The 20th Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) concluded today in Andorra, with a Closing Ceremony celebrating the success of the athletes from the nine participating National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
More than 1,000 athletes from the NOCs of Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and San Marino delivered thrilling competition across 19 disciplines at the GSSE, showcasing the Olympic Values of excellence, respect and friendship.
The Closing Ceremony reflected on the achievements of each of the NOCs at the GSSE, and praised the volunteers for their outstanding efforts in ensuring the success of the event.
It included a speech from Andorra’s Minister for Culture, Youth and Sport Mònica Bonell Tuset, before the Games were declared closed by NOC of Andorra President Xavier Espot Miró.
Monaco will host the next edition of the GSSE in 2027, and EOC Treasurer Peter Mennel took part in the ceremonial GSSE flag handover at the Closing Ceremony.
“The EOC is proud that this week, the focus has been on you – the athletes from your nine National Olympic Committees,” he said.
“Thank you to the Head of the Government of the Principality of Andorra Xavier Espot Zamora, the Mayor of Andorra la Vella, the Organising Committee, the NOC of Andorra and everyone who has worked so hard to make the magic happen.
“And to the wonderful volunteers: your smiles have illuminated our time here. We cannot thank you enough.”
Cyprus finished top of the medal table at the GSSE in Andorra after a fruitful final day of competition took them up to 36 golds, 30 silvers and 42 bronzes.
Olivia Fotopoulou won the Women’s 200m gold in Athletics on the final day of competition, doubling up after her success in the 100m earlier during the GSSE.
Grigoris Nikolaou triumphed in the Men’s Triple Jump, Kalypso Stavrou won the Women’s 400m Hurdles, Konstantinos Tziakouris took Men’s 110m Hurdles gold, and Cyprus also won the Women’s 4x100m Relay and Women’s 4x400m Relay.
Maria Avgousti completed a remarkable clean sweep of Rhythmic Gymnastics golds, following yesterday’s Individual All-Around and Team competition victories with further success in the Individual Ball, Clubs, Hoop and Ribbon.
Luxembourg enjoyed an excellent final day to climb to second on the medal table with 32 golds, 27 silvers and 27 bronzes.
They won all of the Men’s and Women’s Individual and Team Cycling Road Races, including a shared gold medal in the Women’s Individual race as Marie Schreiber and Nina Berton could not be separated at the finish line. Luxembourg also beat Cyprus to triumph in both Men’s and Women’s Volleyball.
Iceland placed third on the medal table with 26 golds, 22 silvers and 27 bronzes. The full medal table can be found here.
Full results from the GSSE can be accessed here.
