Daily Blog Day 6: Golden moments at Rhine-Ruhr 2025

Today, the champions were crowned in both 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball. The venue was packed to the rafters, with fans creating an electric atmosphere for all the teams involved! In 3x3 wheelchair basketball, the German women’s team secured the gold medal, while the Spanish men claimed the title. Over in 3x3 basketball, the German women triumphed in the final, and the Lithuanian men powered their way to gold. With that, the Ruhr Games have come to a close – rounded off in style by a spectacular concert from the band Querbeat at the Jahrhunderthalle.

The RUHR GAMES have now come to an end. Many visitors and families were able to let their passion for sports flourish or take part in a variety of workshops. The Jahrhunderthalle was buzzing, and a big thank you goes out to the hometown of Herbert Grönemeyer.

At the Berlin SSE, the German divers continued to collect medals. Jaden Eikermann and Luis Carlo Avila Sanchez won silver in the synchronized 10-metre platform event. Pauline Pfeif, who had already won silver with Carolina Coordes in synchronized diving on the first day of competition, secured bronze on the 10-metre springboard on Sunday. “From the very first dive to the last, I had goosebumps. It was incredible,” she said afterwards.

Germany’s women’s volleyball team advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 win against Poland – where they will face Italy.

Today’s guest contribution comes from a true gold medallist: Lilly Sellak.

Hello everyone, my name is Lilly Sellak. I play wheelchair basketball for the national team and study medicine at FAU Erlangen.

For the first time in the history of the FISU Games, a parasport was included. That it is 3x3 wheelchair basketball — and held in our own country — is a huge honour for us!

The first big highlight was definitely the opening ceremony in Duisburg! Such a fantastic programme, so many fans and spectators — simply amazing! Because we are all staying in different cities and hotels, it was the first time I met all the German athletes, and it was an incredible feeling to enter the arena as one big team, being the last delegation to walk in.

On Thursday, we played our first two group matches: a narrow loss against Spain and a win against the USA. On Friday evening, we then secured a clear 21-0 victory against Brazil. On our free Saturday, we had the chance to visit other venues and saw taekwondo, table tennis, and fencing at the Essen exhibition hall. Sunday was do or die! Early in the day, we played the semifinal against the USA, and later in the afternoon, our thriller against Spain — which we won in the very last second.

I still can’t quite believe that we won gold here in Bochum as a team! As the first-ever parasport, in our own country, with all our fans, friends, and family — it was an unforgettable experience that no one can ever take away from us! I’m incredibly proud of my teammates and our team performance! Our very first 3x3 tournament, rewarded with gold — it’s just unbelievable!

It has been a great honour for me to be part of the Rhine Ruhr Games 2025 as both an ambassador and athlete!

I wish all athletes the best of luck in their upcoming competitions!

On Monday, several medal events will take place. Swimming, taekwondo, fencing, diving, and athletics will get especially exciting as medals are awarded. Additionally, the Park Festival will open in Essen’s Grugapark. Glockenbach and Alle Farben will bring the party and get everyone fired up.