For the first time in years at the MIK Students’ Union’s annual Volleyball Cup, an international student team has claimed victory. The "Madions of POTE," a team of medical students from the University of Pécs, rose to the occasion, defeating tough competitors and securing their place as champions. Held on 14th November, this year’s tournament brought together 12 teams, including the mixed "Diggers in Paris" and MIK’s own "Eszti and the Barbies," who secured second and third places, respectively.
The competition welcomed teams from diverse backgrounds, including Hungarian and international students. While the tournament has been a staple event for years, it's a rare occurrence for international students to claim victory.
The Madions’ journey to the championship began as a summer hobby. "We’re all from the Medical School and already knew each other," shared team member Amirhossein Mehri in an interview after the victory. "We started playing volleyball weekly during the summer, more as a way to stay active and have fun. But when we got the email about the tournament, we saw it as a chance to test ourselves."
Despite their informal preparation, the team’s strong bond and shared experiences proved instrumental.
"We didn’t have formal training;
it was just friendly games. But those games built synchronization, which became our greatest strength during the tournament. A week before the event, we planned our rotations and strategies, which also helped," Amirhossein Mehri explained.
The Madions faced tough competition from Hungarian teams, including the mixed group "Diggers in Paris" and MIK’s "Eszti and the Barbies." Though the tournament started with minor synchronization issues, the team improved with each match, building confidence and momentum.
While most games were smooth sailing for the Madions, their first match proved challenging. "There were moments where things felt out of control," the player admitted. "But as we played more, our teamwork clicked, and we got better and better." The final match, culminating in the decisive victory, stood out as the most memorable moment for the team.
Despite the late-night games that stretched until 2 a.m., the team celebrated their victory modestly. Now, their focus is on defending their title next year.
"If everything goes well, we’ll definitely be back," Mehri promised.
The team is even considering forming a second squad, humorously predicting a first and second-place finish for the Madions of POTE.
During the interview the player emphasized the importance of camaraderie and had a message for future participants:
"Get to know each other, have fun, and play together regularly. It’s about enjoying the experience, not just winning."
The Madions of POTE’s victory is more than a trophy - it’s a milestone in fostering inclusivity and engagement at the University of Pécs. Their win sends a powerful message: international students are an integral part of campus life, capable of achieving greatness both in academics and extracurricular activities.
As the university community reflects on this year’s tournament, the hope is that more students - Hungarian and international - will be inspired to participate, collaborate, and continue breaking barriers together. The Madions’ success is just the beginning of a new chapter in campus sports.
Members of Madions of POTE:
- Faraz Nouri,
- Alireza Aubi,
- Amirhossein Mehri,
- Raya Rezaei,
- Amirhossein Nazempour
- Sajjad Fakhlaee
- Seyed Mohammadreza Bathaei,
- Seyed Mehrab Bathaei.
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