Full of anticipation, the two KIT beach handball teams set off for Debrecen on July 20 to take part in the EUSA Games 2024. After a long car journey, accreditation, the GTM and a joint training session with @wgkoeln.beachhandball, the group phase got underway.

The goal was clear for the boys: they had to finish second in the group stage in order to avoid the heavyweights from Malaga and Budapest, who were full of national players, in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, they suffered a more than avoidable defeat in the shootout against the second Hungarian university in the first group game. After a win against the Turkish university from Dumlupinar and a defeat against Zagreb, the team still managed to qualify for the quarter-finals, but then crashed out against the eventual tournament winners from Malaga. In the placement round, they still managed to finish in sixth place, thus achieving the goals they had set themselves.

The starting situation for the girls was even more difficult, as Hungary and Croatia were two of the absolute top teams in their group. In order to reach one of the coveted semi-final places, a surprise victory against one of the favorites was needed. It was even close for long stretches against Karoly Gaspar University Hungary, but then it was clear against Zagreb and after a defeat in the shootout against Cologne, it was all about the goal they had set themselves in the placement round: 5th place. There the girls were finally able to show their qualities and, after a clear victory against Eszterhazy Karoly Catholic University, took revenge on Cologne for the defeat in the group phase and finished the tournament in a satisfying 5th place.

There were also many great experiences off the pitch. Friendships from previous years were strengthened and new ones forged. Numerous jersey swaps strengthened international cohesion.

In contrast to previous years, however, there were also many unpleasant experiences. Topics such as nationalism, the shift to the right in Europe and homophobia were omnipresent. Nazi slogans were frequently shouted at us, the Cologne badminton athletes were threatened with disqualification for using the LGBTQ flag and Hungarian politicians also sang nationalist songs on stage at the Closing Ceremony.

In the end, however, the positive impressions outweighed the negative ones. What remains in our minds is a great event with many wonderful moments. Above all, we would like to thank University Sports for the organization, as well as the teams from Göttingen and Cologne for the great mutual support.

PS: @RhineRuhrGames we still want the promised socks and bags ;)