Dubrovnik, Republic of Croatia — January 16, 2026 — Today, an important preparation stage before the official start of the European Sambo Cup concluded: an intensive training seminar for referees and coaches took place here over two days, January 15 and 16.
Enhanced qualifications and uniform standards.
The two-day seminar was organized for referees and coaches. The referees’ seminar was organized to update the competition rules, analyze complex technical issues, and synchronize evaluation criteria in sport and combat Sambo. For coaches, the seminar served as a platform for exchanging experiences and discussing modern methods of preparing athletes for international competitions, as well as technical nuances that can assist in athlete preparation.
The final countdown to the start of the European Cup
While theoretical discussions were underway in the conference halls, the final technical preparations were completed at the Dubrovnik sports arena. Today, teams are undergoing final registration and weigh-ins, while organizers are putting the finishing touches on the hall’s decor.
Željko Banić, President of the Croatian Sambo Federation: “It’s a very important step for us to bring major competitions back to Croatia. Our federation has grown significantly in strength recently, so we’re ready for new challenges and want to begin hosting the largest Sambo events in Croatia. This year, the European Cup has returned to the competition calendar. There are some challenges, but we will overcome them and continue to improve the level of competition.”