Zagreb and Rijeka - Hosts of the European Universities Games

Two countdown clocks, one in Zagreb’s main square of Ban Josip Jelačić and the other in front of the Rijeka City Library, have been revealed to mark the official countdown to the beginning of the European Universities Games which will take place in the two cities between July 12th and 26th.

Two clocks, one in Rijeka and the other in Zagreb, the host cities of the European Universities Games, were revealed recently to mark the official countdown to the beginning of the biggest sporting competition for university students. 

The European Universities Games will take place in the two cities between July 12^th and 26^th, and  involve more than five thousand student athletes from more than three hundred universities in 45 countries. They will compete in 21 different sporting disciplines, while two sports – swimming and table tennis, will also feature competitions for disabled students.

The official mascot of the European Universities Games, a charming hamster, was also present when the clocks in the centres of Zagreb and Rijeka were started. He was one of three finalists in the competition and was chosen by the citizens, who also suggested his name Hrki. His authors are Vedran Rede and Matija Tomšić. The mascot, conceived based on the idea “Heart Believes – Mind Achieves”, is a small charming animal whose greatest pleasure is running. He suggests that taking part and having fun in the process is the most important thing, regardless of end sporting results – because in this competition everyone is a winner.