Günter Dinkel, a 76-year-old athlete from the Sauerland village of Reiste, returned home as a senior football vice-world champion after competing with the German national over-75 squad at the world championship in Brisbane.
From Village Pitch to National Selection
Dinkel’s path to the national team began in May 2025, when tennis partner Andre Büsse introduced him to walking football at SuS Reiste. The sport requires fast, precise ball movement without running. Dinkel brought deep experience to the pitch, having played for RSV Meinerzhagen in the Verbandsliga Westfalen during the early 1970s and joined the SV Schmallenberg promotion squad in 1982.
He remained active across multiple sports over the decades, winning promotion to the Westfalenliga with the TC Rot-Weiß Kirchhundem men’s 70 tennis team in 2021. At 76, his tactical overview and fitness stand out among players up to two decades younger at SuS Reiste.
Brisbane Campaign and World Championship Finish
In July 2026, the athletic trajectory shifted toward traditional football with a call-up for the North Rhine-Westphalia over-75 selection. An August squad appointment led to a September invitation to the German national team, prompting coverage by WDR.
The senior football world championship ran from October 12 to 16, 2026, in Brisbane. Dinkel played for the German “Germany white” over-75 selection across a schedule of morning and afternoon matches. Teams played two 30-minute halves with eight players including a goalkeeper.
| Tournament Metric | Team Statistics |
|---|---|
| Tournament Schedule | Multiple matches daily, Oct 12–16, 2026 |
| Final Standing | Vice-World Champion |
The squad secured six victories in seven matches against international opponents from Wales, the United States, and Australia. The German team advanced to the final to face fellow squad “Germany blue,” finishing the tournament as vice-world champions. Players covered approximately 3,000 euros in travel costs independently, while the German Football Association provided official gear.
Homecoming and Sauerland Club Culture
Seventeen of eighteen teammates from SuS Reiste organized a welcome reception for Dinkel upon his return. Beyond his play, Dinkel contributes to club traditions by organizing post-training meals. SuS Reiste continues its walking football program for participants aged 50 and older under the direction of Martin Kaiser.
