SERBIA

SPECTACLE IN THE PODRINJE REGION: Loznica Becomes the Center of the European Boxing Championships as More Than 600 Fighters Arrive at the Legendary “Lagator”!

by Serbian Times1. August 2026.

After Belgrade successfully hosted the world’s and Europe’s boxing elite over the past several years, the time has come for the epicenter of the noble art to move to the Serbian heartland. From August 11 to 22, the city of Loznica will host the European U19 Boxing Championships, welcoming around 600 of the best young boxers from across Europe.

For boxing fans throughout the Balkans, the news that the European Boxing Confederation (EUBC) awarded the hosting rights to Loznica carries special significance. This is not just a sporting event—it is recognition for a city that has long been regarded as one of the greatest strongholds of Serbian boxing, where the fans are passionate and the boxing tradition is passed down through generations.

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While major sporting events are usually reserved for the capital, the decision to stage the championships in the heart of the Podrinje region marks a historic step for Serbia’s smaller cities. Loznica’s “Lagator” Sports Hall, renowned for its electric atmosphere where even the region’s greatest boxing names have been defeated, will become the battleground for European medals. For a city of around 50,000 residents, the arrival of hundreds of athletes, coaches, and foreign delegations represents a major organizational and tourism undertaking.

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Serbia Chases Medals on Home Soil

Boxing has returned to Serbia in a big way, and the U19 category serves as the key stepping stone in developing future Olympic champions. Serbia will be represented by a carefully selected team of 10 male boxers and four female boxers, with Vasilije Đurđević (70 kg), the reigning Balkan champion, leading the charge. He is widely expected to contend for the European gold medal in front of the home crowd.

The men’s team completed its final, intense preparations and sparring sessions with the national teams of Spain, Türkiye, and Ukraine in Loznica itself, becoming familiar with the home ring, while the women’s team fine-tuned its form on Zlatibor Mountain. Expectations are high for a medal haul, as Serbia’s young “Eaglets” have spent years proving that they belong among Europe’s elite.