The Chilean family Mödinger is strongly represented at the World Games in Poland

It is often said that fistball is family, and many families pass on their passion for the sport from one generation to the other.  This is in particular also true for the family Mödinger from Llanquihue, Chile.  For 55 years, players from the family have represented the local side Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue, Club Manquehue in Santiago, and the Chilean national team.

Hernan, Joaquin, Cristobal and Alvaro Mödinger at the World Games in Calí (COL) 2013
Hernan, Joaquin, Cristobal and Alvaro Mödinger at the World Games in Calí (COL) 2013

Following this tradition, four Mödinger’s will be representing Chile at the upcoming World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, where the fistball tournament is being played from July 22 – 25 – Joaquin as a coach, and, his brothers Cristobal and Alvaro, as well as their second degree cousin Eduardo as players.

Christobal_Moedinger
Christobal Mödinger at the World Championships in Argentina 2015

All of them have been fascinated by fistball from an earlier age.  “Intense, exciting, rewarding”, describes Cristobal Mödinger his passion for the sport.   “It is a special sport for all the different opportunities that it brings you. For example, you could travel around the world, meet new people from other countries and cultures, and bond with them as well”, says his cousin Eduardo.  One of his favorite memories is participating at his first international championship in 2000, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, “I was nine years old at that time and all my closer family and best childhood friends were there with me.  We were one of the younger teams and we succeeded, we reached the second place.  And now we all will be playing together at the World Games in Poland.”

Alvaro_Joaquin_Modinger
Alvaro and Joaquin are playing together since their childhood days

Both Eduardo and Cristobal played for Chile at the team’s successful 2014 South American Championships campaign in Brazil.  And they are in good hopes for the World Games.  “Obviously, I hope we will win the World Games, but, realistically, my hopes are we could be among the best four teams”, says Eduardo.  Cristobal echoes his cousin’s expectations, “My hopes are high but with moderation.  We are a mature team that has played many tournaments together, and we know our strengths and weaknesses.  We want to take it step by step, and our goal is to make it to the semifinals.”

The Fistball Players of the Family Mödinger at a Glance
(Participating at the World Games in Wroclaw)

Name Age Playing Position Club Fistball since National Team since
Cristobal Mödinger 34 Attacker Club Manquehue 1991 1999
Alvaro Mödinger 28 Attacker Club Manquehue 1997 2003
Eduardo Mödinger 26 Attacker Club Manquehue 2000 2006
Joaquin Mödinger 32 Defense Club Manquehue 1992 1999
Lorena Mödinger 32 Defense Club Manquehue 1993 2000
Constanza Mödinger 28 Defense Club Manquehue 2006 2014
Francisca Gray Mödinger 22 Zuspiel Club Manquehue 2008 2010
Hernan Mödinger 63 Attacker Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 1968 1979 – 1989
Juan Ewaldo Mödinger 62 Defense Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 1969 1980 – 1990
Pablo Gray Mödinger 16 Attacker Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 2011 2016 U-16
Victor Mödinger 69 Defense Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 1962 1968 – 1990
Cristina Mödinger 33 Defense Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 1993 2000 – 2003
Enrique Mödinger 70 Attacker Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 1962 1981 – 1983
Andres Mödinger 37 Attacker Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 1989 1999 – 2003
Gabriel Mödinger 32 Defense Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 1992 2009 – 2010
Francisco Mödinger 57 Defense Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue 1974 1983 – 1985

Story: Peter Schierl-Montfort / IFA