Facts about the 2025 Champions League for women and men

Women and men with top teams at a high level

From 26 to 28 September 2025, the Champions League in Icestock-Sport for women and men took place in Klagenfurt. The event attracted numerous spectators and presented itself as a sporting highlight on an international level.

The opening ceremony on Friday already sent a strong signal: it was an atmospheric start and was perceived by many participants as a special highlight of the weekend. The entire event was praised by athletes and visitors alike for its excellent organisation.

General information about the tournament

The event was held in Klagenfurt again – after its successful premiere in 2024, the IFI European Stocksport Champions League returned to the same location in 2025.

The venue was the stocksport facility in Klagenfurt.

Participants: 12 women’s and 16 men’s teams from a total of seven nations (including Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Czechia, Lithuania and Slovenia).

Spectators had to pay an entrance fee of around €15 for all three days, with VIP tickets available for individual days or combinations.

From an Austrian perspective, the home dominance in the Champions League was traditionally strong – especially in the men’s competition, where another title win for the home teams was expected.

Women’s competition

Participants & favourites

Austria was strongly represented with four teams (including the reigning champions ESV Union Vornholz, SU Stocksport St. Peter/Wimberg, ESV Neustift-Innermanzing and SG Pottschach/Neunkirchen).

Special attention was paid to ensuring that all Austrian women’s teams were drawn into the same preliminary round group, which meant that one of the domestic teams had to be eliminated early on.

Internationally, teams from Germany and Italy were considered serious contenders.

Tournament progress & results

There were surprises in the knockout phase: the reigning champions ESV Union Vornholz were eliminated after the preliminary round.

The final was contested by SG Pottschach Eisbären Neunkirchen (AUT) and ESV Neustift-Innermanzing (AUT) – an all-Austrian duel.

The surprise winner was SG Pottschach/Neunkirchen, who prevailed 4-0 (games: 4-3, 6-3) against Neustift-Innermanzing.

In the semi-finals, Pottschach Neunkirchen defeated AEV Niederdorf (ITA) 5-1, while Neustift-Innermanzing beat EC Gerabach (GER) 4:2.

In the quarter-finals:

• SG Pottschach/Neunkirchen defeated TSV Peiting (GER) 4:2
• ESV Neustift-Innermanzing beat TSV Kühbach (GER) 4:2
• AEV Niederdorf (ITA) beat EV Moritzing Seiwald (ITA) 4-2
• EC Gerabach (GER) beat SU Stocksport St. Peter (AUT) 4-0

The bronze medal was shared between AEV Niederdorf (ITA) and EC Gerabach (GER)

Assessment & special features

The triumph of Pottschach/Neunkirchen is considered a sensation, as the team competed at international level for the first time and won the title straight away.

Particular mention must be made of the performance of Sabrina Pozarek, who remained flawless in the final and thus made an important contribution.

Neustift had to settle for silver – a respectable achievement, even if they had hoped for more.

Other favourite teams such as St. Peter and Vornholz were unable to achieve the results they had hoped for.

Men’s competition

Participants & favourites

The men’s field included ESV Union Ladler Wang, EV Rottendorf/Seiwald, TSV Hartpenning, TK Niederviehbach, ESC Luttach (ITA), EV Straßwalchen and EK Deurotherm Feldkirchen.

The clear favourite was defending champion ESV Union Ladler Wang, which had already shown strong performances on several occasions.

Tournament progress & results

In the quarter-finals:

• ESC Luttach (ITA) – ESV Union Ladler Wang 2 : 4
• EV Rottendorf/Seiwald (AUT) – EV Straßwalchen (AUT) 4 : 2
• TSV Hartpenning (GER) – EK Deurotherm Feldkirchen (AUT) 4 : 0
• ESV SP Pongratz Kowald Voitsberg (AUT) – TSV Niederviehbach (GER) 2 : 4

In the semi-finals:

• ESV Union Ladler Wang – EV Rottendorf/Seiwald 5 : 1
• TSV Hartpenning – TSV Niederviehbach 3 : 3 (36 : 34 in the ring measurement)

The final saw a dramatic clash between ESV Union Ladler Wang (AUT) and TSV Hartpenning (GER).

The match was finally decided in the ring measurement (shoot-off) with a score of 28 : 20 in favour of Wang, after the match went to three games (3 : 3 overall).

ESV Union Ladler Wang thus won its fourth Champions League title in a row.

The bronze medals went to EV Rottendorf/Seiwald (AUT) and TSV Niederviehbach (GER)

Placings beyond the medals: Straßwalchen finished in 5th place, Feldkirchen was also listed in the final standings.

Assessment & special features

Wang once again showed nerves of steel, especially in the final, when the deciding shot in the shoot-off tipped the scales.

It was a strong tournament for Hartpenning, which ended in a close finish in the final.

Rottendorf still managed to secure bronze – a solid performance in a strong field.

With this victory, Wang consolidates his position as the dominant force in the Champions League.

Overall assessment & outlook

The 2025 Champions League in Klagenfurt offered three days of thrilling matches, some dramatic decisions and a few surprises, especially in the women’s competition.

In the women’s competition, the title win by SG Pottschach/Neunkirchen was a highlight – an underdog team that came out on top in its very first international appearance.

In the men’s competition, Wang, the big favourite, prevailed – once again demonstrating his class and consistency.

The event itself was very well organised, with a supporting programme, attractive admission prices and good infrastructure on site.

For the next edition, it will be interesting to see whether new favourites emerge in the women’s competition and whether Wang can continue his winning streak.

Overall, the 2025 Champions League in Klagenfurt sent a strong signal about the international importance of Stockport and offered sports enthusiasts three days of top performances and an electrifying atmosphere.