NZ are the Asia Pacific Champions!

​After months of training, the New Zealand Men’s and Women’s National Fistball teams both took home the silverware last weekend at the Asia-Pacific Fistball Championships!

It was an amazing tournament and we must acknowledge the efforts of the Fistball Federation of Australia and their volunteers in running such a fantastic event.

Some intense battles for second and third took place in some trying weather conditions between both the men’s and women’s teams for Australia and New Zealand. The kiwi women managed to hold on to their winning streak and take home the Asia-Pacific women’s cup. The women’s teams played several games over 3 days against Australia and an All Stars team made up of players from Germany, Austria, India, Chile and England.

The kiwi men played some incredible Fistball, made sweeter by being able to take home the silverware at the end of some unbelievably hard fought battles. Both games against Australia were an absolute highlight to watch and I highly recommend watching the footage of the final game which is still available at https://apfc2018.com/tournament/livestream/

Well done to all players from all countries. The play on the field showed that the Asia-Pacific fistball region is one to watch. The Indian men’s team made a huge journey over and took out third place after some close games. In their International debut, Samoa quickly became the crowd favourites and played some excellent fistball, proving they’ll definitely be making some noise in future tournaments.

The NZFA are incredibly proud of the players, coaches and support teams who have worked so hard for these wins. We also couldn’t do it without the help of our sponsors. NZHL Canterbury Metro and The Good Home, your ongoing support means the world to us and we couldn’t be more thankful that you’ve embraced the vision and culture of what we’re trying to build here.

Full results can be found below.

Fist on!

Women's Championships:

Q1. IFA All-Stars def New Zealand 3:1 (15-14, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8)
Q2. IFA All-Stars def Australia 3:0 (11-6, 13-11, 11-9)
Q3. New Zealand def Australia 3:0 (11-5, 11-5, 12-10)
Q4. IFA All-Stars def Australia 3:1 (14-15, 11-5, 11-9, 11-5)
Q5. IFA All-Stars def New Zealand 3:2 (11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 6-11, 11-4)
Q6. New Zealand def Australia 3:0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-4)
Q7. New Zealand def IFA All-Stars 3:0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-9)
Q8. Australia def IFA All-Stars 3:2 (7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-13, 11-3)

Women's Championship Final - New Zealand def Australia 4:0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 11-4)

Men's Championships:

Q1. Australia def Samoa 4:0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5)
Q2. New Zealand def Samoa 4:1 (11-6, 11-8, 13-15, 11-6, 11-6)
Q3. New Zealand def India 4:0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6)
Q4. Australia def India 4:0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4)
Q5. India def Samoa 4:0 (11-9, 11-5, 15-13, 11-6)
Q6. New Zealand def Australia 4:3 (5-11, 4-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 14-12, 11-3)

Semi-Final #1 - New Zealand def Samoa 4:1 (11-6, 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10)
Semi-Final #2 - Australia def India 4:0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-3, 11-2)

Third Place Playoff - India def Samoa 4:1 (14-12, 11-6, 6-11, 13-11, 11-8)

Men's Championship Final - New Zealand def Australia 4:3 (3-11, 15-13, 7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10)