WINTERTHUR. The 15^th Fistball Men’s World Championship held in Stadium Schützenwiese Winterthur from August 11-17th was the biggest of all time. With 18 men’s national teams participating it is the largest from a team perspective as well.  Four nations had their first ever World Championship appearance. It was also huge in terms of spectators – 30,000 streamed into the stadium over the week.

Stadium View during the Gold Medal Match Austria vs Germany (17 August 2019) at the IFA 2019 Fistball Men’s World Championship in Winterthur, Photo by Valentin Weber / IFAA true fistball festival happened this week in Winterthur. For this World Championship a temporary fistball stadium was set up at the soccer stadium of FC Winterthur. More than 4000 working shifts of voluntary helpers allowed fans from all over the world to enjoy a great event.

Germany won the title in an impressive manner

The old and new world champion is Germany. The biggest fistball nation became World Champion for the 12th time and won third consecutive championships in a row at the 15th IFA Fistball Men’s World Championship. The match was dominated by the German side and Austria wasn’t allowed into the game. Fabian Sagstetter Captain of the German team was understandably pleased with his performance: „We worked very hard for this title all year long. Now we are very happy that we achieved this goal. The atmosphere in the stadium was crazy.”

Austria’s amazing win in the Semi-Final

Of note in this Championship was Austria’s exquisite play at their game against Brazil in particular. The match was a real thriller and Austria won the game in the deciding fifth set. In front of a crowd of 5300 fans the team of coach Martin Weiß had a great match and won against the top team from Brazil. The host team from Switzerland could not meet expectations and finished fourth.

Gabriel Heck, Striker of Team Brazil in the Semifinal Match against Austria (16 August 2019) at the IFA 2019 Fistball Men’s World Championship in Winterthur, Photo by Ingo Stöldt / IFASerbia wins the President’s Cup

Serbia’s win over Poland gives them the title of President’s Cup winners. They are now also the 13th ranked team in the world. The President’s Cup consisted of the six lowest teams of the competition and  gives the smaller and newer federations a chance to have their own competition within the framework of a World Championship and still be a part of the final rankings. The best ranked newcomer nation was New Zealand who became a darling of the audience performing their traditional haka. They exceeded all expectations and ended up being 11th.

Final ranking: 1. Germany, 2. Austria, 3. Brazil, 4. Switzerland, 5. Italy, 6. Chile, 7. Argentina, 8. Namibia, 9. Czech Republic, 10. USA, 11. New Zealand, 12. Denmark, 13. Serbia, 14. Poland, 15. Belgium, 16. Australia, 17. Netherlands, 18. Japan

WINTERTHUR. The seventh and final day of the 2019 Fistball Men’s World Championship has ended. Austria would have hoped to stop the winning streak of Germany and take Gold but it wasn’t to be. With 5819 fans in the stadium for the match the atmosphere was electric.

World Champions
The Germans are World Champions for the 12th time at the 15th IFA Men’s World Champions-hip! In front of a crowd of 6.000, Germany and Austri-a came together for the first time since 2011. Today Germany was just too dominant and Austri-a wasn’t allowed into the game. The Ger-mans shut down the Austrian attackers and hammered their defence, sho-wing that they really are the best team in the world.
Bronze medal match
Even the massive home crowd wasn’t enough to lift Switzerland to the win. The hosts looked flat, never really firing in the game. In fairness Brazil was on fire today and obvious-ly charged up. Although the win was in four straight sets, the game wasn’t as decisive as the scoreline suggests. Switzerland were outplayed on the day by another world class team. Joy and sadness stood side by side in stadium Schützenwiese after the match this afternoon.

Placement Games
Italy won 3-1 against Chile today. Italy are now the fifth ranked team in the world and Chile the sixth.
In the next game. Namibia met Argentina at 1315. The match went all Argentina’s way winning 3:0. Argentina are the seventh ranked team and Namibia are eighth. The USA faced The Czech Republic in what proved to be a close match, ending with a win to the Czech Republic 3:2. The Czech Republic finish in ninth place and the USA tenth.

Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was full of emotion. There was an honour guard for the teams coming into the stadium and each team added numbers to it. By the time Germany came in, 17 nations were clapping them and it was a unforgettable moment. The closing ceremony is particualrly memorable for players who get to spend time together at the end of this fantastic event.

For highlights from the 2019 Men’s World Championship: www.fistball.tv
Further information: www.fistballmwc.com

Photo Credit: Valentin Weber / IFA

WINTERTHUR. Switzerland and Brazil have been knocked out of the finals and will have to play for the Bronze medal tomorrow at 1600. The match of the day has to go to Austria against the Brazilian side who played spectacular fistball. Germany beat Switzerland in a relatively easy match and Serbia won the President’ Cup. New Zealand beat Denmark for 11^th placing in the world and Australia played Belgium in what was perhaps the longest game in Fistball history. Japan lost to the Netherlands but won the hearts of us all.

Austria beats Brazil in an amazing match

Austria took out Brazil in a stonker of a game that was by far the best of the tournament.  The crowd went wild with fantastic play from both teams and mind blowing play. The Austrians outclassed the South American team in the most thrilling of sporting experiences. Austria will face Germany tomorrow at 1800

German precision

Germany had to play to a resounding chorus of „Hopp Schwiiz“ ringing in their ears. It wasn’t enough however to put them off their game and they managed to beat the home side 3-0. In the end Germany were just more decisive in their attacking shots and won the game.

 Serbia wins the President’s Cup

Serbia’s win today sees them hold the President’ Cup and they are now the 13th ranked team in the world. Poland are now the 14th and will be disappointed that they couldn’t snatch the title from Serbia in their close match today. They can hold their heads up high knowing that they played a great tournament here in Winterthur 2019.

All games are available live on www.fistball.tv
Further information and tickets: www.fistballmwc.com

Photo: Valentin Weber / IFA

WINTERTHUR. Day five was a day of surprises with Switzerland losing to Austria, Serbia losing to Australia and Chile beating the USA. Germany and Austria both had great wins in their matches and both will proceed to the semi-fianls. They will have to wait until tomorrow at 1200 and 1315 respectively to find out who they will play. Switzerland will face Italy at 1200 and Brazil will have to play Chile at 1315 so we will have to wait until then to see which teams will go through to the semi-finals tomorrow night.

Will it be Switzerland, Brazil, Italy or Chile who go through to the semi-finals?
Brazil and Switzerland are the favourites to play Germany and Austria in the semi-finals. However particularly Chile have played fantastic fistball so far and cannot be discounted.

Germany still undefeated
Germany have still only lost one set in this competition so far and that was to Austria on day three. The German team were dominant today playing sensational fistball against Brazil. Germany played like the champions they are predicted to be, beating the Brazilians in straight sets.

Germany – Brazil 3-0 (11:7, 11:9, 11:6)

Austria play fantastic fistball
Austria also played like champions coming out firing on all cylinders to smash the host team. Switzerland were overwhlmed by the form of the Austrians and, in turn made unforced errors costing them more points.

Austria – Switzerland 3-0 (11:9, 11:6 13:11)

President’s Cup
With a shock loss in their first game of the day Serbia still manage to face off against Poland for the President’s Cup. The rankings are based on all games to date and so Serbia manage to get the opportunity still. Japan will face The Netherlands at 1430 for 17^th place, Belgium will play against Australia for 15^th and Serbia will fight Poland at 1700 for 13^th place and the President’s Cup.

For further scheduling information: www.fistballmwc.com

All games are available live on www.fistball.tv

Picture credit: Markus Aeschimann

Jörn Verleger elected as the new IFA President – IFA 2023 Fistball Men’s World Championship takes place in Mannheim.

Jörn Verleger from Munich, Germany was elected the sixth president in the history of the International Fistball Association (IFA). The 47-year-old sports manager succeeds Karl Weiss (Austria). The Men’s WC 2023 was awarded to Mannheim (Germany). The congress was part of the IFA Fistball World Championship 2019, which is currently taking place in Winterthur.

Vice Presidents elected Giana Hexsel (Brazil), Vikki Buston (New Zealand) and Steve Schmutzler (Germany). Karl Weiss did not run for re-election after serving eight years as president of the Association. Weiss, who has led the IFA from 27 member nations to 61 national associations in the last eight years, has been elected Honorary President by the Congress.

At today’s IFA Congress in Winterthur (SUI), the next Men’s Fistball World Championship 2023 was awarded. The choice fell on a joint application of the German Fistball League, the Rhine-Neckar Metropol-Region with the city of Mannheim and the fistball club TV Käfertal. The Preliminary Round takes place at the Rhein-Neckar Campus Mannheim and offers a stadium with 5,000 seats. As a highlight the final round will be played in the modern SAP Arena, the home of the Rhein-Neckar Löwen (handball) and the Adler Mannheim (ice hockey). „The SAP arena has space for 12,000 spectators and will be a great venue for this fistball highlight”, says Uwe Kaliske, Head of Sport Department for the city of Mannheim. It will be the first international fistball event to be played on natural grass indoors. “The arena fulfills all technical regulations”, says Jörg Trinemeier from TV Käfertal. “We expect a sold out venue and a big step up in terms of presentation of the sport and the media production for fistball”, explains Jörn Verleger, new President of the International Fistball Federation.

During the 2019 World Championship we offer exclusive ticket pre-sales for the final weekend on 28/29 July 2023 in the SAP Arena. Weekend tickets for upper seats are available here: www.ifa-fistball.com/en/tickets-mwc23/  for a one-off price of 39 euros.

(The ticket special ends on Sat 17 Aug 2019)

WINTERTHUR. The 12 best teams played the first round of double elimination today. The Austrian’s almost had the biggest upset of the competition when they were put on the spot by Chile. The Chileans came to centre court firing on all cylinders at 1630 today.  In the end Austria managed to lift their game and won 3:2. The top four favourites in the competition are still in front but with everything to play for, the lower placed teams will be fighting hard tomorrow to try to make it into the top ten. Belgium had their first win of the tournament beating The Netherlands 3:0 in the President’s Cup. Tomorrow: Germany are playing Brazil at 1900 and Austria will face Switzerland at 2015 with both games streaming live from centre court.

Austria fights hard to beat Chile

Chile played great fistball today and almost upset the Austrian team. The young team of coach Martin Weiß didn’t give up and managed to hold on winning the game 3:2. The Chileans were on fire and it looked as though they would beat the favourites more than once. Youth and determination won out on the day however and the Austrian’s proceed through undefeated. Austria – Chile 3-2 (10:12, 11:9, 9:11, 11:6, 11:6)

Germany, Brazil and Switzerland winUnlike Austria the other three teams in the top ten beat their opposition 3:0. Germany looked to be struggling against the USA at times but played with determination to win. Brazil looked comfortable but will need to pick up their game if they want to continue to do well in the next rounds. Switzerland were the team that looked most at home winning each set convincingly.

Argentina play Namibia and Chile play New ZealandBoth newcomers to the top 12 went down to their opposition this afternoon but can take heart from their performances. New Zealand in particular played well and even won a set against the South American side. New Zealand will play Italy and Namibia the USA tomorrow.

Belgium wins its first ever game at a Men’s World ChampionshipBelgium played the Netherlands today with both teams in this competition for the first time. The Belgium side capitalised on their striking ability and won the match 3:0.

All games are available live on www.fistball.tv
Further information and tickets: www.fistballmwc.com

Picture credit: Stefan Gusenleitner / Faustball Austria

WINTERTHUR. The third day of the 2019 Fistball Men’s World Championship has once again ended in spectacular fashion. Switzerland played Brazil in front of an adoring crowd of over 4500, lifting their game to provide the best game of the Championship so far.

Switzerland wows the crowd in a nail biting final
Switzerland had to fight hard to beat Brazil in their best game yet. Much to the delight of the home crowd, after a first set loss Switzerland began to play with passion and enthusiasm that was matched by Brazil in all but the third set. The game made for great viewing for spectators and stadium came alive with the chant of the Swiss „Hopp Schwiiz“!

Switzerland – Brazil 3:1 (7:11, 13:11, 11:6, 15:14)

New Zealand becomes a crowd favourite
New Zealand started their fight for the double elimination round well, beating Belgium 3:0 and only looking in any danger for the first half of the first set. Coming off a good win earlier in the day New Zealand dominated in their second match against Poland winning the first two sets. They lost the third due mainly to the amazing striking of Poland’s Christoph Lechthaler. New Zealand have shown the world their ability to play good Fistball and the crowd has embraced the new team.
New Zealand – Belgium 3:0 (11:8, 11:7, 12:10); New Zealand – Poland 3:1 (11:5, 11:7, 8:11, 11:8)
Austria surprises Germany
Another surprise of the day has to be the performance of the Austrian team of Head Coach Martin Weiß and Assistant Coach Michael Fels. The men played superb Fistball forcing the Germans to make unforced errors and taking the first set against Germany at this Championship. The German team of coach Olaf Neuenfeld showed real class under pressure, re-setting their game and convincingly beat-ing the younger Austrian side 3:1.

Austria – Germany 3:1 (11:9, 5:11, 11:7, 11:4)

All games are available live on www.fistball.tv
Further information and tickets: www.fistballmwc.com

Picture credit: Valentin Weber / IFA

WINTERTHUR. The second day of the 2019 Fistball Men’s World Championship has ended in spectacular fashion with Switzerland and the USA having a thrilling game to end the day. The host nation took the win as expected but the Americans should be very proud of their perfor-mance. The top South American teams played a great game to adoring fans and Germany was dominant against Italy. In Groups C and D the clear top ranked teams are currently the Czech Republic and Namibia respectively. Japan has endeared themselves to the fans with their pas-sion and enthusiasm for the game. The top four are still just that, rounding off a great competition so far.

Brazil had a close win against Chile
The Chileans made Brazil work really hard for the win against them and the crowd was shown some spectacular offensive shots from both sides. Everyone except Brazil was hoping for a fifth set but Chile wasn’t able to make it happen.

Switzerland shows why they are in the top four
Team USA couldn’t pull a win out of the bag today even though they played fantastic Fistball. To a resounding chant of “Hopp Schwiiz” the Host Nation lifted their game and beat the visitors in straight sets. The whole stadium enjoyed seeing real passion from both sides and the team of couch Ronald A Jesswein can hold their heads up high.

Namibia and The Czech Republic top of Group C and D
Namibia had their third win of the Championship and will go through to the double elimination round. The next placed teams in this group are Denmark and The Netherlands with Denmark the like-ly contender for second place.
The Czech Republic was dominant against a flat New Zealand side. The Kiwi’s showed little of the fighting spirit that we saw and loved yesterday. Serbia had a thrilling win over Poland to take them into contention with New Zealand for second placing in the group. If New Zealand want to progress into double elimination they will need to win both their games tomorrow.

All games are available live on www.fistball.tv
Further information and tickets: www.fistballmwc.com
Picture credit: Fabio Baranzini / Swiss Faustball

WINTERTHUR. Two days before the start of the Fistball World Championship on the Schützenwiese in Winterthur, Swiss Coach Oliver Lang announces that top performer Ueli Rebsamen has become fit in time for the World Championship. Switzerland wants to move into the finals and reach the title for the first time in history.

Large Voluntary contingent at Stadium Schützenwiese

The 15th Fistball World Cup is already the biggest of all time. 18 nations from 5 continents will be playing from 11-17 August in Switzerland to fight for the world title. 11.000 tickets have already been sold in advance. Over 4,000 operational actions of volunteers are announced by OC President Toni Meier. “Around 17,000 working hours are provided during the seven World Championship days, not included the construction work of the countless civil service helpers. We are fully on schedule and ahead of schedule with building the infrastructure. Even the heavy rain during the last days could not stop the helpers from their work”, Meier is enthusiastic about how the planning of the past four years is now executed in practice.

Swiss team on fire for the event

From a sporting point of view, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Brazil are the top seeds for the Gold Medal. Swiss national coach Oliver Lang also expects outsider chances for Chile, Argentina and Italy. With Belgium, New Zealand, Poland and the Netherlands are 4 World Cup newcomers. “I think the title is awarded between Germany, Brazil, Austria and our team,” said the Nati coach, “anything can happen and with the home crowd behind us we can achieve a lot.” Behind the deployment of Switzerland captain Ueli Rebsamen stood for a long time a big question mark. The fans can now breathe a sigh of relief, as Lang announces: “I can confirm that he is fit enough to take part in the World Cup, it may not be in action with every game but it will hold its knee!”

Mascot as ambassador of the Fistball World Championship

The mascot “Üle” (Swiss for owl) has a strong connection to the Swiss national team. Not only has the daughter of the Swiss national coach Oliver Lang delivered the idea. Adela refers the mascot’s name to the nickname of Ueli Rebsamen. The life-size owl figure will be recognized by the fans as a sympathetic face of the World Championship on all days of the event.

SRF is broadcasting the matches of the Swiss national team live from Winterthur on 16 and 17 August. Further information and tickets: www.fistballmwc.com

Photos from the press conference (Valentin Weber / IFA) –LINK