Andy Boyer wins the Copa Libertadores

This wednesday the Lincoln Flickers held their "Copa Libertadores" tournament and, despite 2 late drop-outs, they had a good field of 7. After the group stage, Andy Boyer defeated John Devaney in sudden death in the first semi while Andrew Garbutt beat Richard Meddings in the other semi. In the final, Andy Boyer also scored the "golden goal" to beat Andrew Garbutt (2-1) and claim the title. Congratulations to Andy for his scond WASPA title.

The Lincoln Flickers will have a "World Cup" tournament on June 11 at 6.30 pm at The Eastgate, Langworthgate, Lincoln LN2 4AD. The world cup in Brazil starts the following day, so they will be making this a world cup celebration event. the tournament will of course count as WASPA regional tournament. Interested players can contact John Devaney at jaypeedee1956@yahoo.co.uk

Interview of George Zangylos

In our next interview, Panos Panagiotides has talked to George Zangylos, the main organizer of the subbuteo scene in Limassol and, along with Paul Andreas, organizer of the Cyprus Subbuteo Association.

George (left) in the premises of his club in Famagusta

When did you first started to play Subbuteo and what was the first team you got bought?
I started playing subbuteo in 1975 and my first team was West Bromwich Albion (heavyweight team).

How many years have you been playing and what are the main titles you have achieved in any level?
I have been playing from 1975 until today, I have won many titles under FISTF and WASPA banners, of course all under Cyprus Subbuteo Association.

What is the best thing about this game and why would you recommend it to someone?
I love the game and I like to organise national tournaments. It's like playing real football.

Your most memorable moments from this game happy or even sad?
Playing in high standard level with Steve Bennett (Scotland), Paul McGlakling (England), Paul Andreas (Essex), Marcos Kalopsidiotis (Salamis Famagusta), Kostas Kalopsidiotis (Salamis Famagusta), Stefanos Kouratzis, George Vassiliades, Vasilis Vavourakis, Demetris Parperis (Nicosia) and of course with all my swimmers and players from Famagusta, Salamis, Phoenix and Erimi.

Who was your strongest opponent and who is your favorite player and why?
My favorite player is Steve Bennett from Scotland.

Is it a sport or a game ? what is your opinion about this question that many people ask?
I think it's a sport. This is my opinion.

What improvements would you like to see in the future and what would you suggest to improve things?
I think the transportation is the main problem, travelling costs too much and without sponsors it is very difficult.

What would you recommend to someone who starts the game now? What are the secrets for top performance?
A lot of training in shooting and with long flicks. This is the key!

George's passport
Name: George Zangylos
Age: 48
Nation: Cyprus
Club: Famagusta TFC
Type of figures/bases used: Extreme Works, bodo bases, Astrobase, Belgium bases, Total Soccer
Job: teacher of physical education and swimming
Hobbies: football, subbuteo, cars, swimming, table tennis

(Interview by Panos Panagiotides)

Poster of the next tournament in South Africa

Results, statistics and rankings of the WASPA circuit (March 2014)

Dear all, you will find HERE the results of the WASPA circuit with the statistics and the rankings.

This month we had 21 regional tournaments and 1 tournament with the old rules. The main facts are:
- The club of Black Rose (Italy) had 18 players for their Swiss ladder tournament;
- Madrid and San Francisco continue to play under WASPA banner;
- The clubs of Clube Juventude de Castanheira (Portugal) and Linth Sliders in Eschenbach (Switzerland) held their first ever tournament;
- Scotland had 3 events in the same month. There were 17 players for the tournament in Glasgow;
- Singapore held their first tournament of the season;
- The Flaming Flickers in Greece keep on having a good turnout with 18 players while Firenze in Italy had 17.;
- The 9 players in Quévy played a group of 9 so that everybody had 8 games (or more).
- We have now 1219 players from 32 nations in the ranking!

About the WASPA blog (http://waspa-circuit.blogspot.com):
- Our friend Panos from Greece is now doing interviews for the blog. I'm sure you will enjoy the new section with interviews.
- called "Project Brazil 2014". If you have pictures of some kits of national football teams (playing the world cup), feel free to drop a line. If you have any other idea of promotion regarding Subbuteo & the football world cup, (for instance setting up a subbuteo tournament under the theme "Brazil 2014" or you are playing subbuteo with the jersey of a national team), let me know by e-mail at vincent.cop@rsca.com

Useful links
Here are the few links to check when you have time:
the WASPA blog: http://waspa-circuit.blogspot.com
the WASPA map: http://goo.gl/maps/MP4gu (to be updated soon)
the WASPA Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/waspasubbuteo/
the WASPA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/WASPA-World-Amateur-Subbuteo-Players-Association/231789816834700
the FISTF website: http://www.fistf.com
the independent table football forum: http://tablefootball.friendhood.net/

If some of your friends want to receive the monthly report by e-mail, they can drop a line to vincent.cop@rsca.com to be added in the mailing list

Use also vincent.cop@rsca.com for tournament requests or for sending results and pictures

Again, thanks to all players and organizers for the continued support over the last few months. So much support is a best reason to keep on working for the game!

Yours sincerely,

Vincent Coppenolle

Novak Djokovic to attend the second leg of the Sliders Tour 2014 in Heckmondwicke

This saturday will be a very special day for the game as Novak Djokovic will be the special guest of the tournament in Heckmondwicke (England). "Subbuteo has always been a real hobby for me. I used to play a lot with friends as a kid and I always wanted to take part in a real tournament", reported the tennis superstar on his Facebook account.

"Playing in the WASPA circuit is also great because I will learn a lot from great subbuteo players without being trashed by people who just take things too seriously", also said the guy from Serbia.

"At least I will have four games. After that, I hope I will be able to see how I can become a stronger player in the future", told Djokov as a conclusion.

First WASPA title for Matteo Cherici

This monday the last tournament of the month was held in Firenze (Italy) with 17 players taking part. The two top seeds of the tournament (Luca Pini and Marco Bonciani) were automatically qualified for the quarter-finals while the other 15 players were dropped in 5 groups of 3 players. There were no surprises in the last 8 round but in the semis, Matteo Cherici beat Luca Pini while Marco Bonciani lost to Sergio Robertiello. There was a very special final then between Sergio Robertiello and Matteo Cherici and Cherici won the game 2-1 in the sudden death. Congratulations to Matteo for his very first WASPA title.

Fourth WASPA title for Andrea Pagano

This sunday six players attended the "Coppa Nicola Ceravolo" in Catanzaro. After the group stage, Andrea Pagano beat Alessio Talarico and Ugo Custo beat Alfredo Priamo in the semi-finals. In the final, Pagano scored the winning goal in the sudden death to win the title (1-0).

Trisha Baumeler wins in Eschenbach

The first tournament of the Linth Sliders in Eschenbach (Switzerland) took place this week-end. There was a small field of five players tking part and after the group stage, everyone had playerd four games. Trisha Baumeler won the tournament with 12 points, while Thomas Baumeler was second and Noemi Berhardshrütter was third.

Switzerland is preparing a good ladies team for the next FISTF world cup

Great promotion of the sport in Rome

As part of the exhibition "Silvio Piola - The Myth" at the City Hall of Terpsichore Velletri, the Silvio Piola trophy of Table Football was played on saturday. Silvio Piola played foot
Lazio A fielded Paolo Barone, Giuseppe Cascioli , Micael and Patrizio Lazzaretti while Lazio B replied with Matteo Del Brocco, Marco Moretti, Stefano Tagliaferri and Simone Trivelli.
The A-team won the trophy thanks to the talent of Barone and Caviglia who won all their games.
Results were as follows:

LAZIO A - LAZIO B 3-0
Lazzaretti - Moretti 7-4
Caviglia - S. Tagliaferri 7-4
Barone - 4-2
Cascioli - Trivelli 0-0

LAZIO A - LAZIO B 3-0
Barone - Tagliaferri s. 2-1
Caviglia - Trivelli 2-0
Cascioli - Moretti 5-3
Lazzaretti - M. Del Brocco 1-1

LAZIO A - LAZIO B 2-1
Lazzaretti - Trivelli 2-2
Barone - Moretti 4-3
Cascioli - Tagliaferri 0-4
Caviglia - M. Del Brocco 4-2

(Article by Stefano Tagliaferri)

Fourth tournament of the Flaming Flickers in Greece

The Flaming Flickers club in Athens hosted their 4th WASPA tournament on friday with 18 players taking part and everybody playing three games. Giannis Metaxas came on top of the table with two wins and a draw but a better goal difference than Filippos Vavoulakis and Giannis Paschalidis.

Final table of the evening:
1 Giannis METAXAS 5
2 Filippos VAVOULAKIS 5
3 Giannis PASCHALIDIS 5
4 Panos LAMPRAKIS 5
5 Makis KAZANTZOGLOU 4
6 Antonis KRISYLAS 4
7 Michalis TASTSOGLOU 4
8 Panos PANAGIOTIDES 4
9 Andreas PAPAKYRIAKOU 3
10 Elias PAPAIOANNOU 3
11 Vaggelis VAVOULAKIS 3
12 Spyros PENSAS 2
13 Panos POTHOS 2
14 Christos PANAGIOTIDES  1 0 2 3 6 -3 2
15 Dimitris MIHALIOS 1
16 Kostas KRITIKOS 1
17 Dimitris BEGNIS 1
18 Thanassis KOUKOGIANNIS 0