The EU-CONEXUS Minifootball Championship 2025 concluded with a celebration of sport, student leadership, and European cooperation, reaffirming the role of student-led initiatives in promoting collaboration, inclusion, and active engagement across European university communities.


Taking place 25-27 April, this year the tournament brought together 20 student teams from across Romania, representing the cities of Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, and Târgu Jiu. This event was made possible by the dedication of over 50 volunteers who contributed to the planning, logistics, and execution stages.

The final standings of the competition are as follows:

  • 1st Place – National University of Defence “Carol I” (UNAP)
  • 2nd Place – Ozangeles
  • 3rd Place – Association of Students at Civil Engineering in Bucharest (ASCB)
  • Fair Play Award – Dynamics UTCN


Individual distinctions

  • Most Valuable Player (MVP): Stancu Ștefan-Valeriu
  • Top Scorer: Chiripuș Andrei
  • Best Goalkeeper: Oprică Andrei


The event was organised under the umbrella of the EU-CONEXUS Call for Student Projects and hosted at the Complexul Cultural Sportiv Studențesc Tei, in Bucharest. The championship was also supported by key partners: the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (UTCB), the Romanian Minifootball Federation, andu.shop, aneedle, and Radio București as the official media partner.


One of the highlights of this edition was the return of a well-established tradition: the Students vs. Professors match, which offered an opportunity for informal interaction, mutual appreciation, and further strengthened the university spirit through sport.

In a true demonstration of EU-CONEXUS values, students from Croatia and Greece also joined the championship, travelling to Romania to participate, engage in intercultural dialogue, and support the event alongside their Romanian peers.


The entire competition was organised by two students from UTCB: Alexandru Ioniță and Andra Naciu. Their leadership, coordination, and commitment ensured a high-quality experience for all participants.


“Organising the 2nd edition of the EU-CONEXUS Minifootball Cup in Bucharest has been an incredible journey — one powered by passion, teamwork, and the vibrant energy of student-led initiatives. For me, football is more than just a sport; it’s a way of life. It teaches discipline, builds resilience, and creates connections that extend beyond borders — values that resonate deeply with both my academic path in civil engineering and the EU-CONEXUS spirit.

Seeing our vision come to life with over 20 teams and international participation from our two colleagues from Croatia and Greece has been truly rewarding. It wasn’t just a competition — we took this opportunity to celebrate community, cultural exchange, and the power of students to shape meaningful experiences. am grateful for the support of EU-CONEXUS, UTCB, and all the volunteers who helped to make this edition unforgettable. Together, we proved that, with passion and purpose, students can build more than just careers — we can build bridges not only in civil engineering but also in our greater EU-CONEXUS community,” remarked one of the organisers, Alexandru Ioniță from UTCB.


“This edition meant more than just a football tournament – it was an opportunity to build bridges between students from different backgrounds, promote shared values, and show what the European spirit truly looks like in action. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and passion,” stated Andra Naciu, co-organiser.


At EU-CONEXUS, we are proud to see students from our alliance not only benefiting from international opportunities but also taking initiative and bringing their visions to life. The Minifootball Championship is a testament to the creativity, leadership, and teamwork that emerge when students are empowered to shape their own experiences.


All participating teams showed remarkable fair play, competing with integrity, respect, and true sportsmanship. The organisers also forwarded heartfelt thanks to the referees, whose dedication and impartiality were key to the smooth progress of every match. As a token of appreciation, the organisers issued symbolic awards for them, acknowledging the essential role of referees in the success of this event.


This project once again demonstrated that sport is a powerful tool for connection, inclusion, and personal development within the academic environment. It also strengthened social networks, created shared, lasting memories, and embodied the promise of continued collaboration across borders.