All posts by Sönke Spille

Excitement Builds: U18 Fistball World Championships Head into Knockout Matches

The tension is rising: At the Fistball World Championships U18 in Llanquihue (Chile), the first knockout duels are on the program on Saturday. Austria advanced to the semi-finals as group winners in both the female and male U18 categories. All semi-final matches will take place on Saturday afternoon.

U18 Women

Austria and Germany have come a good deal closer to a World Championship medal. On the second day of the preliminary round, the two nations made it through to the semi-finals. Austria remained unbeaten against Argentina (3:0) and Chile (3:1), while Germany beat Chile (3:0) and Brazil (3:1) to secure second place. Third place was secured by Switzerland, who not only beat Argentina 3-0, but also won the direct duel against Brazil – with the last possible point in the deciding set (3-2). The pairings for Saturday morning (11.30 a.m. local time) in the quarter-finals have now been decided: Brazil will face Chile in the South American clash. The winner of the match will face group winners Austria in the semi-finals. Germany’s semi-final opponent will be determined at the same time between Switzerland and Argentina.

U18 Men

The U18 men’s competition is on the home stretch of the preliminary round. However, the first decision has already been made: Austria remained unbeaten on the second day and thus secured group victory ahead of time. The decisive factor was the victory in the top duel with Brazil (3:1). The team had already beaten Argentina (3:0) and Namibia (3:0). Brazil are on course to secure second place, having won against Denmark (3:0) and Chile (3:0). Third place in the group goes to Switzerland, who remained unbeaten on Friday and also beat Namibia (3-0) and Argentina (3-0) after their furious 3-1 win over Germany. After Switzerland’s defeat against Denmark (3:0) and Namibia (3:1), Germany held their ground and would currently qualify for the semi-finals in fourth place. There was great jubilation for hosts Chile, who recorded their first win in the preliminary round against Denmark (3-0) and are in seventh place – behind Namibia and Argentina, who are level on points. Both teams will face each other in a direct duel on Saturday. There will also be such a direct clash between Brazil and Switzerland, who have already been confirmed as semi-finalists and will also meet in the semi-finals at 16:30 local time. The two other preliminary round matches will be between Germany and Chile and Austria and Denmark.

U18 Fistball World Championships in Chile officially opened

The U18 Fistball World Championships for men’s and women’s teams have officially kicked off with a stunning opening ceremony by Lake Llanquihue. By this beautiful lakeside backdrop, the eight participating nations were introduced to enthusiastic fans on Wednesday evening right on the beach. Following the ceremony, a welcome dinner was held for all competing teams.

A total of 14 teams will compete from Thursday to Sunday, October 30 to November 3, in the south of Chile, all fight for the prestigious world title. Every match will be streamed live on fistball.TV. The excitement is building – which team will rise as the new world champion?

U18 World Championship 2024: The best youth fistball teams visit Chile

The best youth fistball teams in the world with their eyes on the world championship title: After a three-year break, the Fistball World Championship for men and women U18 will take place from October 31 to November 3 in Llanquihue, Chile. After 2006 – about 18 years later – the U18 World Championships will once again be held in the south of Chile. 8 teams in the male U18 and 6 teams in the female U18 will take part in the World Championships.

Preparations are also in full flow and the countdown is on: From October 31 to November 3, the club grounds of Club Gimnástico Alemán Llanquihue will once again host the best U18 national teams. There could hardly be a more beautiful location for a U18 World Championship. The grounds, which are located directly on Lake Llanquihue with a view of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, have earned a reputation in the past as one of the most beautiful fistball grounds in the world. The best young fistball teams are now visiting Chile for four days. “The joint staging of the 2nd World Championships for men’s U18 and 1st World Championships for women’s U18 in January 2006 was a great success,” says Jörn Verleger, President of the International Fistball Association (IFA): ”Club Llanquihue and the Fistball Association in Chile have already proven several times in the past what great fistball events they can organize. We are convinced that the next one is coming up in the next few days.”

14 national teams compete

Following India’s withdrawal, 14 teams – 8 in the men’s U18 and 6 in the women’s U18 – will compete for the title in Llanquihue. In the U18 men’s competition, defending champion Germany will be up against strong competition. From Europe, European champion Austria, Switzerland and Denmark will be competing at the World Championships, while the teams from South American champions Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Namibia (Africa) will be joining them from America. In addition to defending champion Germany, Austria, Switzerland (all Europe), Brazil, Chile and Argentina (America) will be competing in the women’s U18 competition.

The format is almost identical in both competitions. The national teams will first play matches against every other nation in a preliminary group before moving on to the other rounds. All matches will be played in a best-of-five format. “We want to give young fistball players the opportunity to play a match against every nation. Especially at a young age, we think it is important that as many matches as possible take place,” explains Gastao Englert, Chairman of the IFA Sports Commission: ”We are looking forward to many exciting matches.”

All matches in the livestream

Interested fans who are not traveling to Chile can still follow the matches. The organizers in Chile, in cooperation with the International Fistball Association, are planning to broadcast all matches – from Field 1, 2 and 3. “This has never happened before at a U18 Fistball World Championship,” says Sönke Spille, IFA Head of Events & TV Production: “We are pleased that fans at home will not miss any of the matches and will therefore be spoilt for choice as to which of the three streams, some of which will run simultaneously, they would like to watch.” Field 1 will be broadcast with live commentary in English.

Organizers plan program

Even before the first matches of the U18 World Championships, there are already a number of events planned. On Tuesday, October 29, the IFA Youth Congress will take place under the direction of the new chair of the IFA Youth Commission, Emma Dallinger. With the official opening and the Welcome Dinner on Wednesday, October 30, everything will be ready for the upcoming games. The organizing club Llanquihue will also be offering an extensive supporting program for fans from near and far during the four days of the competition. In addition to the matches in the preliminary and final rounds, there will be a big party on the club grounds. “We will do everything we can to ensure that the delegations and fans feel at home here,” announces Rodrigo Böttger from the World Championship organization team: ”We are looking forward to a great Fistball World Championship here in Llanquihue.”

Emma Dallinger as the new chair of the IFA Youth Commission: “Youth is one of the most important areas in fistball!”

Change at the head of the Fistball Youth Commission. After many years as Chairman of the Youth Commission, Uwe Schneider recently passed the baton on to Emma Dallinger. The 21-year-old from Austria has played for her home club ASKÖ Laakirchen Papier since childhood and took part in the 2021 U18 World Championships. In the future, she wants to play an active role in the work of international fistball. In this interview, she talks about her new role as Chair of the IFA Youth Commission, her goals and wishes. She also reveals what awaits participants at the Youth Congress in Chile and why the election of youth representatives is so important.

Emma, how did you get into fistball? And what highlights have you already experienced in the sport?

Emma Dallinger: It was somehow clear to me from an early age that I wanted to play fistball. My dad plays, my sister played, so it wasn’t even a question for me, it was just a matter of waiting until I could finally go to youth training. I’ve been playing at my home club, ASKÖ Laakirchen Papier, since the start of my fistball career and I’m incredibly grateful for all the wonderful fistball moments I’ve had the chance to experience. The Austrian indoor championship title in 2018 and the U18 runner-up world championship title in 2021 are at the top of the list. The best thing is simply being on the court with my girls and being able to experience such emotions together, whether you win or lose.

You traveled to New Zealand in 2022, where you also did fistball development work and supported the men’s national team at the 2023 World Championships in Germany. How did you experience your time with New Zealand fistball?

Emma Dallinger: The three and a half months I spent in New Zealand were incredibly special for me. By coaching the New Zealand men’s team, I was able to gain an insight into the small fistball world of New Zealand. Fistball there thrives on team spirit and the commitment of a few people who have fallen in love with the sport. On the one hand, it’s wonderful to see, but on the other, you also realize how difficult and time-consuming it is to establish fundamental and functioning structures for a sport.

In future, you will be looking after the interests of youth fistball in the International Fistball Association. What appeals to you about this task?

Emma Dallinger: I was able to enjoy years of great youth training in my club myself and have now been working as a coach in the youth sector for several years, as I simply want to give something back and I also enjoy working in the youth sector incredibly much. I believe that youth is one of the most important areas in fistball, especially when it comes to sustainability, which is why working on the youth commission is super exciting for me.

Do you already have ideas and plans that you would like to implement? What will be important to you in your work?

Emma Dallinger: It’s still a bit difficult to talk about very specific plans at the beginning – but there are already some ideas. The focus will definitely be on working out and developing concepts for sustainable youth work. In doing so, I would like to focus above all on the exchange between nations and with the Youth Commission. In addition, international youth work is particularly important to me, as I have also seen in New Zealand that too little often happens here to create a sustainable foundation for the sport in these “smaller fistball nations”. This in turn goes hand in hand with the work of the IFA Fistball Academy, which certainly makes exciting projects possible here.

Brazil vs. Austria – Game 48 – Semi-Final – IFA 2021 Fistball U18 Women’s World Championship – Grieskirchen, Austria – Photo: Valentin Weber

The U18 World Championships will soon be taking place in Chile. What does this international event mean for young fistball players?

Emma Dallinger: I think the Youth World Championships are the highlight of the fistball year for every player. For many, it’s the first time they get a taste of international fistball and get to play in the national jersey. For me, too, it was a very special feeling at every game. These are moments that stay with you forever.

There will also be a youth congress in Chile. What is planned here?

Emma Dallinger: The youth congress will take place on October 29 before the start of the World Championships. I would like to use this to introduce myself and the planned work of the Youth Commission and the Academy and to talk to the participants for the first time. Not only should it become clear what we as the Youth Commission are committed to and what our goals are, it is at least as important for me to find out in which areas the nations need support and how they can best get it. In addition to topics that specifically concern the Youth Commission and its projects, the Youth Congress should also create sufficient space for constructive exchange.

Youth representatives are also to be elected again to be actively involved in the work of the Youth Commission. Why should young fistball players register for this? What tasks await them?

Emma Dallinger: Exactly. In Chile, as in Grieskirchen in 2021, there will be another election for youth representatives in fistball. For me, this election is a very important part of the Youth World Championship, because what would a youth commission be without its own youth representatives who can represent young players and stand up for their needs? I think it’s a great opportunity for the elected representatives to be directly involved in upcoming projects and influence their development. In addition, they should also be the mouthpiece between the fistball youth themselves and the youth commission in a way, as they are sitting right at the source and have a closer connection to the problems and challenges of the youth players.

You will also be following the U18 World Championships live in Chile. What are you looking forward to?

Emma Dallinger: I’m looking forward to the Youth World Championship in Chile with great anticipation. Of course I’m looking forward to lots of exciting matches – but I think it will be particularly nice to see so many young fistball enthusiasts come together at a big event. I’m most looking forward to seeing international friendships being forged and teams celebrating success!

Fistball WWC 2024: This is the match schedule for Argentina

The excitement for the 2024 Women’s Fistball World Championship in Montecarlo, Argentina, is growing: The official match schedule has now been announced, which will determine the best women’s fistball team in the world from November 7-10. A total of 11 nations will take part in the world title matches at the Club Guatambú sports venue.  

The preliminary round groups have been drawn up over the past few weeks: In Group Gold, the top teams from previous years will face each other directly. In addition to defending champions Germany, this also includes Switzerland, Brazil and Austria. The Silver Group includes the two South American nations Argentina and Chile as well as New Zealand and Australia from Oceania. The field of participants is completed by Namibia, the USA and Colombia in Group Bronze. “We are expecting even more matches at eye level from the division of these groups and are convinced that this will further increase the number of exciting matches,” says Gastão Englert, Chairman of the Sports Commission of the International Fistball Association. 

After the preliminary round, the Silver and Bronze groups will determine the participants for the quarter-finals in an intermediate round. “Every team has the chance to win the world championship title,” says Englert. The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, November 9. The final will take place on Sunday, November 10, at 4.45 pm. Denmark and India had also confirmed their participation beforehand but had to cancel their participation. Instead, Colombia moved up into the starting field. 

Club Guatambú is hosting a Fistball World Championship for the first time. “It is a great honor for us that the best female fistball players in the world will be our guests in Guatambú in November 2024,” says Laura Laumann, Secretary of the Fistball Committee at Club Guatambú: ”For our club, it will be the biggest event in history so far. We are both proud and motivated to give everyone a great World Championship.” In the past, the club has already distinguished itself as the host of the Argentinian Championships, the Men’s & Women’s South American Championship 2017 and the FA 2009 Fistball Masters World Cup. 

For women’s fistball, it is a return to the place of origin. In October 1994 – the first Women’s Fistball World Championship took place in Buenos Aires. Now, 30 years later, the best women’s fistball teams are returning to Argentina. With the then title holders Germany, Austria, Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina and Chile, six nations that also competed at the premiere will be taking part in 2024. “It’s great that the Women’s World Championship is returning to Argentina for its tenth edition,” says Jörn Verleger, President of the International Fistball Association: ”We are convinced that we will experience a great event in Montecarlo.”  

Tickets will be available at the box office on the Club Guatambú grounds during the four days of the event, and there will also be a live stream of the matches.  In addition, the 2024 Women’s Fistball World Championship will also serve as a qualifying competition for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. 

Schedule

U18WC in Chile: Club Llanquihue prepares great event – Match schedule confirmed

The best U18 fistball national teams in the world are returning to Llanquihue: around 18 years after the last U18 Fistball World Championship, the world championships for young fistball players will once again be held in southern Chile. 9 teams in the male U18 and 6 teams in the female U18 will take part in the World Championship.

Fistball has played an important role in the Chilean club Gimnástico Alemán Llanquihue since it was founded 70 years ago. Fistball has a long tradition in this small town of just under 20,000 inhabitants in the south of the country, and the club has produced numerous national players who have represented Chile at international events. The club has also played host to South American Championships, World Senior Games and even an U18 World Championship. “The 2nd World Championships for Men’s U18 and 1st World Championships for Women’s U18 were held from January 4 to 6, 2006,” says Jörn Verleger, President of the International Fistball Association (IFA): “It was a great fistball festival. We are convinced that we will also have a great Fistball World Championship in 2024.”

From October 31 to November 3, the club area of the Club Gimnástico Alemán Llanquihue, which is located directly on Lake Llanquihue with a view of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes and is considered one of the most beautiful fistball grounds in the world, will once again host the best U18 national teams.

The participating teams in Chile

A total of 15 teams – 9 in the men’s U18 and 6 in the women’s U18 – will be competing for the title in Llanquihue. In the U18 men’s competition, defending champion Germany will be up against strong international competitors. From Europe, European champions Austria, Switzerland and Denmark will be competing at the World Championships, while the teams from South American champions Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Namibia (Africa) and India (Asia) will be joining them from America. In the women’s U18 competition, defending champion Germany will be joined by Austria, Switzerland (all Europe), Brazil, Chile and Argentina (America).

The format is almost identical in both competitions. The national teams will first play matches against every other nation in a preliminary round group before moving on to the other rounds. “We want to give young fistball players the opportunity to play a match against every nation. Especially at a young age, we think it is important that as many games as possible take place,” explains Gastao Englert, Chairman of the IFA Sports Commission: “We are looking forward to many exciting matches.”

Organizers are planning a big event

In addition to the matches in the preliminary round and the final round, the club’s organizers would like to hold a big party on the club grounds. “Hosting the U18 World Championship is a great honour for the club,” says Rodrigo Böttger, who is part of the World Championship organizing team. Preparations have been underway since the award in autumn 2023 and the venue has been modernized in recent months. “We will do everything we can to make the delegations feel at home here,” announces Böttger.

The club is planning a big party on the final weekend, which should not only attract fistball fans to the venue. The organizers are expecting a large crowd for the placement matches – including the medal matches on Sunday. There will be a ticket office with cheap ticket prices on all days. The club is supported in the organization by regional and local politicians as well as companies in the city. Böttger: “We are looking forward to a great Fistball World Championship here in Llanquihue.”

WM-WEBSITE

One Year To Go: How the preparations for the World Games 2025 are going

The countdown is on: From August 7 to 17, 2025, the Chinese city of Chengdu will be all about international sport. For one and a half weeks, the 12th edition of the World Games will take place in the capital of Sichuan province. 35 sports will be part of next year’s World Games – including the men’s and women’s fistball competitions.

Planning for the event is already in full swing. In spring, the International Fistball Association, represented by Sports Director Gastao Englert and IFA Head of Events Sönke Spille, visited China, among other things to inspect the sports venue for the fistball competitions in Tianfu Park. “The organizers will build four fistball courts here especially for the World Games,” explains Sports Director Englert. “Numerous employees were present during the on-site inspection in order to fulfill all the technical requirements for the World Games.” The plan is for the pitches to be completed by the end of 2024 and therefore ready for use from spring 2025. “We will have two main pitches, including a center court with stands right next to the pitch. This guarantees an excellent atmosphere,” says Sönke Spille with conviction.

As in Birmingham two years ago, the athletes will be accommodated in an athletes’ village with over 5,000 beds. “The buildings are all completely new, and there are many park-like retreats. Here, all athletes can prepare perfectly for their upcoming games, recharge their batteries – and come into contact with other athletes from a huge variety of sports and nations,” says Spille.

Following the successful premiere in 2022, there will also be a women’s fistball competition in Chengdu – with an increased field of eight teams. This means that a total of 16 fistball teams will take part in China – more than ever before in the history of the World Games. The fistball competitions are scheduled from Saturday, August 9, to Wednesday, August 13. With Germany (women), Germany, Austria, Brazil and Switzerland (men), five participating teams have already been confirmed for Chengdu. On August 7, all athletes will have the opportunity to take part in the opening ceremony. Spille: “We are convinced that the World Games 2025 will be a great event that will create great memories for all athletes.”

Fistball World Tour Finals: TSV Dennach and Tigers Vöcklabruck win title at Club World Championships in Mannheim

With two thrilling finals, the IFA World Tour Finals – the Fistball Club World Championships – came to an end. In the Rhein-Neckar Stadium in Mannheim TSV Dennach and TV Jahn Schneverdingen (women) as well as the Union Tigers Vöcklabruck and TSV Pfungstadt (men) fought thrilling duels for the title, which were hard to beat in terms of excitement.

Men: Thrilling to the last ball – Vöcklabruck celebrates historic club success

Only in the overtime of the deciding set was it finally decided who would take the throne as the best fistball club team in the world. After more than two hours of play and spectacular twists and turns, the Upper Austrians were crowned Upper Austrians were crowned the best fistball club team in the world for the first time in their fistball club team in the world. Already at the start, the Austrian team, which had already fought out a thrilling battle against defending champions SG Novo Hamburgo (3:2) in the semi-finals and had been beaten in the preliminary round duel against Pfungstadt (0:3) in the preliminary round, started the game better. But: After 2:0 set lead, Pfungstadt increasingly took command and turned the match turned the game into a 3:2. Vöcklabruck then made a spectacular comeback, forcing the deciding set and the deciding set and kept the upper hand here in extra time – even though although they missed three match points after leading 8:3 and it seemed that last year’s that last year’s finalist from Germany could still win the match. In the end, it was a ball from Patrick Thomas that decided the match.

The bronze medal went to to SG Novo Hamburgo, who clearly won their match 4:0 (11:5, 11:5, 11:6, 11:2) against TV Enns from Austria. The President’s Cup was won by DSG UKJ Froschberg, who prevailed against UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting (4:11, 11:6, 12:10, 11:5). Sogipa Porto Alegre finished the World Tour Final in seventh place, ahead of TV Käfertal (13:11, 11:7, 14:12).

Women: Dennach takes the title from Schneverdingen in a high-class final

Already on Saturday evening the final was not for the faint-hearted. In the clash between the eternal German rivals TSV Dennach and TV Jahn Schneverdingen, the spectators saw a duel at eye level in which only nuances in which only nuances made the difference. Dennach went into the set (15:14), before the defending champions from Schneverdingen equalized (12:10). Schneverdingen equalized (12:10). After that, TSV proved to be stronger and stronger, was was hardly to be overcome in defense and was often successful with a multi-faceted attacking play (11:9, 11:4). It even looked like a 4:1 victory for TSV, who already had three match points in the fifth set. These TV Jahn fought them off with strong nerves, reduced the deficit to 2:3 – and also equalized a clear a clear deficit once again in the sixth set. In the end, it was a ball from TSV captain Sonja Pfrommer that brought the acclaimed decision.

Bronze went to Sogipa Porto Alegre. The Brazilians were in their duel with SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter, the Brazilians started the match a set behind but then turned on the heat and held their nerve, especially in the extra sets (9:11, 12:10, 11:6, 15:13, 11:8). The victory in the President’s Cup (place 5) was secured by FBC Linz-Urfahr (Austria) with a clear 3:0 (11:7, 11:3, 11:6) victory against the Swiss team FG Elgg-Ettenhausen. Seventh place seventh place went to Faustball Kreuzlingen (Switzerland), who beat UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting 3:0 (11:9, 12:10, 11:2).

World Tour Finals: TSV Dennach fistballers crown themselves with title

It was probably one of the best fistball matches in recent years: in a thrilling final against defending champions TV Jahn Schneverdingen, the women of TSV Dennach won the title at the World Tour Finals. The team prevailed 4:2 (15:14, 10:12, 11:9, 11:4, 10:12, 13:11) at the Rhein-Neckar Stadium in Mannheim. The bronze medal was won by Sogipa Porto Alegre, who prevailed against SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter. he men’s winner will be determined on Sunday between TSV Pfungstadt and Union Tigers Vöcklabruck. The year’s winners SG Novo Hamburgo will play the bronze medal match against TV Enns.

Women: Dennach takes the title from Schneverdingen in a high-class final

It was a final that had pretty much everything to offer: spectacular defensive actions, impressive attacking shots, unexpected twists and turns – and overjoyed winners in the end. V t the beginning, it was clear what the fans in the Rhein-Neckar Stadium could look forward to – a duel at eye level in which nuances made the difference. s Dennach took the lead in the first set with the very first point (15:14), before the defending champions from Schneverdingen equalized (12:10). After that, TSV proved to be stronger and stronger, was almost impossible to overcome in defense and was often successful with a multi-faceted attacking game (11:9, 11:4). It even looked like a 4:1 win for TSV, who already had three match points in the fifth set. However, TV Jahn fought them off with strong nerves, reduced the deficit to 2:3 – and also equalized a clear deficit once again in the sixth set. In the end, it was a short ball from TSV captain Sonja Pfrommer that brought the celebrated decision.

The bronze medal went to Sogipa Porto Alegre. The Brazilians had started the duel with SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter with a set deficit, but then turned on the heat and held their nerve, especially in the extra sets (9:11, 12:10, 11:6, 15:13, 11:8). de Victory in the President’s Cup (5th place) was secured by FBC Linz-Urfahr (Austria) with a clear 3:0 (11:7, 11:3, 11:6) win against the Swiss team FG Elgg-Ettenhausen. The seventh place went to Faustball Kreuzlingen (Switzerland), who won 3:0 (11:9, 12:10, 11:2) against UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting at the end of the event.

Men: Vöcklabruck and Pfungstadt in the final on Sunday

Defending champion SG Novo Hamburgo had to bow out of the race for the gold medal on Saturday. The Brazilians lost 2:3 (8:11, 11:9, 9:11, 11:9, 4:11) in a thrilling duel against the Union Tigers Vöcklabruck (Austria) in the semi-finals. he first four sets in particular were extremely evenly matched – but Vöcklabruck scored the points in the decisive phases. he Austrians will meet last year’s finalists TSV Pfungstadt in the final. di ser defeated TV Enns 3:1 11:2, 11:6, 12:14, 11:4) in their semi-final. Sogipa Porto Alegre and TV Käfertal will face each other in the match for 7th place, while the final of the President’s Cup will be contested by the two Austrian teams DSG UKJ Froschberg and UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting.

World Tour Finals: German women’s final

There is a German-German final in the women’s fistball World Tour Finals: TSV Dennach and TV Jahn Schneverdingen won their semi-final matches in Mannheim’s Rhein-Neckar Stadium and will play the final on Saturday evening. In the men’s competition, defending champions SG Novo Hamburgo, TSV Pfungstadt, TV Enns and Union Tigers Vöcklabruck made it through to the semi-finals.

Women: German teams win in the semi-finals

The defending champions TV Jahn Schneverdingen have their sights firmly set on winning the title again. fter successfully finishing the preliminary round against FG Elgg-Ettenhausen (11:9, 11:5, 11:5), the Schneverdingen women initially fell behind against Sogipa Porto Alegre in the semi-finals (4:11), but turned the game around impressively with an improved performance (11:8, 11:9, 11:8). In the final, TV Jahn will face TSV Dennach. The latter initially fell behind in sets against SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter, before they got more and more into the match and prevailed 3:1 (9:11, 11:3, 11:8, 11:7). FG Elgg-Ettenhausen (Switzerland) and FBC Linz-Urfahr (Austria) will play in the final for the President’s Cup (5th/6th place) at 3.45 p.m., before which UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting and Faustball Kreuzlingen will meet in the match for seventh place (2.15 p.m.).

Men: Austrian duo challenges Novo Hamburgo and Pfungstadt

Meanwhile, the eight men’s teams have completed the preliminary round. Last year’s finalists SG Novo Hamburgo (3:0 against Sogipa) and TSV Pfungstadt (3:0 against Union Tigers Vöcklabruck) both won their respective groups and will therefore avoid each other in the semi-finals. Nov Hamburgo will face Vöcklabruck (11:30 a.m.), while Pfungstadt will play TV Enns at 10 a.m. The The Austrians prevailed against rivals UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting (11:7, 11:8, 11:9) in the decisive duel for a semi-final ticket. UFG are now in the President’s Cup and will face local heroes TV Käfertal (11.30 a.m.). 0 o’clock Froschberg and Sogipa Porto Alegre will play their match.