International Fistball Association (IFA) has the honour to invite all IFA members to submit nominations for the IFA 2024 AWARDS.

The awards will be presented in the following categories:
• IFA BEST FISTBALL PICTURE OF THE YEAR (public voting)
• IFA ACTIVITY AWARD
• IFA LIFETIME AWARD

The proposals should be uploaded on www.tinyurl.com/IFAawards2024 latest until 6. January 2025.

The Awards Ceremony will be held virtually on the World Fistball Day Monday 30th January 2025.

Furthermore, we would like to invite and pre-inform all member federations to develop activities for World Fistball Day on January 30, 2025 and the days from Thursday, January 30 to Sunday, February 2, 2025 with various activities. All continental federations and members are invited to introduce themselves and their activities.

IFA was founded on 30 January 1960. IFA invites all member federations to develop activities on the World Fistball Day 30 January 2025.

The 65th birthday on January 30, 2025, includes:
– a virtual World Games 2025 workshop for athletes with information about the host country China,
– a virtual IFA members’ meeting / IFA guidelines forum,
– the virtual IFA Award 2024 awards ceremony.

Thank you for your support and your friendship in 2024!
IFA is looking forward to all Fistball activities all around the world with many highlights, especially The World Games in China and the World Tour Finals in Vöcklabruck, Austria!

Have a good start into an active and happy new year 2025.

Our office will reopen on Monday 13 January 2025 at 9am.

The participants and the schedule of the Fistball competitions at The World Games 2025 from August 9 to 13, 2025 in China have now been determined. Changes to IFA regulations, including minor changes to the Rules of the Game (valid from April 1, 2025), were approved and the 2023 financial statements and 2025 budget were adopted. The World Tour will be suspended in 2025. The IFA 2025 World Tour Final with the qualified teams from the 2024 tour will take place in Vöcklabruck from July 24 to 27, 2025. The format of the future club competition starting in 2026 will be discussed in the first board meeting in 2025. In addition, agreements with FICS and for the 2027 World Championships were initiated and the planning for World Fistball Day on January 30, 2025 was confirmed.

On Saturday, December 14, the IFA Board of Directors will meet for the sixth time in the current term of office from 2023 to 2027 under the leadership of IFA President Jörn Verleger. The meeting was attended by eleven members from seven countries and three continents. Here is the chronological report on the decisions of the meeting.

Competition Manager Sönke Spille reported on the preparations for The World Games in Chengdu, China. The following countries will be invited to participate in the women’s events at The World Games in China: Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Namibia. The Italian team has qualified in the men’s competition instead of Namibia. The World Games will take place from August 7 to 17, 2025, with the Fistball event scheduled for August 9 to 13, 2025.

The IFA Board of Directors approved the IFA 2023 Annual Financial Statement with a net profit of €40,477.21. It took note of the report prepared by the auditors on November 21, 2024 and the IFA Ethics Commission on December 9, 2024 due to the resignation of former Treasurer Franz Peter Iten and, without any dissenting votes, set up an evaluation commission with the aim of revising the IFA Financial Regulations and the IFA Conflicts of Interest Policy to January 29, 2025, in response to the audit report, so that they can be discussed at the IFA Membership Gathering / IFA Policy Forum and decided at the next board meeting. In addition, short-term changes to the IFA Financial Regulations were decided.

The board unanimously approved an amendment to the IFA Standing Orders, the 2025 annual budget and a MoU with FICS. The successful partnership with the International Federation for Chiropractic Sports (FICS) is to be continued in the next few years.

After further reports on the IFA 2024 World Tour Final in Mannheim, the U18 World Championships in Chile and the Women’s World Championships in Argentina, the IFA Sport Commission proposed minor changes to the Fistball Rules of the Game, which will come into force on April 1, 2025 and will be published in detail in the coming days.

The following teams have qualified for the women’s tournament at the IFA 2025 World Tour Final in Vöcklabruck from July 24 to 27, 2025: Dennach, Schneverdingen, Morgenau, SOGIPA, Kreuzlingen, Calw, Diepoldsau-Schmitter and Duque de Caixias. The men’s teams from Vöcklabruck, Linz-Urfahr, Novo Hamburgo, South Jersey, Merces, Vaihingen/Enz, Wigoltingen and Froschberg will be competing.

The IFA World Tour Series will take a break in 2025. We want to use the first half of 2025 to restructure the tour and set it up for the future. The IFA World Tour Final, as the world’s highest club competition, will remain in place despite the break in the World Tour. The event is to be renamed the Club World Cup or World Cup.

To evaluate the IFA Strategic Plan, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the establishment of a four-member evaluation commission in accordance with point IV, sentence 6 of the IFA statutes. The working group will in particular use the IFA Membership Gathering / IFA Policy Forum on World Fistball Day on January 30, 2025 and make a proposal for the next Board of Directors meeting.

World Fistball Day on January 30, 2025

IFA invites all member federations to develop activities for World Fistball Day on January 30, 2025 and the days from Thursday, January 30 to Sunday, February 2, 2025 with various activities. All continental federations and members are invited to introduce themselves and their activities.

The 65th birthday on January 30, 2025, includes:
– a virtual World Games 2025 workshop for athletes with information about the host country China,
– a virtual IFA members’ meeting / IFA guidelines forum,
– the virtual IFA Award 2024 awards ceremony

The nomination deadline for the IFA 2024 Awards is December 31, 2024. The awards will be in the categories “IFA Best Picture of the Year”, “IFA Activity Award” and “IFA Lifetime Award”.

The discussion about the hosting contract for the IFA 2027 Men´s World Championships, as well as further reports from the new IFA Youth Commission, the IFA President and the IFA Secretary General rounded off the three-hour meeting.

The 2025 Board meetings were scheduled for February 8, August 30 and November 8.

Today, IFA celebrates the International Volunteer Day.

“Volunteers deserve our heartfelt thanks”, said IFA President Joern Verleger. “As the President of IFA, I would like to thank all volunteers in Fistball on this UN International Volunteer Day for their tireless efforts in ensuring people across the globe have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity.”

The International Volunteer Day (IVD) mandated by the UN General Assembly, is held each year on 5 December. It is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work.

The IFA is committed to the UN Charter of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and wants to promote the participation of people with disabilities in sports – as laid down in Article 30 of the UN CRPD – in the sport of Fistball as well.

“Many sports clubs are demonstrating how participation and inclusion can be lived. The sports clubs and sports associations are already making their contribution on the way to an inclusive society. However, the potential for inclusion in club sports is far from being fully exploited,” said IFA President Jörn Verleger on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

In order to break down existing barriers, the IFA supports the following demands.

Access to sports and exercise
To enable people with disabilities to participate in sports, they need an adequate supply of aids (such as sports wheelchairs, appropriate prostheses, etc.) and unbureaucratic advice, referral, and reimbursement of assistance services according to the needs of people with disabilities.

Access to sports facilities
Accessibility, access and sports facilities and rooms must be designed and converted to be barrier-free, both for people who want to actively participate in sports and for spectators and volunteers with disabilities.

Participation in voluntary work
In order to enable people with disabilities to participate in decision-making and to carry out voluntary work (e.g. through assistance, conversions, the purchase of software or technical equipment), sports associations and clubs must be supported in implementing and financing the costs incurred.

Barrier-free communication
Particularly in the area of communication, accessibility is the basis for the participation of people with disabilities. Further possibilities for the financing of speech-to-text reporting are to be developed.

“The sports associations and clubs cannot possibly achieve these goals alone; they are dependent on a wide range of differentiated support services at all levels of government action. Only together can we face up to this future task for our society,” says Verleger.

On the final day of the IFA Women’s Fistball World Championship in Montecarlo, thrilling battles for the medals took place. In the intense gold match, Brazil secured the world championship title with a 4:0 victory over Germany, while Switzerland shone in the bronze match with a clear 4:0 win against Austria. Both games offered spectators top-class fistball and emotional excitement.

On the final day of the IFA Women’s Fistball World Championship in Montecarlo, Brazil delivered a top-notch performance, defeating defending champion Germany with a decisive 4:0. Each set was closely contested, offering spectators an exhilarating final in which small details ultimately made the difference. With this victory, Brazil claimed their second world championship title, dethroning Germany, who had dominated the last four world championships since 2014.

In the Montecarlo heat, Brazil kept their composure in critical moments, showcasing a united team effort. Germany struggled to break through the South Americans’ strong, compact defense. The first set ended 11:7 for Brazil, followed by two incredibly close sets that went into extra points, with Brazil narrowly winning 12:10 and 13:11. The fourth set also remained intense until the final match point, with Brazil sealing the victory at 11:9, sparking boundless celebrations.

Switzerland Secures Bronze with a Strong Performance

In the battle for third place, Switzerland triumphed over Austria with a 4:0 win, rewarding themselves for a solid tournament. Although Austria posed a serious challenge in the third set, pushing Switzerland to 15:13, Switzerland’s effective serves and steady teamwork carried them through. With this victory, Switzerland repeats their success from 2021, taking home the bronze medal.

The Women’s Fistball World Championship concluded with a spectacular day full of thrilling moments. Brazil now stands at the pinnacle of the world, while Germany and Switzerland also demonstrated impressive performances, leaving a powerful mark on the tournament.

Further Rankings and Qualification for the 2025 World Games

In the battle for 5th place, Chile triumphed over host Argentina in an exciting South American derby, winning decisively with a 3:0 score. This strong finish underscored Chile’s power on the international stage.

New Zealand claimed 7th place and secured the last ticket for the 2025 World Games with a clear 3:0 victory over Namibia. This achievement marked New Zealand’s best placement at a world championship to date, and their second consecutive qualification for the prestigious event since 2022.

Places 9 to 11 were contested among Colombia, the USA, and Australia. The USA secured 9th place with victories over both opponents. In a thrilling match, Australia managed to overturn a 0:2 deficit against Colombia, winning 3:2 and overtaking the South Americans at the last moment.

Final ranking:
1. Brasil, 2. Germany, 3. Switzerland, 4. Austria, 5. Chile, 6. Argentina, 7. New Zealand, 8. Namibia, 9. USA, 10. Australia, 11. Colombia

[wr_row][wr_column]On the third day of the IFA Women’s Fistball World Championship in Montecarlo, Argentina, Germany and Brazil secured their spots in the grand final. Germany achieved a commanding 3-0 victory over Austria in the semifinal, showcasing their outstanding form. As reigning champions and record titleholders, the German team is now aiming for their eighth world championship title.

In the second semifinal, Brazil delivered a thrilling showdown against Switzerland, captivating the numerous fans in attendance. After a suspenseful match, Brazil emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. Switzerland, down 0-2 after the first two sets (8:11, 14:15), mounted a comeback and took the third set 11:6. However, Brazil rallied in the fourth set, narrowly securing it 13:11 and booking their place in the final.

Beyond the semifinals, the battle for other placements continues. Argentina and Chile will face each other tomorrow in the match for fifth place, having both lost in the quarterfinals to Switzerland and Austria. The contest for seventh place between Namibia and New Zealand also promises excitement, as the winner of this match will qualify for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China.

In the placement rounds, the USA, Australia, and Colombia are competing for the 9th to 11th positions. For these teams, the matches offer a chance for improved standings and valuable international experience.

Sunday’s final program kicks off at 10 a.m. with the placement matches. At 2:30 p.m., Switzerland and Austria will compete for the bronze medal, followed by the grand final between Germany and Brazil at 4:45 p.m. This will be the first time the two powerhouse teams have met in a Women’s World Championship final since 2016. Germany won that match 4-2 and has remained the reigning champion ever since.

With the championship trophy within reach and a motivated Brazilian team eager to claim their second title, the final day promises a thrilling highlight of world-class fistball.

All matches will be broadcasted live on www.fistball.tv. The Matches of team Germany are transmitted on German territory by SWR exclusevly. The will be streamed via www.swr.de/sport.

On the second day of the Women’s Fistball World Championship in Monte Carlo, the group stage concluded, setting the course for the quarterfinals. In the Gold Group, the German team secured the top spot with a commanding 3-0 win over Austria. Germany now advances undefeated to the quarterfinals, where they will face Namibia, the Bronze Group’s leading team, who earned their place through a intermediate round victory over Australia. Namibia now faces the tough challenge of competing against the defending world champions from Germany.

In the Silver Group, Chile claimed the group victory with a clear 3-0 win over New Zealand. Chile will face Austria in the quarterfinals, as Austria is still searching for their first win of the tournament. This matchup is especially meaningful for Chilean attacker Lorenza Valenzuela, who lives in Austria and plays in the Austrian Bundesliga at Grieskirchen/Pötting.

In addition to Namibia, Argentina and New Zealand also secured their spots in the quarterfinals via the intermediate round. Argentina will play against Switzerland tomorrow, while New Zealand faces Brazil.

The teams that lost their intermediate round matches will play for places 9 through 11, starting tomorrow. The quarterfinal matches begin at 10 a.m., with the semifinals concluding the day at 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
All matches with Germany will be broadcasted within Germany on www.swr.de/sport only. All matches will be livestreamed on www.fistball.tv.

The first day of the IFA Women’s Fistball World Championship in Montecarlo, Argentina, began with high-level matches and thrilling encounters that delivered exciting moments for the spectators. In the Gold Group, the German team successfully claimed the top position after securing two strong victories against Brazil and Switzerland, setting Germany up early with a promising position for the remainder of the tournament.

Around midday, however, the tournament was interrupted by an intense thunderstorm over Montecarlo, resulting in a roughly 40-minute delay. The highly anticipated “Oceania Derby” in the Silver Group between Australia and New Zealand was especially affected. After resuming play, New Zealand managed a decisive 3-0 victory over Australia. Host country Argentina celebrated a clear victory against New Zealand but lost the Southamerican duel against Chile 1:3. Chile overtook the lead in the Silver Group with 2 victories.

Namibia made headlines in the Bronze Group by winning both of its matches against Colombia and the USA. With these back-to-back victories, the Namibians secured the group win early and will face the fourth-place team of the Silver Group tomorrow in the Intermediate Round at 5:30 p.m.

Tomorrow, Friday, the preliminary round will conclude. For the Bronze Group teams, an intermediate round awaits, where they will compete against the second, third, and fourth-placed teams of the Silver Group. The quarterfinals and semifinals will begin on Saturday, leading up to the placement matches on Sunday, which will bring the World Championship to its grand finale.

This action-packed opening day promises an exciting continuation, with all teams energized and ready to compete fiercely in the upcoming decisive matches.