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A Spectacular Success: The 2025 GSSE in Andorra Deliver Six Days of Sporting Magic

Written by jose.rivas on . Posted in Andorra 2025, GSSE, Summer Sports. No Comments on A Spectacular Success: The 2025 GSSE in Andorra Deliver Six Days of Sporting Magic

Andorra la Vella, 2 June 2025 – The curtain has closed on the 20th edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), and what a week it was! From 26 May to 1 June, more than 1,500 athletes from nine European microstates lit up Andorra in a celebration of sport, friendship and competition.

Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and San Marino all sent their best athletes to compete across 14 disciplines, including athletics, swimming, cycling, judo, basketball, karate and more.

🏅 Final Medal Table

After six days of fierce yet friendly competition, the final standings were as follows:

🌍 Highlights by Nation

🇨🇾 Cyprus emerged as the dominant force, excelling in athletics and cycling. Their men’s 400m hurdles champion clocked an impressive 51.74 seconds, while their time trial squad claimed top honours on two wheels.

🇮🇸 Iceland shone in the pool and on the track. Sprinter Guðbjörg Jóna Bjarnadóttir grabbed bronze in the women’s 400m with a time of 54.99 seconds.

🇱🇺 Luxembourg delivered a consistent performance. The men’s 4x400m relay team stormed to gold with a strong 3:13.70 finish.

🇲🇹 Malta made waves in team sports, especially basketball and volleyball, and picked up valuable medals on the track as well.

🇦🇩 Andorra, the proud host nation, achieved its best-ever GSSE performance with 55 medals. Local heroes like Pol Moya, Nahuel Carabaña, and tennis star Vicky Jiménez ignited the home crowd with podium finishes.

🇸🇲 San Marino impressed in judo and athletics, continuing its steady medal-winning tradition.

🇱🇮 Liechtenstein made their mark in mountain biking and swimming, showing they’re a force to be reckoned with in endurance sports.

🇲🇨 Monaco picked up medals in artistic swimming and athletics, maintaining a balanced and competitive presence.

🇲🇪 Montenegro, despite a smaller squad, made notable gains in judo and middle-distance running, reflecting their ongoing sporting development.

🎉 More Than Medals

The 2025 GSSE wasn’t just about standings and results. It was a festival of unity, youth, and top-tier talent. The organisation was smooth, the venues world-class, and the energy unmatched. Fans filled the stands, volunteers worked tirelessly, and athletes delivered performances to remember.

These Games proved once again that being small doesn’t mean thinking small. The GSSE continues to showcase what sport is really about – excellence, respect and connection.

Next stop: the 2027 Games

European Canoe Slalom Elite Meet in Vaires-sur-Marne

Written by jose.rivas on . Posted in Andorra 2025, Sports, Summer Sports. No Comments on European Canoe Slalom Elite Meet in Vaires-sur-Marne

The 2025 Canoe Slalom European Championships, held from 14 to 18 May in Vaires-sur-Marne (France), concluded with a strong showing from the host nation, particularly in the kayak cross discipline. The event brought together many of Europe’s top paddlers in one of the key competitions of the whitewater calendar.

Kayak Cross: Home Advantage Counts

French athletes delivered notable performances in kayak cross — a fast-paced and tactical discipline involving head-to-head racing through a slalom course.

  • Camille Prigent was crowned European champion in the women’s event, displaying consistency and control throughout the elimination rounds and final.
  • In the men’s event, Boris Neveu reached the final and stood out as one of the key performers, underlining France’s strength in the discipline.

Balanced Podiums and High-Level Competition

The championships featured strong competition across all categories, with medals shared among traditional slalom nations including Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Great Britain.

Events were held in both individual and team formats across C1 (single canoe), K1 (single kayak) and kayak cross, for both men and women. The field featured a mix of experienced paddlers and emerging talents, contributing to a technically demanding and engaging championship.

For full results and further details, visit the official website of the European Canoe Association: www.canoe-europe.org

Countdown to the Start of the Games

Written by jose.rivas on . Posted in Andorra 2025, EOC, GSSE, Summer Sports. No Comments on Countdown to the Start of the Games

Just two weeks to go until the Games of the Small States of Europe Andorra 2025 kick off, and you can already feel the buzz in the air. Banners are going up on lampposts and balconies, and sports venues are being fine-tuned in every detail. With the clock ticking down, we already know the key elements that will give this edition its personality: the mascot, the torch, and the cauldron have all been unveiled.

Now, all eyes are on the final team lists. National squads are putting the finishing touches on preparations, some have already announced preliminary line-ups, and the confirmed athletes for events like athletics, swimming, judo or cycling should be announced any day now. For many of these competitors, the Games are a major milestone—a chance to represent their country in an event that blends sport, culture and connection.

Valiret, the official mascot

Valiret will be the friendly face of the Games. He’s a tamarro—a mythical forest creature from the Pyrenees—given a modern and approachable look. The name was chosen through a public vote and reflects Andorra’s close link to nature, especially its rivers, which bring life and energy to the country. Valiret also nods to the past, reviving the spirit of the 1991 Games—the last time Andorra hosted the event.

A torch inspired by mountains, unity and tradition

The official torch is packed with symbolism. Designed by creative studio Aymara, its shape mimics the silhouette of Comapedrosa, Andorra’s highest peak. Engraved at the base are the names of the country’s seven parishes, a reminder of unity and shared effort. The torch is surrounded by seven metallic rings, representing each parish. Built from stainless steel, the design is clean and sturdy, and the flame inside stands for the Olympic spirit—but also the light that guides those hiking through the mountains. The torch is set to tour all seven parishes before arriving at the National Stadium for the opening ceremony.

The cauldron – still under wraps

The cauldron design is still a secret, but we know it’s the work of Andorran sculptor Toni Cruz. Built from iron, it ties into the country’s mining heritage and aims to represent collective effort, resilience and support. Cruz wants this piece to honour not just athletes, but also the coaches, families, medical staff and volunteers who’ve helped make the journey possible. The big reveal will come on the opening night—when the torch flame arrives and the cauldron is lit to officially launch the Games.

Final touches and growing excitement

As the start date gets closer, preparations are shifting into high gear. Volunteers are in training, delegations are beginning to arrive, and training sessions are picking up pace. Everything needs to be ready—from venue signage to transport schedules between the different sites. For many in Andorra, this is a chance to show the world their warm welcome, organisational skill and love of sport.

Andorra 2025 is shaping up to be a close-knit edition where it’s not just about winning, but also about sharing. With almost everything in place, all that’s left is to welcome the teams, confirm the final names, and get things underway.