Copa Col·legial Basketball Expands to Nine Teams with Women's Category

The second edition of the Copa Col·legial basketball tournament in Andorra, running from January to March, expands to nine school teams with the addition of the Escola Andorrana d'Ordino, introduces an all-female category, and adjusts its format to accommodate the growth.

Teams will divide into three groups of three, with each group's winner advancing to the final four alongside the best second-place team overall. The best remaining seconds will play qualifiers for additional spots. Players range from second-year ESO to second-year batxillerat students, aged 14 to 18. Matches will take place at school gyms where possible, as well as the Estadi Nacional Joan Samarra and Pavelló dels Serradells.

A major addition is the all-female day on 4 March, shifting from last year's mixed format. Tournament delegate Guillem Piñeiro noted that one goal was to launch this category, despite challenges in Andorra. The structure awaits final school participation—expected at four or five—but is likely to follow a final four setup. Piñeiro praised the venues as "a luxury" for players and highlighted live YouTube streams on the Copa Col·legial Catalunya channel. He said the broadcasts allow players to review footage for improvement and create lasting memories, while fostering school spirit, camaraderie, and basketball passion.

Organizers unveiled the changes at a press conference, stressing the event's role in promoting sport, education, and cohesion. Andorra la Vella councillor Jordi Cabanes for Public Services, Environment, and Natural Heritage called it "a marvel" that unites young people from different schools around a ball. Andbank's Maria Suárez, director of Banca País, described it as a "transversal project" connecting schools, families, and organizers to teach victory, defeat, teamwork, effort, and talent development.

Joaquim Tomàs, president of the Andorran Basketball Federation (FAB), expressed pride in basketball's expanding reach, crediting last year's success and hoping for more editions ahead. Regular-season games, qualifiers, semifinals, and final will stream live on YouTube, as before.