Subbuteo is an amazing game with clubs in many different countries and we are happy to see clubs running WASPA tournaments in Australia and New Zealand. Here is a brief report of recent events held in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland. Special thanks to the writers of the different stories!
Northern Phoenix WASPA – Sunday 27th July 2025
(Report from the club Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/780610992079187)
A cold and wintery Sunday afternoon was the perfect setting for the Northern Phoenix Winter Waspa, held at the East Ivanhoe Bowling Club.
The event was attended by seven regulars and a special guest appearance by a former Matilda – Louisa Bisby (who we of course hope becomes part of the regular crew).
The event was conducted in a league format with everyone playing each other once in a FAST-15 contest. Twenty One matches were held in total with the event going down to the wire.
Ultimately it was a Big Win for Benji Batten, just edging out teammate Luke Radziminski on goal difference. Adrian Connolly finished in third place with Nathan Urbaniak making it a clean sweep for MTFC, taking out all top four spots.
It’s interesting to note that ten out of the twenty one matches ended in 0-0 draws, with Urbaniak taking part in four (dislodging the Northern Phoenix President as the King of the Scoreless Draws). The Polish Predator was impressive defensively not conceding any goals along the journey whilst Benji was clinical in offense scoring on ten occasions.
This particular Waspa marks the start of a very busy period of Table Football in Victoria which will see two International FISTF Satellite events held in the space of a matter of weeks. It will off course all culminate in the Asian Cup on the weekend of 17-19 October.
Another enjoyable evening and needless to say.......
Subbuteo was the Real Winner!
1. Benji Batten (Melbourne TFC)
2. Luke Radziminski (Melbourne TFC)
3. Adrian Connolly (Northern Phoenix)
4. Nathan Urbaniak (Melbourne TFC)
5. Christos Garagounis (Northern Phoenix)
6. Nathan Heard (Northern Phoenix)
7. Beth Eveleigh (Northern Phoenix)
Brisbane, July 27
Great day with Brisbane Subbuteo Club. The local group had the visit of Northern ireland's Craid Stewart while Japan's Tomoki Miyke was also taking part. Congratulations also to Gus Gillespie for winning the tournament!
1. Gus Gillespie (Brisbane SC)
2. Gordon Orr (Brisbane SC)
3. Derek Hovell (Brisbane SC)
4. Gareth Whalley (Brisbane SC)
5. Tomoki Miyke (JPN/Saitama)
6. Craig Stewart (NIR/Derry City)
7. Wayne Miller (Brisbane SC)
8. Ben Harbeck (Brisbane SC)
Hipfingerz tournament, July 15
The Hipfingerz (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1063342333730453) held a WASPA event at a venue called "The Station".
For some reason, Eour "secret writer" can't seem to share Geoff's excellent report, the first part of which is based on a famous Australian poem "The Man From Snowy River" (later turned into a film), which starts with the line "There was movement at the station'...
There was movement at The Station
For the word had passed around
That man on wheels from FISTF would be there.
And would bring his trusty scooter
And his plastered, screwed-up leg
So all the flickers hit the Pymont lair
There was Elbow, Frank and Jezza
Johnny 'No Rules' Ball and Geoff
Not just one but two called Adrian joined the fray
But the man they called Steve Dettre
Ran the show and made his mark
'Til the pain kicked in and he called it a day.
Enough doggerel. More puns
Yes, Steve rolled up for more flicking fun at the station and won his way to the semis till the pain and jokes finally told and he he had to admit defeet.
He duly passed the baton to the more spritely Adrian Grunbach. But we're getting ahead of ourselves.
What started out as two groups of death - with seeded top two in each - proved true to form but for Steve's fine form.
Eliot won all three games, not entirely having it all way with narrow victories over Geoff and Franck. Adrian Elmer topped his group with one win over Steve but two draws - with Johnny Ball and Adrian G (the latter who played three draws - 'whose why'?) . Meanwhile Johnny, Geoff, Franck and Jeremy had two draws each - Jez impressing with a 0-0 v Franck. As was, Franck's one goal in a loss to Eliot put him ahead of Geoff on goal difference and he went on to the semi finals. From there it went with the results the rankings might have predicted. Adrian E beating Frank and Eliot pipping Adrian G. The final was keenly fought, a breathless, tight and dour affair full of drama and cliches. In the end it was a last gasp winner from the local favourite Eliot that won the day.
A communal meal was enjoyed by all with a bonus big screen viewing of Sydney FC's exciting 2-1 win over Wrexham, courtesy of some wheely nice tech work from Steve.
A great night all round, where - as always, subbuteo was the winner ... and pizza was the dinner. See you all next month when we cracks will gather again... Mon 18 Aug. 6pm.
Semi-finals: Adrian Elmer (Western Sydney) - Francis Cozzarin (Western Sydney) 3-1 ; Eliot Kennedy (Northern Falcons) - Adrian Grunbach (Northern Falcons) 1-0
Final: Eliot Kennedy - Adrian Elmer 1-0
Auckland, July 7
Great fun night had by all at the Onehunga Bowls Club. A solid turn out of seven people and some fantastic games were had. Nick McNeil making a special appearance and Ian Sansom making a long trip up from New Plymouth and getting a big win over previously unbeaten Mark Rossi. Full results coming soon
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4898270816916585/
1. Andy Shearer
2. Ian Samsom
3. Mark Rossi
4. Nick McNeil
5. Conrad Mudge
6. Richard Edeson
7. Andy Miller
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