Fistball tourney thrills

The 60th anniversary of the Cohen Fistball Club was celebrated in style on Saturday in Windhoek, as top teams from Namibia and Germany gathered for a thrilling international tournament. In front of approximately 300 spectators, Germany’s NLV Stuttgart-Vaihingen emerged victorious after a dramatic final against domestic rivals TSV Calw.

The tournament’s top division, Category A, featured eight competitive teams divided into two groups. TSV Calw dominated Group A with three straight wins, advancing alongside SFC 1. In Group B, Vaihingen proved equally strong, securing top spot with convincing victories in all their matches. The U18 National Team impressed by finishing second in the group, notably defeating defending champions CFC 1.

The semi-finals delivered high-quality fistball action. Calw booked their place in the final with a solid 2–0 win over the U18 side, while Vaihingen defeated SFC 1 by the same margin. This set up an all-German final between two Bundesliga teams whose home bases are separated by just 40 kilometres—but who now met 11,000 kilometres away on Namibian soil.

The final lived up to expectations. Calw struck first, taking the opening set before Vaihingen responded to level the match. Calw regained control with a dominant third set to lead 2–1 and stood on the brink of victory. However, Vaihingen showed resilience and composure, storming back to win the fourth set and force a decider. In a tense fifth set, Vaihingen completed their comeback to secure a 3–2 victory, claiming their first-ever tournament title in Africa.

In Category B, SKW 2 took top honours after defeating CFC 3 in the final (3–1). The Ladies National Team secured third place with a win over SFC 3.

The youth competitions also showcased promising talent. SKW dominated both divisions, winning the U12 and U15 titles. In the U12 category, SKW A finished ahead of SKW B and CFC, while in the U15 division, SKW A claimed first place, followed by CFC A, with SKW B and SFC A sharing third.

Among the notable players in attendance was Phillip Kübler, the German national team setter for TSV Calw, highlighting the international calibre of the event.

The Cohen Tournament 2026 not only celebrated six decades of fistball tradition but also strengthened international sporting ties, delivering a memorable showcase of skill, competition, and sportsmanship.