The Summer World University Games are now over. The second-largest sporting event after the Summer Olympics saw 8,500 students from 150 countries compete in 18 sports across the German cities of Berlin, Duisburg, Essen, Bochum, Mülheim an der Ruhr, and Hagen. Among them were also 3 outstanding students from the University of South Bohemia! The greatest success among them was achieved by Štěpán Borovka, who was a member of the 3x3 basketball team and won a bronze medal with his team. The Czechs narrowly lost 17:19 in a tight semifinal against the USA. In the bronze medal match, the Czech team managed to defeat the host country Germany, which had tremendous support from about 1,500 spectators, securing the well-deserved medals with a 21:17 victory. You can watch a summary of the 3x3 basketball tournament, which the Czech university team brought to a bronze success (including an interview with USB student Štěpán Borovka), HERE.
Another significant impact in the 5x5 basketball was made by Martin Svoboda, who became the top scorer of the Czech team with an average gain of over 20 points per game. Unfortunately, the Czech Republic team faced Lithuania in the quarterfinals, who eventually won the bronze medals. However, the Czech basketball players were able to win in both subsequent matches and finished in 5th place out of 16 teams.
The women's volleyball team had the toughest possible draw (represented by USB spiker Helena Estella Harrisová). The Czechs faced the eventual winners – the Italians – in the quarterfinals, losing 0:3. In the matches for fifth to eighth place, the Czech volleyball players first lost a very close match against Poland 2:3, but ultimately defeated China 3:1 in the match for 7th place. The women’s university volleyball team thus secured 7th place.
We heartily congratulate the athletes who fought with all their might and represented the University of South Bohemia at the Summer World University Games in Germany! Their performances help maintain the high standard and significance of university sports.
