German Giants shine at Cohen Fistball club’s 60th anniversary tournament
The Cohen Fistball Club marked its 60th anniversary in style on Saturday, hosting an international tournament that delivered high-quality action and memorable performances. Two German Bundesliga teams headlined the event, with NLV Stuttgart-Vaihingen ultimately lifting the trophy after a thrilling final. In Category A, the competition began with teams divided into two groups. TSV Calw dominated Group A, winning all three of their matches to top the standings, while SFC 1 secured second place to progress to the semi-finals. CFC 2 and SKW 1, finishing third and fourth respectively, were relegated to the placement matches for fifth to eighth positions.
Group B was controlled by NLV Stuttgart-Vaihingen, who recorded three convincing victories to finish top of the group. The U18 national team impressed by securing second place, notably defeating defending champions CFC 1 and SFC 2. Both CFC 1 and SFC 2 subsequently moved into the placement bracket.
The semi-finals showcased top-tier fistball, with TSV Calw defeating the U18 national team 2–0 to book their place in the final. Stuttgart-Vaihingen followed suit with a 2–0 victory over SFC 1. This set up a unique final between the two German Bundesliga sides , clubs based just 40 kilometres apart now meeting 11,000 kilometres away in Windhoek.
The final proved to be a spectacle for the approximately 300 spectators in attendance. TSV Calw struck first, taking an early 1–0 lead. Stuttgart-Vaihingen responded by levelling the match, but Calw regained control to go 2–1 ahead, needing just one more set to clinch the title. However, Vaihingen mounted a strong comeback, winning the fourth set convincingly to force a decisive fifth set. In a dramatic conclusion, Stuttgart-Vaihingen held their nerve to secure a 3–2 victory, claiming their first-ever trophy on African soil.
In Category B, four teams competed in a round-robin format. SKW 2 emerged as champions, defeating CFC 3 3–1 in the final. The women’s national team secured third place after overcoming SFC 3. The youth categories also delivered exciting contests. In the U12 division, SKW A claimed top honours, followed by SKW B in second place. Cohen A and Cohen B finished third and fourth respectively. SKW A continued their dominance in the U15 category, finishing ahead of CFC A in second place, while SKW B and SFC A shared third position.
The tournament not only celebrated six decades of the Cohen Fistball Club but also highlighted the growing standard and international appeal of the sport in Namibia.
