Daily Blog Day 9: The vital role of Volunteers

The highlights on Thursday were significant: the volunteer parties in Essen and Berlin, the semi-final between the German women's water polo team and New Zealand, and the German men's basketball semi-final against Brazil. The German women narrowly defeated New Zealand and will now compete in Saturday’s final. The men lost their basketball semi-final and will play for bronze, while the German men's water polo team also fell short and will now face Hungary in the bronze medal match.

The volunteer parties in Essen and Berlin were also a huge success. These events celebrated the people who embodied the positive spirit and team ethos of the Games. Without the volunteers, the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games simply wouldn't have been possible. They play a vital role, offering support in every area — thank you!

On Thursday, the final competitions took place in Berlin, with the men’s volleyball finals providing a fitting conclusion. In the bronze medal match, Italy secured a 3-1 victory over Japan. The final was a more straightforward affair, as Poland claimed gold with a dominant 3-0 win against Brazil. “I’m really happy about the win. It’s so exciting to stand on the podium. Our team worked very well together, and we’re proud to have competed at the FISU Games in Germany,” said Poland’s Aliaksei Nasevich, gold medal around his neck.

Today’s blog post comes from the General German University Sports Federation (adh), represented by Janina, Dustin and Svea.

We, the student board of adh (Allgemeiner Deutscher Hochschulsportverband) — Janina, Dustin and Svea — had the honour of properly celebrating the volunteers today, and rightfully so! These committed individuals brought the spirit of the Games to life over the past days and weeks, and today they had their very own volunteer party at the Champions Park. It was finally our chance, on behalf of Team Studi and the host organisation adh, to give a massive thank you. Without our volunteers, this kind of multi-sport mega event wouldn’t be possible. They fill the Games with energy and passion, always ready to help, answering questions big or small at every turn. We were especially happy to meet many of these dedicated volunteers in person and learn more about their motivations and stories.

As the student board, we also used this opportunity to inspire engaged students in Germany to join our association. With our “Stube” (short for STUdentisch BEgegnen – “student encounters”), we offer many ways to get involved with adh, building on the spirit and interests of those already volunteering. For students who want to stay active beyond the Games, the Stube and adh are the perfect fit. It’s a space where students from across Germany can connect, shape the organisation through the Stube or committees, and take part in events both large and small. So if you’re studying in Germany and have an interest in university sport, health, sustainability or competition — come and join the Stube and the adh! Just reach out to us.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, we can expect 20 medal events across all sports except badminton, beach volleyball and water polo. JC Zeller will be performing at the Dreieckswiese, following the lively Kids Rave. In Essen’s Grugahalle, the women's basketball matches for gold, silver and bronze will take place — and will also be broadcast live to the Grugapark, offering something for everyone.