August 2024: news from around the world

The WASPA circuit is present in any different countries. Sometimes we receive results from small events but even small tournaments are very important as they show the love and passion from players from many different places for our beautiful hobby. Every tournament is a chance to attract new players and to promote Subbuteo table football. Our doors are always open to organize more tournaments under WASPA banner! Here are the latest news from Finland, Australia, Wales, Romania, the USA, Cyprus and Belgium.

FISTF rules are back in Helsinki

Kari Hakkarainen vs Robert Green

Great news from Finland as the players in Helsinki organized a tournament on August 17 with Greece's George Papadopoulos and Australia's Eliot Kennedy as special guest. "Actually this was the biggest FISTF-rules tournament in Finland  for the last 9 years", commented Kari Hakkarainen. Another small gathering was also played on August 25 with Eliot Kennedy finishing on top of a group of three.

Final table August 17:

1. George Papadopoulos (GRE/Flaming Flickers)
2. Teemu Sihvola (FIN)
3. Eliot Kennedy (AUS/Northern Falcons TFC)
4. Kari Hakkarainen (FIN)
5. Vesa Kouvonkorpi (FIN)
6. Kai Grönfors (FIN)

Final table August 25:

1. Eliot Kennedy (AUS/Northern Falcons TFC)
2. Robert Green (AUS/Northern Falcons TFC)
3. Kari Hakkarainen (FIN)

Northern Phoenix Battle of the Clubs WASPA

There was another epic night with all 4 Melbourne clubs represented... a true Battle of the Clubs! A few late outs and late arrivals necessitated a change of format.

Well done all and big thanks to Beth Robin for hosting all players!

Group format:
1. Benji Batten (Melbourne TFC)
2. Beth Eveleigh (Northern Phoenix TFC)
3. Kevin Grant (Central Victoria TFC)
4. Adrian Connolly (Western Flickers TFC)
5. Adam Deverell (Western Flickers TFC)
6. George Theocharis (Northern Phoenix TFC)

Final: Benji Batten - Beth Eveleigh 3-2

Northern Phoenix page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/780610992079187

Phil Dacey winner in Cardiff

In Wales, Phil Dacey keeps on winning and took the honors once again at the latest club WASPA. The next event will take place on September 2.

1. Phil Dacey
2. Matthew Rowley
3. David Lauder
4. John Lauder
5. David Samuel

Cardiff TFC Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/978571135493228

Revival of Subbuteo table football in Bucharest, Romania

After several tries, things are on the up again in Romania with local top player Cezar Stoilescu organising a first WASPA gathering for newcomers on August 21. 4 players were taking part and Cezar was tmonitoring new players. Cristian Frisk was the winner of the night to write history. Hopefully the small group will grow in the future and plans are on the way to organize another event on August 28.

Final: Cristian Frisk - Radu Ungureano 1*-1

Final 3-4: Razvan Alexandrescu - Bogdan Predescu 1-1*

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/subbuteoromania

Another great day of Subbuteo in Maryland

There was a WASPA event on August in The Shrine. 10 players were attending. Paul Eyes & Dan Cranston tied 1-1 in a 6 round Swiss format event. Dan took the top spot with a 3-2 shootout win.

1. Daniel Cranston (Black Rose)
2. Paul Eyes (Black Rose)
3. Andrew Zunino(Washington TSL)
3. Chris Belcher (Maryland)
5. Michael Buccheri (Maryland)
5. Ryan Belcher (Maryland)
7. Colin Dohner (Maryland)
8. Kara Hignutt (Maryland)
9. Zach Swope (Maryland)
10. Andrew Ansaldi (Maryland)

Club's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/284657468410496

New circuit in Cyprus

We are very happy to see Cyprus back in the game. After the recent FISTF tournament, George Zangylos confirmed there will be a new WASPA Open Tour in Cyprus. Details can be found on the Famagusta TFC page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/345139252243710

Belgium: last of the season

The last WASPA tournament of the Belgian season will take place on August 30. The event will be played in Templeuve. Kick-off at 6.30 pm. Details from vincentcoppenolle@gmail.com

Maryland Summer Sizzler

10 players gathered at The Shrine in Maryland on Saturday, August 10. We played 2 groups of 5 with the top player in each going to a final. The second placed players played a match for third and fourth positions.

The final matches were:
Final: Daniel Cranston 4 Byung Kim 0
3rd Place Match: Paul Eyes 1 Stuart Russell 0

Overall standings:
1. Daniel Cranston
2. Byung Kim
3. Paul Eyes
4. Stuart Russell
5. Andrew Zunino
5. Ryan Belcher
7. Mason Lilly
7. Claudio Santos
9. Zach Swipe
9. Chris Belcher 

A quick look at English WASPA results of July 2024

England has an amazing scene of Subbuteo tournaments, not only for elite players but also for players who just want to compete in a more regional or locallevel. We are extremely happy to see many events are organized under WASPA banner. It's really complicated to publish story for every single tournament but here is a summary of the latest results added in the records in July 2024.

Action from the Leicester tournament

Braintree, Jun 21 2024, Groupe format

1. Joe Harrington (Haverhill)
2. David McCartney (White Notley SC)
3. Gerry Harrington (IRL/Haverhill)
4. Martin Bellefontaine (WAL/London TFC)
5. Stuart Kent (White Notley SC)
6. Francesca Bellefontaine (London TFC)
7. Dan Vensyk (London TFC)

Bristol, July 1 2024, Swiss system

1. David Samuel (WAL/Cardiff)
2. David Lauder (WAL/Cardiff)
3. John Lauder (WAL/Cardiff)
4. Matthew Rowley (WAL/Cardiff)
5. Gareth Hughes (Bristol)
6. Stuart Briffett (Bristol)
7. Phillip Bryant (Bristol)
8. Alex Salter (Bristol)
9. Malcolm Jarvis (Bristol)
10. Andy Jarvis (Bristol)
11. Steve Wonnacott (Bristol)

Solent, July 3 2024, Knock-out and consolation

Semi-finals: Nigel Morgan - Malcolm Jamieson 0-1 & Steve Smith - Connor Gregory 0-4
Final: Connor Gregory - Malcolm Jamieson 1*-1
Plate final: Dave Hunter - Tony Martin 3-0

Chasers, July 3 2024, Swiss system

1. Gary Gladwell (Chasers)
2. Mark West (Chasers)
3. Adam Jackson (Chasers)
4. Martin Colwell (Kent Invicta)
5. Mark Francis (Chasers)
6. Samantha Levy (Chasers)
7. Michele Claydon (Chasers)

Leicester, July 7 2024, Swiss system

Semi-finals: Ian Aggett - Simon Bodily 7-2 & Aaron Skinner - Jason Christopher 4-0
Final: Ian Aggett - Aaron Skinner 1-0
Plate final: Adam Jackson - Stuart Briffett 1-0

Gillingham, July 8 2024, group format

1. Kye Arnold (Kent Invicta)
2. Terry Arnold (Kent Invicta)
3. Phil Davis (Chasers)
4. Thomas Lacey (Kent Invicta)
5. Martin Colwell (Kent Invicta)
6. Hadley Chapman (Kent Invicta)
7. Max Rahman (Chasers)
8. Fraser Chapman (Kent Invicta)

Braintree, July 15 2024, group format

1. Jason Kettley (White Notley SC)
2. Mark Francis (Chasers)
3. David McCartney (White Notley SC)
4. Jonathan Beales (Chasers)
5. Jerry Whelband (Chasers)

Stanway, July 16 2024, group format

1. Kevin Cordell (Stanway)
2. Adam Douglas (Stanway)
3. Martin Hodds (Yorkshire)
4. Jamie Samuel Warren (Stanway)
5. Mark Francis (Chasers)
6. Rob Fitch (Stanway)

Yorkshire, July 18 2024, Swiss format

1. Chris Bedford (Wales/Yorkshire)
2. Craig Heward (Yorkshire)
3. Mark Weaver (Leicester)
4. Paul Lawrenson (Yorkshire)
5. Brian Kinrade (Isle of Man/Chesterfield TFC)
6. Ian Sharp (Yorkshire)
7. Luca Lanzani (Morecambe Bay SC)
8. Kevin Adderley (Yorkshire)
9. Max Starkey (Yorkshire)
10. Andrew Forster-Fake (Chesterfield TFC)
11. Adrian Hawcroft (Yorkshire)
12. Darren Brook (Yorkshire)

Gillingham, July 21 2024, groups and finals

Final: Kye Arnold - Phil Davis 4-1
Final 3-4: James McCormick - Terry Arnold 0-1
Final 5-6: Thomas Lacey - Martin Colwell 0-0*
Final 7-8: Hadley Chapman - Rob McCormick 2-1
Final 9-10: Max Rahman - Fraser Chapman 0*-0

Milton Keynes, July 22 2024, Swiss system

1. Elliot Bellefontaine (London TFC)
2. Simon Goodman (Surrey)
3. Ian Aggett (Milton Keynes)
4. Mark Weaver (Leicester)
5. Sam Curtis (Yorkshire)
6. Jeremy Bradley (TSPA White Star)
7. Martin Holmes (Kettering)
8. John Cooper (Milton Keynes)
9. Dave McCallum (Kettering)
10. Greg Lickorish (Milton Keynes)

Chepstow, July 26 2024, group (home and away games)

1. David Samuel (Wales/Cardiff)
2. Steve Wonnacott (Bristol)
3. Stuart Briffett (Bristol)

Chesterfield, July 28 2024, groups and knock-out (20 players)

Semi-finals: Colin Tarry - Ian Aggett 0-5 & Nick Pearson - Chris Bedford 1-7
Final: Ian Aggett - Chris Bedford 0-1
Plate final: Andrew Forster-Fake - Shaun Dunne 0-3

Andover, July 29, groups and finals

Final: Malcolm Jamieson - Ian Aggett 1-5
Final 3-4: Connor Gregory - Chris Burford 1-0
Final 5-6: Riley Duckworth - Shaun Ellis 1-3
Final 7-8: Roger Duckworth - Jon Willing 0-0

Old rules tournaments:

Leicester, July 1 2024, groups and knock-out (24 players)

1. Ian Aggett (Milton Keynes)
2. Andrew Forster-Fake (Chesterfield)
3. Rob Paterson (TSPA White Star)
4. Andy Henly (Leicester)
5. Sean Wenlock (NIR/Leicester)
6. Richard Roper (Pedmore)
7. John Cooper (Milton Keynes)
8. Paul Taylor (Leicester)
9. Kevin Coleman (Leicester)
10. Trevor Allen (Chesterfield)

London, July 28 2024, group format

1. Tony Banks (London SC)
2. Luca Lanzani (Morecambe Bay SC)
3. Gianluca Zucchelli (London SC)
4. John Ellis (London SC)
5. Troy Cowdrey (London SC)

2024 Sydney Open

Sunday, August 4, 2024, 10AM
FitDistrict Studio, Bella Vista

A field of 10 players made their way to FitDistrict Gym in Bella Vista for the 2024 edition of the Sydney Open. Ranging from players with 50 years experience to those who had only previously played a handful of games, the field was diverse and enthusiastic. Unlike our usual monthly WASPA tournaments, this one featured full 30 minute games, so the 4 round Swiss System followed by a play-off round was a relative marathon compared to what we are normally accustomed. 

Being in Sydney for a couple of weeks meant that Melbourne TFC's Benji was along for the ride. His most notable achievement of the day was not to make a single inappropriately loud goal celebration across the entire 5 hours of play. He did have the chance, with a great set of results across the day. Winning 3 of his 4 tournament games, he then held on to a 2-2 draw in the play-off over Steve to take the title via their head-to-head record.

Steve had started the day well with a tight 1-0 victory over Adrian and only a loss to Benji in the tournament games blotted his record (a goal busting 4-2 loss no less!) and he came close to turning the tables in the 1st place play-off after Benji handed Steve a stranded traveling 'keeper foot in the door.

The two Adrians had a decent afternoon - their contrasting results against Benji being the differentiating factor. While Benji got on a roll against Adrian G, inflicting a fair bit of damage, he was unable to get past Adrian E's defense (aside from one monster long-distance shot which rocketed into the top corner, following which Benji confessed to a double touch on the shooting figure, but wanted to have a go anyway) and the 0-0 result was enough to keep Adrian E ahead on the table. Their 3rd/4th play-off game was typically tight but with Adrian E finding a solitary goal to split them.

The final tournament table actually had 4 other players joining Adrian G on 6 points, with Power Rankings™ used to differentiate them. Franck had the best results of this bunch, with his power ranking placing him in 5th, just ahead of Louie. The two backed up from their 4th round clash to play out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the play-off, enough to keep Franck ahead. Jonny and Ray had also had a couple of wins and a couple of losses in the tournament matches, leaving them on exactly equal points and power rankings. Their play-off match, then, went exactly to form - a 0-0 deadlock.

The final two players were the least experienced of the group. Melvin is an 1980s veteran of the old style game which he played as a youngster in Singapore, but this is just his second ever tournament since then. Chris, meanwhile, played the game for the first time ever late last year at our introductory newcomers tournament when FitDistrict became our newest venue. He was, therefore, really thrown in the deep end today, but held his head high. Learning much along the way, we (hopefully) haven't scared him off coming back for more! Melvin, meanwhile, showed that he is quickly picking up the modern version of the game with some tight results against the more experienced players

5 x full 30 minute games in a row is a reasonably draining experience, but all the players loved it. Of course, the friendliness and banter of the whole day lifts the experience even further and the day's competitors gave this in abundance, making a brilliant day out for all. Congratulations to Benji on his win and to all for their efforts.

South Africa: The Eagles take flight again

The Johannesburg Table Football Club aka 'Joburg Eagles' hosted their annual Eagle Tournament after a few months of inactivity.

The tournament was hosted at the Eagle Loft in Broadacres.

A smallish turnout of 6 players dusted off the cobwebs and took to the green baize fields to enjoy a flicking fun filled afternoon.

A special welcome went to Rui dos Santos from Easterns TFC who travelled from Centurion, Pretoria to enjoy the afternoon.

All players were treated to a delicious lunch, courtesy of Nita Graaff,  before starting the tournament.

The six players played in a round robin format with the player ending on top taking the title.

As always, enjoyment was the key component along with the football banter exchanged between all players.

After all the results were tabulated, Clifford ended top, followed by Rui, Greg, Johan, Chris and Raul.

This was Raul's first Subbuteo tourney and he thoroughly enjoyed his games.

Stay tuned as the date for the next tournament, the annual Spring Tournament, will be released shortly.

Final table (all Johannesburg TFC unless noted):
1. Clifford Graaff - 15 points
2. Rui dos Santos (Easterns TFC) - 8
3. Greg Green - 5
4. Johan Nieuwenhuys - 4
5. Chris Dimmer - 4
6. Raul Gonsalves - 2

Benji Batten winner in Sydney

All four Sydney clubs represented as Northern Falcons hosted Melbourne TFC's Benji Batten for the club August WASPA, with the Sydney TFC guys making a welcome return.

There were plenty of goals in the group matches, before things dried up in the semis.

Daniele Lombardi was the surprise packet in group 1, beating Fabrizio Coco to make the semis. Benji was in fine form, winning all his group matches. In group 2, Tony Credentino returned with avengeance, making the semis together with a polished run from Adrian Grunbach.

Both semis and the final went to shots, to close out a thoroughly enjoyable night at the Park.

WASPA rankings as per July 2024

Scene from the old rules tournament in Greece

Dear friends, find here the updated records of the WASPA circuit. It was another amazing month with a national cup (from the Netherlands), 33 regional tournaments, 3 events with the old rules and 1 promotional tournament added in the records.

PDF file (results)

Excel file (rankings and statistics)

A few players have been added in the records and good news come from the Conference League as three new clubs joined this month: Cork (Ireland), Wattrelos (France) and White Notley (England).

Great atmosphere at the latest Melbourne TFC tournament

Rankings don't change much in July. Ian Aggett (Milton Keynes TSC) is now 4th in the open ranking while Malcolm Jamieson (Solent SC) is now third in the season ranking. Wales is now 4th in the ranking of nations.

Top quality players in Belgium where Bessim Golger defeated Rémy Huynh to claim his second WASPA trophy

Unfortunately there are only 7 clubs left in the junior ranking, which proves it's really necessary to has some focus on the youth in the future! It doesn't seem to be complicated to have 3 junior players but only 7 clubs manage to do that, which is very sad.

We stay at your disposal for any question regarding the rankings and the WASPA circuit. If you want to be in the mailing list to receive the monthly files, drop me a line!

All your ideas to improve the circuit next season are more than welcome.