It’s been an unforgettable week for JCU Gladiators—a week that will be remembered in Gladiators history.
Our student-athletes and staff recently returned from the International Sports Festival hosted by Deree in Athens, where they competed across four sports: 🎾 Tennis 🏀 Women’s Basketball (our tournament debut!) ⚽ Men’s Soccer ⚽ Women’s 5v5 Soccer
Making History in Athens
Among the highlights from Athens, our Women’s 5v5 Soccer team delivered a gold-medal performance, earning 1st place in the tournament. This marks a historic milestone for the program, building on their 2018 debut where they finished second.
“We came here to leave our mark, and we did just that,” said Coach Beatrice, proudly reflecting on the team’s journey.
The tournament also saw incredible efforts from our debuting Women’s Basketball team, as well as the Tennis and Men’s Soccer teams, who faced high-level international competition with grit and determination. Organizing participation across four sports in such a short timeframe was a challenge—and our staff pulled it off with heart and hustle.
Back in Rome, and straight into glory
Only days after returning from Athens, our Men’s Soccer team had little time to rest before facing their most important match of the season: the Europa League Semifinal against Unicamillus.
Despite recent struggles in Athens, the team came together and played one of their strongest matches of the year. The result?
🎉 A WIN that secured JCU’s first-ever appearance in the Europa League Final for Men’s Soccer!
“I’ve been fighting since the beginning of the year to see exactly this: a real team, capable of staying united even through tough times. Finally, I saw THE TEAM. The guys played with great maturity, making the most of their chances and enduring when they had to.It’s not over yet!” said Coach Ion Marian, moments after the final whistle.
This achievement is especially significant considering the adversity the team faced abroad. Their response? Unity, resilience, and belief in one another.
The Finals are here: a Saturday packed with Champions
And now, we look ahead to a massive day for JCU Athletics. On Saturday, April 12th, our Gladiators will compete in five Europa League FINALS:
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs Unicamillus, 9 am at Palatorrino, Via del Fiume Giallo, 47
🎾 COED Tennis vs Roma3, 10 am at Salaria Village, Via S. Gaggio, 5
🏓 COED Padel vs Lumsa, 10 am at Salaria Village, Via S. Gaggio, 5
⚽ Women’s 5v5 Soccer vs Sapienza, 3 pm at Salaria Village, Via S. Gaggio, 5
⚽ Men’s Soccer vs. Link Campus University, 10 am at Salaria Village, Via S. Gaggio, 5— the first final appearance in program history!
Proud. Grateful. Ready.
To all our student-athletes: thank you. Your work ethic, resilience, and passion continue to raise the bar. To our faculty and staff: thank you for supporting these students through both academics and athletics. To our organizers: thank you for pulling together an international trip and a championship week, all at once.
And to our community—come support your Gladiators this Saturday. Let’s fill the stands and bring that JCU spirit where it belongs: beside our teams as they fight for gold.
