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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.”

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The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has announced in the presence of IFA President Jörn Verleger 17 new members for its Sports for Nature Framework during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. IFA signed the commitment as one of 24 International Federations already at the IF Forum in Lausanne in November 2023.

During the event, Samuel Ducroquet, Ambassador for Sport, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France, explained that there were four key motivations for Paris 2024: leading by example, offering a strong voice for change, creating a new model for major events, and making the practice of sport more responsible and respectable.

Additionally, Marie Sallois, Corporate and Sustainable Development Director for the International Olympic Committee, said there was no other sector that could inspire like sport could, and that this platform should be used to educate around sustainability and responsibility.

This responsibility has been demonstrated by the Paris 2024 organising committee, which committed to reducing carbon emissions, limiting the construction of new venues, lowering plastic waste and more. The organisers also looked to incorporate eco-construction where possible, enhance biodiversity, offer plant-based food and locally sourced products, utilise public transport, create a circular economy, champion inclusivity and, of course, clean up the River Seine to be used for events.

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.”

The men’s and women’s World Tour Finals will take place in Austria in 2025: Union Tigers Vöcklabruck will host the competition for the best club teams in the world from 24-27 July 2025.

It was the biggest success in the club’s history: the Union Tigers Vöcklabruck fistball team won the title at the 2024 World Tour Finals on 21 July, crowning themselves the best club team in the world. In one year, the Tigers will host the next world cup for club teams: from 24 to 27 July, the defending champions will host the top teams in Vöcklabruck. After 2019 (Salzburg), the World Tour Finals are thus returning to Austria.

Early awarding for better planning

“We are delighted to have found a very experienced organizer of national and international events to host the event,” says Jörn Verleger, President of the International Fistball Association (IFA): “We are convinced that we will experience a great event in Vöcklabruck next year.” With six participating teams, Austria is the country with the largest number of participating teams at the latest event in Mannheim. “There is great enthusiasm for the World Tour format in Austria. We are therefore all the happier that the Union Tigers Vöcklabruck have signaled their interest in our bidding process. We had very good discussions in which you could sense the great motivation of all those involved,” says Sönke Spille, Head of Events at IFA: “It was important to us to create clarity at an early stage and thus offer the teams planning security. We have succeeded in doing this with the award – one year before the event.”

Experienced organizer of fistball events

The Union Tigers Vöcklabruck have already hosted Austrian championships, European Cup events and European championships in recent years. In 2025, the Volksbankstadion Vöcklabruck will now host the best club teams in the world. “We were enthusiastic about the idea of the IFA World Tour right from the start, it has given the tournaments a new value and the top teams from all over the world regularly compete against each other there,” says Stefan Huemer, head of the organizing committee: “The World Tour Final is the highest title that can be won by a club team and the value of this title has also increased enormously since the finals were introduced.”

The Tigers Vöcklabruck have been at the finals without interruption since 2019 (Salzburg), and their wish to host this event themselves is now coming true. The Vöcklabruck team has experience from numerous events. “After various Final 3 competitions, a Masters World Championship, two Champions Cups and a European Youth Championship, this is the event highlight in the club’s history,” emphasizes Huemer: “On the one hand, we can offer the teams a perfect sporting ambience, and on the other hand, the area around Vöcklabruck with its lakes, mountains and cultural sites offers numerous “delicacies” that round off such a competition perfectly.” In sporting terms, the Tigers want to compete for the title in front of their home crowd – and also promote the region. Huemer: “All participating teams should share wonderful experiences together and remember the 2025 World Tour Finals in Vöcklabruck for as long as possible.”

First participants confirmed

The winners of the highest continental Cup competitions in 2024 in the regions of Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, South America and North America have qualified for the 2025 World Tour Finals. The winners of the 2024 World Tour Finals have also punched their ticket. The starting field will be completed by the best-placed teams from the 2024 World Tour, which will hold tournaments until the end of September. With TSV Dennach (GER/Winner European Cup) and TV Jahn Schneverdingen (GER/Winner World Tour Finals 2024) in the women’s competition and FBC Linz-Urfahr (AUT/Winner European Cup) and host Union Tigers Vöcklabruck (AUT/Winner World Tour Finals 2024) in the men’s competition, the first four teams have already qualified for the World Tour Finals 2025.

As part of TAFISA’s Girls Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway, the workshop on coaching girls and women took place on July 20 in Mannheim within the framework of the Fistball World Tour Finals. Gender inequalities still prevent girls and women from participating in certain sports. Girls positive and Safe Coaching pathway is a project that aims to break down these barriers by educating coaches on how to coach girls and women appropriately.

The aim of the presentation was to provide the almost 50 participants aged 15-30 with strategies to create a safe environment for young girls and women in sport, training, competition and club life. The lecture focused on verbal and non-verbal communication between coaches and athletes. Supposed taboo topics such as menstruation in sport were also addressed in order to illustrate the major impact the female cycle has on the athlete’s performance and general well-being and how important it is for coaches to be aware of this. Through interactive exercises and the sharing of their own experiences in particular, the participants were given numerous strategies and guidelines on how to best respond to and pay attention to the needs of their female athletes.

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).

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.

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.

The first semi-finalists of the 2024 World Tour Finals in Mannheim have been determined: on the first day in Mannheim’s Rhein-Neckar Stadium, six of the eight men’s and women’s teams have already secured their tickets. he TV Jahn Schneverdingen, TSV Dennach (women) and the Union Tigers Vöcklabruck (men) did not lose a set. he first semi-finals for the women are already on the program on Friday evening.

Men: Pfungstadt and Vöcklabruck duel for group victory

The defending champions are on course in the men’s competition. SG Novo Hamburgo celebrated two victories against Austrian representatives UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting (11:7, 11:4, 11:7) and TV Enns (10:12, 11:5, 11:7, 11:7) to top the preliminary round group. D Behind them, the two Austria teams will duel for second place (2.30 p.m.). gipa Porto Alegre, on the other hand, remained without a win against Enns (6:11, 6:11, 8:11) and Grieskirchen (11:5, 3:11, 6:11, 10:12) and occupy fourth place.

The clash between TSV Pfungstadt and Union Tigers Vöcklabruck on Friday promises to be an interesting one. Both Pfungstadt (11:8, 6:11, 15:13, 11:5 against Froschberg / 5:11, 11:4, 11:7, 11:6) and Vöcklabruck (15:14, 11:7, 11:9 against Käfertal / 11:9, 11:6, 11:9 against Froschberg) remained unbeaten in their matches and will play out the group winner on Friday (1 p.m.).

Women: Schneverdingen and Dennach without losing a set

Clear conditions with a look at the table of the preliminary round group A: The TSV Dennach and Sogipa Porto Alegre lead the group with four points each, with Den ach remained without a set loss with victories against UFG Grieskirchen/Pötting (11:8, 11:9, 11:5) and Faustball Kreuzlingen (11:6, 11:5, 11:4). However, the Brazilians had to stretch themselves mightily in the opener against Kreuzlingen (11:7, 14:15, 13:11, 8:11 11:7), followed by an unchallenged 3:0 (11:8, 11:4, 11:2) against Grieskirchen. .

Defending champions TV Jahn Schneverdingen have already secured their ticket to the semi-finals. After defeating FBC Linz-Urfahr (11:9, 11:7, 11:3) and SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter (11:2, 14:12, 11:7), the team celebrated two fairly unchallenged victories and will not be displaced before the match against FG Elgg-Ettenhausen (0 points) on Friday morning. who secures the last of the four semi-final tickets will be decided in the direct duel between SVD Diepoldsau-Schmitter and FBC Linz AG Urfahr. Sowo he SVD (11:9, 11:6, 11:6) and the Austrians (11:7, 9:11, 9:11, 11:6, 12:10) won their matches against Elgg. The winner of the direct duel (11.30 a.m.) remains in the title race.

The semi-finals are already on the program at the end of the day (6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.). zuvo (The two matches in the President’s Cup are on the program at 4.30 pm.