The results of the team draw are now known!

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games team sport groups were drawn at the incredible “Luftschiffhangar” in Mülheim an der Ruhr on 7 April.

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games are officially launched! Or at least it definitely feels this way after the team draw, the arrival of the flame in the Rhine and Ruhr region and the 100 days to go celebration.

Pictures of the first day of the HoD Meeting

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On the first evening of the spring Heads of Delegation (HoD) meeting, all participants were anxiously and excitedly awaiting the draw for all three team sports that will feature in Germany in July. Innovation was also a very welcome guest as, for the first time in FISU history, the draw was done digitally thanks to FISU partner Bornan, even if there were still some great athletes – and former FISU event participants – pushing the launch button.

“Student-athletes don’t just compete: they exchange ideas through mutual respect, develop friendships and become even more tolerant”, reminded FISU Secretary and CEO, Matthias Remund in his welcome speech. “Thank you Rhine-Ruhr 2025 for giving this opportunity for the leaders of tomorrow!”

Recap on team selection

FISU Games Summer Director Jing Zhao enthusiastically shared how excited and happy she was to be at this very special event, before explaining the strict draw rules. The team selection was done on 16 January 2025 with the following criteria:

• Registration and payment of the team deposit according to the deadline
• Host of the current Games (Germany), next FISU Games host (Republic of Korea), teams who finished with the highest ranking in the most recent FISU event (first two quarters)
• FISU ranking or IF ranking (third quarter);
• Continental distribution with priority to unranked teams (fourth quarter).

All six categories have teams coming from four continents: America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Water polo

Two times Olympian and current water polo coach, Aleksandar Radovic was the first to push the buzzer. “Water polo in Duisburg means passion. I am sure this summer the international atmosphere will be absolutely fantastic.” Signing the official results sheet was the FISU water polo technical committee chair, Nikolaos Vasileiou from Greece.

Volleyball

Beach volleyball star Karla Borger, who won gold at the FISU Universiade in 2011 in Shenzhen (China) “This was my first medal and it always will hold a special place in my heart, even if I have been to the Olympic Games twice. It definitely helped me build my career”. She admits that like most beach volleyball players, she also started indoors, enjoying a sport which has always been on the International University Sports Federation Programme. Signing the official results sheet was the FISU volleyball technical committee chair, Melanie Sanford from Canada.

Basketball

3X3 basketball Olympic champion in Paris 2024, Sonja Greinacher was the last super star to press the buzzer. “Sunny G” was also named MVP at the tournament in France. “Unfortunately I never competed at the FISU World Games, but I am super happy 3×3 basketball is on the programme in July! I see Germany has drawn USA in the women’s tournament. Pretty tough indeed, but if you want to become champions, you simply need to beat them all!” Signing the official results sheet was the FISU basketball technical committee chair, Kosta Iliev from Bulgaria.

For beach volleyball, badminton and table tennis, the groups will be drawn at the first general technical meeting at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games. For 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball, the groups will be announced before the first general technical meeting and once the last version of the technical handbooks has been approved.

As the sun set on the incredible setting for the draw, delegations from all over the world and members and volunteers from the organising committee all shared a common excitement in counting the next 99 days until the opening ceremony…