Motoball

Motoball (Motorcycle Polo) is similar to football, but all players (except goalkeepers) are riding motorcycles, and the ball is much bigger. Motorcycle Polo first began as an officially organized sport in the mid-1930s.[1] In France, there are organized motoball competitions, and the sport was included in the inaugural Goodwill Games.

Rules and Regulations

Motorcycle polo as its referred to as some is played in a 5v5 format, 4 players on motorcycles and one on their feet as the goalkeeper. The matches are split up into four 20 -minute periods. There is only one spot on the field the motorcycles are not allowed to go and that's the semi circle in front of the goal. Played with a ball nearly 40 cm in diameter. The playing field is 100 meters long, and at the start each team is waiting at the back line[2] Shin guards and helmets are used for protection against collisions initiated by the riders.[3] The riders use special prepared GasGas two-stroke 250 cc motorcycles for the game. At the sides of the bike, special frames are mounted, so riders can pinch the ball between their bike and their leg. Motul is supporting the Mettalurg team in terms of lubricants for the bikes, busses and the vans.[4]

Referees are in place to control the game and make sure penalties are called.

European Championship

There’s a handful of tournaments that take place each year in well-known groups, such as the European Nations Championship, the Coupe de France, and the European Champions Club Cup.

From Saturday 15^th to Saturday 22^nd June 2021 the city of Morsch, Germany, is hosting the Motoball European Championship.

The FIM Europe (in the past UEM, Union Europèenne de Motocyclisme) is a Continental Union (CONU), recognised by FIM, that groups 47 National Federations (FMNs) and 6 Regional Motorcycling Associations together.

Like the other CONUs, FIM Europe owns the FIM sporting rights on continental championships, plus all commercial, marketing, video, etc. rights.

FIM Europe operates in conjunction with FIM also in all issues linked to the organization of international non-sporting events held in Europe and in the general promotion of motorcycling.[5]

To find the scheduling on the games you can go to Fim-Motorsto find the whole calendar for the year. [6]

Commission of French Motoball

Pascale Reschko Jacquot has been President of the French Motoball Commission since 2012 and in the latest FIM Europe Management Council which was held in Fiumicino (Italy) she was appointed as President of the FIM Europe Motoball Commission. It is the first time in FIM Europe history that a lady is elected president of a European Commission.[7]

The commission of French Motoball is in charge of setting rule changes and hiring internationals referees to officiate the games.

First Hand Player Accounts of the Sport

Former Russian player Boris Loginov, said: “It is one of the least dangerous motorcycle sports. The most terrible things that happen are broken legs and broken collar bones. Sometimes a goalie breaks his hand.”

“I find it a pleasure to play because it is very dynamic, the quick changes of situation and the goals,” said Sergei Chasovskih, another player from the ‘80s. Although Sergei was good at hockey and soccer, he chose this sport over the others.[8]