Additionally, Korfball Club Zurich have produced a procedure under which indoor korfball training sessions are able to resume. Download and read the procedure here.
Upcoming training sessions
Swiss Korfball is holding training sessions roughly once a month this year, open for anyone to come along and give the sport a try! You can find all the events planned so far in the calendar.
Follow our Facebook page to get details of all of these events as they approach, or send us an email at info@swisskorfball.ch asking to be added to our mailing list.
You can import our calendar into your own calendar app to keep track of events. Just click here and check that your settings allow automatic syncing. Alternatively, in your gmail calendar you can search for swisskorfball@gmail.com.
Edinburgh International Korfball Tournament
2020
After last year’s premiere at the Edinburgh tournament, there was no question whether we would return. 14 players from Basel, Bern and Zurich represented Switzerland this year. Our team consisted of a nice mix from experienced players to players only just discovering the wonderful world of Korfball. Amongst others we had strong players Louisa, Vas and Gian Reto who were part of the Swiss Team having successfully qualified in Lviv for the EKC. Representing Switzerland, we obviously had a responsibility to uphold the swiss virtues (and stereotypes) and were therefore over punctual. So much so, that the sports centre hadn’t even opened yet, when we arrived.
The first game was tough, not being used to the loud hall and music while playing we could barely hear each other, or the advice shouted to us from the side lines. Over the course of the following games we learned to handle it and made some strategic choices when choosing in which half to attack and defend. It took us a few games to get to know each other, since we play in different clubs. But over some game time we steadily improved. Much to the credit of our coaches Louisa and Jantine, who did a wonderful job.
The match against Reading R Tired was of course one of the most important considering that Louisa’s hometown is Reading. Nothing less than a win would do and we were happy to make her proud and win that match. Spending the morning in the sports hall we could also watch many interesting games, discuss tactics and learn from other teams. Especially for our new players, this was an excellent opportunity to experience Korfball in “real life”. We are so proud to see the growth of all individual players over the weekend.
After 5 intense games we were happy to rest and spend the afternoon relaxing and chatting. Since the next main event was still to come: the legendary Ceilidh! This Scottish traditional dance is as much part of the Tournament as Korf itself. In a wonderful venue reminiscent of a knights hall we followed the instructions of the Ceilidh band and clapped, hopped, twirled, swang and flew (yes there was flying involved!) our way through the room. Not even the most reluctant dancers could resist taking to the dancefloor.
The next morning saw us return to the sports hall slightly worse for wear from yesterday’s exertions. Two players down with flu and head ache, we started again with a tough game against Manchester Hawks. All the games on Sunday were close. Again our performance increased over the 3 games. The games were challenges to which we rose gladly. After our last game we stayed to watch the final games deciding on the winner of the tournament and of course cheered for our friends from Stockholm playing for 3rd/4th place in parallel.
At Swiss Korfball we are welcoming all nationalities, which can also be seen in our team of Australian, Dutch, English, Greek, Hungarian, Indian and Swiss players. After so much Korf, we needed a rest and our British players took the opportunity to introduce the team to the delights of afternoon tea with scones, clotted cream, crumpets. Drinking tea and chatting rounded off the weekend nicely.
Finishing a proud 16th place out 24 teams, we congratulate ourselves to a successful tournament and look forward to return in 2021!
Edinburgh International Korfball Tournament
2019
It felt a bit like the beginning of a school trip: the backpacks, the packed snacks, and the excitement on our faces as if we were little kids. Instead of boarding a school bus, however, we boarded a plane to Edinburgh to take part at the Edinburgh International Korfball Tournament (EIKT). Swiss korfers from Zurich, Lausanne, Bern and Basel came together to compete as team Switzerland against teams from the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands. Before game days Saturday and Sunday, we got to know some of the teams at the pub social.
Saturday morning, we finally had the chance to play some korfball. We opened the tournament, playing the first game of the day against Edinburgh Uni 3. Despite our particular mix of players never having played together as a full team, the divisions quickly jelled. The pre-game "Hopp Schwiiz" cheer still echoing in our ears, we were highly motivated and still very energetic and fresh, so that we could score some goals and celebrate our first victory.
In the next game against Glasgow we were facing one of our own players Nina, who temporarily left Switzerland to do her masters. The game was a lot of fun, but we had to take in our first defeat. After some reassuring words from coach Afke, we tackled the next games against Edinburgh City, Northern Storm and Cardiff Raptors. The latter which being against Swiss player Luzia's former club, was of particular excitement. "We really have to win", Luzia said jokingly before the game. In the end, we drew against the Raptors, ensuring everyone still remains friends in the typically neutral Swiss way.
After a fun day of games and a noticeable improvement in our cooporation and tactics as a team, we were very excited to join the social organised by the Edinburgh club: Scottish Ceilidh dancing! Witnessing the elderly lady shouting 1, 2, 3, 4 at a big crowd of young people in her lovely Scottish accent, who then danced and moved around to the orders of the said lady was simply priceless. Some say it was the highlight of the tournament. While the whole team showed off their dancing skills and hip swings at the ceilidh, only very few made it to the club that marked the true closure of the evening social program.
As we came 4th in our group on Saturday, we were playing for rank 9-16 on Sunday. While most of us were fairly ambitious and hoped to achieve the best rank possible, the main aspect of the tournament was also having fun and gaining experience in playing games, which we certainly did. We learned how to play together successfully, how to defend efficiently, and how to do all of this with a big grin on our faces. We left the tournament satisfied, knowing we did our best and had lots of fun. As a big plus, we were also able to make some new friends and make Swiss Korfball a bit more prominent in the world of korfball. Many thanks to Edinburgh for the fantastic tournament, we had a blast!
Beach Korfball World Cup
2018
August 2018 saw us travelling to Belgium to take part in the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup, our second ever international tournament! We had a brilliant time (sun, sand, and korfball - what's not to love) playing against some talented and friendly teams. Get a glimpse of the weekend in this video, excellently put together by our wonderful assistant coach Henk van der Nol:
European Championships
First round 2017/18
In October 2017 we traveled to Budapest to represent Switzerland in the first round of the IKF European Championships, ultimately finishing at 6th place out of 8 teams. It was an exhilarating and inspiring experience for us all, and a great chance to meet other teams from various countries across Europe. Check out some photos from the tournament below!
