Unentschieden

Unentschieden is a German term used to describe a draw or tie in competitive matches, meaning that neither side secures a victory. It denotes a result in which the score is equal at the end of the regular playing time or the allotted period, so no winner is decided by the contest itself.

The term is widely used in sports such as football (soccer), handball, basketball, and ice hockey. In match reports and standings, you will commonly see phrases like “Unentschieden” or “unentschieden” to indicate a game ended without a winner. In many league systems, a draw yields a specific number of points for both teams (for example, one point each in many football leagues), while a win provides more points.

In some sports, other terms are used interchangeably or more commonly. For example, in chess the standard term for a drawn game is Remis; Unentschieden is correct and understood but less frequently used in that context. Draws in chess can occur by agreement, repetition of moves, stalemate, insufficient material, or the fifty-move rule.

Etymologically, Unentschieden is formed from un- (not) and entschieden (decided), literally signifying that the result is not decided. The concept appears across various competitive activities and represents the absence of a winner within the framework of the rules being played. Examples across sports illustrate typical end results such as a score of 2–2 or a game lasting the full time with no winner.