| 24 Mar 2021

Novi Sad and Varaždin to host Europe Cup women and men

TTC Novi Sad has been awarded the rights to host the Europe Cup women final tournament 2020-2021 which will be held at the SPENS Arena in Novi Sad, Serbia on 5-9 May. While, STK STARR Croatia has been awarded the rights to host the Europe Cup men final tournament 2020-2021 in Varaždin, Croatia on 12-15 May 2021.

The ETTU together with the hosts will establish robust health guidelines to ensure a safe environment for all involved. Following the successful and safe delivery of the Champions League bubbles held in December 2020, the ETTU is looking forward to staging its firs competition in 2021.

Novi Sad is very pleased to have been awarded the tournament in the year of big jubilee.

"This is the great opportunity for us to prove our hospitality and organization skills in a year when we celebrates the special date. Four decades ago Novi Sad was the host of the World Championships. The venue of the Europe Cup final this year was purposely built for the needs of the Championships. We only regret the absence of the spectators, but it will be broadcast on the TV and Internet live streaming on the top of our priorities, so everyone will be able to enjoy good action" said STK Novi Sad President Dane FRACILE.

With 11 teams from Europe Cup and five confirmed Champions League relegated clubs, ETTU decided to include all teams into a group stage round with 4 groups of 4 teams followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final.

STK STARR will host the tournament in Varaždin, the city that organised the last European event before the COVID-19 outbreak– the European Under 21 Championships. Now, Arena in Varazdin will open its doors for the Europe Cup men final tournament, but even before the final, Croatia's club will host the groups C and D in the first round of the event, this weekend.

"STK STARR is grateful for the opportunity to organise the final tournament. We see it as a reward for all our previous efforts to organise the events, especially under the difficult circumstances of the pandemic. We already proved we can organise the competitions in a "bubble" environment and that we can provide the participants with the best possible conditions to play and to focus on their achievements. With great anticipation we await the guests from all over the Europe," said STARR President Ronald REDJEP.

This weekend eight teams from Europe Cup group stage 1 will qualify for the final tournament and 6 teams from Champions League (relegated teams) confirmed participation to the final tournament of Europe Cup. ETTU decided to include all teams (8+6=14) into a group stage round with two groups of four teams and two groups of three teams followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final.