Following the 49th edition of the Medic’s Cup in Pécs and the 50th Medic’s Cup on home soil, which ended with a title defense, Semmelweis University triumphed again in this year’s 52nd edition in Szeged. In the prestigious sports tournament involving the four Hungarian medical schools (Semmelweis University, the University of Debrecen, the University of Pécs, and the University of Szeged), Semmelweis took first place in men’s football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s volleyball. The men’s and women’s water polo, women’s handball, and women’s volleyball teams took second place. The women’s football team came third, while the men’s handball team finished fourth. This year, women’s football was counted in the overall standings for the first time, while women’s water polo will be counted in the points competition from next year.
Semmelweis University came first in the men’s events, followed by Pécs, Szeged, and Debrecen. The women’s overall was taken by Debrecen, with Semmelweis coming second ahead of Szeged and Pécs. Semmelweis won the overall competition with 32 points; the University of Szeged came second with 24 points, the University of Pécs third with 23 points, and Debrecen fourth with 20 points.
Most importantly, we have accomplished what we came here for: to take home the Medic’s Cup trophy for the third time in the last four years. Last year, the University of Pécs was the champion in Debrecen, but now Semmelweis is back once again. – Dr. Béla Merkely
The Rector stressed that the teams, made up of students from the university, fought hard, with very little stopping them from performing even better. “The athletes competed and played with sportsmanship, everyone wanted to achieve their very best. The coaches, whose role cannot be stressed enough, meant a lot. The same goes for the fans who have supported the team throughout,” he added.
As Dr. Béla Merkely pointed out, “The Medic’s Cup is of great importance for Semmelweis University, as we are not only the leading medical school in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe, offering outstanding performance in patient care, education, and research – but we also strive to be the best in sports, and this motivates us.” The rector also thanked the university’s management, who were present at the competitions in almost full attendance. This is further proof of the Semmelweis Family’s commitment to sport and good performance.
“The well-planned, extensive training, during which the new coaches brought new ideas and energy to the teams, worked well on the pitch,” Kornélia Várszegi explained to our website. According to the Director of the Physical Education and Sports Center, the cohesion of the teams, the mutual respect, and the way the students united and stood up for each other, not only as athletes but also as individuals, were just as important as the sporting performance.
Our fans were beside us on the pitch and by the pool like an extra player helping the teams, so huge thanks to the ultras and all the fans. – Kornélia Várszegi
The director also expressed her appreciation to the graduating students, who are now bidding farewell to the teams, but the rules allow them to return to play again next year.
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“After last year’s event, we immediately started brainstorming on how we could improve our cheering. Our ultras had been preparing for the competition since the end of last year: They made different signs, flags, wrote chants, and visited the matches to cheer on the university teams. I am so proud of our athletes, but also of all our fans, without whom this great atmosphere would not have been possible,” emphasized Csenge Gecsey, President of the Students’ Union (HÖK). A total of 650 fans cheered on the university’s teams, something HÖK has worked hard to organize. “It was a huge motivation that the university leadership was there to support the teams and cheered them on, I would like to thank them for that,” said the President of HÖK.
Ádám Szabó
Translation: Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Photos by Bálint Barta – Semmelweis University
