The first Polish University Floorball Championship took place in Warsaw, September 14th to 16th. After three years of efforts and organising the Polish University Cup, floorball joined the group of sports in the Polish University Championship series (highest level of university games).
The debut was very successful, because despite the epidemiological situation, 14 teams from all over the country participated in the tournament.
– Due to the epidemiological situation, we had to postpone the tournament from June to September and the tournament itself required many restrictions to make the event as safe as possible for all participants. Attendance was around half less than expected, but the main thing is that the participants could compete together and enjoy playing floorball, said Magdalena Dąbrowska, member of the Organising Committee.
University games are played with the Swiss small field version – slightly smaller court and three field players playing on each side with goalkeepers. In addition, the teams are mixed, so during the entire match on the field should be at least one player of both genders.
– The format of playing matches 3 v 3 and with mixed teams is not a coincidence. In this format everyone on the field has an influence on the match. In floorball, as in any other sport, it’s not about what makes us different, but about what we have in common. Each person shares a lifetime passion, willingness to team-up and the enjoyment of playing. All of this combine into very positive and unique emotions that cannot be described without being at the tournament, said Maciej Konieczka, Tournament Coordinator of Polish University Championship in Floorball.
After three days of games, team of AGH University of Science and Technology from Kraków won the gold medal without losing a single game during the entire tournament. In the final match they faced team of State University in Sanok, and won after penalty shoot-out. The match for the bronze medal was also decided in penalty shoot-outs, there the team from Rzeszów University of Technology defeated the University of Physical Education from Warsaw.
Among over 100 participants there were players from the Polish Women’s and Men’s Extraliga as well as the Polish national teams. They set the example that university studies and sports development can be achieved simultaneously.
More info and source: Polski Unihokej
