The European Sambo Cup, an event that opened the 2026 international competition calendar, took place in Dubrovnik, one of the most beautiful cities on the Adriatic. The tournament was held at a high organizational and sporting level, becoming a vibrant celebration of skill and friendship between nations. Athletes from 13 countries participated in the competition.
An important component of the event in Dubrovnik was the international training seminar for referees and coaches, held in advance of the competition. The integration of the educational component into the European Sambo Cup program once again underscored the commitment of the European Sambo community to uniform, high standards of professionalism.
The work of the Croatian Sambo Federation deserves special thanks. The organizers succeeded in creating favorable conditions for the athletes and representatives, providing logistics, modern infrastructure, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Mr. Željko Banić, President of the Croatian Sambo Federation, noted the tournament’s significance for the region: “We are honored to host the European Cup in Dubrovnik. This tournament is the culmination of our long and painstaking work to popularize Sambo in Croatia. We see growing interest in our sport, and the successful hosting of such a large-scale event demonstrates that Croatia is ready to become a regular venue for major international competitions.”
Mr. Mario Jurković, Secretary General of the Croatian Sambo Federation, added: “Organizing an event of this magnitude requires a tremendous effort from the entire team. We strived to ensure that every participant—from the athlete to the judge—felt as comfortable as possible. We are pleased that our colleagues from other countries appreciated our hospitality, and we hope that Dubrovnik will leave everyone with only the warmest memories.”
The European Sambo Federation (ESF) expressed its official gratitude to the Croatian Sambo Federation for organizing the European Cup. ESF President Sergey Eliseev noted that the high standard set in Dubrovnik is an excellent example of effective cooperation between the national federation and municipal authorities.
“We thank our Croatian colleagues for their contribution to the development of European Sambo. Dubrovnik has shown the world that Sambo is a spectacular, professional, and rapidly developing sport. Thanks to such organizers, we look confidently to the future.”
The European Cup in Dubrovnik was a significant milestone of the season, laying a solid foundation for future success for European Sambo athletes on the international stage. We congratulate the winners, runners-up, and all participants on this sporting event.