The
University of Pécs Medical School secured third place at the 52nd Medical Cup,
held in Szeged from April 11–13.
Organized annually since 1972, the Medical Cup brings together nearly 400 athletes and thousands of fans. Hosted in rotation by Hungary’s four medical universities — Semmelweis, Debrecen, Szeged, and Pécs — this year’s event followed POTE’s 2024 win in Debrecen, with the team finishing third in Szeged.
The event featured men's and women's teams competing in handball, basketball, football, water polo, and volleyball, creating a lively atmosphere and fostering a strong sense of community among students.
POTE stood out in handball, winning first place in the men’s category. Both the men’s and women’s football teams, as well as the women’s basketball team, earned second place finishes.
The tournament opened with a city-wide party in Szeged. Saturday featured intense round-robin matches, followed by celebratory gatherings. Finals took place on Sunday, with POTE fans — donning bull-headed shirts — cheering wildly and chanting, "Everyone wants to be from Pécs," "Pécs is here," and "POTE ollé!"
"Wherever POTE has shown up, the atmosphere has always been incredible. We have a tight-knit community like no other! I’d especially highlight the wild, 1.5-hour-long party before the closing ceremony in front of the Pick Arena — it was unforgettable. By the end of the third day, many students from the three rival universities were cheering in POTE shirts, which I consider an exceptional achievement. We are extremely proud of all our teams. We’ve built amazing communities and outstanding teams — they’re sure to win next year," said Balázs Takáts, a fourth-year medical student and President of the Student Council, the lead supporter of the UPMS team.
"The atmosphere was fantastic throughout all three days. I think we were the loudest fans! I was part of a great community — it was powerful, and I hope our athletes felt that energy too. This was my fourth Medical Cup, and I just love the vibe. I’ll definitely be there next year when it’s held in Pécs," said one fan.