Nearly 6,000 student athletes participated in the 13-day Games, which saw 409 universities from 41 countries compete in 24 sports.

Haris Pavletić, who helped organise the Games in his role as vice-president of Zagreb-Rijeka, believed the event exceeded expectations.

“This great story is coming to an end in the best possible way, and students will return to their homes with beautiful memories and new friends,” he claimed.

“Students from all over Europe will carry the story of our country back home, and, judging from their feedback, all participants are really satisfied.

“The European Universities Games have met and exceeded their goals, both in the number of participants and in the success of the entire organisation.

“The legacy of these Games, such as the newly built student dormitory in Rijeka and the renovated dormitories and sports facilities in Zagreb, are the things which made this effort worthwhile.”

The Closing Ceremony of the Games took place at the Mladost Stadium in Zagreb, with each competing nation entering the arena.

It followed the conclusion of competition, with basketball 3x3 among one of the last events to draw to a close.

Serbia’s University of Kragujevac were triumphant over the University of Split in the men’s final, while Lithuanian Sports University won the women’s competition ahead of University of Ljubljana.

Hosts the University of Zagreb finished top of the final medals table with a tally of 30 gold, 22 silver and 16 bronze.

Their haul ensured Croatia were the most successful country, achieving 45 gold, 33 silver and 29 bronze medals.

“Rijeka, Zagreb, and all of Croatia should be proud of the great success of the Games,” said Adam Roczek, President of the European University Sports Association.

“You have brought together thousands of people in the name of sport, made us feel like one big family and organised the best European Universities Games in history.”

The next European Universities Games is due to take place in Coimbra in Portugal in 2018.