The women of TSV Dennach and the men of Union Tigers Vöcklabruck once again claimed the title at the IFA Fistball World Tour Finals in Vöcklabruck. Both teams remained undefeated throughout the entire tournament. More than 1,000 spectators witnessed the finals day at the Volksbankstadion in Vöcklabruck.

The 2024 titleholders once again stood at the top of the podium at this year’s IFA Fistball World Tour Finals: In Vöcklabruck, the women of TSV Dennach (Germany) and the men of host club Union Tigers Vöcklabruck (Austria) celebrated the World Tour Finals title – just like the year before. Both teams impressed with strong performances throughout the competition, remained unbeaten in all their matches, and secured the prestigious title against domestic rivals in the final.

Men

For the first time in the history of the IFA World Tour Finals, two Austrian teams faced each other in the men’s final. Union Tigers Vöcklabruck, entering as defending champions, were challenged by DSG UKJ Froschberg, who had reached the final after three consecutive President’s Cup wins and a remarkable tournament performance. However, in the final, Froschberg couldn’t quite match their previous form. In tight and thrilling sets, the Tigers maintained their composure at the key moments and sealed their title defense with a 3:0 win (11:8, 11:8, 12:10) in front of their home crowd. Just like in 2024, SG Novo Hamburgo (Brazil) secured the bronze medal, defeating Swiss side Faustball Wigoltingen in the third-place match with 3:0 (11:6, 11:9, 11:9), thus reaching the podium at every edition of the World Tour Finals so far. FBC LINZ AG Urfahr, the reigning European Cup champions, took the President’s Cup title. They beat TV Vaihingen/Enz (Germany) 3:1 (11:7, 12:14, 11:7, 11:7) and finished in a strong fifth place. Clube Mêrces (Brazil) defeated South Jersey Fistball Club (USA) 3:0 (11:7, 11:8, 11:8) to secure seventh place.

Women

The club world championship title remains firmly in the hands of TSV Dennach. The German titleholders had already demonstrated their dominance during the tournament, reaching the final without dropping a single set in either the group stage or the semifinal. That didn’t change in the rematch of last year’s final against German rivals TV Jahn Schneverdingen. Dennach showed up as a strong, cohesive unit, displayed rock-solid defense and consistent attacking play. With a 3:0 victory (11:7, 11:8, 11:7), TSV Dennach claimed their third World Tour Finals title overall. TV Jahn Schneverdingen had to settle for silver for the third consecutive time. As in 2024, bronze went to SOGIPA Cargo Way (Brazil). The team from Porto Alegre faced a close battle with Faustball Kreuzlingen (Switzerland), ultimately winning 3:1 (11:9, 9:11, 11:9, 11:7) to secure their place on the podium. SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter crowned themselves President’s Cup champions after coming from behind to defeat TSV Calw 3:1 (10:12, 11:6, 11:7, 13:11). Seventh place went to FG Elgg-Ettenhausen (Switzerland), who ended the tournament with a 3:0 win (11:8, 11:7, 11:7) over Clube Duque de Caxias Curitiba (Brazil).

Tigers Vöcklabruck Shine Also as Hosts

Union Tigers Vöcklabruck not only impressed on the field but also delivered a top-notch event as hosts. Organizing the club world championship for the first time, the Upper Austrian club created a great atmosphere – especially on the weekend – with more than 1,000 spectators attending the finals day. “All the hard work of the past months truly paid off,” said local organizing committee head Stefan Huemer. “The event went exceptionally well, and then winning the title on top of that means the world to us. We thank all the teams for the high-level matches they presented to our fans and the many volunteers who made this tournament possible!”

The semifinalists of the IFA Fistball World Tour Finals in Vöcklabruck have been determined. On their way there, the teams once again delivered thrilling duels in the preliminary rounds. Both the defending champions in the men’s and women’s competitions remain in the race for another title.

The final matchups at the IFA Fistball World Tour Finals in Vöcklabruck are set: The women’s final will be a repeat of last year’s championship clash between the two German teams TSV Dennach and TV Jahn Schneverdingen. In the men’s competition, it will be an all-Austrian showdown between defending champions Union Tigers Vöcklabruck and DSG UKJ Froschberg. In the bronze medal matches, SOGIPA Cargo Way (Brazil) will face Faustball Kreuzlingen (Switzerland) in the women’s event, while SG Novo Hamburgo (Brazil) will meet Faustball Wigoltingen (Switzerland) in the men’s competition.

Men

The men’s semifinals were packed with excitement and delivered some unforgettable moments for the crowd in the Volksbankstadion Vöcklabruck. The match between SG Novo Hamburgo and Union Tigers Vöcklabruck went the full distance. The Tigers made a perfect start with a 2:0 lead (11:7, 11:9), but the Brazilians came back strong—just like they had in the group stage—and tied the match with 11:7 and 11:8 set wins. In the deciding set, however, the defending champions held their ground (11:6), securing their place in the “Finale dahoam.” Their opponent will also be from Austria: DSG UKJ Froschberg continued their impressive run with a 3:1 (11:6, 12:10, 6:11, 11:9) win over Faustball Wigoltingen. The final between the two Austrian clubs will take place on Sunday at 4:30 PM. Novo Hamburgo and Wigoltingen will battle for bronze at 1:30 PM.

In the President’s Cup final, two group stage opponents will meet again: TV Vaihingen/Enz and FBC LINZ AG Urfahr. Vaihingen defeated Clube Mercês (13:11, 11:8, 3:11, 11:4), while Urfahr overcame the South Jersey Fistball Club (11:7, 11:5, 11:6). Clube Mercês and South Jersey will play for 7th place on Sunday.

Women

The 2024 World Tour Finals final will be repeated in 2025. Defending champions TSV Dennach and last year’s finalists TV Jahn Schneverdingen have again secured their spots in the women’s final. Dennach continued their winning streak with a commanding 3:0 (11:9, 11:6, 11:7) victory over SOGIPA Cargo Way. Schneverdingen had earlier claimed their ticket to the final with a 3:1 win (11:6, 4:11, 11:9, 11:8) over Faustball Kreuzlingen in a hard-fought and evenly matched contest. The final between the two German teams will take place at 3:00 PM, while SOGIPA and Kreuzlingen will play for bronze.

The President’s Cup final will feature SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter and TSV Calw. Diepoldsau defeated Duque de Caxias Curitiba with a clear 3:0 (11:6, 11:6, 11:6), while Calw won against FG Elgg-Ettenhausen (11:6, 11:4, 13:11). The matches for 5th and 7th place will be played on Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Tickets Available at the Venue

Tickets for the final day are available directly at the box office. Around 1,000 covered seats are available. Those who cannot attend in person can follow all matches live online: All games of the World Tour Finals will be streamed for free at www.fistball.tv.

The teams for the semifinals of the IFA Fistball World Tour Finals in Vöcklabruck are set. The group stage once again delivered thrilling duels on the way to the knockout rounds. Both defending champions — men and women — remain in the race for another title.

In the women’s competition, Faustball Kreuzlingen secured the final spot in the Top 4 and joins group winners TSV Dennach, SOGIPA/Cargo Way, and TV Jahn Schneverdingen in the semifinals. In the men’s competition, Union Tigers Vöcklabruck and DSG UKJ Froschberg won their groups and are joined by Faustball Wigoltingen and SG Novo Hamburgo. The Brazilians staged a remarkable comeback against FBC LINZ AG Urfahr — who, despite being reigning European Cup champions, are now out of the title race.

Men

The decisive match for the final men’s semifinal spot went all the way to the fifth set: both FBC LINZ AG Urfahr and SG Novo Hamburgo needed a win to stay in the title hunt. Linz initially led 2:0 (11:8, 12:10), but Novo Hamburgo turned things around and claimed the next three sets (11:9, 11:6, 11:8) to complete the comeback. Earlier, the Brazilians had also beaten TV Vaihingen/Enz 3:0 (11:8, 11:9, 11:7). Group victory, however, went to DSG UKJ Froschberg. After their strong opening win against Novo Hamburgo, Froschberg followed up with a second win in the Linz derby against Urfahr (11:6, 15:14, 9:11, 11:8), reaching the World Tour Final semifinals for the first time — after previously winning three President’s Cup titles. Despite losing 1:3 (8:11, 10:12, 11:9, 7:11) to Vaihingen/Enz, they remained at the top of the group.

Defending champions Union Tigers Vöcklabruck made short work of the group stage. After an opening 3:0 win over Faustball Wigoltingen, they followed up with further victories against South Jersey Fistball Club (11:5, 11:3, 11:6) and Clube Mercês (11:6, 11:7, 11:8), sealing first place in the group. Wigoltingen also progressed to the semifinals after wins over Mercês (11:2, 11:8, 11:9) and South Jersey (11:3, 11:4, 11:7).

The semifinals will see a rematch of last year’s clash in Mannheim: hosts Union Tigers Vöcklabruck face SG Novo Hamburgo at 17:00, followed by DSG UKJ Froschberg vs. Faustball Wigoltingen at 18:30. In the President’s Cup semifinals, Clube Mercês meets TV Vaihingen/Enz (17:00), while South Jersey Fistball Club takes on FBC LINZ AG Urfahr (18:30).

Women

Three semifinal spots were already confirmed before the second day of group play — the fourth was secured by Faustball Kreuzlingen. The Swiss side defeated TSV Calw in straight sets (11:9, 11:8, 11:6), bouncing back from their 0:3 loss to TSV Dennach the day before. The defending champions also won 3:0 (11:6, 11:7, 11:2) against Clube Duque de Caxias, claiming the top spot in their group.

TV Jahn Schneverdingen also secured group victory with a 3:2 win (11:13, 11:9, 7:11, 11:6, 11:6) over SOGIPA/Cargo Way in a dramatic match, overcoming two set deficits. Third place went to SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter, who defeated Swiss rivals FG Elgg-Ettenhausen 3:0 (11:7, 11:8, 11:3).

In the semifinals, TV Jahn Schneverdingen will face Faustball Kreuzlingen at 14:00, while SOGIPA/Cargo Way and TSV Dennach meet at 15:30 in another exciting matchup. The President’s Cup semifinals will feature SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter vs. Clube Duque de Caxias (10:00) and FG Elgg-Ettenhausen vs. TV Calw (15:30).

Tickets Available at the Venue

Tickets for the weekend and remaining tournament days are available at the box office. Around 1,000 covered seats are provided for spectators. Those unable to attend in person can follow all matches live online: All World Tour Finals games will be streamed free of charge at www.fistball.tv.

More information: https://wtf.faustball-tigers.at/

The opening day of the IFA Fistball World Tour Finals in Vöcklabruck already delivered key preliminary decisions for the semifinals. While the women’s competition has its first confirmed semifinalists, the men’s side promises even more excitement on day two.

Under changing weather conditions, the IFA Fistball World Tour Finals for men and women kicked off at the Volksbank Stadium in Vöcklabruck. In the women’s tournament, several teams secured early advancement to the semifinals. In the men’s tournament, a thrilling 3:2 victory by DSG UKJ Froschberg over SG Novo Hamburgo electrified the local crowd.

Women

Two matches, two victories – and a ticket to the semifinals: In Group “Harald Bayer”, the decisions have already been made. SOGIPA/Cargo Way (Brazil) and TV Jahn Schneverdingen (Germany) each celebrated two wins on the first day of group play and have secured their semifinal spots. SOGIPA defeated SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter (11:7, 11:8, 11:7) and FG Elgg-Ettenhausen (14:12, 11:3, 11:9) without dropping a set and currently lead the standings. TV Jahn Schneverdingen also holds four points, with wins over Elgg-Ettenhausen (11:9, 11:8, 11:6) and Diepoldsau (11:7, 11:5, 11:13, 11:9), sitting in second place. On Friday at 3 p.m., SOGIPA and Schneverdingen will battle for the group win, while the two Swiss teams, still without a win, will face off to decide third place in the group.

TSV Dennach has also secured a semifinal ticket. The defending champions remained unbeaten in matches against TSV Calw (11:7, 11:9, 11:7) and Faustball Satus Kreuzlingen (11:8, 11:4, 11:6), topping Group “Franz Bakan.” Behind them, the final semifinal spot will be decided on Friday (4:30 p.m.) when Kreuzlingen and Calw meet. Both teams beat Clube Duque de Caxias Curitiba – Kreuzlingen (11:6, 11:5, 11:6) and Calw (11:2, 11:6, 11:4).

Men

It was a nerve-wracking encounter full of spectacular defensive plays: DSG UKJ Froschberg and SG Novo Hamburgo battled over five intense sets in their opening Group “Michael Feichtenschlager” match. The Brazilians, who won bronze last year, twice took the lead – but Froschberg answered each time (11:9, 10:12, 11:6, 8:11). In the decisive fifth set, both teams pushed to the limit, but the team from Linz sealed the 11:9 win to deliver a small opening-day upset. Austria’s second team, FBC LINZ AG Urfahr, also started strong. The newly crowned European Cup champion beat TV Vaihingen/Enz (Germany) 3:1 (11:9, 11:8, 4:11, 11:6) and now tops the standings after day one.

In Group “David Lorenz”, the matches were more straightforward. Host and defending champion Union Tigers Vöcklabruck opened with a 3:0 win (11:8, 11:5, 11:8) over STV Wigoltingen (Switzerland), followed by another dominant 3:0 victory (11:5, 11:8, 11:0) over South Jersey Fistball Club (USA).

On Friday, group play continues from 12 p.m. In the matchup between Clube Mercês and STV Wigoltingen, a direct battle for a semifinal spot could unfold, while the Tigers Vöcklabruck will face South Jersey. At 1:30 p.m., the Linz city derby between group leaders FBC LINZ AG Urfahr and DSG UKJ Froschberg promises high drama. Meanwhile, SG Novo Hamburgo and TV Vaihingen/Enz are already playing to keep their semifinal hopes alive. The final men’s group matches will be played at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Ideal Conditions at the Volksbank Stadium

The Volksbank Stadium in Vöcklabruck offers excellent infrastructure for hosting the World Tour Finals. Around 1,000 covered seats will ensure ideal viewing conditions for spectators in all weather conditions. On-site catering is also well arranged: A wine and cocktail lounge will be open on Friday and Saturday, while the official Players’ Party will take place on Sunday.

“The infrastructure is ready, and the Union Tigers Vöcklabruck are doing a fantastic job organizing this event,” says Sönke Spille, Head of Events at the International Fistball Association. “They are working with great passion – we are looking forward to four exciting days of fistball.”

Tickets Available at the Venue

Tickets for Friday and the remaining event days are available directly at the box office. Those unable to attend in person can still follow every match live online: All games of the World Tour Finals will be broadcast free of charge at www.fistball.tv.

More information: https://wtf.faustball-tigers.at/

IFA President Jörn Verleger is fulfilling a dream on Sunday by competing in the Challenge long-distance triathlon in Roth for the first time. He started training late due to a back injury. His motivation comes not least from special memories of the past.

IFA President Jörn Verleger will fulfill a dream on Sunday when he competes in the long-distance Challenge triathlon in Roth for the first time. He started training late due to a back injury. His motivation comes not least from special memories from the past. The newspapers Nürnberger Nachrichten reported on his trip: “Triathlon instead of Fistball: IFA President Jörn Verleger competes in the Roth Challenge“ (https://www.nn.de/region/roth/triathlon-statt-faustball-ifa-weltprasident-jorn-verleger-tritt-beim-rother-challenge-an-1.14731117) and the Münchner Merkur ”Fistball boss on new paths” (https://www.merkur.de/sport/lokalsport/muenchen-lk/faustball-boss-auf-neuen-wegen-93800192.html)

Soccer World Cup winner André Schürrle was supposed to make his long-distance debut at Challenge Roth this year. However, the world champion’s last-minute cancellation left many fans disappointed. But numerous other athletes from different sports will be taking to the starting line in Roth, including IFA President Jörn Verleger (53).

From the spectator stands to the track

Verleger has been following the triathlon in Roth for decades. “I was there in 1996 when Lothar Leder made his legendary finish, becoming the first person to break the eight-hour mark, and I’ve watched the last runners cross the finish line many times over the years,” recalls Verleger.

Time and again, he told himself during the triathlon night that he would “run across the finish line as a competitor one day.” Now, nearly 30 years later, the time has come.

Back problems and late preparation

Training was supposed to start in January, but back problems delayed the start until April. After eight weeks of physical therapy, Verleger traveled through Japan for three weeks in March, still not completely pain-free. The decision was made on the flight back: now or never.

Immediately after landing, he headed to Saxony-Anhalt to pick up a training bike from a triathlete friend. “Until then, I didn’t have a proper bike, nor had I ever done any road bike training,” says Verleger. Today, he is pain-free and convinced that “exercise is the best medicine.”

Training between the Isar Valley and Solarer Berg

In May, Verleger completed a full lap of the original route for the first time. At the beginning of the year, his idea was still met with ridicule among his friends. Today, the team, which calls itself “Rennschnecken” (racing snails), has its own logo on freshly printed shirts, the race schedule is set, and friends are scheduled to provide support along the route.

“If everything goes well, it will take us around twelve hours – maybe a little faster, but the main goal is to arrive at the Home of Triathlon healthy and together,” says Verleger, summarizing the team’s shared motivation.

Listen also to his mini podcast series entitled “Challenge Accepted – My Relay Triathlon Diary for the Roth 2025 project” on https://open.spotify.com/show/1XoMCZThdSrfOBuKH6kUmW  with four episodes about the journey to Roth.

The countdown is on: in just five weeks, the World Games 2025 will officially begin in Chengdu, China. Among the sports featured are the fistball competitions, scheduled to take place from August 9 to 13 in the heart of the city’s scenic Tianfu Park. With less than a month to go, preparations by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) have reached the final stretch — and a key milestone was marked last week with a final venue inspection by International Fistball Association (IFA) Sports Director and Technical Delegate, Gastao Englert.

Englert visited the newly built fistball venue and met with various members of the Chinese organizing team to review all aspects of the tournament setup. The venue, which features specially adapted natural grass courts for both match play and warm-ups, is nearly complete. “Both the match and the practice/warm-up fields are in good condition and could be used today,” Englert noted. “We are now fine-tuning details such as grass density and bounce quality, but overall, we are in excellent shape.”

One of the event’s defining features will be its setting: the fistball matches will take place in the middle of a public park, offering spectators and passersby an opportunity to witness world-class sport in an open and accessible environment. With eight teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions – more than ever before – the sport is gaining unprecedented visibility at the World Games.

The venue will also include athlete and media zones, as well as individual team tents — highlighting the LOC’s commitment to both professionalism and comfort. As part of the local integration effort, a group of PE teachers from Chengdu, trained through a combination of webinars and hands-on sessions, will serve as line referees and recording clerks. A practical training session was recently held directly on-site, following earlier online instruction.

This engagement reflects a broader ambition: using the World Games as a launchpad for fistball development in China. According to Englert, the groundwork being laid today could soon lead to the formation of Chinese national youth teams — with the goal of fielding boys’ and girls’ squads at the 2026 U18 World Championship in Switzerland.

Interview with Gastão Englert

Last week, you visited Tianfu Park in Chengdu once again to do a final check of the newly constructed fistball courts. What is your impression of the current state of preparations one month before the start of the World Games?
My impression is the best possible. It has been a very positive surprise to see how professional, results-oriented, and available the Chinese team is — and most importantly, how willing they are to do everything necessary to solve any issue that arises. Both the match and the practice/warm-up fields are in good condition and could be used today. We are now working on the final details regarding the grass and bounce rebound, which are also in a good stage. Beyond the fields, the overall structure is impressive and already 95% complete. This includes a private tent for each team, as well as dedicated areas for athletes and media.

The fistball competitions will take place on specially adapted natural grass fields in the middle of a public park. What kind of atmosphere can teams expect?
The city of Chengdu is inclusive, democratic, and focused on community and well-being. Hosting the fistball event in the middle of a public park brings our sport closer to the local people, offering great visibility, atmosphere, and engagement. Often, venues are located far from the public eye — but this time, the Chinese LOC has chosen a truly special and integrated location.

How important are the fistball competitions in Chengdu for the international development of fistball—and what are your expectations for the 2025 World Games in terms of sports and organization?
It is always a special opportunity when we play in a new fistball country. It’s a chance to develop new members and create new fistball teams, players and fans. This time, the experience is even more meaningful. Since last year, we’ve been working closely with physical education teachers from Chengdu, who will serve as line referees and recording clerks during the competition. To prepare them, we organized a webinar and an on-site training session. In the future, these teachers could become the coaches and mentors of the next generation of fistball players in China. In this direction we already have some practical sessions with local players. Our goal is to have Chinese teams—both women’s and men’s—compete in next year’s U18 World Championship in Switzerland.

Fistball and The World Games have been a great combination for four decades. At just the second edition of the multi-sport event, a men’s fistball tournament was held for the first time in London in 1985. Four nations competed, and Germany claimed the inaugural title. Udo Mehle, a striker for TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, made history as part of the winning team.

Rain. That’s the first thing Udo Mehle remembers when thinking back to the 1985 World Games in August. It was the first time fistball players could present their sport on the stage of this international multi-sport event for non-Olympic disciplines—and they did so under extremely poor weather conditions. “It rained almost continuously during the entire fistball competition,” he recalls. But despite the uncooperative weather, many other moments stayed with Mehle, making those days in London truly special.

Four Teams in London

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Brazil were the four competing nations. South West Africa (Namibia) had also registered but was denied entry due to political tensions in southern Africa. The tournament format included a round-robin with home and away matches over two days to determine the semifinal pairings. The German team entered the tournament highly motivated—not only to win the first-ever World Games title but also to redeem themselves after losing the European Championship to Austria a year earlier. “After winning the World Championship in 1982 in Hanover, there had been some changes in the squad that weren’t fully settled yet,” Mehle recalls.

During that time, Mehle earned his place in the national team—something he had never dreamed of as a youth player. He started playing at age eight in Cologne and continued until age 17. “Then the team fell apart,” Mehle explains. He transferred to Leverkusen, a Bundesliga club, where the demands were suddenly much higher. “With my poor technique, I was often used as a bad example during training drills,” he laughs. But the young striker didn’t let that stop him. He worked hard and had a mentor in Udo Cymera. “Without him, I probably never would have made the national team,” Mehle admits.

Strong Performances in the Group Stage and Semis

In 1985, Mehle and his teammates had a golden opportunity to take part in The World Games. “It was definitely something special—something everyone wanted to be part of,” says the former national player. The matches were held at Barnet Copthall Stadium, alongside the tug-of-war competition. While the European teams fielded their best squads, Brazil sent a promising but inexperienced team that struggled against seasoned opponents. Mehle played right front in the matches, alongside Germany’s all-time most-capped player Dieter Thomas. “My job was to chase down short balls and be ready to step in for Dieter on the attack—sometimes even after 28 minutes without hitting a single ball.”

Germany topped the group after both legs, ahead of Austria on points, and cruised past Brazil in the semifinal (39:23). “The Brazilians arrived with sponsor logos on their jerseys, but that wasn’t allowed under the World Games rules, so they had to turn their shirts inside out,” Mehle remembers.

Heavy Rain on Final Day

That wasn’t the only odd story. The tug-of-war athletes also made a mark—literally. “They held their finals right next to our field and dug their heels so deep into the turf they reached the drainage system. It looked more like a plowed field than a lawn,” laughs Mehle. The tough conditions also affected the fistball tournament. The third-place match between Switzerland and Brazil was canceled due to heavy rain, and both teams were awarded bronze medals. The final between Germany and Austria went ahead, however. It was played over two 15-minute halves, with Germany pulling away after a tight first half (17:14) to secure victory (37:29).

Even though there was no athletes’ village, for the German team, it still felt a bit like being at the Olympic Games. “Our matches were held in the middle of the overall World Games schedule, so we didn’t take part in the opening or closing ceremonies,” says Mehle. There was also no time to watch other sports. “Still, it had a special atmosphere, a special vibe—and part of that was thanks to the great team spirit we had.”

The 1985 World Games in London would not be Mehle’s only appearance. He also made the squad for the 1989 edition in Karlsruhe, where Germany defended the title in front of 5,000 fans. Later, he served as an international referee at the 1997 Games in Lahti (Finland) and in 2009 (Taiwan), and he attended the 2005 Games in Duisburg as a spectator.

Final Standings – World Games 1985:

1. Germany

2. Austria

3. Switzerland & Brazil (shared bronze)

Original text: Faustball Deutschland at the 2022 World Games (Author: Sönke Spille)