The 2025 Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) got off to a golden start in Andorra, with all nine participating National Olympic Committees (NOCs) earning at least one gold medal on the first day of competition.
Medals were awarded across 10 sports, with Luxembourg’s Marie Schreiber securing the first gold of the Games in the Women’s Individual Time Trial. Schreiber completed the road cycling course in 20:39.05, leading a Luxembourg one-two finish ahead of teammate Nina Berton.
Cyprus’ Andreas Miltiadis dominated the Men’s Individual Time Trial, clocking 19:34.31—nearly 30 seconds ahead of Luxembourg’s Alex Kirsch—to claim his country’s first gold of the day.
In Judo, Montenegro made a strong showing with Emil Sinanovic winning the Men’s -66kg category and Jahja Nurkovic taking gold in the -81kg division. Monaco celebrated double gold through Yamina Sara Allag (-52kg) and Omaïraa Aubry (-70kg), while Cyprus’ Kyprianos Andreou (-73kg) and Aristos Michael (-100kg) added to their nation’s medal haul. Luxembourg’s Anetta Mosr captured gold in the Women’s -63kg event.
The shooting range also saw high-level performances. Leonie Mautz clinched Liechtenstein’s first gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle event, while Achilleas Sophocleous of Cyprus won the Men’s title. Medals were presented by International Shooting Sport Federation President Luciano Rossi.
Luxembourg excelled in table tennis, with Tom Scholtes and Maël Van Dessel winning the Men’s Doubles final 3-0 over Cyprus’ Sharpel Elia and Marios Yiangou. EOC Executive Committee member and Belgian NOC President Jean-Michel Saive, a seven-time Olympian, presented the medals. Cyprus also fell short in the Women’s Doubles final, where Malta’s Maria-Carmelia Iacob and Renata Strbikova secured a 3-0 victory.
Further gold medals were awarded in athletics, artistic gymnastics, trap shooting, and swimming, adding to a competitive and diverse opening day.
Cyprus currently tops the medal table with 12 golds, nine silvers, and 12 bronzes, followed by Luxembourg with 10 golds, seven silvers, and 11 bronzes. Montenegro, Iceland, Malta, and host nation Andorra each secured five gold medals.
The GSSE continues through Saturday, 31 May, with over 1,000 athletes competing across multiple disciplines.
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