D

Spiel Ohne Grenzen 1975

Heat 1

Event Staged: Saturday 12th April 1975
Venue: Kobelstadion (Kobel Stadium),
Füssen im Allgäu, Bayern, West Germany

Transmission:
WDR 1 (D): Saturday 12th April 1975, 2.45-4.00pm (Live)

Referees on Duty:
Hans Ebersberger, Gerd Siepe and Werner Treichel

Weather Conditions: Not applicable as the event was staged under cover

Theme: Der Eiszirkus (The Ice Circus)

Teams: Füssen im Allgäu v. Mannheim

Team Members included:
Füssen im Allgäu - Walter Hofer (Men’s Team Captain), Hedy Loschky (Women’s Team Captain), Andrea Adolf, Peter Bosch, Bernhard Buhl, Karolina Häfele, Rolf Hoberg, Barbara Hoffner, Klaus Jaskolka, Karlheinz Kerlies, Hermann Läubin, Uwe Läubin, Dagmar Orfgen, Xavier Pfeiffer, Karline Schallis, Franz Schrettinger, Karin Sutter;
Mannheim - Stefan Faldo, Kristof Fultz, Henrick Hasse, Friedrich Henniger, Michal Paul, Günther Ronnen, Gerthard Spitz.

Games: The Curling Clowns, The Elephant Plays Football, The Ballerina, the Ape and the Grizzly Bear, The Elements of the Snowman, Clowning-A-Round, The Ice Hockey Polar Bear, The Ringmaster's Horse, The Trapeze Slide, The Russian Can-Can Dancers, The Penguin and the Ice Floe;
Jokers: Clowns on Skis.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

 F • Füssen im Allgäu ● ●
 M • Mannheim

18
4

Füssen im Allgäu qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Mannheim, West Germany:
staged on Tuesday 15th July 1975

The Host Town

Füssen im Allgäu, Bayern

Füssen im Allgäu is a town with a population of around 15,000 inhabitants in the state of Bayern and is located 90km (56 miles) south-west of München, 176km (109 miles) south-east of Stuttgart and just 5km (3 miles) north of the border with Austria. It lies on the banks of the River Lech and is renowned for its violinmaking industry and, at 808m (2,651ft) above sea level, is the highest town in the state.

Füssen im Allgäu was first settled in Roman times, on the Via Claudia Augusta, a road that leads southwards to northern Italy and northwards to Augsburg, the former regional capital of the Roman province of Raetia. The original name of Füssen was ‘Foetes’, which derives from Latin ‘Fauces’, meaning ‘gorge’, probably referring to the Lech gorge.

The town later became the site of the ‘Hohes Schloß’ (High Castle), the former summer residence of the prince bishops of Augsburg, below which stands the Baroque complex of the former Benedictine monastery of St. Mang, whose history goes back to the 9th century. The town’s patron saint is Saint Mang (Magnus) and he and his Benedictine brother Theodor were two monks from the Abbey of Saint Gall and are generally considered to be its founders. Magnus’s original burial place was in the small chapel he had built. His bones were transferred to the crypt of the church built in AD 850, but around 1100, all his bones mysteriously disappeared! St. Mang's Feast Day on 6th September is commemorated with a Holy Mass followed by a torchlight procession through the old part of the town. During the week of the Feast, a special 'Magnus Wine' is sold, with only 500 bottles being produced each year.

The town’s two main claims to fame are that scenes from the 1963 movie The Great Escape, including the motorcycle stunts performed by actor Steve McQueen (1930-1980), were filmed in and around its environs. The second is the two beautiful and picturesque castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau which are located just 5km (3 miles) east of the town.

Schloß Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle) is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace located on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau. It was commissioned by the reclusive Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886) as a personal refuge for himself. Ludwig paid for the palace out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing, rather than Bavarian public funds.

During the Middle Ages, three castles overlooked the village. One was called Schwanstein Castle. In 1832, Ludwig's father King Maximilian II of Bavaria (1811-1864) bought its ruins to replace them with the comfortable neo-Gothic palace known as Hohenschwangau Castle. Finished in 1837, the palace became his family's summer residence, and his elder son Ludwig spent a large part of his childhood here.

Vorderhohenschwangau Castle and Hinterhohenschwangau Castle sat on a rugged hill overlooking Schwanstein Castle, two nearby lakes (Alpsee and Schwansee) and the village. Separated only by a moat, they jointly consisted of a hall, a keep, and a fortified tower house, but by the 19th century, only ruins remained of the twin medieval castles. These ruins above the family palace were known to the crown prince from his excursions. He first sketched one of them in his diary in 1859.

When the young king came to power in 1864, the construction of a new palace in place of the two ruined castles became the first in his series of palace building projects. Ludwig called the new palace New Hohenschwangau Castle. It was only after his death that it was renamed Neuschwanstein. The confusing result is that Hohenschwangau and Schwanstein have effectively swapped names - Hohenschwangau Castle replaced the ruins of Schwanstein Castle, and Neuschwanstein Castle replaced the ruins of the two Hohenschwangau Castles.

Immediately following Ludwig’s death in 1886, the castle was opened to the paying public. Since then, it has become a global symbol of the era of Romanticism with more than 61 million people having visited the castle. It provided animator Walt Disney (1901-1966) with the inspiration for his Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle and has also appeared prominently in several movies, the most famous of which was the 1968 musical film version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, based on the book written by Ian Fleming (1908-1964), and which starred Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes (1930-2021), Gert Fröbe (1913-1988), Benny Hill (1924-1992) and Lionel Jeffries (1926-2010).

Today, with more than 1.3 million people visiting the castle annually, with as many as 6,000 per day during the summer months, Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. For security reasons, the palace can only be visited during a 35-minute guided tour and guests without advance reservation could find that they have to wait up to several hours for entry.

On 6th April 2002, a meteorite that failed to completely burn up whilst traversing through the Earth’s atmosphere, landed at the Austrian border near Hohenschwangau. The three fragments that were found were named Neuschwanstein I, II and III after the palace.

The Visiting Town

Mannheim is a city with a population of around 315,000 inhabitants in the state of Baden-Württemberg and is located 269km (167 miles) north-west of Füssen im Allgäu.

The Venue

Kobelstadion (Kobel Stadium)

The games were played on ice at the Kobelstadion which was opened on 26th October 1949 with a friendly match between EV Füssen and VfL Bad Nauheim. The construction of the open-air stadium, on a natural ice rink at the same location, was supported by donations of money and goods from the town’s inhabitants. At its inauguration, the stadium could house 16,000 spectators. However, after having a roof fitted in 1963, the capacity was reduced to 7,000.

The stadium was home of EV Füssen who played ice hockey in the Bavarian Bayernliga. The club was the second-most successful in Germany (after Berlin), having won sixteen national titles between 1949 and 1973 (seven of which were consecutive between 1953 and 1959). The heyday of EV Füssen came to an end in the mid-1970s. Ice hockey in the small town on the Lech could no longer keep up with the clubs from large metropolises such as Cologne, Berlin or Düsseldorf. More and more players were drawn away from the Allgäu to join their competitors. Ultimately, the bloodletting was too great and the club found itself in the bottom of the table at the beginning of the 1980s. In the summer of 1982, a change for the better was supposed to take place with great financial effort, but sporting success did not materialise and at the end of the 1982/83 season the club was financially exhausted.

In 1988, the Kobelstadion was demolished. Two years later, in 1990, the new BLZ (Bundesleistungszentrum) Arena was opened at the same location and today serves as the German National Training Centre for winter sports.

The Games in Detail

Game 1 - The Curling Clowns
(Die Curling-Clowns)

The first game - ‘The Curling Clowns’ (Die Curling-Clowns) - was played in unison over two minutes duration and featured forty-five giant water-filled balloons hanging down from scaffolding and two male competitors dressed as clowns standing at either end of the course. Each team was armed with two brooms and a large caricatured clown crouching down and standing on skis. The figure had large hands that pointed outwards with a large pin protruding from each of its palms. On the whistle, the first competitor had to push the figure up the ice towards the balloons using the broom, in order for the pins to burst them. The team could then decide which of the clowns would retrieve the figure to repeat the game. It should be noted that neither of the competitors wore skates and this somewhat hindered their movement and the slow action overall. The team bursting the greater number of balloons would be declared the winners.

This straightforward and simple game appeared to be a bit inferior in quality to other games normally witnessed in Spiel Ohne Grenzen but nevertheless was enjoyable to watch. On their initial pushes, neither of the teams was able to burst any balloons. On their second essays, both Mannheim and Füssen im Allgäu burst three balloons each. On their third essay, Mannheim failed to score, after their figure toppled forward before reaching its target, whilst Füssen im Allgäu burst four balloons. Both teams were then unable to score on their fourth essays with the Mannheim figure suffering the same fate as on their previous essay and the Füssen im Allgäu figure, although reaching its target, ran out of momentum and did not burst any balloons. With permitted time fast approaching, neither of the teams were able to make a further essay. The result was declared with Füssen im Allgäu bursting a total of 7 balloons and Mannheim bursting 3 balloons.

Game 2 - The Elephant Plays Football
(Der Elefant Spielt Fußball)

The second game - ‘The Elephant Plays Football’ (Der Elefant Spielt Fußball) - was played individually over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured four male competitors from each team disguised as the legs of an elephant costume. On the whistle, the team had to make their way into the playing area and then after five seconds of elapsed time, fifty footballs were released into the arena from a large net above. The team then had to work together to kick the footballs up the 15m (49ft 2½in) course to a small gate leading into a holding pen in order to score goals. Any balls that were missed on their initial essay up the course could be collected later and any balls kicked outside the perimeter of the game would no longer play any part. The team scoring the greater number of goals would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this very simple and straightforward game saw the participation of Mannheim and they scored a total of 11 goals.

The second heat featured Füssen im Allgäu and there appeared to be an error from the production team as no balls were released until 12 seconds of elapsed time. The referees attempted to halt the game but it was in vain as the balls had now been released. The referees could be seen discussing the implications of the error, but permitted the game to continue. At the end of permitted time, Füssen im Allgäu had scored a total of 8 goals.

Game 3 - The Ballerina, the Ape and the Grizzly Bear
(Die Ballerina, der Affe und der Grizzlybär)

The third game - ‘The Ballerina, the Ape and the Grizzly Bear’ (Die Ballerina, der Affe und der Grizzlybär) - was played individually over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured three competitors (two males and one female) from each team and ten marker posts numbered 1 to 10 randomly laid out in a circle. At the start of the game, the two male competitors, one dressed as an ape and the other as a grizzly bear, were standing on a small podium resembling a bridge. On the whistle, the female competitor dressed as a ballerina, standing behind the game and hidden from view, had to push a sled under the bridge and as it came out the other side, one of the males had to jump onto it. The female had to ensure that she pushed the sled with enough momentum in order for it to reach the perimeter of the circle and to one of the marker posts. If successfully reached, the male then had to collect the marker post and its value would count towards the team’s final score. The game then had to be repeated by the second male and then alternately throughout. The female had to alter her angle of push on each throw in order to direct the sled towards the remaining posts on each essay. The team achieving the greater score would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this straightforward game saw the participation of Mannheim and, from the ten essays completed within the permitted time, they scored a total of 35pts (2 + 0 + 6 + 3 + 4 + 0 + 8 + 7 + 0 + 5).

The second heat featured Füssen im Allgäu and they collected all ten of the marker posts in 2 minutes 27 seconds and scored the maximum 55pts (8 + 0 + 6 + 10 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 7 + 9 + 4 + 1) from their eleven essays.

Game 4 - The Elements of the Snowman
(Die Elemente des Schneemans)

The fourth game - ‘The Elements of the Snowman’ (Die Elemente des Schneemans) - was played in unison over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured two female competitors from each team. Whilst one of the competitors stood on a small podium at the starting line, the other was dressed in a ‘bare’ snowman costume without its usual elements. On the whistle, the costumed competitor had to shuffle up the 25m (82ft) course and collect three large pieces of coal and attach them to the costume to represent buttons. She then had to collect a large top hat and place it on her head and then make her way to the far end of the course. After collecting a besom, she then had to place a large carrot in the nose hole which she had been using to see through and by doing so, would render herself sightless. She then had to turn around and return to the start line whilst being given instructions by her team-mate standing on the podium. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was another simple and very straightforward game which ended with Füssen im Allgäu completing their task in 57 seconds. Some hilarity ensued when the Mannheim competitor lost her bearings on the return journey and ended up going in the wrong direction on several occasions. However, with some assistance from presenter Erhard Keller, she was reunited with her team-mate and finished the game in 1 minute 53 seconds.

Game 5 - Clowning-A-Round
(Herumblödeln)

The fifth game - ‘Clowning-A-Round’ (Herumblödeln) - was played in unison over two rounds of 45 seconds duration and would witness presenter Erhard Keller in his element being a former speed skater. Before the game commenced, stagehands attired Keller in a clown’s jacket, ruff and a very tall pointed hat. The game featured two male competitors from each team, attired as clowns, armed with twenty coloured hoops - Mannheim with green and yellow, Füssen im Allgäu with blue and red - standing in a very large circular cordoned area. On the whistle, Keller had to skate around the perimeter of the circle and the competitors had to hurl the hoops at him and get them over the pointed hat. Competitors had to remain inside the circle at all times. The team scoring the greater aggregate over the two rounds would be declared the winners.

This was a very fast-paced but straightforward game and an absolute joy to watch but not for those that suffer from vertigo. The result of the game was only announced at the end of the two rounds with Keller de-robed and completely out of breath. Before the announcement, referee Hans Ebersberger declared that four of the Füssen im Allgäu hoops would not be counted as they had not been scored in the correct manner. Although this was met with some jeering from the assembled crowd, he also announced that three of the Mannheim hoops would be discounted for the same reason. The final totals were declared as Füssen im Allgäu with 14 hoops and Mannheim with 13 hoops.

Intermission Mini-Contest -
The Coaches’ Game
(Das Trainerspiel)

There was short break from the main programme whilst a small mini-contest - ‘The Coaches’ Game' (Das Trainerspiel) - was contested by the two teams to raise a maximum 3,000 Deutsche Mark (approx. £533) in cash for their respective town’s underprivileged children and elderly citizens. Played in unison over 3 minutes 30 seconds duration, it featured two competitors (one male and one female) from each team standing on the ice below a small ramp. The male competitor, who was the team coach, was wearing a large caricatured head and blindfold. At the top of the ramp were two effigies of donkeys on which the respective mayors of the two towns were sitting, armed with megaphones. In front of the donkeys were rolls of Deutsche Mark coins - 40 x 10 Mark, 10 x 20 Mark, 8 x 50 Mark, 10 x 100 Mark and 2 x 500 Mark. On the whistle, half of the coin roll would be released down the ramp by the mayors and the male had to collect as many of them intact as a roll. Any loose coins were permitted to randomly roll onto the ice. The collected coins then had to be placed onto a podium at the end of the course by the female. Contemporaneously, the second half of the roll was then released and the coins had to be collected in the same manner. It was then a straight race for the male to collect as many of the loose coins as possible within the permitted time whilst being given instructions by the mayor.

Comparative value in 2025: £533 = £4,175.

This was a very straightforward game which, on this occasion being played on ice, was extended to four minutes and ended with Mannheim collecting 21 x 10, 4 x 20, 4 x 50, 7 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 1,690 Deutsche Mark (approx. £300) whilst Füssen im Allgäu had only collected 14 x 10, 5 x 20, 2 x 50, 3 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 1,140 Deutsche Mark (approx. £202). Eight of the coins rolled down were not collected (5 x 10, 1 x 20 and 2 x 50 = 170 Mark).

Comparative values in 2025: £300 = £2,350 whilst £202 = £1,582.

Game 6 - The Ice Hockey Polar Bear
(Der Eishockey-Eisbär)

The sixth game - ‘The Ice Hockey Polar Bear’ (Der Eishockey-Eisbär) - was played individually over two minutes duration and featured three male competitors from each team and a large steel polar bear effigy. At the start of the game, an opposing male was standing at one end of the 50m (164ft) course which was marked out in 5 x 10m (32ft 9¾in) lengths. At the other end, were two competing males standing next to the polar bear. On the whistle, the competitors had to climb inside the effigy using a hole at the rear and move it forward up the course towards the opposition. Contemporaneously, the opposing male had to skate down the course and stop it in its path. He then had to push it back across the first of the five marker lines (i.e. 10m from its starting point). He then had to skate back to his starting point and circumnavigate a small podium, whilst the competitors made their way up the course towards him again. On contact with the polar bear for the second occasion, the opposition had to push it back to the second marker line (20m (65ft 7½in) from its starting point). This process then had to be repeated for a further two occasions, pushing the polar bear back to the 30m (98ft 5¼in) and 40m (131ft 2¾in) lines respectively. However, on his fifth journey he simply had to prevent the polar bear from crossing the finishing line (his original start line). However, if the competitors were able to make faster ground and cross two marker lines before successive contact, they only had to be pushed back to the last line crossed. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this somewhat complicated to understand game saw the participation of Mannheim, with Füssen im Allgäu in opposition. Following the whistle, the opposing male raced down the course and met the polar bear after just four seconds of elapsed time, halfway between the first and second marker lines. It then appeared that he was unsure as to what he had to do but the reason for his actions quickly became apparent. Instead of pushing the bear back in a straight line, he tried to confuse the competitors by twisting the effigy round and round causing them some dizziness before pushing them back over the first marker line. As he made his way back up the course to circumnavigate the podium, the competitors had made up good distance and were by now over the third marker line. Following a successful pushback, the opposing male returned to the start and the competitors made their way slowly to the fourth marker line. It was now a simple case of the competitors getting across the finishing line before the opposition had time to circumnavigate the podium and get in front of them and stop their passage. Despite all his tactics and efforts, Mannheim were able to cross the line in 1 minute 17 seconds.

The second heat featured Füssen im Allgäu, with Mannheim in opposition, and they played the game without tactics and this appeared to go in their favour. Despite the opposing male almost knocking himself unconscious with his first contact with the bear, he was able to stop them from even crossing the 10m marker line in doing so. This resulted in him being able to push the competitors back to their starting line. However, due to the distance he had to cover to get back for second contact, it permitted the bear to be pushed up and over the 20m marker line. However, not to outdone, he pushed the bear a fair distance backwards and, as he was fleet on his feet, was able to return to make third contact before the competitors had recomposed themselves and made a lot of forward movement. By this time the clock was fast approaching 1 minute 5 seconds and with 20m still to cover, the Füssen im Allgäu team had their work cut out if they wanted to win their fifth game. With the continued fleetness of the opposing male, coupled with the sluggishness of the competitors inside the bear, he was able to make the return journey back to the bear before the competitors had even crossed the next line. This resulted in him being able to push the bear back to the same spot as previous. He was again able to repeat the same feat on his next essay and the competitors were making no progress up the course. The elapsed time had now passed the Mannheim target but the game was played out to a finish, with Füssen im Allgäu completing the game in 1 minute 51 seconds.

Game 7 - The Ringmaster's Horse
(Das Pferd des Zirkusdirektors)

The seventh game - ‘The Ringmaster’s Horse’ (Das Pferd des Zirkusdirektors) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team attired as a ringmaster and wearing trainers on his feet. On the whistle, the competitor had to push a narrow wooden horse effigy through a starting gate and then down the ice whilst negotiating an obstacle course comprising five small podia. On reaching the end of the course, a female team-mate standing on a large podium had to place three flower stalks into the headdress of the horse. The competitor then had to return to the start and repeat the game. The team completing the game with all six flowers intact would be declared the winners.

This was a very simple and straightforward game but still needed a level of calm to complete it. From the outset, both competitors inched precariously down the course but it was Füssen im Allgäu that took an early lead and reached the end of the course after 29 seconds of elapsed time followed by Mannheim, one second later. On the return journey, it was neck and neck but the Mannheim competitor made a fatal error by negotiating the starting gate on the incorrect side. With the delay of having to correct the error, it appeared to rattle him somewhat and was the first of several errors that he would make during his second essay down the course. With quite a substantial lead now at this point, the Füssen im Allgäu competitor began to put on somewhat of a show for the assembled crowd and followed this up on the second return journey with some charismatic jumps and movements. With their rival way down at the far end of the course, Füssen im Allgäu completed the game in 2 minutes 28 seconds with Mannheim doing likewise in 2 minutes 58 seconds.

Game 8 - The Trapeze Slide
(Die Trapezrutsche)

The eighth game - ‘The Trapeze Slide’ (Die Trapezrutsche) - was played alternately over four rounds and witnessed Füssen im Allgäu presenting their Joker for play. The game featured two male competitors from each team dressed as clowns wearing giant shoes and a trapeze bar located above a descending ramp, at the base of which was a high hurdle. On the whistle, the competitor had to hold the trapeze bar, lift his feet and then swing outwards and descend the ramp. The wires supporting the trapeze bar descended far enough down so that when the competitor reached the bottom of the ramp they would hit the hurdle and throw the competitor forward onto the ice. He then had to hold his position until he came to a halt. The distance from the base of the ramp to the soles of his shoes would be measured. The team covering the greater aggregate distance would be declared the winners.

The first round of this very simple and straightforward game saw the participation of Füssen im Allgäu and their competitor travelled a distance of 12.8m (42ft).This was followed by the first essay of Mannheim and their competitor could only travel 8.6m (28ft 2½in).

The second and subsequent rounds saw the teams participating in the same order. The second Füssen im Allgäu competitor travelled 8.9m (29ft 2¼in) whilst his Mannheim rival travelled slightly further at 9m (29ft 6¼in).

The third and penultimate round witnessed the first Füssen im Allgäu competitor competing for a second occasion and travelling a distance of 11.8m (38ft 8½in) whilst Mannheim could only manage a distance of 9.4m (30ft 10in).

The fourth and final round saw the second Füssen im Allgäu competitor competing for a second occasion travel 9.4m and Mannheim travel only 8m (26ft 3in).

With Füssen im Allgäu winning all but one of the four rounds, it was a mere formality when it came to the overall distance travelled. With the addition completed, Füssen im Allgäu were declared as having covered a total distance of 42.9m (140ft 9in) whilst Mannheim had covered just 35m (114ft 10in). 

Game 9 - The Russian Can-Can Dancers
(Die Russischen Can-Can Tänzer)

The ninth and penultimate game - ‘The Russian Can-Can Dancers’ (Die Russischen Can-Can Tänzer) - was played individually over two minutes duration and witnessed Mannheim presenting their Joker for play. The game featured five competitors (three males and two females) from each team dressed as Russian Can-Can dancers and each with one of their feet attached to a large ball. On the whistle, the competitors had to work together in rhythm in order to ‘dance’ up the 25m (82ft) obstacle course comprised of low ski gates. They then had to return to the start line before crossing to the opposite side of the ice rink to the finish line. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this very simple and straightforward game saw the participation of Füssen im Allgäu and they completed the game without mishap in 1 minute 7 seconds.

The second heat featured Mannheim and whilst they also completed the game without mishap, they did so in a slower time of 1 minute 12 seconds.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Füssen im Allgäu (2pts awarded / 16pts total) 2nd Mannheim (0pts / Joker / 4pts)

Game 10 - The Penguin and the Ice Floe
(Der Pinguin und die Eisscholle)

The tenth and final game - ‘The Penguin and the Ice Floe’ (Der Pinguin und die Eisscholle) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team dressed in a large penguin costume standing on a piece of ‘ice’ at the start of the 50m (164ft) straight course. On the whistle, a male team-mate had to slide additional pieces of ice from the side of the rink into the path of the competitor in order for him to make his way down the course to the finish line. The team-mate had to judge the slide accurately in order for it to stop and also had to ensure that each piece was not too far forward from the previous piece. The competitors had to ensure that both feet were on each piece of ice and if they missed their step and put either foot onto the ice rink, they would have to return to the previous piece before continuing. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

Although this was a simple and straightforward game, it would prove to be a joy to watch. From the outset, Füssen im Allgäu took an early lead, which they sustained throughout. Although it appeared that they would win by a landslide, during the latter stages Mannheim began to make ground on them. However, the lead was too great for their rivals to overcome and Füssen im Allgäu completed the game in 2 minutes 1 second.

Final Scores and Positions: 1st Füssen im Allgäu (2pts awarded / 18pts total) 2nd Mannheim (0pts / 4pts)

Presenters, Officials and Production Teams

Presenter Erhard Keller and referee Werner Treichel were both sporting ice skates throughout the programme whilst co-referees Gerd Siepe and Hans Ebersberger wore flat shoes. Whilst the former pair, both having previous careers on ice (Keller, a former speed skater and Treichel, an ice hockey official) had no problems with the friction-free surface, the latter pair (both former football referees) could be seen moving precariously across the ice.

Additional Information

After changing its schedules to a Sunday slot in 1973, West German broadcaster reverted back to staging and transmitting Spiel Ohne Grenzen programmes on Saturdays from this year. This reversal would remain the norm until the broadcaster’s withdrawal from the programme at the end of 1980.

Although all the Winter Interneige programmes and the majority of the Christmas specials up to this point had all been staged on snow or ice, this was the first occasion that a Domestic Heat (West German, Dutch or British) had done so.

As with previous years, the winner of each Domestic heat was not assigned to the same numbered International Heat. It was not until the end of each of the six programmes, that the allotted venue for the winning team would be announced by presenter Erhard Keller. The seventh and final qualifier would be the losing team that had scored the highest number of points against their respective opponents, with their allotted International Heat venue being announced at the end of the sixth heat.

Made in Colour • This programme exists German archives

D

Spiel Ohne Grenzen 1975

Heat 2

Event Staged: Saturday 19th April 1975
Venue: Reiterstadion (Equestrian Stadium), Leonberg,
Baden-Württemberg, West Germany

Transmission:
WDR 1 (D): Saturday 19th April 1975, 2.45-4.00pm (Live)

Referees on Duty:
Hans Ebersberger, Gerd Siepe and Werner Treichel

Weather Conditions: Warm and Sunny

Theme: Ein Ungarisches Fest (A Hungarian Festival)

Teams: Frankenthal in der Pfalz v. Leonberg

Team Members included:
Frankenthal in der Pfalz - Franz Dreizigmacker, Markzig Eudengrine, Veiter Fasult, Richard Hohle, Monika Köhnich, Eric Puller, Birgitte Siegler, Bernd Such, Peter Trumpf, Emily Vant;
Leonberg - Peter Vessner (Team Coach), Erich Erichatuder, Franz Evets, Stefan Fritz, Martin Kurtz, Peter Mechterfrau, Annette Negen, Voiter Ooterichs, Harald Schach, Bernhard Schlotz, Markus Volker.

Games: Ride and Catch, Raising the Water, The Double Bass Cyclists, Goose Archery, The Haystack Carriers, The Equestrian Game, The Kebab Skewers, The Giant Salami Sausages, The Mule Carts, Herding the Pigs;
Jokers: Moustachioed Hungarian Gentlemen.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

 L • Leonberg ● ●
 F • Frankenthal in der Pfalz

15
9

Leonberg qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Engelberg, Switzerland:
staged on Tuesday 1st July 1975

The Host Town

Leonberg, Baden-Württemberg

Leonberg is a town with a population of around 45,000 inhabitants in the state of Baden-Württemberg located 13km (8 miles) west of Stuttgart, 148km (92 miles) south of Frankfurt am Main and 154km (96 miles) south-east of Saarbrücken.

It is famous for its picturesque market square, the centuries-old annual horse market and the Pomeranzengarten. The town lies on the east bank of the 45km (28 miles) long River Glems on the lower slopes of a prominent hill known locally as Engelberg. The river flows into Leonberg from the south-east before turning north-west until it reaches the district of Eltingen. Here it turns north-east into the western part of the old town, carving its way along the valley to the district of Höfingen before flowing north-east towards Ditzingen.

The town of Levinberch was founded by Count Ulrich 1st (1226-1265) of Württemberg in 1248 where Leonberg stands today. The position on the brow of the hill was chosen as a defence from enemies to the west, the towns of Markgröningen, Weil der Stadt and the counts in Tübingen and Calw. During the Holy Roman Empire, Leonberg fell under the jurisdiction of Esslingen before finally becoming part of Württemberg in 1383 when it first gained administrative rights.

At this time, the town was surrounded by stone fortifications with the count's castle in the south-west. A moat stood to the east, leading to two gates complete with towers and swing-bridge but was filled in around 1786. The gates and almost all of the walls were demolished around 1815. The only surviving building from the fortifications was the ‘Stonehouse’ near the uppermost tower, probably because it was the only one used for housing and was not destroyed by the great fire that swept through the town, destroying 46 houses and making around 200 people homeless in 1498. Most of the homeless left the town. Today the building is the Gasthof zum Schwarzen Adler (The Black Eagle guesthouse) and is a defining feature of the old town. According to an analysis carried out in 1999, its wooden-timber gabled roof was built in the 15th century. Standing three stories high, it is one of the largest and oldest original timber gable roofs in southern Germany.

The 17th century witnessed one of the worst periods for Leonberg. The population was halved during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) as a result of the bubonic plague and during the era of witch hunts, Lutherus Einhorn (in his reign as Vogt of Leonberg (1613-1629)), sent 15 women to trial under suspicion of witchcraft. Eight women were condemned to death with the full assent of the Leonberg judiciary and the local community. One of the most famous Württemberg witch trials in Leonberg took place in 1615 and involved Katharina Kepler (1546-1622), mother of the royal astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630). Ursula Reinbold had accused Katharina Kepler of giving her a potion after an argument which had made her sick. Her son took her away to Linz in December 1616. When she returned to Leonberg in the summer of 1620, she was arrested and imprisoned in the cellars of the ‘Stonehouse’, before being transferred to Güglingen for fourteen months. She was told how she would be tortured, as a means of frightening her, but she refused to confess anything. In October 1621, Kepler was able to effect her release but sadly Katharina Kepler died the following year.

Following the rise of the Nazi Party in 1933, a number of bloody street battles were fought between Sturmabteilung (storm-trooper) followers, mostly backed by residents from Leonberg who attacked supporters of the German communist party, mainly resident in Eltingen. In 1938, Eltingen - a staunchly proletarian community of small landowners - was finally merged with the more bourgeois Leonberg. Later that year on the 5th November, the Engelberg tunnel - Germany's first motorway tunnel - was completed following three years of construction. During the Second World War (1939-1945), it was used for producing and storing aeroplane parts made by concentration camp prisoners held in Leonberg. The old tunnel was replaced by a new tunnel in the 1990s. Above the tunnel there now stands a memorial to the people who died at the camp.

The old town dates back to the Middle Ages, and includes a historical market square lined by restored half-timbered houses. Leonberg's Pomeranzengarten is Germany's only remaining terraced garden. Named after the German word for ‘bitter orange’, the garden originally dates back to the height of the Renaissance period. It was planted next to Leonberg Schloß (castle) in 1609, as a retreat for widows of the Württemberg duchy. In 1742, it was converted to a fruit and vegetable garden until it was restored in 1980, using the original plans of Heinrich Schickhardt (1558-1635).

In 1846, a mountain dog breed was first successfully registered and named after the town. The Leonberger comes with a generous double coat and is a large, muscular, and elegant dog with balanced body type, medium temperament, and dramatic presence. The head is adorned with a striking black mask, and projects the breed's distinct expression of intelligence, pride, and kindliness. Today the breed remains true to its early roots as a family, working and search and rescue dog (particularly in water).

Leonberg's famous horse market takes place every year on the old market square in February. The first horse market was arranged with the permission of Duke Frederick Charles (1652-1697) on 15th February 1684. To mark the occasion, a ceremonial procession marches through the old town on the second Tuesday of the month. The horse market attracts huge crowds and is so important to local tradition that civil servants are granted half a day's leave to attend and schools in Leonberg are closed for the whole day. In modern times the scope of the fair has been expanded to include sports, seminars on horse-riding and breeding, an amusement fair and a flea market.

The Visiting Town

Frankenthal in der Pfalz is a town with a population of around 49,000 inhabitants in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz and is located 95km (59 miles) north-west of Leonberg.

The Venue

Reiterstadion (Equestrian Stadium)

The games were played on the Reiterstadion, a small enclosure normally used as a riding paddock and for other equestrian events.

Originally, a judging rostrum and grandstand was approved to be constructed on the municipal property for around DM 21,000 (£1,788) by the Leonberg district office on December 9, 1958.

Comparative values in 2025: £1,788 = £36,724.

The first desires for other uses for the area arose in 1964 when it was suggested that it be used as an ice skating rink in winter and as a roller skating rink for the remainder of the year. In 1997, the Safe School Route Association called for the equestrian stadium to be used as a multi-purpose field for school sports.

However, none of the applications came to fruition and on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the equestrian centre in 2019, Leonberg mayor Martin Kaufmann said that he would recommend to the local council that the equestrian stadium be preserved and renovated.

The Games in Detail

Game 1 - Ride and Catch
(Reiten und Fangen)

The first game - ‘Ride and Catch’ (Reiten und Fangen) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team on horseback and a 30m (98ft 5¼in) long course with a 5m (16ft 5in) high wooden arch at its centre. On the whistle, the competitor was handed a small football from a male team-mate and then he had to ride down to the end of the course. As he approached the arch, he had to toss the ball in the air and over the arch and then he had to pass underneath and catch the ball cleanly in one hand on its descent. If successful, he then had to ride to the end of the course and hand the ball to a female team-mate to place in a holding pen. He then had to return to the start. The game then had to be repeated throughout until the end of permitted time. The team collecting the greater number of balls would be declared the winners.

This was a very straightforward game which saw Leonberg take an early lead securing their first ball after 17 seconds of elapsed time. This was mainly due to the fact that Frankenthal in der Pfalz failed to catch their ball and had to return to the start. However, following their mishap, Frankenthal in der Pfalz evened the scores after 27 seconds. Not to be outdone, Leonberg took the lead after 42 seconds when they secured their second ball. With Frankenthal in der Pfalz again failing to catch their ball, it permitted Leonberg to widen the gap after they secured their third ball after 1 minute 9 seconds. Frankenthal in der Pfalz reduced the deficit to 2-1 after 1 minute 13 seconds following a successful run. On his fourth run, the Leonberg competitor failed to catch the ball cleanly but he managed to catch it when it bounced back up from the arena floor. Believing this to be within the rules, he handed it to his team-mate and returned to the start. Another successful run by Frankenthal in der Pfalz brought the scores level at 3-3 after 1 minute 36 seconds. Surprisingly, Frankenthal in der Pfalz took the lead after 1 minute 58 seconds with Leonberg levelling the scores at 4-4 after 1 minute 59 seconds. The scores remained level at 5-5 after both teams completed their next run successfully. With just 38 seconds of the game remaining both competitors raced back to the start. The tension began to mount as both teams completed successful runs after 2 minutes 43 seconds. Despite their efforts, both competitors were only able to make it to the halfway point of the course before the permitted time had elapsed. Following referee Hans Ebensberger’s confirmation that the fourth ball of Leonberg had not counted, the game was declared a draw at 6-6.

Game 2 - Raising the Water
(Das Wasser Anheben)

The second game - Raising the Water’ (Das Wasser Anheben) - was played individually over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured three competitors (two males and one female) from each team and a large hollowed-out tree trunk mounted in a manner to resemble a see-saw. One end of the trunk had a small bucket attached and was protruding over a water well. On the whistle, whilst one of the males had to climb onto the trunk, the other two competitors, equipped with a large tarpaulin, had to stand at the open end of the trunk. The mounted competitor then had to use his weight to animate the trunk so that the end protruding over the well was lowered in order for the bucket to fill with water. He then had to shift his weight to the other side of the trunk in order to raise the bucket which would ultimately empty into the groove along the trunk. The two ground-based competitors then had to collect the water in the tarpaulin as it descended and then empty the contents into a Perspex measuring cylinder. The game then had to be repeated throughout. The team collecting the greater volume of water would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this very straightforward game saw the participation of Frankenthal in der Pfalz and they made a total of 14 runs and collected 56.7cm (22¼in) of water.

The second heat featured Leonberg and, despite making a total of 15 runs (two of which added nothing to their final total), they only collected 54.5cm (21½in) of water.

Game 3 - The Double Bass Cyclists
(Die Kontrabass Radfahrer)

The third game - ‘The Double Bass Cyclists’ (Die Kontrabass Radfahrer) - was played in unison over two minutes duration and witnessed Frankenthal in der Pfalz presenting their Joker for play. The game featured two male competitors from each team and a bicycle which had been converted to resemble a double bass and which had to be steered by a large bow attached to the handlebars. The bicycles had no pedals so the competitors had to animate the vehicles purely by using their feet on the ground. On the whistle, the first competitor had to race down the 50m (164ft) course and cross a given line. He then had to turn the bicycle around and return to the start in the same manner. On reaching the end, he then had to hand the bicycle over to the second competitor to repeat the game. After completion, the second competitor then had to hand the bicycle back to his team-mate to make a third and final return journey. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

Despite the meticulous design of the costumed bicycles, this was a simple, straightforward and fast-paced game. Following a false start by Frankenthal in der Pfalz, the game was restarted and both teams raced down the course, reaching the turnaround point together after just 8 seconds of elapsed time. On the return journey, Leonberg picked up speed and completed their first run in 18 seconds, closely followed by Frankenthal in der Pfalz in 20 seconds. However, following some dithering and delay by the second Leonberg competitor, it permitted Frankenthal in der Pfalz to take the lead and race down the course. The Leonberg competitor also appeared not to know how to straddle the bicycle and could be seen at full stretch and hanging off the rear of the vehicle. This error also caused him to topple off the bicycle and he had to recompose himself before continuing. Frankenthal in der Pfalz reached the end of the second outbound journey after 33 seconds with Leonberg struggling to do like wise after 42 seconds. Frankenthal in der Pfalz reached the end of the second return journey after 44 seconds and they now only had to hold their nerve and victory would be theirs. Their first competitor, having witnessed the events that had occurred with his rival in the previous run, raced down to the end of the course and then made a leisurely return journey to complete the game in 1 minute 13 seconds. The game was permitted to be played out to a finish and Leonberg crossed the finishing line in 1 minute 36 seconds.

Game 4 - Goose Archery
(Gänsebogenschießen)

The fourth game - ‘Goose Archery’ (Gänsebogenschießen) - was played in unison over a total of fifteen runs and featured a male competitor from each team equipped with a bow and arrow and standing aloft a stepped bridge. Under the span of the bridge was a zip wire and behind the game was a high scaffold on which a stagehand was standing armed with several foam-rubber geese. On the whistle, the stagehand had to release a goose down the zip wire and as it passed under the bridge and forward of the game, the competitor had to try and hit it with an arrow. To distinguish between the teams, Frankenthal in der Pfalz were armed with arrows with blue fletching whilst the arrows of Leonberg had yellow fletching. The team scoring the greater number of hits would be declared the winners.

This was another straightforward and fast-paced game which only saw Leonberg hit the first goose released and they were leading Frankenthal in der Pfalz 1-0.

On the second run both teams missed their target completely but corrected their errors on the third run with both teams hitting their quarry. Leonberg were now leading 2-1 on the game.

Leonberg increased their lead to 3-1 after Frankenthal in der Pfalz failed to score on the fourth run but on the fifth run both teams scored direct hits and the score moved to 4-2 in Leonberg’s favour.

On the sixth run, although the Leonberg arrow hit its target, it failed to penetrate the bird. With Frankenthal in der Pfalz making a direct hit they had reduced the deficit to one point with Leonberg now leading 4-3.

Not to be outdone, on the next run whilst their rivals failed to make contact with the descending bird, Leonberg scored a direct hit and increased the score to 5-3 in their favour. Leonberg increased their lead further on the eighth run to 6-3 after their rivals again failed to score.

The ninth run would prove scoreless for both teams but the tenth and eleventh runs proved fruitful for both teams.

The twelfth run would witness Leonberg failing to score whilst Frankenthal in der Pfalz scored with an arrow through the goose’s right foot. The scores were now 8-6 in Leonberg’s favour.

Although the thirteenth run would prove scoreless for both teams, they both corrected their errors on the fourteenth and penultimate run when they hit the bird.

On the fifteenth and final run both teams scored direct hits again and the game finished 10-8 in Leonberg’s favour.

Game 5 - The Haystack Carriers
(Die Heuhaufenträger)

The fifth game - ‘The Haystack Carriers’ (Die Heuhaufenträger) - was played individually over two minutes duration and featured four male competitors from each team equipped with pitchforks and standing adjacent to two large haystacks. On the whistle, the competitors had to work together by using the pitchforks in order to raise the first haystack above and over the second haystack and then place it on the ground in front of it. They then had to repeat the same process lifting the second haystack over the original first. This had to be repeated throughout until fifteen lifts had been achieved. The competitors had to ensure that they did not place the haystack too far forward from the other in order not to waste time in run back and then forward whilst transporting them. The team completing all fifteen lifts in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this unusual but intriguing game saw the participation of Leonberg and they completed the game without mishap in 1 minute 40 seconds.

The second heat featured Frankenthal in der Pfalz and although they also completed the game without mishap, they did so in a slightly slower time of 1 minute 42 seconds.

Intermission Mini-Contest -
The Coaches’ Game
(Das Trainerspiel)

There was a short interlude before the next game for the Trainerspiel, full details of which can be found in Heat 1 with the exception that all seventy coins were released and permitted to roll randomly onto the arena floor before the game started.

Although scheduled to last 3 minutes 30 seconds, the two teams had collected all the coins after just 2 minutes 35 seconds and the game was stopped. When the result was announced, Frankenthal in der Pfalz had collected 17 x 10, 3 x 20, 1 x 50 and 3 x 100 = 560 Deutsche Mark (approx. £99) whilst Leonberg had collected 25 x 10, 7 x 20, 7 x 50, 7 x 100 and 2 x 500 = 2,440 Deutsche Mark (approx. £431).

Comparative values in 2025: £431 = £3,376 whilst £99 = £775.

Game 6 - The Equestrian Game
(Das Reiterspiel)

The sixth game - ‘The Equestrian Game’ (Das Reiterspiel) - was played individually over three minutes duration and witnessed Leonberg presenting their Joker for play. The game featured a male competitor from each team mounted on a horse and a 50m (164ft) course with six magnetic rings balanced on their sides on podia of decreasing size. On the whistle, the competitor had to canter his way to the middle of the course where the rings were located and collect one of them by bending down whilst mounted. He then had to transport the ring to the end of the course and deposit it over a pole. He then had to gallop back to the start and circumnavigate another pole. He then had to repeat the game on five occasions. If a ring was knocked over, the competitor had to wait for a referee to reposition it before he could retry and then continue the game. Each ring had to be collected from the right-hand side of the podia (the equestrian’s left) to permit the podia to be removed by stagehands (see Comments). The team collecting all six rings in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this straightforward and fast-paced game saw the participation of Leonberg and their competitor had no problem collecting and depositing his first five rings without mishap after 12, 30, 48, 67 and 85 seconds of elapsed time respectively. However, on his sixth and final run he was unfortunate to knock the ring over and had to wait for referee Werner Treichel to reposition it. Once this had been done, he successfully collected the ring and completed the game in 1 minute 56 seconds.

The second heat featured Frankenthal in der Pfalz and their competitor was somewhat slower in his execution of the game but successfully collected and deposited his first four rings without mishap after 14, 35, 57 and 81 seconds of elapsed time respectively. Unfortunately he failed to collect his fifth ring and had to wait for it to be repositioned. His target time was now very close and this delay only made matters worse. Once the ring had been replaced in position, he collected it and successfully deposited it over the pole after 1 minute 57 seconds. Despite already having been defeated, the game was played out to a finish but unfortunately, the final podium was too low down for him to reach for the ring and despite several efforts he was unable to do so and the final whistle was blown at the end of permitted time.

Game 7 - The Kebab Skewers
(Die Schaschlikspieße)

The seventh game - ‘The Kebab Skewers’ (Die Schaschlikspieße) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured four competitors (two males and two females) from each team equipped with a 5m (16ft 5in) long pole. In front of them was a 40m (131ft 2¾in) course comprised of thirteen various-sized objects with holes through their middle representing kebab items. On the whistle, the team had to work their way down the course to collect the items by skewering them with the pole. They also had to pass through the large rings that the items were hanging down from. Once they reached the end of the course, they then had to return to the start and pass the pole, the kebab items and themselves through a final ring to finish the game. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very fast-paced but uneventful game which saw Leonberg take the lead from the outset. Having reached the end of the course with all the items collected after 1 minute 40 seconds of elapsed time, Leonberg made their way back to the start. However, not to be outdone, Frankenthal in der Pfalz completed the first run after 1 minute 52 seconds and then raced back to the start out of camera-shot. Leonberg, thinking that they had the game sewn up, appeared to then take their time to pass through the final ring when all of a sudden Frankenthal in der Pfalz were back at the start and racing through the ring. However it was a matter of too little, too late and Leonberg finished the game in 2 minutes exactly with their rivals doing likewise in 2 minutes 4 seconds.

Game 8 - The Giant Salami Sausages
(Die Riesigen Salamiwürste)

The eighth game - ‘The Giant Salami Sausages’ (Die Riesigen Salamiwürste) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured four male competitors from each team sitting astride two very large salami sausages. On the whistle, the first two competitors had to move down the 50m (164ft) course by holding handles located on the top of the salami. In order to do so, they had work together to raise the salami and then jump forward. This had to be repeated throughout but their buttocks had to remain on top of the salami at all times. When they reached the end of the course, they then had to turn around and return to the start in the same manner. Once this had been achieved, the second two competitors repeated the game. The team completing the two runs in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very close race throughout the four runs but it was Frankenthal in der Pfalz that reached the end of the first run after 31 seconds of elapsed time followed by Leonberg one second later. The teams then raced back to the start with Frankenthal in der Pfalz releasing their second pair of competitors after 1 minute 11 seconds and Leonberg doing likewise after 1 minute 14 seconds. At the final turnaround Frankenthal in der Pfalz had increased their lead to four seconds after crossing the line in 1 minute 41 seconds. It was now a straight race back to the finishing line but Leonberg was unable to reduce the deficit. Frankenthal in der Pfalz completed the game in 2 minutes 16 seconds with Leonberg crossing the line in 2 minutes 26 seconds. 

Game 9 - The Mule Carts
(Die Maultierkarren)

The ninth and penultimate game - ‘ The Mule Carts’ (Die Maultierkarren) - was played in unison over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured a male competitor from each team and a small two-wheel cart with half of a mule effigy inside it. On the 40m (131ft 2¾in) course there were two rows of nine rings each supported on a small podium. On the whistle, the competitor had to stand behind the cart and place his upper body into the rear of the mule effigy so that he would be able to see ahead of him. He then had to use his body weight to counterbalance the cart in order to raise its tongue. He then had to move the cart forward and hoop-la the first of the rings over the tongue. Once completed, he then had to steer the cart across to the second row and hoop-la the first ring and then move back to the first row and hoop-la the second ring. He then had to continue this method from row to row until all the rings had been collected. At the end of the course, he then had to turn the cart around and race back to the start. The team collecting all eighteen rings and completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very straightforward race with both teams neck and neck throughout. At the turnaround point, the Frankenthal in der Pfalz team made an error on the final ring and it fell to the ground. A female team-mate could be seen picking it off the floor, and as both teams raced back to the start, she ran ahead of her cart, believing that the ring would be included in their score. Leonberg crossed the finish line in 1 minute 37 seconds followed by Frankenthal in der Pfalz in 1 minute 38 seconds. Following the finish of the game, the referees could be seen in conversation with the Frankenthal in der Pfalz team captain and shaking their heads. When the result was announced, no reference to the error was mentioned, only that Leonberg had been successful. It can only be assumed therefore that as Leonberg had crossed the finish line ahead of their rivals, they would still have been declared winners in any case.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Leonberg (2pts awarded / 13pts total) 2nd Frankenthal in der Pfalz (0pts / 9pts)

Comments: Following the result of this game, Leonberg had accumulated sufficient points to secure overall victory.

Game 10 - Herding the Pigs
(Die Schweine Hüten)

The tenth and final game - ‘Herding the Pigs’ (Die Schweine Hüten) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured a female competitor from each team attached by ropes to a herd of four pigs. At the end of the 25m (82ft) course was a wooden pen with a closed gate. On the whistle, the competitor had to move to the rear of the herd and then, one-by-one, push each individual pig forward down the course. There was a limit to how far she could do this as the ropes would impede her travel. When she reached the pen, a stagehand would open the gate for her to continue the game. The team completing the game with all four pigs inside the pen and the gate closed would be declared the winners.

Although this was a straightforward game, it was also somewhat of an anti-climax with the result of the contest already decided. However, both competitors were eager to win and it was a neck and neck race right up until the end. Leonberg closed the gate on their pen in 2 minutes 7 seconds whilst Frankenthal in der Pfalz struggled a little with the final pig but eventually closed the door to the pen in 2 minutes 52 seconds.

Final Scores and Positions: 1st Leonberg (2pts awarded / 15pts total) 2nd Frankenthal in der Pfalz (0pts / 9pts)

Additional Information

This heat marked the 75th Spiel Ohne Grenzen programme (Domestic and International) to be staged in West Germany since 1965.

Made in Colour • This programme exists German archives

D

Spiel Ohne Grenzen 1975

Heat 3

Event Staged: Saturday 26th April 1975
Venue: Gymnasium zu Sint Kathrinen (Saint Katherine's School),
Oppenheim am Rhein, Rheinland-Pfalz, West Germany

Transmission:
WDR 1 (D): Saturday 26th April 1975, 2.45-4.00pm (Live)

Referees on Duty:
Hans Ebersberger, Gerd Siepe and Werner Treichel

Weather Conditions: Overcast and Breezy

Theme: Feiern Sie die Rheinischen Weinberge (A Celebration of the Rhine Vineyards)

Teams: Oppenheim am Rhein v. Simmern im Hunsrück

Team Members included:
Oppenheim am Rhein - Klaus Dagrard (Men’s Team Captain), Bernt Borsnerf, Molly Copriva, Bernt Fassner, Peter Garbel, Walter Heltz, Werner Kappler, Manfred Kuchi, Erhard Meier, Helmut Ring, Gerhard Rinckamen, Karoline Scrumegg;
Simmern im Hunsrück - Bernd Shweikhard (Men’s Team Captain), Elixe Sitterle (Women’s Team Captain), Wolfgang Anlauff, Diethelm Blatt, Edelgard Braun, Ethan Flatz, Armin Hunsinger, Gerhard Kleinz, Horst Kupilas, Gerlinde Melsheimer, Gerhard Siepe, Lothar Sitterle, Marion Weirich, Eva Wolf, Harald Wolf.

Games: The Rhine Steamer, The Mountainous Vineyard, The Living Grapes, The Barrel Pieces, The Bottle Labellers, The Wine Queens, Grape Skittles, The Wine Waiters, The Bottle Collector, The Giant Wine Barrels;
Jokers: Star-Posed Gentlemen.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

 O • Oppenheim ● ●
 S • Simmern im Hunsrück

14
10

Oppenheim am Rhein qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Knokke, Belgium:
staged on Tuesday 20th May 1975

The Host Town

Oppenheim am Rhein, Rheinland-Pfalz

Oppenheim am Rhein is a town with a population of around 8,500 inhabitants located in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz. It lies on the River Rhein, 40km (25 miles) north of Mannheim, 37km (23 miles) south-west of Frankfurt am Main, 79km (49 miles) south-east of Koblenz and 112km (70 miles) west of Würzburg. It is a well-known wine centre, being the home of the Deutsche Weinbaumuseum (German Winegrowing Museum), and particularly known for the wines from the Oppenheimer Krötenbrunnen vineyards.

The first documented mention of this Frankish (Germanic tribe) village was recorded in AD 765 in connection with an endowment by Charlemagne (AD 742-814) to the Lorsch Abbey. Further portions of Oppenheim am Rhein were added to the endowment in AD 774 and in 1008, it was granted market rights. In October 1076, the town gained special importance in the Investiture Controversy, a conflict between the Church and state in medieval Europe during the 11th and 12th centuries. After Oppenheim am Rhein had returned to the Holy Roman Empire in 1147, it became a Free Imperial City in 1225, during the reign of Emperor Frederick II (1194-1250). At this time, the town was important for its imperial castle and the Burgmannen (low aristocracy) who lived there.

In 1621, the chronicles of Oppenheim am Rhein report that a great fire befell the town in which the Town Hall was almost completely destroyed. On 14th September 1620, Spanish troops overran the town in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and occupied it until 1632. In 1688, the town was once again overrun, but on this occasion by French troops during the Nine Years' War (1688–1697). On 31st May 1689, Landskrone Castle and the town were utterly destroyed by the French under General Mélac (1630-1704). After being in French hands, the town passed to the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt in 1816, where it remained until 1945.

The town’s most prominent feature is the Gothic Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine’s Church), with its stained glass nave featuring the Oppenheim Rose. One of the highlights of the town is the Oppenheimer Kellerlabyrinth (Oppenheim Cellar Labyrinth) located under the Old Town. Underground passageways, stairways and rooms link the houses and facilities with each other on a number of levels. There are roughly 650m of cellar passageways open to visitors, which are largely preserved in their original state. It is believed, however, that what has been opened to the public is only about 3% of the total underground passages. The exact extent of the passageways is still not known with any great certainty, despite investigations commissioned by the town, but the length is estimated to be at least 40km. Guided tours through this unique underground labyrinth are offered all year round by the town’s Tourism and Festival Bureau.

At the time of this transmission, Oppenheim am Rhein was celebrating its 750th anniversary.

The Visiting Town

Simmern im Hunsrück is a town with a population of around 8,000 inhabitants in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz and is located 77km (48 miles) north-west of Oppenheim am Rhein.

The Venue

Gymnasium zu Sint Katharinen (Saint Katherine's School)

The games were played on the sports ground of the Gymnasium zu Sint Katharinen, public high school located at the western side of the town.

Although there is little that can be researched about it, what is known is that the Gymnasium zu Sint-Katharinen was founded in 1561 as a Latin school by Elector Friedrich III of the Palatinate and is thus one of the oldest schools in the German-speaking world.

The support association was founded in 1956 and the first class graduated at the end of the 1950s. The school offers English, French, Latin, Spanish and Italian as foreign languages and runs exchange programmes with schools in the USA, Poland, France and the United Kingdom. In addition, voluntary all-day care is offered for grades 5-8.

The Games in Detail

Game 1 - The Rhine Steamer
(Der Rheindampfer)

The first game - ‘The Rhine Steamer’ (Der Rheindampfer) - was played over three minutes duration and featured three competitors (two males and one female) from each team and a small wooden paddle steamer set on four wheels - two small guidance wheels at the bow and stern and two large paddle wheels on the port and starboard sides. Before the game commenced, the female competitor had to climb onto the back of the steamer whilst the two male competitors climbed inside each of the paddle wheels. On the whistle, the males had to move the steamer down the 50m (164ft) course by running forward in the wheels whilst the female had to guide the vessel down the course by use of a rudder attached to the rear wheel. At the end of the course, the female then had to alight the vessel to collect a funnel which she then had to place on the top of the steamer. The team then had to return to the start, with the vessel facing the backwards, to collect a polystyrene flag which the female had to place in a holder located on the top of the rudder shaft. They then had to travel down the course for a second time and when they reached the end, the female had to alight the vessel for a third occasion and then ring a bell to finish. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

From the outset, Oppenheim am Rhein took control of this very straightforward game, reaching the end of the course in just 33 seconds of elapsed time. By the time that Simmern im Hunsrück had reached the same point after 41 seconds, their rivals were just beginning their return journey. Oppenheim am Rhein reached the end of the return journey after 1 minute 24 seconds and their female jumped down to collect the flag and they departed for the final journey, four seconds ahead of Simmern im Hunsrück. It was then a straight race back to the end of the course, but the gap between the two teams was too wide for Simmern im Hunsrück to reduce and Oppenheim am Rhein reached the end of the course and rang the bell after 2 minutes 5 seconds. Despite their loss, Simmern im Hunsrück completed the game in 2 minutes 10 seconds.

Game 2 - The Mountainous Vineyard
(Der Bergige Weinberg)

The second game - ‘The Mountainous Vineyard’ (Der Bergige Weinberg) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team with a large fruit-collecting bucket strapped to his back. In front of the game was a steep ramp with nine horizontal vine poles protruding upwards, each of which had ten bunches of grapes attached. On the whistle, the competitor had to run up the ramp to the first vine and then pick off all ten bunches of fruit and toss them into the bucket on his back. He then had to repeat this with the other eight vines until all ninety bunches of grapes had been collected. The competitors were not permitted to hold onto the sides of the equipment but could steady themselves by kneeling down or placing their feet at the rear of the vine poles as they climbed upwards. Once all the bunches had been collected, the competitor then had to make his way down the ramp and empty the contents of his bucket into a large container. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

Although this was quite a challenging game for the competitors, it was somewhat uneventful and laborious to watch for the viewers. Nevertheless, the game was completed without mishap by Oppenheim am Rhein in 2 minutes 18 seconds and Simmern im Hunsrück in 2 minutes 36 seconds.

Game 3 - The Living Grapes
(Die Lebenden Trauben)

The third game - ‘The Living Grapes’ (Die Lebenden Trauben) - was played alternately over three rounds and featured nine competitors (eight males and one female) from each team. The female was attired in a large grape costume attached to which were sixty small grapes. On the whistle, she had to make her way down a narrow course lined on each side by four opposition males standing on small blocks. On the whistle, the female had to run down the 15m (49ft 2½in) course and avoid having any of the grapes removed by the opposition. At the end of the course, she then had to turn around and return to the start in the same manner. Any grapes removed by the males had to be placed in their trouser pockets or stored behind their team dossards. Any grapes that fell to the ground would not be counted. The team removing the greater number of grapes would be declared the winners.

This was a very straightforward and unusual game which could not really be judged until the end of the three rounds. At the end of the game, the males revealed to the referees how many grapes that had successfully removed and showed that Oppenheim am Rhein had collected 14 grapes whilst Simmern im Hunsrück had collected 20 grapes.

Game 4 - The Barrel Pieces
(Die Faßstücke)

The fourth game - ‘The Barrel Pieces’ (Die Faßstücke) - was played in unison over two minutes duration and featured six competitors (five males and one female) from each team. The five males, each with a side of a barrel strapped to his back, were standing at one end of the course whilst the female, equipped with a metal hoop and standing on a small podium, was located at the other. On the whistle, the five males had to race down the 25m (82ft) course and then create a barrel by standing and facing each other in a circle. The female then had to place the hoop over the five pieces to hold them together and then place a wooden lid on the top. The males then had to return to the start by following a meandering line marked out on the ground. The line had to pass under the middle of the barrel otherwise the team would be sent back by the referees. If the lid fell to the ground, the female had to race up the course and replace it by standing on the podium, which she had fettered to her arm by a rope, before the team could continue. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a simple and straightforward but enjoyable game to watch and despite both teams suffering mishaps, Oppenheim am Rhein completed the course in 1 minute 25 seconds followed by Simmern im Hunsrück in 1 minute 44 seconds.

Game 5 - The Bottle Labellers
(Die Flaschenetiketterer)

The fifth game - ‘The Bottle Labellers’ (Die Flaschenetiketterer) - was played in unison over two minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team and four large wooden bottles. On the ground, adjacent to the competitor, there were four large wine labels each with two foothold straps attached to the top. On the whistle, the competitor had to place his feet in the straps and then hop down the 25m (82ft) course to the bottles. Once completed, he then had to remove the label and hang it by the straps on one of the bottles. He then had to race back to the start and then repeat the game on three more occasions. In front of the bottles was a given line which the label had to fully clear before being removed. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very simple and straightforward game which saw both teams falling foul of rules on their first runs whereby neither of the competitors transported the label over the given line. Despite both having started their return journeys, they were both called back by the referees to complete it correctly. Simmern im Hunsrück began their return journey after 14 seconds of elapsed time followed by Oppenheim am Rhein, five seconds later. Simmern im Hunsrück retained their lead for the remainder of the game, despite a courageous effort by Oppenheim am Rhein on the fourth and final run. The results were announced and Simmern im Hunsrück were declared as completing the game in 1 minute 29 seconds followed by Oppenheim am Rhein in 1 minute 33 seconds.

Intermission Mini-Contest -
The Coaches’ Game
(Das Trainerspiel)

There was a short interlude before the next game for the Trainerspiel, full details of which can be found in Heat 1 with the exception that all seventy coins were released and permitted to roll randomly onto the arena floor before the game started.

At the end of the contest, Oppenheim am Rhein had collected 15 x 10, 5 x 20, 5 x 50, 5 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 1500 Deutsche Mark (approx. £267) whilst Simmern im Hunsrück had collected 20 x 10, 4 x 20, 3 x 50, 5 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 1,430 Deutsche Mark (approx. £254), which in fact had been counted and announced incorrectly as 1,530 (see Comments below). Six of the coins rolled down were not collected (5 x 10 and 1 x 20 = 70 Mark).

Comparative values in 2025: £267 = £2,091 whilst £254 = £1,990.

Game 6 - The Wine Queens
(Die Weinköniginnen)

The sixth game - ‘The Wine Queens’ (Die Weinköniginnen) - was played in unison over two runs totalling no more than three minutes duration and witnessed Oppenheim am Rhein presenting their Joker for play. The game featured a female competitor from each team sitting on a throne and wearing a large cup-shaped crown. In front of the throne, there was a 40m (131ft 2¾in) long carpet laid over twenty-two podia set at equidistant intervals. On the whistle, a male team-mate standing behind the throne and armed with forty large grapes had to place twenty of them into the crown. The female competitor then had to run along the carpet and empty the grapes into a large goblet. All the grapes had to be emptied out of the headgear before returning to the start. The game then had to be repeated. The male team-mate could run on foot to the end of the course to ensure that all the grapes had been removed. Any grapes that fell to the ground whilst being emptied out would not be counted. The team collecting the greater number of grapes would be declared the winners.

Although this appeared to be a straightforward game, it was thrown into some confusion after 30 seconds of elapsed time. Both teams set off together on the first run and the competitors bent forward to empty the grapes into the goblet. Although both teams failed to ensure that their crown was empty before starting their return journey, the Oppenheim am Rheim team-mate observed his competitor’s error and called her back to complete the task. However, the Simmern im Hunsrück competitor and team-mate had both failed to check the crown and returned to the start nevertheless. Presenter Erhard Keller having witnessed their error could be heard shouting at them that their crown was not empty but no notice was taken and the male team-mate started to add more grapes to the crown for the second run. The referees arrived to try and stop this but by this time nobody knew how many grapes had been left in the crown from the first run and they looked at each other bewildered as to what to do. Despite this, the game was permitted to continue for the second runs. After completing the game in 2 minutes 22 seconds, referee Werner Treichel could be seen standing behind the Oppenheim am Rhein throne and holding one of their grapes aloft indicating that they had missed one. In the meantime, Simmern im Hunsrück could be seen completing the game in exactly three minutes. When the result was announced, Oppenheim am Rhein were declared the winners as several of the grapes in the Simmern im Hunsrück goblet had been placed there after being retrieved from the ground by the male team.

Game 7 - Grape Skittles
(Traubenkegel)

The seventh game - ‘Grape Skittles’ (Traubenkegel) - was played individually over 3 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured two male competitors from each team and a 10m (32ft 9¾in) long circular net. On the whistle, the first competitor had to collect a very large grape and then transport it through the net which was laid out along the course. After exiting the net, he then had to hurl the grape under a small rope hurdle and towards nine skittles which were located 5m (16ft 5in) further down the course. Any that were successfully knocked down would then be removed from play. The game then had to be repeated by the second competitor and then throughout alternately until all skittles had been knocked down. If the end of net became entangled or was not straight, the competitors could assist each other by straightening the net. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this straightforward game saw the participation of Oppenheim am Rhein and their first competitor was able to clamber through the net and knock down one skittle after 27 seconds of elapsed time. The second competitor was able to get through the net and knock down a further two skittles (running total of 3) after 47 seconds. On their third run, they were able to knock down another two skittles (5) after 1 minute 11 seconds and this was followed by a further skittle (6) being knocked on their fourth run after 1 minute 29 seconds. Unfortunately, on their fifth and sixth runs, the competitors failed to knock down any of the remaining skittles. However, on their seventh run they were able to knock down a further two skittles (8) after 2 minutes 54 seconds. The team completed the game after knocking down the ninth and final skittle in 3 minutes 12 seconds.

The second heat featured Simmern im Hunsrück and their first competitor knocked down two skittles after 23 seconds of elapsed time and their total increased when their second competitor knocked down one skittle (3) after 44 seconds. On their third run, they were able to knock down a further two skittles (5) after 1 minute 3 seconds but on their fourth run, they missed their target completely. The team increased their score after successfully knocking down two skittles (7) on their fifth run after 1 minute 41 seconds and the sixth run proved just as fruitful after they knocked down their final two skittles in 2 minutes 6 seconds.

Game 8 - The Wine Waiters
(Die Weinkellner)

The eighth game - ‘The Wine Waiters’ (Die Weinkellner) - was played individually over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured two male competitors from each team wearing roller-skates. On the whistle, the first competitor had to collect a tray and five wine bottles. He then had to descend a small ramp and pass through a set of doors to reach the end of the course where he had to place the tray and bottles on a table. The second competitor then had to repeat the game and then alternately throughout. The competitors had to keep hold of the tray with both hands at all times and upright bottles reaching the tables would be counted. The team collecting the greater number of bottles would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this very straightforward and simple game saw the participation of Simmern im Hunsrück and they made a total of thirteen runs and collected 39 bottles (4 + 2 + 5 + 0 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 1).

The second heat featured Oppenheim am Rhein and they only made a total of twelve runs but collected 43 bottles (5 + 4 + 2 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 0 + 5 + 5 + 4). 

Game 9 - The Bottle Collector
(Der Flaschensammler)

The ninth and penultimate game - ‘The Bottle Collector’ (Der Flaschensammler) - was played individually over three minutes duration and witnessed Simmern im Hunsrück presenting their Joker for play. The game featured a male competitor from each team attired in a clown’s outfit with very large foam-rubber trousers. Along the sides of the 50m (164ft) course there were twenty bottles standing upright at equal intervals. At the end of the course there was an open-topped circus car. On the whistle, the competitor had to run to the end of the course and climb into the car. He then had to move the car with his feet back to the start of the course. Once completed, he then had to return to the end of the course with the car in reverse and, whilst doing so, had to pick up all the bottles on one side of the course and place them on the back seat of the vehicle. Once all the ten bottles had been collected, he then had to move to the other side of the course and collect the remaining ten bottles whilst returning to the start in the forward position. Any bottles that were driven over or fell from the seat and onto the ground had to be retrieved by the competitor on foot and placed in the vehicle before continuing. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this uneventful game saw the participation of Oppenheim am Rhein and they completed the first run back to the start after 34 seconds of elapsed time. After collecting the first ten bottles in 1 minute 34 seconds, their competitor returned to the start for the second time and completed the game in 2 minutes 42 seconds.

The second heat featured Simmern im Hunsrück and they were slightly faster in their execution of the first return journey, reaching the start line after 30 seconds of elapsed time. After collecting the first ten bottles in 1 minute 9 seconds, their competitor was well ahead of his rival’s time and went on to complete the game in 2 minutes 11 seconds.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Oppenheim am Rhein (0pts awarded / 12pts total) 2nd Simmern im Hunsrück (4pts / Joker / 10pts)

Comments: Before the start of the next game, presenter Erhard Keller stated that with the scores at 12-10, the contest could end in a draw. If this was to be the case, then the contest would be decided by a maximum of three tugs-o-war (Tauziehen).

Game 10 - The Giant Wine Barrels
(Die Riesigen Weinfässer)

The tenth and final game - ‘The Giant Wine Barrels’ (Die Riesigen Weinfässer) - was played in unison over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured two male competitors from each team armed with a very large ovoid wine barrel. On the whistle, the two competitors had to work together and roll the barrel down the 50m (164ft) course and knock over a large wine bottle. They then had to return to the start in the same manner and knock down a smaller bottle with the barrel. On the third and penultimate run, they had to roll the barrel back down the course and knock over the large bottle (which had been repositioned by stagehands) for a second time. It was then a straight race back to the start for the fourth and final run and knock over the smaller bottle for a second time to finish. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very straightforward game which saw Simmern im Hunsrück make an error on the first run and failed to knock down the large bottle. Whilst being sent back by the referees, it permitted Oppenheim am Rhein to take full control over the game and went onto to complete a faultless performance and finished in 1 minute 40 seconds. Despite having now lost the contest, Simmern im Hunsrück played the game to an end and finished in 1 minute 52 seconds.

Final Scores and Positions: 1st Oppenheim am Rhein (2pts awarded / 14pts total) 2nd Simmern im Hunsrück (0pts / 10pts)

Presenters, Officials and Production Teams

At the end of the programme, during presenter Erhard Keller’s closing comments, regular referee Hans Ebersberger stated that due to previously arranged commitments, he would unfortunately be absent from the next programme. Keller then asked if his place would be taken by Peter Hochrath (a referee from previous years) and was given the affirmative by all three officials. However, this substitution did not materialise and for the first time since the Spiel Ohne Grenzen Domestic programme was introduced in 1967, only two referees officiated at the next heat.

Made in Colour • This programme exists German archives

D

Spiel Ohne Grenzen 1975

Heat 4

Event Staged: Saturday 3rd May 1975
Venue: Marktplatz (Market Square),
Karlstadt am Main, Bayern, West Germany

Transmission:
WDR 1 (D): Saturday 3rd May 1975, 3.45-5.00pm (Live)

Referees on Duty:
Gerd Siepe and Werner Treichel

Weather Conditions: Warm and Sunny

Theme: Rund um die Welt in 75 Minuten (Around the World in 75 Minutes)

Teams: Bietigheim-Bissingen v. Karlstadt am Main

Team Members included:
Bietigheim-Bissingen - Hannelore Grimm (Co-Team Coach), Rolf Schube (Co-Team Coach), Klaus Britsch, Inge Gleich, Günter Heinle, Karl-Heinz Jablinski, Wolfgang Jogwer, Frieder Kling, Markus Kling, Bärbel Mack, Gerhard Müller, Jürgen Ruof, Wolfgang Sinn, Ellen Tiedtke, Edeltraud Wachtler, Christian Walter;
Karlstadt am Main - Edgar Burkard (Co-Team Coach), Heiner Hertlein (Co-Team Coach), Manfred Schneider (Co-Team Coach), Sylvia Burkard, Horst Dahlemann, Bernd Endrich, Michael Gensch, Christel Helmreich, Bernd Herzog, Reinhold Lamprecht, Wolfgang Münzel, Edgar Wittmann.

Games: Folding the Map, The Dark Continent of Africa, The Mexican Desert Cacti, Uncle Sam's Star-Spangled Hat, The Alaskan Eskimos, The Australian Kangaroos, The Hawaiian Hula-Hoop Dancers, The Chinese Coolies and Japanese Sumo Wrestlers, The Indian Fabric, The Russian Cossacks;
Jokers: Star-Posed Gentlemen.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

 BB • Bietigheim-Bissingen ● ●
 K • Karlstadt am Main

14
10

Bietigheim-Bissingen qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Maastricht, Netherlands:
staged on Tuesday 3rd June 1975

The Host Town

Karlstadt am Main, Bayern

Karlstadt am Main is a town with a population of around 15,000 inhabitants in the state of Bayern. It is located on the east bank of the River Main, 80km (50 miles) east of Frankfurt am Main, 138km (86 miles) north of Stuttgart and 269km (167 miles) south of Hannover. The town was once an important wine-growing region and although it has only slight economic importance nowadays, it still has great cultural significance. Vineyards in the town are the Roßtal and Im Stein but there are also others in many of the outlying centres, especially in Stetten (Stettener Stein) and on the way to Gambach.

Between the 6th and mid-13th century, the unusually big valley settlement of Karlburg with its monastery and harbour was located on the other side of the Main. The settlement also comprised the Karlsburg, a castle perched high over the community which was destroyed in the German Peasants' War in 1525. During this time, Bishop Konrad von Querfurt (1160-1202) founded Karlstadt am Main in 1202, a few months before being murdered. However, it was not until 1225, that Karlstadt had its first official documented mention.

The town was methodically laid out with a nearly rectangular plan to defend Würzburg territory against the Counts of Rieneck. The plan is still well preserved today with the streets in the Old Town laid out much like a chessboard, but for military reasons they are not quite straight.

Although the history of the town is sketchy, it is known that in 1236, the castle and the village of Karlburg were destroyed in the Rieneck Feud, the town fortifications were completed in 1304 and that the parish of Karlstadt was first named in 1339. For a short time around 1400, Karlstadt am Main became the seat of an episcopal mint.

The town’s long-time Jewish inhabitants built a synagogue at Hauptstraße 24, which was destroyed during Kristallnacht (a series of coordinated deadly attacks against Jews) on 9th November 1938 by Sturmabteilung (storm-troopers), an event recalled by a plaque at the synagogue’s former site.

The local dialect name for the town is Karscht or Karscht am Mee with the townsfolk being called Flaak or Karschter Flaak.

Bietigheim-Bissingen was the new name given to the two communities of Bietigheim and Bissingen after the Baden-Württemberg district reform, part of the Gebietsreform, the Local Government Reform Act 1974, which saw the two merged as one community. The new name was introduced on 1st January 1975.

The Visiting Town

Bietigheim-Bissingen is a town with a population of around 45,000 inhabitants in the state of Baden-Württemberg and is located 119km (74 miles) north-east of Karlstadt am Main.

The Venue

Marktplatz (Market Square), Karlstadt am Main

The games were played on the picturesque and historic market square in Karlstadt am Main.

Horror film buffs would recognise the name as being the starting point for Jonathan Harker and Van Helsing in the Dracula novels of Bram Stoker (1847-1912). This would appear to have been somewhat of a laborious journey, with the nearest geographical point of the Carpathian mountain range to Karlstadt am Main being over 500km to the east on the eastern suburbs of Brno in Czechia (also known as the Czech Republic)!

The Games in Detail

Introduction

At the start of the programme, presenter Erhard Keller, along with referees Gerd Siepe and Werner Treichel, ‘entered’ the arena standing in an hot air balloon basket set on wheels which had pivoted at the top, giving the illusion of them floating in the air and being blown from side to side into the arena by wind currents. Before the start of the ‘non-costumed’ games, the participating competitors all arrived into the arena in the same manner.

In a change to the normal opening, a television camera perched high above the market square gave a bird’s eye view of the arena with the two teams standing on large 10m x 6m (32ft 9¾in x 19ft 8¼in) maps of the world laid out on the ground and which would be utilised on the opening game.

Game 1 - Folding the Map
(Die Karte Falten)

The first game - ‘Folding the Map’ (Die Karte Falten) - was played in unison over two minutes duration and featured two competitors (one male and one female) from each team and a large 10m x 6m (32ft 9¾in x 19ft 8¼in) vinyl map of the world which was laid out on the market square. Above the map was a large narrow box with a hinged lid. On the whistle, the two competitors had to work together to carefully fold the map in order to place it in the box and completely shut the lid. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

Although not appearing to be at first glance, this was a straightforward game which Bietigheim-Bissingen took control of from the outset and completed the task in just 1 minute 6 seconds. Despite all their efforts, the Karlstadt am Main team had folded their map too hastily and were unable to complete the game within the permitted time.

Game 2 - The Dark Continent of Africa
(Der Dunkle Kontinent Afrika)

The second game - ‘The Dark Continent of Africa’ (Der Dunkle Kontinent Afrika) - was played individually over two minutes duration and witnessed Bietigheim-Bissingen presenting their Joker for play. The game featured three competitors (two males and one female) from each team, two of which were dressed as native tribal members, complete with grass skirts. In front of the game was a tall palm tree, at the top of which the second male, dressed as a monkey, was located. On the whistle, the competitor dressed as a monkey had to drop a coconut (in reality a football) down from the top of the tree and his male team-mate had to header it behind him in order for it to be caught by the female. If successful, she then had to place the ball in a wooden cage. The game then had to be repeated throughout. Only balls caught by the female whilst behind a given line would be counted. The team collecting the greater number of balls would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this simple and straightforward gave saw the participation of Bietigheim-Bissingen and they collected a total of 40 cleanly-caught coconuts from the fifty dropped by the monkey.

The second heat featured Karlstadt am Main and whilst their monkey was able to drop fifty-four balls during the permitted time, only 34 were caught cleanly.

Game 3 - The Mexican Desert Cacti
(Die Mexikanischen Wüstenkakteen)

The third game - ‘The Mexican Desert Cacti’ (Die Mexikanischen Wüstenkakteen) - was played in unison over two minutes duration and witnessed Karlstadt am Main presenting their Joker for play. The game featured a male competitor from each team dressed as a cactus and assisted by three team-mates (two males and one female) standing on podia laid out in a circle. On the whistle, the competitor, who was unable to see anything through the body of the costume, was rotated three times by one of the referees and then he had to move alternately from each of the podia following instructions shouted at him by his team-mates. Each of the team-mates was armed with four flowers with large pins and one of these had to be stuck in the costume as he reached the first podium. He was then directed to the second team-mate and then to the third. This then had to be repeated on four occasions until twelve flowers had been attached. Any flowers that dropped off whilst in play would still be counted as valid. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was another simple and straightforward but fast-paced game with Karlstadt am Main collecting all twelve flowers in 1 minute 12 seconds. The game was permitted to play to a finish with Bietigheim-Bissingen collecting their twelfth flower, just within the permitted time, in 1 minute 59 seconds.

Game 4 - Uncle Sam's Star-Spangled Hat
(Onkel Sams Sternenübersäter Hut)

The fourth game - ‘Uncle Sam’s Star-Spangled Hat’ (Onkel Sams Sternenübersäter Hut) - was played in unison over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured a male competitor from each team wearing an oversized star-covered striped hat with an open-topped crown. Around the upper rim of the crown, several pins were protruding upwards. On the whistle, the competitor had to move down the course to an area containing twenty small water-filled balloons. He then had to crouch down and hurl the balloons upwards into the crown, avoiding the pins. Once all of the balloons had been collected, he then had to move to a second section and repeat the process throughout. The competitors were only permitted to hold on to the brim of the hat. The team collecting the greater number of balloons intact would be declared the winners.

Although this was a straightforward game it was something of a delight to watch. Whilst both teams remained neck and neck throughout the game, they adopted different styles whilst hurling the balloons - Bietigheim-Bissingen opting to crouch down whilst Karlstadt am Main opted to stand upright. Although the number of balloons going into the hats could be observed during the game, it was only when it had finished that the number of whole balloons was revealed for each of the teams. When the results were announced Karlstadt am Main had collected 23 legitimate balloons (one had been discounted as it was collected outside the permitted time) and Bietigheim-Bissingen had collected 36 balloons.

Game 5 - The Alaskan Eskimos
(Die Alaskischen Eskimos)

The fifth game - ‘The Alaskan Eskimos’ (Die Alaskischen Eskimos) - was played in unison over four minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team dressed as an Eskimo wearing huge snow-shoes attached to skis. At the front of the skis were a pair of poles, each with a small metal loop protruding from the top. At the end of the course there were four lines of five fish hanging by clips from a bar which was being supported by a frame. On the whistle, the competitor had to ski down the 30m (98ft 5¼in) course to the frame work and then he had to hook the loops over the ends of the bar holding the fish. He then had to raise the bar off the frame and then ski back to the start and place the fish by hand onto a similar framework. The game then had to be repeated throughout. The competitors could only touch the bars or fish once they had returned to the start of each return journey. The team collecting twenty fish in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a straightforward game which witnessed Karlstadt am Main leading throughout. After returning to the start on their first run, they deposited their first five fish after 42 seconds of elapsed time with Bietigheim-Bissingen doing likewise after 1 minute 1 second. Following another return journey, Karlstadt am Main had collected half their quarry after 1 minute 31 seconds. Although Bietigheim-Bissingen had completed their second journey after exactly two minutes, Karlstadt am Main were hot on their heels with the third catch being brought home after 2 minutes 18 seconds. It appeared that the Karlstadt am Main competitor would overtake his rival on his last journey but unfortunately he permitted one of the fish to fall from the bar. This error delayed him and permitted his rival to complete his third return journey after 3 minutes 1 second. Having picked up the dropped fish, Karlstadt am Main reached the start line and deposited their final five fish in 3 minutes 17 seconds. The game was permitted to play out to a finish with Bietigheim-Bissingen completing the game, just within the permitted time, in 3 minutes 59 seconds.

Intermission Mini-Contest -
The Coaches’ Game
(Das Trainerspiel)

There was a short interlude before the next game for the Trainerspiel, full details of which can be found in Heat 1 with the exception that all seventy coins were spread out on the arena floor by the two referees before the game started. Also the coins that had been collected and placed on the podia were removed during the game by one of the referees and placed in piles of the same value to simplify the counting at the end of the game.

At the end of the contest, Karlstadt am Main had collected 18 x 10, 7 x 20, 4 x 50, 4 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 1420 Deutsche Mark (approx. £252) whilst Bietigheim-Bissingen had collected 16 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 50, 6 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 1,470 Deutsche Mark (approx. £261). Seven of the coins were not collected from the arena floor (6 x 10 and 1 x 50 = 120 Mark).

Comparative values in 2025: £252 = £1,974 whilst £261 = £2,044.

Game 6 - The Australian Kangaroos
(Die Australischen Kängurus)

The sixth game - ‘The Australian Kangaroos’ (Die Australischen Kängurus) - was played individually over three minutes duration and featured three male competitors from each team dressed in kangaroo costumes. The front legs of the costume were attached to its pouch to prevent any interference by the competitors. On the whistle, the competitors had to shuffle their way down to the bottom of the 25m (82ft) course where twelve footballs sitting on small support rings were located in a line. The competitors then had to work together to collect the balls in their pouches. This had to be executed by one of the competitors crouching down and leaning his pouch towards the football whilst one of the other competitors lifted the football off its ring and into the pouch. Once completed, they had to return to the start and drop the footballs into a caged box. There was no limit to the number of footballs that could be carried in the pouches Any footballs that were not collected in the correct manner or fell from the pouch would be repositioned by the referees. The team collecting all the balls in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this straightforward game saw the participation of Bietigheim-Bissingen and in their haste they dropped several footballs along the way, but they completed the game in 2 minutes 43 seconds.

The second heat featured Karlstadt am Main and, having the advantage of having watched their rivals, they took a more leisurely approach, dropping fewer footballs, and completed the game in 2 minutes 25 seconds.

Game 7 - The Hawaiian Hula-Hoop Dancers
(Die Hawaiianischen Hula-Hoop Tänzer)

The seventh game - ‘The Hawaiian Hula-Hoop Dancers’ (Die Hawaiianischen Hula-Hoop Tänzer) - was played in unison over 2 minutes 15 seconds duration and featured two female competitors from each team dressed as Hawaiian natives complete with grass skirts. On the whistle, the first competitor, followed by her team-mate, had to each collect a hula-hoop and place it over her head and then spin it around her waist whilst moving down a 20m (65ft 7½in) obstacle course comprised of a small wooden bridge. At the end of the course, the hoop had to be removed and placed over a cone. The competitor then had to return to the start and repeat the game throughout. Any hoops that fell to the ground or were not transported in the correct manner would not be counted. The team collecting the greater number of hoops would be declared the winners.

This was a very simple and straightforward game which ended with Bietigheim-Bissingen transporting 12 hoops correctly and Karlstadt am Main transporting 14 hoops.

Game 8 - The Chinese Coolies and Japanese Sumo Wrestlers
(Die Chinesischen Kulis und Japanischen Sumoringer)

The eighth game - ‘The Chinese Coolies and Japanese Sumo Wrestlers’ (Die Chinesischen Kulis und Japanischen Sumoringer) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team dressed as a Chinese coolie and equipped with a large round foam-rubber effigy of a Japanese sumo wrestler. On the whistle, the competitor had to roll the sumo wrestler down the 25m (82ft) course which comprised of a double-spanned bridge. Once accomplished, he then had to roll the sumo wrestler back to the start and then repeat the game on two further occasions. If the wrestler fell from the bridge, the competitor would have to start that run again. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

Despite its elaborate costumes and props, this game was very simple in design and proved somewhat of a dampener to the whole afternoon. From the outset, Bietigheim-Bissingen took full control of the game and completed their first run over the bridge after 33 seconds of elapsed time, closely followed by Karlstadt am Main in 34 seconds. After returning to the start, the gap between the two teams began to widen and Bietigheim-Bissingen completed their second run over the bridge in 1 minute 21 seconds. Whilst their competitor made his way back to the start, Karlstadt am Main completed their second run in 1 minute 25 seconds. In the meantime, Bietigheim-Bissingen had begun their third and final run and completed it without mishap in 1 minute 59 seconds. Their competitor then raced back to the start and completed the game in 2 minutes 14 seconds. Although the result was already known, the game was played out to a finish with Karlstadt am Main completing their final run across the bridge in 2 minutes 36 seconds and finally crossed the finish line in 2 minutes 57 seconds. 

Game 9 - The Indian Fabric
(Der Indische Stoff)

The ninth and penultimate game - ‘The Indian Fabric’ (Der Indische Stoff) - was played individually over three minutes duration and featured five male competitors from each team and a table over which a 30m (98ft 5¼in) length of fabric had been laid. Before the start, four of the competitors had to stand on the cloth whilst the fifth grabbed hold of one end. On the whistle, the four table-based competitors had to jump in rhythm in order for the cloth to be pulled underneath them by their team-mate. Once accomplished and whilst the four alighted, the fifth competitor then had to climb onto the table by himself and wrap all the cloth tightly around his body to make dhoti pants and secure it by tucking it in. He then had to place his hands behind his head and then jump down off the table and run 10m (32ft 9¾in) to cross the finish line. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this straightforward game saw the participation of Bietigheim-Bissingen and they completed the first part in just 21 seconds. The fifth competitor then jumped up onto the table and began wrapping the cloth around his waist and legs. After securing the cloth and jumping down, he suffered a slight mishap when the end of the cloth came loose and dropped to the ground whilst running to cross the line. After securing the cloth for a second occasion, he completed the game in 2 minutes 5 seconds.

The second heat featured Karlstadt am Main and despite it appearing that they were faster than their rivals, they also completed the first part of the game in 21 seconds. However, on the second part of the game, their competitor was not as adept as his rival in securing the cloth around his body. Referee Werner Treichel could be seen stepping in on at least two occasions to remind him that the cloth had to go around and underneath his legs. After the competitor jumped down from the table, it was apparent that the cloth was looser than it should be and, whilst running to the finish line, much of it came away from his body and dropped to the ground. After recomposing himself on two occasions, he crossed the line in 2 minutes 19 seconds.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Bietigheim-Bissingen (2pts awarded / 12pts total) 2nd Karlstadt am Main (0pts / 10pts) ▼

Comments: As was the case in the previous heat where the scores at this point stood at 12-10, presenter Erhard Keller stated that the contest could end in a draw. If this was to be the case then the contest would be decided by a maximum of three tugs-o-war (Tauziehen).

Game 10 - The Russian Cossacks
(Die Russichen Kosaken)

The tenth and final game - ‘The Russian Cossacks’ (Die Russischen Kosaken) - was played in unison over two minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team dressed as a Cossack dancer. Strapped to his back was a small board on which a wheel was attached to the centre and at the front of his fur hat, a large pin protruded outwards. The course comprised of eight giant water-filled balloons hanging from high bars. On the whistle, the competitor had to face upwards with his hands and feet touching the ground and the wheeled board supporting his back. He then had to race down the 30m (98ft 5¼in) course and then back to the start. Once completed, he then had to manoeuvre himself in front of the first balloon and raise his head in order to burst it with the pin. He then had to manoeuvre himself in front of the second balloon and do likewise. This then had to be repeated with the remaining six balloons. After bursting the eighth balloon, the competitor had to cross a line to finish the game. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very straightforward but tiring and strength-draining game which saw Bietigheim-Bissingen take an early lead on the opening run. This advantage gave them the edge over their rivals throughout the game and permitted them to finish in 1 minute 2 seconds with Karlstadt am Main doing likewise in 1 minute 12 seconds.

Final Scores and Positions: 1st Bietigheim-Bissingen (2pts awarded / 14pts total) 2nd Karlstadt am Main (0pts / 10pts)

Comments: At the end of the contest, presenter Erhard Keller approached the losing and forlorn-looking Karlstadt am Main team and stated that not all was lost and that in fact they were in the running with Simmern im Hunsrück for the coveted ‘losing team with highest points’. This appeared to bring a wry smile from some of the team members.

Presenters, Officials and Production Teams

Due to previously-arranged commitments (mentioned by himself at the end of the previous heat), regular referee Hans Ebersberger was absent from this programme. This marked the first occasion since the Spiel Ohne Grenzen Domestic programme was introduced in 1967 that only two referees, either in a full or an assisting capacity, had been on duty.

Media Attention

In an article published in Bavarian regional newspaper Main-Post on 5th May 2020 and headlined ‘Als Karlstadt bei Spiel Ohne Grenzen groß im Fernsehen war’ (When Karlstadt was big on television at Spiel Ohne Grenzen), reporter Karlheinz Haase described how the competition was the biggest thing to hit the area, how Karlstadt am Main ended as losers and why presenter Erhard Keller's comments about racism and sexism would be prohibited in today’s politically correct environment.

"The older ones will surely remember Saturday 3rd May, 45 years ago, when Karlstadt am Main became the focus of a television show that would clear the streets (ein Straßenfeger). Spiel Ohne Grenzen took place on the town’s market square. When the sporting game show was broadcast on Germany’s Das Erste channel on Saturday afternoon, fans nationwide gathered in front of the screens and cheered for one of the two teams.

Since this event, the bulky place name of Bietigheim-Bissingen has become infamous to many Karschters (inhabitants of Karlstadt am Main). The opposing team came from the town 25 kilometres north of Stuttgart. The production team had fun shortening their location as BB due to the fact that Brigitte Bardot was en vogue at the time. Traffic on the B26 and B27 rumbled over the cobblestones of Karlstadter Hauptstrasse. But it was blocked for several days for the show. With a grandstand in front of the old town hall, it had been transformed into a television arena. The Karlstadt am Main public had little sympathy for the Bietigheim-Bissingers. As soon as they entered, they were greeted with boos.

At the dress rehearsal the day before, the Karlstadt am Main team had won big. For the television broadcast, candidates were drawn to tasks that did not suit them. In order to join the team, there had been an entrance test in Karlstadt am Main. In this ‘casting’, for example, jumps across the bank were required, a weighted trolley had to be pushed through obstacles and flat gymnastic balls had to be aimed into basketball hoops. The weekly training was under the direction of athletics coach Heiner Hertlein as well as sports teachers Edgar Burkard and Manfred Schneider.

The latter summed it up: "Karlstadt actually lost out three times to Bietigheim-Bissingen: firstly on 3rd May and secondly we lost the chance of international participation as the highest-scoring losers. With Simmern also scoring 10 points, both teams’ names went into a hat but we ended up as losers. And in the end Bietigheim-Bissingen won the overall final."" (This statement was actually incorrect as the West German team finished in fourth place in the International Final).

Additional Information

The Bietigheim-Bissingen team required a battle cry to urge the team on whenever they played, so a contest was arranged by a local newspaper. The winning entry by Rolf Mühleisen from Ludwigsburg was simply ‘Bi-Bi-ran’, and was shouted out by the travelling spectators at this heat as well as at their International Heat in Maastricht, Netherlands and the International Final in Ieper, Belgium.

Made in Colour • This programme exists German archives

D

Spiel Ohne Grenzen 1975

Heat 5

Event Staged: Saturday 10th May 1975
Venue: Ufer des Biggetalsperre (Shore of Bigge Dam Reservoir),
Attendorn im Sauerland, Nordrhein-Westfalen, West Germany

Transmission:
WDR 1 (D): Saturday 10th May 1975, 2.45-4.00pm (Live)

Referees on Duty:
Hans Ebersberger and Werner Treichel

Weather Conditions: Overcast and Cold with Sunny Intervals

Theme: Der Steinzeit (The Stone Age)

Teams: Attendorn im Sauerland v. Pulheim

Team Members included:
Attendorn im Sauerland - Jürgen Kempkens (Team Manager, Co-Team Coach and Team Captain), Klaus Harmes (Co-Team Coach), Nanna Mohnes (Co-Team Coach), Jutta Bettig, Michael Droste, Helga Emmiss, Lucia Habbel, Heike Henning, Ludwig Heuel, Josef Hössel, Gertha Huntermann, Birgitt Lux, Bernd Niederhagen, Dagobert Schneider, Eberhard Springob, Friedel Springob, Dieter Vollmerhaus;
Pulheim - Bernhard Kurichaus (Team Coach), Wolfgang Hohe, Peter Mensel, Hermann Mahler, Hermann Modragovsky, Tomas Mullen, Peter Neuhäuper, Frans-Josef Rilligaler, Friedrich Schreiber, Klaus Steen, Peter Tomszky.

Games: The Log Carts, Constructing the Cairn, Battle of the Rhinoceroses, The Chicken's Eggs, Attack the Yak!, The Pontoon Bridges, The Cave Painting, Golfing with Cavemen's Clubs, The Hungry Dinosaur, The Neanderthals;
Jokers: Star-Posed Gentlemen.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

 A • Attendorn im Sauerland ● ●
 P • Pulheim

15
9

Attendorn im Sauerland qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Riccione, Italy:
staged on Tuesday 17th June 1975

The Host Town

Attendorn im Sauerland, Nordrhein-Westfalen

Attendorn im Sauerland is a town with a population of around 27,000 inhabitants in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen. It is located in the Naturpark Ebbegebirge, 80km (50 miles) east of Düsseldorf, 90km (56 miles) north of Koblenz and 313km (194 miles) west of Leipzig. The Rüenhardt at 636m (2,086ft 7¼ins) is the town’s highest point, whereas the Ahauser Stausee (reservoir) has an elevation of only 248m (813ft 7¾ins). The municipal area comprises 97.86km2 (37.78mi2) roughly half of which is wooded.

Origins of the town can only be traced back as far as the Middle Ages. The town lies at the crossroads of two former long-distance roads, the Heidenstraße (Heath Road) and the so-called Königsstraße (King’s Road). It was here during the reign of Charlemagne (AD 742-AD 814), that a parish rose. Underneath the Kollegiatstift Sankt Johannes (Collegiate Church of Saint John) in the town’s market place, the foundations of an old missionary church can be found. In 1072, Archbishop Anno of Cologne (1010-1075) endowed the Grafschaft Monastery and granted it, among other things, rights to an estate in Attendorn im Sauerland. The monastery’s endowment document stands as the town’s earliest mention.

In 1222, town rights were granted the town under Engelbert II of Berg (1185-1225). Schnellenberg Castle, built about 1200, and the acquisition of the Waldenburg (another castle) in 1248 served to safeguard Köln’s interests in the region. From the early 14th century until today there has existed a hospital with a church and graveyard outside the town’s walls. In 1420, Heinrich Weke endowed the Ewig Monastery. In 1429, he also added a hospital for the poor. For a time, the town was so well off that it could even grant the Archbishop of Cologne himself credit.

The population suffered tragedy in 1464, 1597, 1598 and 1613, when the town was beset with bubonic plague. Great fires, too, ravaged the town in 1613, 1623, 1656, 1710, 1732, 1742 and 1783, with the ones in 1656 and 1783 destroying most of the town. Attendorn im Sauerland lost many citizens during the Second World War (1939-1945) and suffered heavy destruction during Allied bombing on 28th March 1945 and a munitions explosion on 15th June of the same year.

A culinary delight of the town is the Ostersemmel (Easter bun), a bread mixed with caraway baked in local bakeries in the week leading up to Easter. Especially striking about these buns are the notches at each end that look somewhat like a fish’s fins. On Easter Saturday at 2pm, Attendorners gather outside the parish church to have their buns blessed by the minister. This custom is witnessed in documents as far back as 1658.

The Visiting Town

Pulheim is a town with a population of around 55,000 inhabitants in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen and is located 79km (49 miles) west of Attendorn im Sauerland.

The Venue

Ufer des Biggetalsperre (Shore of the Bigge Dam Reservoir)

The games were played on grassland located on the shore of the Bigge Dam reservoir. The dam and reservoir were constructed in the 1960s primarily to store and discharge water on demand, thus ensuring a balanced water level of the River Ruhr. Up to 40 per cent of the required compensation water for all dams and reservoirs can be discharged from the Bigge Reservoir via the Bigge and Lenne rivers into the Ruhr river system. Another important purpose is flood protection for inhabitants downstream of the reservoir. During the flood risk period between 1st November and 1st February, a flood control storage space of 32,000,000m³ (7,039,013,024 gallons) is kept available, which is then released for refilling in the period between 1st February and 1st May.

Water is primarily discharged from the reservoir via the Bigge hydropower station operated by the company Lister und Lennekraftwerke GmbH. The Bigge and Lister hydropower stations generate about 24 million kW/h per year. The maximum capacity of the five turbines amounts to approximately 18 megawatts. The nearby Lister reservoir was constructed as early as 1912 and upon completion of the Bigge Dam, the Lister became one of its five preliminary reservoirs. The Bigge Dam’s main reservoir floods two thirds of the 40m (131ft 2ins) high masonry dam from the downstream side. The difference in water head between the Lister and Bigge Reservoirs is used for power generation.

The impounded lake at Ahausen is situated downstream of Attendorn im Sauerland in the Bigge Valley. It was created in 1938 to regulate the River Bigge. Moreover, it has served as a compensating reservoir for the hydropower station since its inception. The lake is impounded by an earth-fill dam and a weir, with a power station located in between. The weir has two shutters and two fixed sections.

The Games in Detail

Introduction

Following the opening titles and theme music, long-shots of the arena and members of public viewing from woodland above was accompanied by muzak. The cameras then turned their attention to the arena where a large rhinoceros and dinosaur were being surveyed by a competitor dressed as a Neanderthal. He then walked along past the scoreboard to a wall, which he then kicked twice before the bricks collapsed and the teams marauded through into the arena. Incidentally, all three of the aforementioned costumes would be used later in games 3, 9 and 10 respectively.

Game 1 - The Log Carts
(Die Holzkarren)

The first game - ‘The Log Carts’ (Die Holzkarren) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured three male competitors from each team and a cart comprising two halves of a tree trunk each with two large wheels attached to their straight edges. On the whistle, two of the competitors had to pick up the two halves of the cart and place them side by side with the bark-covered sides touching. The third competitor then had to place a complete tree trunk across the top of the cart. The other two males then had to transport the cart and tree trunk down the 50m (164ft) course whilst ensuring the two halves of the cart remained together. At the end of the course, they then had to deposit the trunk on the ground and race back to the start. Once accomplished, they then had to place the two halves of the cart together again whilst a large polystyrene stone slab was placed on top. The third male then had to climb on top of the slab and the other two males had to transport him up the course to the finishing line. If the trunk fell down during execution of the first section, the third male had to run up the course to assist rebuilding the cart. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was somewhat of a straightforward game which witnessed Attendorn im Sauerland getting the better start. However, after just five seconds Pulheim raced past them and reached the end of the course after just 27 seconds of elapsed time. Whilst they raced back to the start, Attendorn im Sauerland could been seen struggling keeping the cart together and eventually it collapsed. Their third competitor raced up the course to assist them with recomposing the cart. Contemporaneously, Pulheim had now reached the start line but appeared to be taking some time in preparing it for the second run and this permitted Attendorn im Sauerland to close the gap and reach the start line just seconds before their rivals set off. It was clear however that Pulheim competitors’ delaying tactics were to ensure that the cart was completely solid and would not suffer any mishap. This permitted them to make a slow but safe journey down the course to the finish line and they completed the game in 1 minute 53 seconds. Despite having plenty ot time remaining to complete the game, Attendorn im Sauerland abandoned the game after 2 minutes 11 seconds.

Game 2 - Constructing the Cairn
(Bau des Steinhaufens)

The second game - ‘Constructing the Cairn’ (Bau des Steinhaufens) - was played in unison over four minutes duration and witnessed Attendorn im Sauerland presenting their Joker for play. The game featured four male competitors from each team equipped with three long poles. At the start of the game, one of the competitors was standing atop a pile of five large circular stones and in front of the game were an additional nine stones laid out on the ground. The competitor standing atop the stones had hold of one end of a rope whilst the other end had been hooked over a zip wire and around his waist. On the whistle, the three ground-based competitors had to lift a stone off the ground using only the poles and carry it to the pile. The other competitor then had to pull himself up and raise his feet whilst the stone was placed underneath him and on top of the other five stones. The game then had to be repeated throughout until all of the nine stones had been placed on the pile. The hanging competitor could assist his ground-based team-mates by using his feet to direct the stone into place. Once the pile of fourteen stones had been completed, the competitor on top had to remain aloft and release a small ball from a hook to finish the game. If the pile collapsed at any time, the team had to rebuild it to the point of collapse and then continue. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

Although this appeared at first glance to be a simple and straightforward game, it would prove to be somewhat of a nail-biter for the assembled home crowd. From the outset, this was a closely-fought game with Attendorn im Sauerland edging ahead after 50 seconds of elapsed time. But not to be outdone, Pulheim had closed the deficit after 1 minute 30 seconds with both teams raising their penultimate stones at the same time. Whilst Pulheim struggled somewhat, Attendorn im Sauerland put their stone in place and raced down the course to collect their final piece. After overcoming their difficulties, Pulheim closed the deficit for a second time with both teams raising their final stones after 1 minute 50 seconds. Although the Attendorn im Sauerland team, as well as the assembled crowd, thought they had won the game after 1 minute 57 seconds of elapsed time, their competitor failed to secure his footing when reaching for the ball to unhook it. This resulted in him and the pile of stones falling to the ground. Despite this calamity, Pulheim failed to take advantage and struggled with putting their final stone in place. Attendorn im Sauerland finally rebuilt their pile after 2 minutes 45 seconds and successfully unhooked their ball, eight seconds later.

Game 3 - Battle of the Rhinoceroses
(Kampf der Nashörner)

The third game - ‘Battle of the Rhinoceroses’ (Kampf der Hashörner) - was played individually over 3 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured four competitors (three males and one female) from each team attired as the legs of a giant rhinoceros costume. On the whistle, the competitors had to work together and move the rhinoceros down the 50m (164ft) course. A second rhinoceros, whose legs were set on wheels, was located at the 35m (115ft) mark facing the competitors. When the team reached the other rhinoceros, they had to halt and then slowly line their large front horn up with that of the stationary beast. They then had to push the other rhinoceros backwards and through a small gap at the end of the course. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this somewhat ingenious game saw the participation of Pulheim and they completed a faultless performance and finished the course in 1 minute 17 seconds.

The second heat featured Attendorn im Sauerland and although they executed the first part of the game in a faster time than their rivals, their inability to steer the rhinoceros on a straight course was clear for all to see. Despite their efforts, the home team were unable to direct the rhinoceros in the right direction and were eventually deemed out of time after two minutes.

Game 4 - The Chicken's Eggs
(Die Hühnereier)

The fourth game - ‘The Chicken’s Eggs’ (Die Hühnereier) - was played individually and featured two male competitors from each team standing on a springboard platform which protruded out over a large pool. Above the pool was a large caricatured chicken roosting on its nest and located at the end of a tree branch. On the whistle, a male team-mate rolled a ball down the branch and into the nest. As the ball dropped through a hole at the base of the nest, the first competitor had to run down the platform and bounce upwards to meet it and punch it so that it did not drop in the pool. The game then had to be repeated throughout. The team punching the greater number of eight balls away from the pool would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this straightforward game saw the participation of Pulheim and they successfully punched 2 balls away from the pool on their 2nd and 6th essays.

The second heat featured Attendorn im Sauerland and they successfully punched 3 balls away from the pool on their 1st, 2nd and 7th essays.

Game 5 - Attack the Yak!
(Greife den Yak An!)

The fifth game - ‘Attack the Yak!’ (Greife den Yak An!) - was played in unison and featured a male competitor from each team, armed with ten spears, and a large pivoted caricatured yak. The yak’s body had been divided into two halves and the competitor had to throw his spears at his respective section. If the spear penetrated the body, the weight would then rotate the yak in that direction. Competitors had to alternate their throws and had to be careful as to not penetrate their opponent’s side of the yak and assist them. The team that had rotated the yak furthest in their direction after all twenty spears had been thrown would be declared the winners.

Attendorn im Sauerland took the first throw followed by Pulheim and this would be repeated throughout. Although Attendorn im Sauerland were the first to penetrate the yak on their sixth throw (spear number 11 thrown), it did so on the Pulheim side of the beast. Not to be outdone, the Pulheim competitor made the same error on his sixth throw (spear 12) and penetrated the side of Attendorn im Sauerland. However, the eighth throw by Pulheim (spear 16) dislodged the one on the Attendorn im Sauerland side of the yak. Having seen the yak rotate away from his side, the Attendorn im Sauerland competitor pulled things back to level-pegging by piercing the beast on his next throw (spear 17). Having seen the final spear of his rival miss the target, the Pulheim competitor looked at the yak and believing that it lay slightly to the right (his side) and not wanting to tempt fate, he just dropped his final spear to the ground. This was met with some disdain by the referees and presenter Erhard Keller, forcing him to pick up the spear and actually throw the spear. This he did, but completely in the wrong direction to the target. This was met with some hilarity from the presenter and assembled crowd. However, when referee Hans Ebersberger announced the result, he stated that the game had actually ended in a draw and therefore the points would be shared.

Intermission Mini-Contest -
The Coaches’ Game
(Das Trainerspiel)

There was a short interlude before the next game for the Trainerspiel, full details of which can be found in Heat 1 with the exception that all seventy coins were released and permitted to roll randomly onto the arena floor before the game started. Any coins that did roll down and remained on the ramp were removed by the referees and thrown randomly onto the arena.

Although scheduled to last four minutes, the two teams had collected all the coins after just 3 minutes 22 seconds and the game was stopped. When the result was announced, Attendorn im Sauerland had collected 25 x 10, 6 x 20, 5 x 50, 4 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 1,520 Deutsche Mark (approx. £270) whilst Pulheim had collected 15 x 10, 4 x 20, 3 x 50, 6 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 1,480 Deutsche Mark (approx. £263).

Comparative values in 2025: £270 = £2,115 whilst £263 = £2,060.

Game 6 - The Pontoon Bridges
(Die Pontonbrücken)

The sixth game - ‘The Pontoon Bridges’ (Die Pontonbrücken) - was played in unison over four minutes duration and featured four male competitors from each team and two pontoon bridges. At the start of the game, the two bridges, each comprising three movable pontoons supporting a foam-rubber span, were lined up behind each other. On the whistle, the first two competitors had to race to the first bridge and climb aboard. Whilst one competitor faced forward, the other faced the rear. The forward-facing competitor, standing astride the front pontoon, then had to pull the span forward to release the rear pontoon whilst the rear-facing competitor had to lift it off the ground and pass it forward to his team-mate to place underneath the now-exposed front of the span. Once completed, this process had to be continued throughout in order to move the bridge forward up the 30m (98ft 5¼in) course to reach a static podium. Once the span and all three pontoons were safely off the ground and on the podium, the referees signalled to the second pair of competitors to start. They then had to repeat the game throughout. Competitors were not permitted to touch the ground with any part of their body or with the span of the bridge. Any breach of this would incur a five-second delay before being permitted to continue. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a straightforward game which saw Attendorn im Sauerland reach the midway point first and, after ensuring all parts of their bridge were off the ground, the second two competitors commenced their run after 1 minute 30 seconds of elapsed time. They were followed eight seconds later by the second pair of Pulheim competitors and it was now a straight race to the finish. However, the advantage that Attendorn im Sauerland had achieved going into the second run proved too much for Pulheim to overcome. Attendorn im Sauerland completed the game in 3 minutes 3 seconds.

Game 7 - The Cave Painting
(Die Höhlenmalerei)

The seventh game - ‘The Cave Painting’ (Die Höhlenmalerei) - was played in unison over four minutes duration and was one of the more unusual games to feature in the programme. It featured two male competitors standing in front of a plastered board, above which was displayed a cave painting. On the whistle, the two competitors armed with awls and chisels had to replicate the painting onto the board using the aforementioned tools. Although this appeared to be a somewhat challenging task for non-artists, an engraved outline of the picture was underneath the plaster so the competitors simply had to dig in and then follow the grooves. Each part of the painting had to be accurate with every indentation having to be cut out. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very tedious game to view (and would have been more so for the assembled crowd) as there was no way of identifying which team was doing the better job. At the end of the game, referee Hans Ebersberger simply announced that Attendorn im Sauerland had won. There was no indication whether this was because they had completed the painting in a faster time or had made fewer errors than Pulheim.

Game 8 - Golfing with Cavemen’s Clubs
(Golfen mit Höhlenmenschenschlägern)

The eighth game - ‘Golfing with Cavemen’s Clubs’ (Golfen mit Höhlenmenschenschlägern) - was played in unison over five rounds and featured a male competitor from each team, armed with a giant foam-rubber caveman’s club and a number of water-filled balloons. At the end of the 25m (82ft) course, a hula-hoop had been laid on the ground. On the whistle, the competitors had to play alternately and move their balloon up the course. The competitor ‘holing’ the balloon in the least number of shots would win that hole. If the balloon was burst due to the competitor hitting it too hard, then the hole would be awarded to their opponent irrespective of shots taken. The team winning the greater number of holes would be deemed the winners.

This tedious game was the second in succession that fell below the usual high standards of Spiel Ohne Grenzen. This very simple game was more suited for a nursery of toddlers than designed for adults. From the outset, the competitors appeared disinterested and could be seen calmly strolling up to make their shots.

In the first round, Attendorn im Sauerland needed just five shots to hole their ball whilst Pulheim took seven (running score was 1-0 to Attendorn im Sauerland).

In the second round, Attendorn im Sauerland took seven shots as opposed to five for Pulheim (1-1).

In the third round, Attendorn im Sauerland took four shots as opposed to five for Pulheim (2-1).

In the fourth and penultimate round, although Attendorn im Sauerland took three shots as opposed to four by Pulheim, referee Werner Treichel declared that both had taken four shots! (2-1).

In the fifth and final round, both teams took three shots to hole their balls and the game ended 2-1 in favour of Attendorn im Sauerland.

Game 9 - The Hungry Dinosaur
(Der Hungrige Dinosaurier)

The ninth and penultimate game - ‘The Hungry Dinosaur’ (Der Hungrige Dinosaurier) - was played individually over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and witnessed Pulheim presenting their Joker for play. The game featured eight male competitors from each team inside a giant caricatured crouching dinosaur with a wooden forked-tongue. Whilst seven of the competitors acted as the rear feet of the creature, the eighth was laying face-down inside the mouth and neck, which was being supported on a small set of wheels. On the whistle, the prostrate competitor had to shout directional instructions to the other seven in order to position the mouth of the dinosaur in front of one of eight plants positioned in various locations on the 30m (98ft 5¼in) course. In order to pick the plants up, he had to use the tongue which had a small hook affixed between its fork. Once secured inside the mouth, he then had to give further instructions to move the creature to each subsequent plant. Once all collected, the team had to race back to the start line to finish the game. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat saw the participation of Pulheim and they made a faultless performance and completed the game in 1 minute 52 seconds.

The second heat featured Attendorn im Sauerland and they suffered a couple of mishaps whilst collecting their fourth and seventh plants, delaying their execution of the game. Despite this, they were able to complete the game but in a slower time of 2 minutes 25 seconds.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Attendorn im Sauerland (0pts awarded / 13pts total) 2nd Pulheim (4pts / Joker / 9pts)

Game 10 - The Neanderthals
(Die Neandertaler)

The tenth and final game - ‘The Neanderthals’ (Die Neandertaler) - was played in unison over 3 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured a male competitor from each team attired in a caricatured costume of a caveman with his arms behind his back. The costume was designed so that the competitor was unable to use his arms and only have vision through its mouth. However, he was able to operate the movement of the mouth by a small rope inside. On the whistle, the competitor had move up the 10m (32ft 9¾in) course using a side-stepping motion to reach a small podium with a wooden log atop. Using only the mouth of the costume, he then had to lean forward and pick it up between the lips. Once secure, he then had to turn around and return to the start and drop the log into a wooden pen. The game then had to be repeated throughout. The team collecting the greater number of logs would be deemed the winners.

This was a very straightforward game which witnessed minor mishaps from both teams. However, Attendorn im Sauerland had the edge throughout and whilst it appeared that the game would end in a draw, the home competitor dropped the winning log into his box in exactly 3 minutes 30 seconds to take the game 6-5.

Final Scores and Positions: 1st Attendorn im Sauerland (2pts awarded / 15pts total) 2nd Pulheim (0pts / J9pts)

Presenters, Officials and Production Teams

Due to previously-arranged commitments regular referee Gerd Siepe was absent from this programme. This marked the second occasion since the Spiel Ohne Grenzen Domestic programme was introduced in 1967 that only two referees, either in a full or an assisting capacity, had been on duty. The previous instance had been at the heat in Karlstadt am Main a week earlier.

Additional Information

A crowd of over 6,000 spectators turned up on the day to watch the home side win this heat.

All competitors in this heat were attired in costumes that harked back to the Stone Age, or at least the popular idea of what people from that prehistoric time would have worn.

The losing team of Pulheim later protested to WDR producer Marita Theile, complaining about the violation of the rules in four games by the host team and called for a point improvement (Punktenachbesserung). Theile reacted calmly and informed the Pulheimers by letter: "As with football, referee decisions cannot be corrected afterwards."

Made in Colour • This programme exists German archives

D

Spiel Ohne Grenzen 1975

Heat 6

Event Staged: Saturday 17th May 1975
Venue: Freibad am Brillteich (Brillteich Open-Air Swimming Pool),
Seesen, Niedersachsen, West Germany

Transmission:
WDR 1 (D): Saturday 17th May 1975, 3.00-4.00pm (Live)

Referees on Duty:
Hans Ebersberger and Gerd Siepe

Weather Conditions: Sunny and Warm

Theme: Badespaß der 1920er Jahren (Bathing Fun of the 1920s)

Teams: Baesweiler v. Seesen

Team Members included:
Baesweiler - Helmut Hüeshner (Team Coach), Beatrix Coischon, Heinz-Peter Furens, Rolf Goldau, Angelica Lehric, Gerd Norimann, Wolfgang Reine, Peter Simmermans, Rita Simmermans, Norbert Schwantrinck, Norbert Schwatz, Kornelia Spielberg, Herbert Ullman, Margret Vornrat;
Seesen - Reiner Lotte (Team Coach), Walter Geick, Reinhard Möhsik, Ursula Pelling, Reinhard Tollop.

Games: The Backstrokers, The Thrones, Out to the Bridge and Retrieve the Lifebuoy, Your Luggage is Your Transport!, The Bathing Family, A Change of Clothing, The Irrigators, Collect the Lifebuoys, Walking the Planks and Walking on Water;
Jokers: Star-Posed Gentlemen.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

 B • Baesweiler ● ●
 S • Seesen

15
7

 S • Simmern im Hunsrück ●
 K • Karlstadt am Main

Baesweiler qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Southport, Great Britain:
staged on Tuesday 12th August 1975
Simmern im Hunsrück qualified as the highest scoring losing team for
Jeux Sans Frontières at Nancy, France:
staged on Tuesday 29th July 1975

The Host Town

Seesen, Niedersachsen

Seesen is a town with a population of around 20,000 inhabitants in the state of Niedersachsen and is located on the north-western edge of the Harz mountain range, 63km (39 miles) south of Hannover, 192km (119 miles) east of Dortmund, 224km (139 miles) north-east of Frankfurt am Main The town takes its name from a lake (the Seesen) which has long since disappeared.

The history of the town is sketchy but it is known that the Saxon settlement of Sehusa was first mentioned in an AD 974 deed issued by Emperor Otto II (AD 955-AD 983) and Chancellor Willigis (AD 940-1011). From 1235 onwards, it belonged to the Welf dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg who erected a castle in the town. In 1428, Seesen received town privileges by Duke Otto II the One-Eyed (1380-1463) of Brunswick-Göttingen.

Since the mid-18th century, the majority of the Seesen population belonged to the Jewish religion and they had founded several institutions of Jewish culture. In 1801, Chief Rabbi Israel Jacobson founded a school and this was followed by a Jewish cemetery (1827), a mikveh (a bath used for the purpose of ritual immersion) in 1827, an orphanage (1851) and a synagogue, erected in the courtyard of the school. On the night of 9th November 1938, the synagogue was burnt down during Kristallnacht or Night of the Broken Glass. Following the end of the Second World War (1939-1945), Seesen became part of Niedersachsen.

One of Seesen’s sons was Wilhelm Steinweg (1835-1896) who was born in the town on 5th March 1835. His father, Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (1797-1871), built his first grand piano in his kitchen in Seesen. The original instrument is on display today at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

One of the town’s attractions is Sankt-Andreas-Kirche (St. Andrew's Church) which was constructed between 1695 and 1702 after the previous building had been destroyed by fire in 1673. Due to its outstanding acoustics, it has provided a regular setting for classical music often with high-profile orchestras such as the Sinfonia Varsovia, an orchestra based in Warszawa, Poland and founded by Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999), Waldemar Dąbrowski and Franciszek Wybrańczyk (1934-2006) in 1984, and soloists such as trumpeter Ludwig Güttler and violinist Menuhin himself.

In front of the Rathaus (Town Hall) there is a small plastic sculpture celebrating the characters of the book Max und Moritz - Eine Bubengeschichte in sieben Streichen (Max and Moritz - A Story of Seven Boyish Pranks). Written and illustrated by Wilhelm Busch (1832-1908) in 1865, it is a highly inventive and blackly humorous tale told in rhyming couplets, telling the story of a pair of noisome boys whose leering faces are synonymous with mischief. The story has such appeal that many expectant German couples name male twins, Max and Moritz respectively, depending on their individual sense of humour and the intended parenting.

The story, which featured as a theme during the 1970 series of Spiel Ohne Grenzen, as suggested in the title, is told in the form of seven pranks or tricks: The Widow, The Widow II, The Tailor, The Teacher, The Uncle, The Baker and The Farmer. In the final story, the boys are ground to bits and devoured by the miller’s ducks. Later, no one expresses regret. The mill on which the final tale is based exists in Ebergötzen and is open to the public. The Seesen connection with the story is that the author died there in 1908 and the statue was manufactured in his honour.

The Visiting Town

Baesweiler is a town with a population of around 28,000 inhabitants in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen and is located 298km (185 miles) of south-west Seesen.

The Venue

Freibad am Brillteich (Brillteich Open-Air Swimming Pool)

The games were played in the open-air swimming pool at Brillteich which was located 3km (2 miles) north of Seesen on the western side of the 248 carriageway.

Unfortunately, the pool no longer exists as it fell out of favour with the public and was therefore left to dilapidate somewhat. The pool was finally demolished and filled-in during the early 2010s and the site is now used as a camping ground for caravans, motor-homes and tents. The old natural Brillteich lake still exists to the east of the camping site and is used by holidaymakers for fishing and bathing.

Team Selection and Training

Home movie footage of the Seesen team's training sessions and participation in this event was shot on colour 8mm cine film - and this can be found on YouTube.

The Games in Detail

Game 1 - The Backstrokers
(Die Rückenschwimmer)

The first game - ‘The Backstrokers’ (Die Rückenschwimmer) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured two male competitors from each team lying on their back inside giant foam-rubber bather costumes. On the whistle, the competitor had to make his way up the 40m (131ft 2¾in) course to the far end of the pool. After reaching the pool’s edge he had to turn himself around and return to the start in the same manner. Once completed, the second competitor had to then repeat the game. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a straightforward game which saw Baesweiler get the better start and they reached the end of the pool after 41 seconds of elapsed time with Seesen doing likewise four seconds later. However, in his haste, the Baesweiler competitor became entangled with the metal ladder on the side of the pool and the referees had to intervene to effect his release. This permitted Seesen to take the lead and they returned to the start in 1 minute 39 seconds. Whilst their second competitor set off, Baesweiler's first was completing his journey in 1 minute 58 seconds. With Baesweiler now some way back, Seesen took full advantage of their mishap and completed the third journey in 2 minutes 23 seconds with Baesweiler doing likewise in 2 minutes 43 seconds. Despite a healthy advantage, Seesen raced down the pool to finish the game in 3 minutes 11 seconds followed by Baesweiler in 3 minutes 44 seconds.

Game 2 - The Thrones
(Die Throne)

The second game - ‘The Thrones’ (Die Throne) - was played individually over three minutes duration and featured six competitors (four males and two females) from each team and five large thrones located behind each other on floating podia. On the whistle, the six competitors had to dive into the pool and five had to make their way to each of the podia and climb up and sit on their respective throne in a specific order - female, male, male, male, female. The fourth male had to climb out onto the pool’s edge and stand adjacent to a large wooden cage full of balls. Once all the competitors were in place, the poolside competitor had to throw a ball to the first female who then had to toss the ball backwards over the top of the throne which had to be caught by the male on the second throne. He then had to repeat the action and then by each subsequent competitor. After catching the ball, the second female on the final throne had to place the ball in a second wooden cage on an adjacent podium. Once completed, the game then had to be repeated throughout. Only one ball could be in play at any time and if a ball was dropped or not caught, it had to be retrieved from the pool by the competitor, who then had return to their throne before recommencing the game. The team collecting the greater number balls would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this simple but very enjoyable game saw the participation of Seesen and, despite one small mishap after 36 seconds of elapsed time which delayed them by eight seconds, they collected a total of 21 balls within permitted time.

The second heat featured Baesweiler and it appeared that their rivals would be victorious for a second occasion after they suffered a mishap after 2 minutes 26 seconds of elapsed time. This delayed the team by thirteen seconds due to the female competitor having some difficulty getting back onto her throne. However, when the balls were counted at the end of permitted time they had also collected 21 balls.

Game 3 - Out to the Bridge and Retrieve the Lifebuoy
(Zur Brücke und Holen Sie den Rettungsring)

The third game - ‘Out to the Bridge and Retrieve the Lifebuoy‘ (Zur Brücke und Holen Sie den Rettungsring) - was played in unison over four minutes duration and featured two male competitors from each team. At the end of the 40m (131ft 2¾in) course was a floating arched bridge, atop of which the narrow end of a tapering ladder was attached, whilst the wider end was anchored to a fixed podium on the edge of the pool. Located upright on top of the ladder between the fourteenth and fifteenth rungs was a lifebuoy. On the whistle, the first competitor had to dive into the pool and, using front crawl style, swim down to the bridge and pass underneath it. He then had to jump up to the rungs and use them to move down the ladder and displace the lifebuoy. Once completed, he then had to place the lifebuoy around his neck and go back under the bridge and then swim breaststroke-style back to the start. Once the lifebuoy had been deposited on the edge of the pool, the second competitor then had to repeat the game. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a straightforward game which was played without mishap by either team. At the end of the first return journey, Seesen had a slight advantage of three seconds over Baesweiler, reaching the end of the pool and depositing their lifebuoy after 1 minute 44 seconds of elapsed time. However, by the end of their second outward journey, Baesweiler had closed the deficit and opened up a two-second advantage over their rivals. Not to be outdone, the Seesen competitor appeared to be more energetic and better swimmer and closed the gap and finished the game in 3 minutes 18 seconds, five seconds ahead of Baesweiler in 3 minutes 24 seconds.

Game 4 - Your Luggage is Your Transport!
(Ihr Gepäck ist Ihr Transportmittel!)

The fourth game - ‘Your Luggage is Your Transport!’ (Ihr Gepäck ist Ihr Transportmittel!) - was played in unison over two minutes duration and featured three competitors (one male and two females) from each team standing adjacent to an oversized foam-rubber suitcase. On the whistle, the team had to open the suitcase and attire themselves in the nine items of clothing contained within. The male competitor had to put on a shirt, pair of trousers, jacket and boater whilst one of the females had to put on a three-piece swimsuit (vest, knee-length shorts and swim cap) and the other a blouse and full-length skirt. They then had to place the open suitcase in the pool and climb onto it and paddle themselves to the other end of the 25m (82ft) course. At the end of the course, they had to climb onto a podium and pull the suitcase onto it and close the lid. The team completing the course in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very simple and straightforward game which provided a neck and neck race throughout. However, Baesweiler had a slight edge and completed the game in 1 minute 28 seconds followed by Seesen in 1 minute 39 seconds.

Game 5 - The Bathing Family
(Die Badefamilie)

The fifth game - ‘The Bathing Family’ (Die Badefamilie) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and witnessed Baesweiler presenting their Joker for play. The game featured two male competitors from each team armed with footballs and a caricatured wooden family of five (father, mother and three children) set on floating podia at equal distances along the 40m (131ft 2¾in) course. Each of the family members had a large hole cut out as a mouth. On the whistle, the first competitor had to dive into the pool and then throw the ball through the mouth of the father. If successful, he then had swim underneath the podium to retrieve the ball on the other side and then move down the pool and repeat the process with the mother and then the three children. Once he had successfully secured the ball after the fifth character and reached the end of the pool, the second competitor then had to repeat the game. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was another simple and straightforward game and one which was dominated by Baesweiler from the outset. After completing their first run in 1 minute 11 seconds, their second competitor dived into the pool. Whilst he made steady progress up the course, Seesen completed their first run in 1 minute 47 seconds. However, the deficit was too much for Seesen and Baesweiler completed the game in 2 minutes 24 seconds with their rivals doing likewise in 2 minutes 47 seconds.

Intermission Mini-Contest -
The Coaches’ Game
(Das Trainerspiel)

There was a short interlude before the next game for the Trainerspiel, full details of which can be found in Heat 1 with the exception that the competitors were waist high in water and that all seventy coins were released and permitted to roll randomly into the pool before the game started. The collected coins were handed to a team-mate standing on a large floating podium located 5m (16ft 5in) in front of the ramp.

Although scheduled to last four minutes, the two teams had collected all the coins after just 3 minutes 2 seconds and the game was stopped. When the result was announced, Baesweiler had collected 16 x 10, 2 x 20, 1 x 50, 2 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 950 Deutsche Mark (approx. £175) whilst Seesen had collected 24 x 10, 8 x 20, 7 x 50, 8 x 100 and 1 x 500 = 2,050 Deutsche Mark (approx. £378).

Comparative values in 2025: £175 = £1,371 whilst £378 = £2,961.

Game 6 - A Change of Clothing
(Ein Wechsel der Kleidung)

The sixth game - ‘A Change of Clothing’ (Ein Wechsel der Kleidung) - was played individually over four minutes duration and featured three competitors (two males and one female) from each team and a large floating pyramid on which the female was standing. Above the pool were five lifebuoys attached to a zip wire at regular intervals along its length and hanging from each was an item of clothing (underwear, skirt, blouse and scarf, a sun bonnet and a parasol). On the whistle, the male competitors, hidden inside the pyramid, had to move slowly down the pool. When the female reached the first lifebuoy, she had to remove the item of clothing and dress herself whilst the pyramid was moved to the next lifebuoy. On reaching the fifth lifebuoy, she had to remove the parasol and open it up to end the game. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this slow but tense game saw the participation of Baesweiler and they completed the course without mishap in 3 minutes 27 seconds.

The second heat featured Seesen and they also completed the game without mishap but in a faster time of 2 minutes 27 seconds.

Game 7 - The Irrigators
(Die Irrigatoren)

The seventh game - ‘The Irrigators’ (Die Irrigatoren) - was played in unison over 2 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured six male competitors from each team equipped with a large 30m (98ft 5¼in) transparent tube. Whilst four of the competitors were located in line on podia in the pool, the other two were at the pool’s edge. On the whistle, the leading competitor on the podia had to lower the end of the tube into the pool in order to fill it with water. He then had to raise the end of the tube so that the water collected would flow downwards towards the second competitor, He then had to raise the tube to send the water further back down the line and then the process was repeated by the third and fourth competitors, The two land-based competitors then had to lift the tube and direct its contents into a large Perspex measuring cylinder on the poolside. The game was played continuously so that water was being collected at one end whilst at the same time it was being moved down the line. The team collecting the greater volume of water would be declared the winners.

This was interesting game with the teams adopting different styles to maximise water flow. Seesen could be seen to use the more conventional faster transportation of small amounts whereas Baesweiler dipped the end of the pipe deeper into the water to collect a greater volume. Although this appeared a slower process, it worked in their favour. When the results were announced, Baesweiler had collected 35.5cm (14in) of water whilst Seesen had collected 34.5cm (13½in) of water. Baesweiler had nullified the Seesen Joker and taken the outright lead for only the second time.

Game 8 - Collect the Lifebuoys
(Die Rettungsringe Einsammeln)

The eighth game - ‘Collect the Lifebuoys’ (Die Rettungsringe Einsammeln) - was played in unison over 1 minute 30 seconds and featured a male competitor from each team and eight lifebuoys floating in the pool. On the whistle, the competitor had to dive into the pool and swim along a designated lane and en route collect each of the eight lifebuoys and transport them to the other end of the 40m (131ft 2¾in) course. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

This was a very simple and straightforward game with both teams neck and neck throughout. However, Baesweiler had a slight edge on Seesen after collecting their eighth lifebuoy and they completed the course in 54 seconds, just two seconds ahead of Seesen in 56 seconds.

Game 9 - Walking the Planks
(Über die Planken Gehen)

The ninth and penultimate game - ‘Walking the Planks’ (Über die Planken Gehen) - was played individually over 3 minutes 30 seconds duration and featured five competitors (one male and four females) from each team and a footbridge comprised of five planks of differing width supported by small podia. On the whistle, the competitors had to take it in turn to cross the footbridge to reach another podium at the end of the course. Any competitor that lost their balance and fell into the pool would have to return to the start and repeat the essay. The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat of this very straightforward game saw the participation of Baesweiler but despite their first and fourth competitors (both female) suffering mishaps and tumbling into the pool, they eventually completed the game in 2 minutes 48 seconds.

The second heat featured Seesen and despite their first and third competitors (female and male (on two occasions)) tumbling into the pool, they also completed the game but in a slower time of 3 minutes 10 seconds.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Baesweiler (2pts awarded / 13pts total) 2nd Seesen (0pts / 7pts)

Comments: Following the result of this game, Baesweiler had accumulated sufficient points to secure overall victory. The outcome of this game also meant that Seesen would fall short in their hope of qualifying for the Jeux Sans Frontières International Series, even as the highest-scoring 2nd place finisher.

Game 10 - Walking on Watert
(Auf dem Wasser Laufen)

The tenth and final game - ‘Walking on Water’ (Auf dem Wasser Laufen) - was played in unison over three minutes duration and featured a male competitor from each team attired in a clown costume and wearing giant foam-rubber shoes. Above the pool was a zip wire and hanging down from it was an open umbrella. On the whistle, the competitor had to get into the pool and, using the umbrella as a support, pull himself down the 40m (131ft 2¾in) course. At the end of the course the competitor had to touch a small ball attached to the zip wire and then return to the start in the same manner as the outward journey. The team completing the course in the faster time would be declared the winners.

Although this was scheduled to be a deciding game it was somewhat of an anti-climax in its simplicity. Although both teams kept pace with each other, disaster struck Seesen when their competitor touched the ball on the wire with the hook of the umbrella which became entangled and he was delayed whilst he tried to release it. This error permitted Baesweiler to return to the start without any pressure and they completed the game in 1 minute 54 seconds with the Seesen competitor eventually freeing himself and finishing in 2 minutes 21 seconds.

Final Scores and Positions: 1st Baesweiler (2pts awarded / 15pts total) 2nd Seesen (0pts / 7pts)

Comments: Long camera shots during the progress of this game witnessed many of the home supporters already leaving the venue following the confirmation of their team’s defeat at the end of the previous game.

Qualification Tie-Break
(Highest Scoring Losing Team)

With the main contest over, one last formality had to be observed, to address the question of the final team to qualify for Jeux Sans Frontières from the 1975 Domestic Heats. With Seesen managing only 7pts in their contest with Baesweiler, they had missed their chance of qualification. Karlstadt am Main (Heat 4) and Simmern im Hunsrück (Heat 3) had each scored 10pts against their victorious opponents and were tied as the highest scoring losing teams of the 1975 series. However, the further progress of these two teams was not decided by skill but purely by luck. The teams’ names were each put in a small leather pouch and placed inside a satchel by a member of the production team. A child supporter of the Seesen team called Daniela was then asked to put her hand in the satchel and pull one of the pouches from within. When opened, it revealed the name of Simmern im Hunsrück!

Presenters, Officials and Production Teams

Due to previously-arranged commitments, regular referee Werner Treichel was absent from this programme. This was the third successive occasion that only two referees, either in a full or an assisting capacity, had been on duty.

Associated Events

On Sunday 18th May 2025, an exhibition entitled ‘Spiel Ohne Grenzen in Seesen’ opened at the town’s Municipal Museum to celebrate International Museum Day. As part of the exhibition, the museum also took the opportunity - exactly fifty years to the day later - to commemorate the ARD television spectacle staged at the former Brillteich outdoor swimming pool.

The museum opened its doors that day with free admission between 2.00 and 5.30pm. At the same time, the Freunde des Stadtmuseums (Friends of the Municipal Museum) and the partner association Club Carpentras provided refreshments for visitors at the museum festival in front of the hunting lodge. The exhibition would then open each weekend at the same time.

Seesen Museum Director Dirk Stroschein stated "Regarding the 1975 Seesen competition, one could read the following in relevant TV guides at the time - 'The outdoor pool in the Lower Saxony town of Seesen is pretty wet today.' 'Bathing Fun of the 1920s' was the motto of the cheerful competition, in which a team from Baesweiler in North Rhine-Westphalia also participated," he continued.

Stroschein, who conceived the exhibition, spoke in advance with several contemporary witnesses and participants, compiled material from his archive, and conducted on-site research and interviews in the town of the then opponents, Baesweiler near Aachen.

“Around 3,000 spectators watched Spiel Ohne Grenzen from the stands,” Stroschein remarked. “Around 20 years ago, the venue was due to close followed by the filling-in of the pool. Today, the venue no longer exists in its original form and the area is now used as a campsite" he added.

Requests were sent out for witnesses to come forward or any recollections from participants and spectators to the event as well as for any documentation such as tickets or programme booklets, photos and films taken at the time.

To close the exhibition, the museum invited residents to a film screening on Sunday 19th October at 6.00pm. It featured the 70-minute recording of the competition, which had been broadcast on TV at the time. There was also be a final opportunity to view the exhibition, which eventually featured numerous original text and image materials, and engagements in conversation with some of the contemporary witnesses and participants.

Additional Information

The team colours at this heat were somewhat confusing as the bathing costumes used were representative of those that would have been worn in the period of the 1920s. Although the colours of the stripes on these costumes were red (Baesweiler) and dark blue (Seesen), the normal colours of orange and light blue for this year’s competitors could be observed later in the heat during the sixth game.

Interestingly, Baesweiler became the second of only two West German teams to qualify for Jeux Sans Frontières after winning a pool-based Domestic heat and then going on to compete at a wholly pool-based International Heat (Southport, Great Britain)! The other team was Minden an der Weser during the 1969 series of the programme.

After his closing comments, presenter Erhard Keller handed his microphone to a stage-hand and then dived into the pool fully clothed in his shirt, denim jeans and trainers!

Made in Colour • This programme exists German archives