Guttormsdottir-Frost and Gilbert carried the flag into the Jane Sandanski stadium in Skopje, while McPhillips led the team in Osijek, Croatia. The trio were chosen not only for their performances on the field of play, but also for proving to be outstanding ambassadors for Team GB.

Guttormsdottir-Frost was selected as flagbearer for proving to be an exemplary role model to her teammates. On the court, she ended the 3×3 basketball tournament as Great Britain’s top point scorer as they made history as the nation’s first team in the discipline at an EYOF, and off it she was a constant beacon of positivity and support.

She said: “It’s been such an honour to be here with Team GB and help the girls do the best we can. I have so much respect for everyone here and how much work they’ve put in get to this competition, so I’ve really enjoyed sharing their happiness and joy.

“I really enjoyed the closing ceremony and walking across the stage with Coen and the flag was such an incredible feeling because I never thought I’d be in a situation like that.”

Likewise, after narrowly missing out on bronze, it was everything away from the field-of-play that led to the selection of judoka Gilbert as flagbearer. His bright personality, infectious attitude and commitment to bringing the team together shone bright throughout the week.

The 16-year-old said: “Judo is obviously an individual sport, but I’ve really enjoyed being around others, supporting them and trying to learn as much as possible.

“It was a huge honour to represent everyone out here in Skopje and back home by carrying the flag.”

And in Osijek, Team GB’s gymnastics squad enjoyed a range of success over four days of competition, with McPhillips selected as flagbearer after winning 3 gold medals in the team all-around, individual all-around and floor.

McPhillips said: “I was incredibly proud to be selected as the flagbearer. I’ve had an amazing week to say the least.

“Winning three gold medals has been incredible. I have no words really. I’m just really proud of what I have been able to achieve and experience.”

Guttormsdottir-Frost, Gilbert and McPhillips were told of their flag bearing honours by Team GB Chef de Mission Rachel Smith in front of the other athletes and support staff.

Smith said: “The whole team have done so well this week and should all be extremely proud of themselves. I’m delighted that Bo, Coen and Evan accepted the invitation to represent and lead the team out at the Closing Ceremony of Skopje 2025.

“As Chef de Mission, I couldn’t ask for a better example of what we look for in our athletes than Bo. Her excellence on the field of play was clear to see, but she also proved to be a fantastic teammate for everyone at Team GB when away from the court.”

“Coen was exceptional throughout the Games. Everything from his determination and confidence before competition, to his genuine interest in, and high hopes for, the rest of the team. We hope he continues to be the brilliant person he has shown himself to be, and enjoys plenty of success down the line.”

“The three gold medals speak for themselves, but Evan brought a special energy to the team environment which has no doubt had a massive influence on our gymnastics success.”

Alongside Guttormsdottir-Frost, Gilbert and McPhillips, Smith also commended the standout performances of Austyn Manley after he won five medals in the pool, and Isha Mekala and Kalyan Manoj, who brought home Team GB’s first badminton medals at an EYOF in over 25 years – including the first ever Team GB gold in the boy’s event from Manoj.

View every result from Skopje 2025 EYOF here.

With thanks to Team GB

With the seven-day Festival spanning sixteen venues across North Macedonia and Croatia, the city of Skopje will host the Opening Ceremony this evening (Sunday 20 July), with athletes based in Croatia’s Osijek able to take part in a smaller concurrent event. White and Manley will lead the Team GB delegation into the Ceremony in Skopje, while Chowdhury will carry the flag in Osijek.

Mountain bike athlete White was delighted to be selected, commenting: “I wasn’t expecting to be chosen for this in the slightest, so it’s hard to put what I’m feeling into words, but I’m so excited.

“Being put forward for the role makes me think that my hard work is being recognised and I’m doing the right things, so I really want to continue that this week.”

Manley, who starts his Skopje 2025 in the 200m individual medley on Tuesday 22nd, said: “I’m honoured to be selected as flagbearer because it’s a prestigious role that not many people get the chance to do .

“I think it’s going to be the most amazing experience and I just want to make the most of it before getting stuck into competition.”

And Harpenden-born Chowdhury, who recently became the youngest-ever parallel bars champion at the Junior European Gymnastics Championships, said: “To be selected for Team GB already feels so surreal, but to be chosen as a flagbearer on top of that makes my heart buzz.”

Chowdhury and his teammates follow in the footsteps of Olympians Ruby Evans and Abi Martin, who both represented Team GB at the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2022 before their selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last summer.

Each of the Skopje 2025 flagbearers were nominated by their respective team leaders for being outstanding ambassadors for their sports and best displaying the Team GB values, before being selected by Team GB Chef de Mission, Rachel Smith.

Smith commented: “To be selected to lead your country and team out at an Opening Ceremony is a massive honour. Orla, Austyn and Uzair are amazing ambassadors for their sports and Team GB.  We are extremely proud of them all and hope that they will remember this moment for many years to come.”

Skopje 2025 runs from 20 – 26th July , with Team GB’s 54 young athletes competing in 10 of the 15 disciplines on the programme: artistic gymnastics, badminton, basketball 3×3, canoe slalom, judo, mountain bike, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo.

Follow all of the action and latest results on TeamGB.com or @TeamGB on all social media platforms.

With thanks to Team GB

Running from the 20th – 26th July, Team GB’s young athletes, all aged between 13 and 18, will compete in 10 of the 15 disciplines on the programme: artistic gymnastics, badminton, basketball 3×3, canoe slalom, judo, mountain bike, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo.

It is the largest squad Team GB have selected for an EYOF since 2009, with the majority of athletes taking to the field-of-play in venues across the North Macedonian capital, while the cyclists will be competing a short distance away in the country’s second largest city Kumanovo and the gymnasts set up in Osijek, Croatia.

EYOFs play an important role in the development of young British athletes, providing crucial multi-sport event experience and guiding them towards realising their Olympic ambitions as they compete alongside over 4,000 athletes from 48 countries.

Team GB will be featuring in basketball and canoe slalom for the first time at an EYOF, with seven athletes competing across the two disciplines.

Basketballer Irene Oboavwoduo was delighted to make the squad: “It’s always an honour to represent Great Britain when competing but being selected for Team GB specifically takes it to another level and that feels amazing.

“I’ve never been to a multi-sport event like this before, so it feels very different. I’m really excited to meet lots of different people from different backgrounds and sports.”

This year’s British delegation will follow in the footsteps of some of Team GB’s most recognisable stars who themselves represented Team GB at youth events before going on to compete at a senior Olympic Games, including Nile Wilson, Dina Asher-Smith, and Duncan Scott, who’s eight Olympic medals make him Britain’s most successful EYOF alumni.

These names provide huge inspiration for many, including 15-year-old swimmer Kaiden Hitchins, who said: “I’m over the moon to be selected for Team GB. I’m sure I could speak for every British athlete when I say it’s one of those things you dream about happening.

“It feels surreal to be following in Duncan’s [Scott] footsteps, but hopefully I can use this experience as a huge stepping stone for the rest of my career like he did.”

Rachel Smith, who captained Team GB’s rhythmic gymnastics team during London 2012 and has now been selected as Chef de Mission for Skopje 2025, said: “It is a genuine honour to be named Chef de Mission for Team GB at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje. For many of our athletes, this will be their first opportunity to wear the Team GB kit and connect with the Olympic Movement. A truly memorable experience and significant milestone in any athlete’s journey.

“The EYOF represents more than just a competition; it is where many of our Olympians began their journey with Team GB. Skopje 2025 will provide our next generation of athletes with a valuable introduction to a multi-sport environment and a platform to continue exploring their own version of extraordinary. I am looking forward to seeing the team in action and hope it proves to be a memorable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Two-time Olympic swimmer Anna Hopkin will take on the role of Athlete Ambassador for Skopje, offering advice and support as the athletes come together as one Team GB.

The gold medallist from Tokyo 2020 said: “I am very proud to be named the Athlete Ambassador for the Skopje European Youth Olympic Winter Festival. I have always been very passionate about sport and Team GB is such an incredibly special team. To have the chance to hopefully inspire and pass on knowledge to the next generation is something that I am really looking forward to.”

“Having been just like our young athletes working hard and dreaming of the future, I know exactly how they are feeling. So, I’ll be looking to give them some useful information to make sure they can best use this opportunity to further their careers.”

Full squad:

Artistic Gymnastics –

Helena Finc, 14, Bedworth
Lexi Holmes, 14, Cardiff
Jenitha Johnson, 13, Milton Keynes
Uzair Chowdhury, 15, Harpenden
Zakaine Fawzi-Mccaffrey, 17, Nottingham
Evan McPhillips, 17, Bury

Badminton –

Ishasriya Mekala, 16, Cardiff
Kalyan Manoj, 16, Milton Keynes

Basketball (3×3) –

Bo Guttormsdottir-Frost, 16, East Moseley
Haley Wright, 17, Valencia
Irene Oboavwoduo, 17, Manchester
Maisie Keyes, 17, Stockport

Canoe Slalom –

Chloe Holmes, 14, Northwich
Jake Mitchell, 15, Hereford
Sophie Forster, 15, Nottingham

Judo –

Coen Gilbert, 16, Bathgate
Jack Milligan, 16, Wallasey
Lenny Tancock, 17, Bishop’s Stortford
Sara Coni, 16, London
Taylor Chrisp, 16, Blyth
Vasiliy Menshykov, 17, Inverurie

Mountain Biking –

Luke Trafford, 15, Holmfirth
Orla White, 17, Tavistock

Road Cycling –

Daniel Davies, 16, Penarth
Finlay Storrie, 16, Bridgend
Melanie Rowe, 16, Banchory
Peggy Knox, 16, London
Rose Lewis, 16, Birmingham
William Coles, 15, Llandovery

Swimming –

Austyn Manley, 15, Derby
Benjamin Beale, 15, Durham
Darcey Smith, 15, Fareham
Gisella Silano, 15, Haslemere
Jasmine Hall, 15, Old Harlow
Josephine Lawn, 15, Bromley
Kaiden Hitchins, 15, Smethwick
Lili Mundell, 15, Galashiels
Lois Child, 15, Leeds
Lydia Cordle, 14, Derby
Nikolai Sisnett, 15, Glasgow
Olivia Robins, 15, Stourbridge
Patryk Przyczyna, 15, Eastbourne
Tyler Stone, 15, Norwich
William Wilson, 14, Leeds
Xander Tovey, 15, Dunchurch

Table Tennis –

Abraham Sellado, 15, Bradford
Sienna Jetha, 16, Watford

Taekwondo –

Antonio Buonaiuto, 16, London
Fabio Carvalho, 14, London
Lauren Dunsmore, 17, Cumbernauld
Lily Kingsley, 17, Southampton
Max Cartwright, 16, Larbert
Monica Ilieva, 15, Craigavon
Paige Vincent, 15, Poole

With thanks to Team GB