Australian winner in Singapore

Last week-end Singapore was the center of Asian Subbuteo as the TFAS organized their International Open with visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Belgium, Hong Kong and Australia. U19 champion was Giovanni Choong while Yusni Den Mulia defeated Rudy Hesty in the Open final.

On the side of the main event, players who did not qualify from the Group stage proceeded to the knock-0ut Plate Event which was a registered WASPA tournament. By the end of the day, the Plate Final was a tight affair from the visiting Raffaele Lombardi (of Paramatta, Australia) and Singapore’s very own up-and-coming young adult Noor Haikal. Both played out an exciting final with each scoring 1 after another to finish the game 2-2 at full-time; bringing the game into extra-time. During the overtime period, the experience of the more mature Rafaelle made all the difference as he scored another goal to edge out Noor Haikal by the odd goal!!  Raffaele’s victory in the Plate Event made his long journey from Sydney, Australia to our shores of Singapore worthwhile indeed!

Congratulations to all winners!

(Report by TFAS)

Jurong Central welcomes Belgian guest in Singapore

Jurong Central SC welcomed Stephane Lambert from Belgium to the club where he flicked competitively with our Jurong club players. A draw was made where group A comprises of an all new U19 players while group B comprises of a tricky set of senior Jurong players paired with our Belgium friend while group C had Club league leader Rudy with 2 other dedicated flickers.

The group stages saw promising U19 flicker, Bolkiah joining favorites Stéphane & Rudy to the winners group while Anas, Fauzi & Quan Feng joined the Runner-up group & Father & son Yew Seng & Ding Heng paired with Nic in the Consolation group.

Consolation Group saw Nic winning the group but Yew Seng gutsy resilience to hold a goalless game with Nic. Runner-up Group saw Fauzi stumbled to a shocking 3-0 defeat to Anas while Quan Feng showed glimpse of goalkeeping brilliance against his two senior club mates.

The winner group was between Stéphana and Rudy. Both had easily demolish Bolkiah thus it was a straight forward duel between them.

The game started slow, with both playing cautiously trying not to make mistakes. Only in the 2nd half did both have chances to breach each other goal but in the end, the game ended scoreless. It was thought the both could not score against each other in extra time but Rudy suddenly bursted out with guns blazing and scored immediately after the start of extra time. Stephan tried furiously to equalized but his efforts were futile and in the final minutes, Rudy grabbed a 2nd goal to seal victory and crown the champion.

Stéphane Lambert did not leave empty handed, as he was given the 'Friends of Jurong Central SC' certificate; an award which enable him to flick with club or use the club facilities anytime he is in town.

(Report by Jurong Central SC)

Gareth Christie wins in Abernethy

Gareth Christie (right) during the recent Europa Cup for clubs in Belgium

Last saturday the last stage of the Scottish circuit was played in Abernethy. 9 players from three different clubs were taking part. Players were dropped in three groups and everyone had 2 group games and then 2 more games for places 1 to 9. Tom Burns, Steve Bennett and Gareth Christie finished on top of their respective groups and met for the title. Gareth Christie won his two decisive games to claim the trophy. Steve Bennett was runner-up and Tom Burns was third. Greg Dand won his two games to finish 4th.

Gareth Christie commented his victory: "A low turnout unfortunately, mainly due to changing to a Saturday (originally we were scheduled for Sunday but this clashed with Dundee United playing in the Scottish League Cup Final, and with several fans in the club, the vote was to change). However, a win is a win nonetheless and I'm happy to have not conceded any goals. More importantly I regained second place in the final standings of the Scottish Circuit over Tom Burns."

Final standings of the tournament
1. Gareth Christie (Dundee United TFC)
2. Steve Bennett (Dundee United TFC)
3. Tom Burns (Glasgow TSA)
4. Greg Dand (Dundee United TFC)
5. Malcolm Lees (Hot Club d'Ecosse)
6. Baver Bari (Hot Club d'Ecosse)
7. John Halpin (Glasgow TSA)
8. Andy Beskaky (Dundee United TFC)
9. David Baxter (Dundee United TFC)

Fabrizio Coco wins St. Patrick tournament

A short tournament, to knock off the cobwebs before the Melbourne and Berry events coming up. Daniele and Steve continued their ding-dong battles, with a 2-2 draw, while Eliot and Fabrizio also finished level 1-1, with Eliot again peppering the crossbar. Biggest shock of the night was Dominic’s 3-1 win over Steve, using his Sniper’s to great effect. In the last round, Eliot needed one more goal against Daniele to take the title, but couldn’t manage it.

Fabrizio claimed the win, a bottle of Guiness, and could celebrate the news that his residency in Australia has been extended another four years! Great news for him and Subbuteo in Australia.
Well done to all.

Final table
1. Fabrizio Coco
2. Eliot Kennedy
3. Steve Dettre
4. Dominic Grenot
5. Daniele Lombardi
6. Johnny Ball

(Report by Steve Dettre)

Thomas Baumeler wins in Eschenbach

The players

Kasey and Thomas Baumeler

Last friday there was a tournament in Eschenbach (Switzerland). Due to a last minute dropout, there were five players competing in a group stage. This time Thomas Baumeler took the honors after beating his daughter Trisha (2-1) int he decisive game. Thanks to the Linth Sliders club for hosting a good evening of table football.

Kegan van der Merwe wins the 2015 PFC Founder's Cup

Saturday 14 March 2015, Pretoria, South Africa : 
The Founder's Cup is an event to celebrate the founding of the Pretoria Flickers Club - PFC will celebrate it's 2nd year of existence on
24 March 2015. This year's event was a very low scoring affair - with the players adopting very tactical approaches, resulting in nine 0-0 scorelines. In match 5 the result was Kegan vd Merwe 1 v 0 Julian vd Merwe - that was the only goal of the day and the result saw Kegan go top of the standings, with Julian slipping to bottom. The lack of goals also ensured that the day ended with 3 players tied for the 2nd place - and the day's best excitement followed as a 3-way shootout had to determine the placements for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. The shootout ended as follows :
Bevin Reed 0 v 2 Jayden vd Merwe
Chessray Jooste 2 v 3 Bevin Reed
Jayden vd Merwe 3 v 2 Chessray Jooste
However, prior to the shootout Match 10 ended Kegan vd Merwe 0 v 0 Jayden vd Merwe - a win for Jayden would make him the champion, and Jayden went on the attack from the off but Kegan played a methodical game and his defence held firm (as it did for most of the day) - the draw was enough to hand Kegan the title of 2015 PFC Founder's Cup champion. This is Kegan's second WASPA title - his previous success was in the 2013 edition of the PFC Challenge Cup. In Match 9, Bevin Reed 0 v 0 Julian vd Merwe, the story could have been so different on the day, as Bevin struck the post from an angled shot with Julian's keeper well beaten - this right on the stroke of full time and the win would have put Bevin top of the standings!
The lack of goals is not really a concern, as it shows the level of play amongst our members is very equal - this is also evident by the fact that this event has had 3 different winners now : in 2013 - Jayden vd Merwe, 2014 - Chessray Jooste, and now 2015 - Kegan vd Merwe.

Final Classification
1st - Kegan van der Merwe
2nd - Jayden van der Merwe
3rd - Bevin Reed
4th - Chessray Jooste
5th - Julian van der Merwe

(Report by Julian van der Merwe)

Peter Vahle wins in Santa Rosa, CA

The hosts of the day: Vincent Vidal and Conan Mullen

Congratulations to Peter Vahle for winning the Northern California Subbuteo Club's first annual St. Patrick's Day Subbuteo Spectacular, played at Stout Brothers Irish Pub in Santa Rosa today. A great turnout saw six club members battling it out for bragging rights in this soon to be very famous annual event! Thanks to all who attended and shared in the fun, and well done Peter!

Craig Heward wins in Heckmondwike

This week-end 15 players attended the WASPA 2015 Rhubarb Triangle Trophy in Heckmondwike. There were many great games and in the end of the Swiss system, Craig Heward took the honors with four wins. Stathis Tsolis was declared winner of the "category B". Congratulations to all.

Final table of the tournament:
1. Craig Heward
2. Brian Daley
2. Martin Hodds
4. Ben Staples
5. Mike Parnaby
6. Andy Boyer
6. Paul Kerfoot
6. Stathis Tsolis
9. Martin Blanchard
9. Russ Harker
9. Neil Munns
9. Eric Woodhead
13. Dylan Staples
14. Matthew Parnaby
15. Abbie Staples

A nice win for Frank Lannoy

Final 4 of the evening: Frank Lannoy, Joffray laurent, Bart Van de Vliet, Stéphane Lambert

On March 2, 13 players attended the WASPA tournament held int he premises of SC Flanders in Hofstade-Zemst. This time Jos "win a lot" Ceulemans was not present so many players had a chance to claim the title. In the last session, Frank Lannoy and Joffray Laurent were tied with 9 poitnsd and their game together was decisive for the final win. After a draw (2-2), Frank Lannoy was the tournament winner thanks to a beter goal-difference. Bart Van de Vliet was third and Stéphane Lambert ended fourth. This is Frank's second WASPA title. Congratulations to all.

Final table:
1. Frank Lannoy
2. Joffrey Laurent
3. Bart Van de Vliet
4. Stéphane Lambert
5. Geert Leys
6. Johan Lourdon
7. Sébastien Devreese
8. Eddy Beernaert
9. Alain Flament
10. Kimberley Devreese
11. Bert Feyens
12. Eddy Verstappen
13. Steven De Greveleer

Home win for Alain Flament

This monday there was a very small turnout of four in Quévy. The local club had two new players from France and everyone played each other twice. At the end of the evening, Alain Flament took the honors with 16 points while Greg Spilmont had 13. Hopefully the new players will keep on playing in the future.