Experiencing a grandiose world championship together with the fans: That’s what giraffe “Manni” is looking forward to, the mascot of the 2023 World Fistball Championships, which was officially presented during the German Championships in Unterhaugstett.
The idea came from the pen of Adéla Lang, daughter of Swiss national coach Oli Lang, who already created mascot Üle at the 2019 World Championships in Winterthur – thus ensuring an international production in 2023. Üle is now followed by a fistball-mad giraffe.
Quite fitting, there are quite a few in fistball circles who like to compare the German attackers once with giraffes, who with their body size always manage to look over the two-meter high line – and benefit from this size in fistball matches. What’s more: despite their size, giraffes can reach speeds of over 50 km/h. There, too, the fistballers come full circle. After all, speed is what counts here, too. And on all positions!
By the way, “Manni” owes his name to an online poll in which the most entries ultimately tipped the scales. So Manni is now looking forward to many photos with all the big and small fans and invites them to experience a unique fistball spectacle in the Rhein-Neckar Stadium and the SAP Arena.
“Every great sporting event needs the right mascot. We would like to thank everyone who contributed their creative ideas. The name Manni was the great favorite for very many,” says World Cup Managing Director Sönke Spille. “Now I’m really looking forward to it when Manni – together with the many World Cup fans – makes the Rhein-Neckar Stadium and the SAP Arena shake.”
The Fistball World Championship will take place in Mannheim from July 22 to 29, 2023. Germany will start the tournament as defending champions on July 22 at 2 p.m. against Namibia.