Riga-Vilnius-Tallinn 2026
This year, Riga-Vilnius-Tallinn “Friendship Cup” is celebrating its 63th anniversary with longstanding partner schools Gustav Adolf Grammar School, Riga State Gymnasium No 1 and Vilnius Vytatutas Magnus Gymnasium – the oldest schools in the Baltic States.
The competition was first held in Riga, on 21-23 March 1961, making it a unique event in the whole Baltics. Since then, the schools’ delegations have met every year in one of the partner schools (except for two years because of the Corona pandemic).
From the very beginning, “Friendship Cup” has been an event for the whole school family, not only athletes. Every spring, students look forward to the competition with excitement. Throughout history, there have been different competitive sports in the event, but basketball and volleyball have become mainstay, while the hosting school chooses the third discipline. “Friendship Cup” is true to its name – in addition to sports, there are different activities to help form new friendships among visiting and local students as well as strengthen the bonds between teachers and headmasters.
Activities in the programme
Opening ceremony – team captains will light the candles in honour of respect and dignity throughout the tournament.
Student delegation size – 30 students, 15 boys and 15 girls. Teams can choose the lineup for basketball and volleyball from the 15 boys/girls in the delegation. All the students participate in pentathlon.
Basketball – Boys 4x10min full game, girls 4x8min “running time”, except during free throws, time-outs and the final 2 min of the 4th quarter.
Volleyball – Boys best of 5 sets. 21 points in each set, deciding set 15 points. Girls best of 3 sets. 25 points in each set, deciding set 15 points.
The third discipline of the competition is a Team Pentathlon. This event is designed to test the versatility of the entire delegation. Here’s how it works:
Each country will divide their delegation of 30 students into five groups.
Each group must consist of 3 girls and 3 boys.
Five different sports will take place simultaneously and each student participates in only one of the five sports.
And the five sports are:
- Table Tennis
- Chess
- Sports Quiz
- 3-Point Basketball Shootout
- Disc Golf
Friendship party – an engaging evening in our old and haunted schoolhouse.
Sightseeing tours – opportunity to admire the beauty of the famous Tallinn Old Town with our student-guides.
Closing ceremony – the top three in girls’ and boys’ basketball and volleyball are announced. The results in pentathon are added to these and the winning school (combined in all three disciplines) will be presented with the cup of the tournament. The most valuable players in basketball and volleyball are awarded. Good wishes for the journey home and for the next tournament.
schedule
25. March WEDNESDAY
12.00 Riga arrival, lunch
13.30 Basketball Tallinn vs Riga / girls
14.30 Basketball Tallinn vs Riga / boys
15.00 Vilnius arrival, lunch
15.30 Teacher’s meeting
16.30 Opening ceremony @Võimla
17.30 Sightseeing for Riga delegation
17.30 Volleyball Tallinn vs Vilnius / girls
18.30 Volleyball Tallinn vs Vilnius / boys
20.00 Accomodation in host families
26. March THURSDAY
9.00 Sightseeing for Vilnius delegation
9.00 Volleyball Tallinn vs Riga / girls
10.00 Volleyball Tallinn vs Riga / boys
11.00 – 14.00 Lunch
11.30 Basketball Tallinn vs Vilnius / girls
12.30 Basketball Tallinn vs Vilnius / boys
14.00 Volleyball Riga vs Vilnius / girls
15.00 Volleyball Riga vs Vilnius / boys
17.30 Pentathlon
19.00 Friendship Party
21.00 Accomodation in host families
27. March FRIDAY
9.00 Basketball Riga vs Vilnius / girls
10.00 Basketball Riga vs Vilnius / boys
12.00 Lunch
12.30 Closing ceremony @Meder
13.00 Teacher’s meeting
results
