary talent, determination, and sportsmanship. The competition brought together the best university rowing teams from across Europe, culminating in a series of exciting finals that saw athletes pushing their limits in pursuit of victory. As the crews took to the water, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation, each stroke carrying the weight of months, if not years, of preparation. The spectators, both on-site and those watching via live stream, were treated to a display of sheer athleticism and strategic prowess, as universities vied for the top honors in their respective categories.
In the Men's Lightweight Double Sculls (LM2x) Final A, the University of Lyon (FRA) claimed the gold medal with a time of 6:37.88, narrowly edging out the University of Stuttgart (GER), who finished four seconds behind to take the silver. The bronze medal was secured by the University of Zagreb (CRO), finishing just under two seconds behind Stuttgart. Utrecht University (NED) and Applied Sciences and Arts NW SUI (SUI) followed in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
In the Women's Lightweight Single Sculls (LW1x) Final A, Szechenyi Istvan University (HUN) secured the gold medal with a commanding performance, finishing with a time of 8:04.25. Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (GER) followed closely behind, earning the silver medal just over a second later. The University of Vienna (AUT) claimed the bronze, finishing a few seconds after Jena. The University of Oxford (GBR) and Lithuanian Sports University (LTU) completed the race in fourth and fifth place, respectively, while Budapest University of Technology (HUN) rounded out the final in sixth place.
In the Men's Four (M4-) Final A, the Technical University of Munich (GER) dominated the race, securing the gold medal with a time of 6:23.11. The University of Vienna (AUT) claimed the silver, finishing just over six seconds behind, closely followed by Grenoble Alpes (FRA), who earned the bronze with a time difference of mere milliseconds. Turin Polytechnic (ITA) and Copenhagen University (DEN) completed the race in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
In the Men's Quadruple Sculls (M4x) Final A, the University of Gustave Eiffel (FRA) took the gold medal with a commanding performance, finishing with a time of 6:12.69. The Budapest University of Technology (HUN) followed, securing the silver medal just over four seconds behind. The bronze went to Duisburg-Essen University (GER), who finished about 15 seconds later. The University of Wurzburg (GER) and Lyon Applied Science (FRA) claimed fourth and fifth place, respectively, while the University of Vienna (AUT) rounded out the final in sixth place.
In the Women's Pair (W2-) Final A, Delft University of Technology (NED) dominated the race, winning the gold medal with a time of 7:59.93. The University of Bonn (GER) secured the silver, finishing over ten seconds behind. Szechenyi Istvan University (HUN) earned the bronze, coming in shortly after Bonn. The University of Warsaw (POL) finished in fourth place, while the University of Lorraine (FRA) faced difficulties and did not complete the race.
In the Men's Lightweight Four (LM4-) Final A, the University of Aveiro (POR) claimed the gold medal with a commanding performance, finishing with a time of 6:34.44. Szechenyi Istvan University (HUN) secured the silver, crossing the finish line just over seven seconds later. The bronze medal was taken by Turin Polytechnic (ITA), who finished approximately 13 seconds behind Szechenyi. The University of Oxford (GBR) completed the race in fourth place.
In the Men's Pair (M2-) Final A, Eotvos Lorand University (HUN) secured the gold medal with a strong and consistent performance, finishing with a time of 6:57.75. The University of Bochum (GER) followed closely behind, earning the silver medal just under three seconds later. Szechenyi Istvan University (HUN) took the bronze, finishing a further 18 seconds behind. Klaipeda University (LTU) and the University of Vienna (AUT) finished in fourth and fifth place, respectively, with Copenhagen University (DEN) rounding out the final in sixth place.
In the Men's Double Sculls (M2x) Final A, Vytautas Magnus University (LTU) secured the gold medal with a dominant performance, finishing with a time of 6:29.77. The University of Zagreb (CRO) claimed the silver, crossing the finish line nearly ten seconds later. The bronze medal went to Budapest University of Technology (HUN), who finished four seconds behind Zagreb. West Pomeranian University of Szczecin (POL) and the Technical University of Munich (GER) took fourth and fifth place, respectively, while Kazimierz Wielki University (POL) completed the final in sixth place.
In the Women's Eight (W8+) Final A, the University of Bonn (GER) secured the gold medal with a strong performance, finishing with a time of 6:59.95. Utrecht University (NED) followed closely, earning the silver medal just three seconds behind. The bronze medal went to the Institute of Technology Zurich (SUI), who finished about four seconds later. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NOR) claimed fourth place, while Pomeranian Medical University (POL) and ESSEC Business School (FRA) rounded out the final in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
In the Men's Lightweight Single Sculls (LM1x) Final A, Economy Bydgoszcz (POL) claimed the gold medal with a narrow victory, finishing with a time of 7:04.51. Maritime University of Szczecin (POL) was just behind, earning the silver medal with a time difference of only 0.19 seconds. The University of Warsaw (POL) secured the bronze, finishing over 12 seconds later. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (GER) and Paris Dauphine University (FRA) took fourth and fifth place, respectively, while the University of Vienna (AUT) did not start the race.
In the Women's Lightweight Double Sculls (LW2x) Final A, Szechenyi Istvan University (HUN) secured the gold medal with a strong performance, finishing with a time of 7:29.77. Surrey University (GBR) followed closely, earning the silver medal just under three seconds later. The University of Birmingham (GBR) claimed the bronze, finishing less than a second behind Surrey. The University of Zagreb (CRO) finished in fourth place, narrowly behind Birmingham, while the University of Vienna (AUT) and Leibniz University of Hanover (GER) completed the race in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
In the Women's Quadruple Sculls (W4x) Final A, Kazimierz Wielki University (POL) dominated the race, claiming the gold medal with a time of 6:52.56. Delft University of Technology (NED) followed closely, earning the silver medal just over three seconds behind. Utrecht University (NED) secured the bronze, finishing eight seconds later. Copenhagen University (DEN) and the University of Leipzig (GER) took fourth and fifth place, respectively.
In the Men's Lightweight Pair (LM2-) Final A, the University of Passau (GER) secured the gold medal with a decisive performance, finishing with a time of 6:58.39. The University of Aveiro (POR) followed, earning the silver medal nearly nine seconds later. Szechenyi Istvan University (HUN) claimed the bronze, finishing six seconds behind Aveiro. The University of Warsaw (POL) completed the race in fourth place.
In the Men's Single Sculls (M1x) Final A, Vytautas Magnus University (LTU) secured the gold medal with a strong finish, clocking in at 6:53.88. Poznan University of Medical Sciences (POL) earned the silver medal, finishing just under five seconds behind. The University of Split (CRO) claimed the bronze, completing the race a few seconds after Poznan. Poznan University of Technology (POL) took fourth place, followed by the University of Novi Sad (SRB) in fifth, and Warsaw School of Economics (POL) in sixth.
In the Women's Four (W4-) Final A, the University of Oxford (GBR) dominated the race, securing the gold medal with a time of 7:02.77. Leibniz University of Hanover (GER) claimed the silver medal, finishing nearly 28 seconds later. Imperial College London (GBR) took the bronze, completing the race a few seconds after Leibniz. The University of Gustave Eiffel (FRA) finished in fourth place.
In the Women's Double Sculls (W2x) Final A, the Hungarian University of Sports Science (HUN) secured the gold medal with a time of 7:15.46. The University of Zagreb (CRO) earned the silver medal, finishing just under four seconds behind. The University of Birmingham (GBR) took the bronze, finishing closely behind Zagreb. The University of Split (CRO) came in fourth place, narrowly missing out on a medal. Delft University of Technology (NED) and Val-de-Marne University (FRA) completed the race in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
In the Mixed Quadruple Sculls (W/M4x) Final A, the University of Zagreb (CRO) dominated the race, securing the gold medal with a time of 6:29.60. The University of Wurzburg (GER) followed in second place, earning the silver medal with a time of 6:42.62. Kazimierz Wielki University (POL) claimed the bronze, finishing just over a second behind Wurzburg. The University of Lorraine (FRA) took fourth place, while Szechenyi Istvan University (HUN) and the University of Technology of Compiègne (FRA) completed the race in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
In the Men's Eight (M8+) Final A, the University of Zagreb (CRO) delivered a dominant performance, securing the gold medal with a time of 5:44.69. Eindhoven University of Technology (NED) followed, earning the silver medal nearly eight seconds later. The Sport University Cologne (GER) took the bronze, finishing around six seconds behind Eindhoven. The Pomeranian Medical University (POL) finished in fourth place, while Centrale Supelec (FRA) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NOR) rounded out the final in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
As the sun set over Lake Jarun, the European Universities Rowing Championship concluded with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that defines university sports. The athletes, having given their all, can take pride in their performances, whether they stood on the podium or not. For many, this championship was not just about winning medals but about the journey, the friendships forged, and the experiences gained. The event has once again highlighted the importance of university sports in fostering young talent and promoting values such as teamwork, dedication, and resilience. As the rowers and their supporters depart Zagreb, they leave behind a legacy of excellence that will inspire future generations. The championship not only celebrated the athletic achievements of these young men and women but also underscored the spirit of unity and mutual respect that transcends borders and brings nations together through the shared love of sport.
This year's championship has set a high standard for future competitions, and as the final ceremonies concluded, there was a unanimous sense of anticipation for what the next edition will bring.