An Amazing Day of Old Subbuteo in Macerata

Last weekend, our friends at Subbuteo Club Old Lions Macerata hosted a fantastic Old Rules tournament that perfectly captured everything we love about our hobby. A total of 62 players from clubs across Italy gathered in Macerata for a day of competitive action, friendship, and great Subbuteo.

The competitors were initially divided into eight qualifying groups before progressing into four separate knockout sections, ensuring exciting matches throughout the day and giving everyone plenty of football to enjoy.

While the record books will show Augusto Vagnoni defeating Enrico Frisone 1-0 in the Gold Category final, the real winner was undoubtedly Subbuteo itself. The atmosphere was outstanding, the standard of play was high, and the passion on display reminded everyone why Old Rules continues to attract players from all generations.

Adding to the charm of the event, the tournament was played under the theme of the XXXL 2026 FA Cup, with every participant representing an English football club. This created a unique and colourful backdrop, bringing a touch of traditional English football culture to the beautiful city of Macerata.

At the end of the day, organiser Leonardo D'Amico could be rightly proud of what his team had achieved.

"Next year's XXXL Trophy will be even better, more fun and even better organised. However, we do not want to exceed 72 entrants. Beyond that number, I believe players would no longer enjoy the experience because of overcrowding in the playing hall.

We currently have 26 tables, 52 stands and 32 Astropitch surfaces, and our goal is to reach a maximum of 32 playing pitches for the tournament.

Falconara Airport is only 50 kilometres from Macerata, with connections to Barcelona, Paris, London and Brussels. We are also within easy reach of the airports in Rome, Bologna, Perugia and Pescara.

We know we could easily attract more than 100 participants, especially as we have access to a large sports arena free of charge, but our objective is to grow gradually, year after year."

The ambition is clear. The Old Lions are determined to make the event increasingly international while preserving the friendly atmosphere that has become its trademark.

With plans already taking shape, the next edition is expected to be held on 4 September 2027, and players from across Europe are encouraged to reserve the date in their calendars now.

Gold Category

Last 16

• Francesco Molinari bt Stefano Flamini 2-0
• Andrea Balestrucci bt Marco Perotti 2-0
• Enrico Frisone bt Andrea Senesi 4-1
• Andrea Bevilacqua bt Ciro Battipaglia 1-0
• Marco Baj bt Giorgio Manfioletti 1-0
• Augusto Vagnoni bt Vittorio De Pascale 3-1
• Cesare Santanicchia bt Giuseppe Zaccardo 3-1

Quarter-finals

• Lorenzo Scoponi bt Michele Fenucci 3-2
• Andrea Balestrucci bt Francesco Molinari 1-0
• Enrico Frisone bt Andrea Bevilacqua 3-2
• Augusto Vagnoni bt Marco Baj 2-0
• Cesare Santanicchia bt Lorenzo Scoponi 4-0

Semi-finals

• Enrico Frisone bt Andrea Balestrucci 2-1
• Augusto Vagnoni bt Cesare Santanicchia 6-3

Final

• Augusto Vagnoni bt Enrico Frisone 1-0

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Silver Category Winner

Francesco Quattrini

Final:

• Francesco Quattrini bt Fabio Belisario 6-4

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Bronze Category Winner

Giuliano Esposito

Final:

• Giuliano Esposito bt Francesco Pochetti 5-0

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Premier Gran Tonino Winner

Paolo Di Michelangelo

Final:

• Paolo Di Michelangelo bt Claudio Recinelli 1-0

Congratulations to all the participants, the finalists, and especially the team at Subbuteo Club Old Lions Macerata for delivering another memorable celebration of Old Rules Subbuteo. We look forward to seeing the XXXL Trophy continue to grow in the years ahead.

WASPA Season 2026-2027 Club Divisions

🏆 Top Clubs

Club	Country
Solent Subbuteo Club	🏴 ENG
Worthing Fivestar	🏴 ENG
Yorkshire Phoenix and Dewsbury Moor TFC	🏴 ENG
Pedmore TFC	🏴 ENG
Chasers CSC	🏴 ENG
Bristol Subbuteo FC	🏴 ENG
Northern Falcons TFC	🇦🇺 AUS
Milton Keynes TSC	🏴 ENG
Easterns TFC	🇿🇦 RSA
Stanway Rovers Flickers SC	🏴 ENG
Kent Invicta TFC	🏴 ENG
Wolverhampton SFC	🏴 ENG
Morecambe Bay SC (Promoted)	🏴 ENG
Godiva SC (Promoted)	🏴 ENG
Club Rebels Genova (Promoted)	🇮🇹 ITA

---

⭐ Development League

Club	Country
Templeuve United (Relegated from Top Clubs)	🇧🇪 BEL
Derry City TFC (Relegated from Top Clubs)	🇬🇧 NIR
London Road SC (Relegated from Top Clubs)	🏴 WAL
Brisbane SC	🇦🇺 AUS
Dutch Legends	🇳🇱 NED
Irish Premier League	🇮🇪 IRL
Cardiff TFC	🏴 WAL
Western Sydney Subbuteo	🇦🇺 AUS
Wamme SC	🇧🇪 BEL
Chesterfield TFC	🏴 ENG
MVV Rijnmond (Promoted)	🇳🇱 NED
North Shields STF (Promoted)	🏴 ENG
SC Terni 2014 (Promoted)	🇮🇹 ITA

---

🔷 Conference League

Relegated from Development League

• Harrow Hawks TFC 🇬🇧 ENG
• Surrey Saracens SC 🇬🇧 ENG
• Leicester Foxes Club 🇬🇧 ENG
• SC Flanders 🇧🇪 BEL
• Tralee SC 🇮🇪 IRL
• Melbourne TFC 🇦🇺 AUS
• Subbuteo Perth 🇦🇺 AUS
• Subbuteo & Table Football Cork 🇮🇪 IRL
• Haverhill Rovers TFC 🇬🇧 ENG

Current Conference League Clubs

• South Devon SC 🇬🇧 ENG
• ST Stembert 🇧🇪 BEL
• Virtus Calabria 🇮🇹 ITA
• That Retro Place SC 🇬🇧 ENG
• H'Attard SC 🇲🇹 MLT
• TSC Phoenix 🇦🇹 AUT
• Falcons Flickers Subbuteo Club 🇳🇿 NZL
• TSPA White Star 🇬🇧 ENG
• Subbuteo Bucharest 🇷🇴 ROM
• Northern Phoenix 🇦🇺 AUS
• Rochford & Southend 🇬🇧 ENG
• Finchampstead SC 🇬🇧 ENG
• Stourbridge Casual SC 🇬🇧 ENG
• ALC Wattrelos-SLM 🇫🇷 FRA
• Auckland City Cosmos Sports TFC 🇳🇿 NZL
• Sydney TFC 🇦🇺 AUS
• London Subbuteo Club 🇬🇧 ENG
• Golazzo SC 🏴 SCO
• ETS Subbuteo Club 🇿🇦 RSA
• SG '94 Hannover 🇩🇪 GER
• Ligures Genova 🇮🇹 ITA
• Hipfingerz TFC 🇦🇺 AUS
• Norfolk SC 🇬🇧 ENG
• Barcelona FT 🇪🇸 ESP
• SC Verviers-Herve 🇧🇪 BEL
• Maryland SC 🇺🇸 USA
• Cape Town TFC 🇿🇦 RSA
• Western Flickers TFC 🇦🇺 AUS
• Jurong SC 🇸🇬 SIN
• ASD Alba Subbuteo Roma 🇮🇹 ITA
• Central Victoria TFC 🇦🇺 AUS
• Dudley-Kingswinford TF 🇬🇧 ENG
• Donegal Subbuteo 🇮🇪 IRL
• Canberra & South Coast TFC 🇦🇺 AUS
• Johannesburg TFC 🇿🇦 RSA
• Bormla SC 🇲🇹 MLT
• Subbuteo Sankt Pauli 🇩🇪 GER
• Singapore Lions SC 🇸🇬 SIN
• Pireaus Lions TSC 🇬🇷 GRE
• USC Huy 🇧🇪 BEL
• SC Berlin 🇩🇪 GER

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📢 Expression of Interest for Higher Divisions

The divisional structure shown above is based on the current WASPA club rankings and recent promotion/relegation movements.

Clubs that would like to be considered for participation in a higher division for the 2026-2027 season are invited to express their interest by contacting Vincent Coppenolle at:
📧 vincentcoppenolle@gmail.com

WASPA welcomes ambitious clubs and will review all requests based on division vacancies, competitive criteria, and overall league organization.

📊 Division Summary

Division	Clubs
🏆 Top Clubs	15
⭐ Development League	13
🔷 Conference League	50
Total	78 Clubs

🔄 Promotion & Relegation

Promoted to Top Clubs

• Morecambe Bay SC
• Godiva SC
• Club Rebels Genova

Relegated from Top Clubs

• Templeuve United
• Derry City TFC
• London Road SC

Promoted to Development League

• MVV Rijnmond
• North Shields STF
• SC Terni 2014

Relegated to Conference League

• Harrow Hawks TFC
• Surrey Saracens SC
• Leicester Foxes Club
• SC Flanders
• Tralee SC
• Melbourne TFC
• Subbuteo Perth
• Subbuteo & Table Football Cork
• Haverhill Rovers TFC

🏅 WASPA 2026-2027 features 78 clubs from 17 nations across three competitive divisions. 

WASPA 2026/27 Season Kicks Off with Familiar Names and New Momentum

The first WASPA tournaments of the new season have delivered an excellent mix of established champions, emerging contenders and healthy participation across England, Australia and Italy.

Jason Christopher Makes the Early Statement

No player enjoyed a stronger start to the regional season than Jason Christopher. The Solent winner backed up his title with a runner-up finish at Pedmore, giving him the best overall regional record of the opening weeks and establishing himself as one of the early favourites for the season rankings.

Richard Badger Captures the Pedmore Crown

Pedmore hosted one of the strongest events of the young season. Richard Badger emerged as champion after overcoming Richard Grimley in the semi-finals before defeating Jason Christopher 4-1 in the final. The event featured several close knockout matches, including drawn semi-final encounters before tie-break procedures determined the finalists.

Open Competition Across England

One of the most striking features of the opening month has been the variety of winners. Nine regional tournaments have produced nine different champions:

• Jason Christopher (Solent)
• Brian Kinrade (Sheffield)
• Luca Lanzani (Morecambe Bay)
• Eliot Kennedy (Melbourne NP)
• Jeff Parsons (North Shields)
• Richard Badger (Pedmore)
• Steve Wonnacott (Bristol)
• Richard Roper (Leicester)
• Hugh Best (Perth)

There is no dominant force yet, suggesting that the 2026/27 season could be one of the most competitive in recent years.

Club Success Stories

Several clubs enjoyed particularly strong starts.

Chesterfield celebrated victory in Sheffield thanks to Brian Kinrade and also placed Andrew Forster-Fake in the top five. Pedmore players were prominent throughout the opening events, with Richard Badger winning Pedmore and Richard Roper claiming the Leicester title. Leicester also demonstrated excellent local participation, fielding six competitors at their home tournament.

Australian Action Underway

The Australian regional season began with victories for Eliot Kennedy in Melbourne and Hugh Best in Perth.

The Melbourne (Northern Phoenix) tournament almost became an afterthought after the previous day's Melbourne International Open, with six players returning for another afternoon of flicking. Played in a fast-paced FAST-20 round-robin format, the event produced several entertaining and unexpected results before Eliot Kennedy of Northern Falcons emerged as a deserving winner. Singapore's Bernard Lim continued his excellent weekend to finish second, while Benny Ng completed the podium. The relaxed atmosphere was a perfect way to round off a busy weekend of Subbuteo, and special thanks were reserved for Singaporean visitors Bernard Lim and Vikas K. Chandiramani for extending their stay and supporting the event.

The Melbourne tournament also highlighted the increasingly international nature of WASPA activity in the Asia-Pacific region, with Australian and Singaporean players sharing the table throughout a thoroughly enjoyable competition. As the local organisers summed it up: "Subbuteo was the real winner."

Meanwhile, in Perth, Hugh Best defeated fellow Western Australian Noel Mani to claim the title, with Des Devine taking third place.

Italian Old Rules Competition

Away from the new-season circuit, Grottaferrata hosted an Old Rules tournament. Independente, represented by Ernesto Poncetta, took first place ahead of San Lorenzo, Argentino and Newell, proving that interest in the traditional version of the game remains strong.

Adam Jackson Dominates Club WASPA

The early Club WASPA story belongs to Adam Jackson, who won both Dagenham events. In each tournament he finished ahead of Mark West, making Jackson the first player to record multiple tournament victories in any WASPA competition this season.

Early Season Highlights

• Jason Christopher: Regional winner at Solent and runner-up at Pedmore.
• Richard Badger: Winner of the prestigious Pedmore Regional.
• Adam Jackson: Two victories from two Club WASPA appearances.
• Nine regional tournaments across England and Australia.
• Nine different regional champions, underlining the competitiveness of the new campaign.
• International participation in Melbourne featuring players from Australia and Singapore.

With no player yet able to establish regional dominance and strong participation across multiple countries, the 2026/27 WASPA season has begun in exciting and highly competitive fashion.

Tournament Results

Solent Regional (England)

Pos	Player
1	Jason Christopher
2	Chris Burford
3	Jerry Lovegrove
4	Andy McGovern
5	Gary Birch
6	Simon Hawley
7	Rob Piggott
8	Nigel Morgan
9	Corey Martin
10	Steve Smith

Sheffield Regional (England)

Pos	Player
1	Brian Kinrade (Chesterfield)
2	Brett Price (Sheffield)
3=	Simon Bryan (Godiva)
3=	Carl Drabble (Doncaster)
5	Andrew Forster-Fake (Chesterfield)
6	Andy Payne (Sheffield)
7	Ian John (Sheffield)
8	Adrian Hawcroft (Yorkshire)

Morecambe Bay Regional (England)

Pos	Player
1	Luca Lanzani
2	Lee Hatfield
3	Keith Carman
4	Perry Sinacola
5	Rob Wilkinson
6	Henry Eddington
7	Max Brookes
8	Tom Eddington
9	Steven Dobinson

Melbourne NP Regional (Australia)

Pos	Player
1	Eliot Kennedy (Northern Falcons)
2	Bernard Lim (Singapore / Jurong Central)
3	Benny Ng (Western Flickers)
4	Vikas K. Chandiramani (Singapore / Jurong Central)
5	Christos Garagounis (Northern Phoenix)
6	Kevin Grant (Central Victoria)

North Shields Regional (England)

Pos	Player
1	Jeff Parsons
2	Nigel Lamond
3	Tom Heslop

Pedmore Regional (England)

Quarter-finals

Match	Score
Michael Mayes vs Richard Badger	0-1
Richard Grimley vs Gage Badger	4*-4
Steve Wonnacott vs Jason Christopher	0-2
Nick Pearson vs Justin Scott	1-3

Semi-finals

Match	Score
Richard Badger vs Richard Grimley	2-0
Jason Christopher vs Justin Scott	2*-2

Final

Match	Score
Richard Badger vs Jason Christopher	4-1

Plate Final

Match	Score
Simon Bryan vs Richard Roper	1-3

Bristol Regional (England)

Pos	Player
1	Steve Wonnacott
2	David Samuel (Wales/Cardiff)
3	Stuart Briffett
4	Malcolm Jarvis
5	Andy Jarvis

Leicester Regional (England)

Pos	Player
1	Richard Roper (Pedmore)
2	Damian Mayes (Godiva)
3	Mark Weaver (Pedmore)
4	Henry Barker (Leicester)
5	Alex Ashcroft (Leicester)
6	Jay Williams (Leicester)
7	David Everitt (Kettering)
8	Dave Tressler (Kettering)
9	Andy Henly (Leicester)
10	Paul Taylor (Leicester)
11	Nigel Edwards (Leicester)
12	Gary Ironman (Leicester)

Perth Regional (Australia)

Pos	Player
1	Hugh Best
2	Noel Mani
3	Des Devine

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Old Rules Event

Grottaferrata (Italy)

Pos	Team (Manager)
1	Independente (Ernesto Poncetta)
2	San Lorenzo (Luca Di Lullo)
3	Argentino (Riccardo Galieti)
4	Newell (Andrea Alfonsi)

---

Club WASPA Events

Dagenham - 26 August

Pos	Player
1	Adam Jackson
2	Mark West
3	Gary Gladwell
4	Martin Colwell
5	Michele Claydon

Dagenham - 2 September

Pos	Player
1	Adam Jackson
2	Mark West
3	Jonathan Beales
4	Michele Claydon
5	Joe Parody
6	Paul Bailey
7	Gary Gladwell

Roll of Honour

Regional Winners

• Jason Christopher (Solent)
• Brian Kinrade (Sheffield)
• Luca Lanzani (Morecambe Bay)
• Eliot Kennedy (Melbourne NP)
• Jeff Parsons (North Shields)
• Richard Badger (Pedmore)
• Steve Wonnacott (Bristol)
• Richard Roper (Leicester)
• Hugh Best (Perth)

Old Rules Winner

• Independente (Ernesto Poncetta)

Club WASPA Winners

• Adam Jackson (Dagenham, 26 Aug)
• Adam Jackson (Dagenham, 2 Sep)

21st September Cup

In 2006, a five year old Imojjen, keen to make a contribution to that year's September Cup, created a wall chart for the results to be recorded, with a spectacular rendition of a football as a backdrop. Fast forward 20 years and Imojjen now has her name written on the esteemed trophy as Champion!

The September Cup is the foundation stone of Western Sydney Subbuteo. First held in 2003, it is the longest continuously running tournament in Australia, being held (almost, thanks COVID) every year since then. Over the years it has evolved and, nowdays, is devoted solely to the use of Subbuteo branded equipment. And that equipment is also used to handicap players - the more experienced a player, the older the equipment they need to use, alongside a number of other handicap measures. Which also makes the tournament perfect for new players, who can come and learn the beautiful (miniature) game while having a shot at actually winning! 

This year, while the FISTF World Cup in Paris was being livestreamed in the background, 9 players turned out to compete, ranging from seasoned veterans to those playing the game for the first time in their lives. Players were placed into one of four tiers, based on their experience and ability, with each tier receiving a set of advantages or handicaps, ranging from base types and goalkeeper sizes, to polish (or lack there-of) and set numbers of penalty shots before flick-off. The desired effect was achieved with close results throughout the tournament, even when played between players of vastly different experience. 

It was an inauspicious start as, before a ball had been flicked, Melvin managed to break the vintage trophy. Some blu-tac was hastily added until some proper glue can reattach the figure to its base. The handicaps were quickly readjusted to guarantee that Melvin had no chance of winning! A four round Swiss system was played, with breaks for dinner and birthday cake at various stages. After four rounds, two players stood head and shoulders above the rest. With the players who had had byes not having any chance of catching them, it was agreed to head straight to the grand final - a showdown between defending champion Adrian Grunbach and Imojjen. They had gone head-to-head during the group stage, their 0-0 draw being the only points either player had dropped. With the crowd gathered around the in-house pitch, they went at it again. This time, Imojjen made no mistake with the single bonus penalty her Tier 2 status gave her before flick-off (Adrian had saved this in their earlier game). The game itself was another even one of relatively high quality - both players having had time to get accustomed to the vagaries of nylon pitches and retro bases. Chances at either end were rare with Imojjen clinging to her 1-0 lead until 5 minutes from time, when Adrian scored a brilliant goal to level things. A tense finale ensued, capped by Adrian finding a second and final shot which flew centimetres wide of the goal as the full time whistle sounded.

And so to a shootout. With both players using the Subbuteo Dream Team Stadium Edition™ cardboard goalkeeper, the final result came down to fine margins. Adrian placed every shot on target - bar one which came of the inside of the post - but couldn't find a way past Imojjen's 'keeper, who was in inspired form, getting in the way of every other shot. Imojjen's shooting was a little more erratic, two requiring saves from Adrian, one dribbling ludicrously wide, but she did what Adrian was unable to do, slotting the other vital shot into the back of the net. And so, in her second grand final appearance, after a lifetime of watching the September Cup, the tournament which introduced her to the game, and half a lifetime of competing in it, Imojjen finally broke through the glass ceiling!

Original story: https://sites.google.com/view/westernsydneysubbuteo/tournaments#h.l0qqq9ahte78

WASPA season report but WASPA survey - input needed!

Hello everybody,

We are delighted to present our annual report featuring the highlights, records, rankings, and statistics of the WASPA 2025-2026 season.

Link to the season report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W11qbkkx-tb6Mr7BPsgo-kjGHTvd30uU/view?usp=sharing

We also need your input! We would kindly ask you to take a few minutes to complete our WASPA Circuit Survey. Your feedback is extremely valuable and will help us continue to improve and strengthen the WASPA circuit for players, clubs, and organizers around the world.

The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and every response makes a difference. Your support and contribution are greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for helping us shape the future of WASPA!
Link to the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzY8umGSzJkFtsaIpNtcmyMWF0DwsanXHVHql80YZXI_LwXQ/viewform?usp=preview

This season's report is accompanied by an AI-assisted analysis that helps identify key trends, outstanding performances, and interesting facts from the past year. We hope you find it both enjoyable and informative.

As always, we remain at your disposal for any questions or comments.

Yours in sport,

Vincent

1. A season defined by individual dominance

The standout performer was Jason Christopher, who finished comfortably ahead in both the world and seasonal rankings. His rise to the No. 1 position in July 2026 suggests that the competitive hierarchy is still evolving rather than remaining fixed year after year. 

What we learn: Elite players still make a huge difference, but the rankings show that sustained participation and consistent results across many events are what create separation at the top.

2. Strong clubs create strong players

Solent Subbuteo Club led the club rankings, while other English clubs such as Worthing Fivestar, Yorkshire Phoenix, Dewsbury Moor TFC, and Pedmore TFC also featured prominently. 

What we learn: Success is rarely individual. The highest-ranked players tend to come from active clubs that host events, provide competition, and maintain a strong playing culture.

3. England remains the global powerhouse

England topped the nations rankings by a very large margin, ahead of the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, and Italy. The gap between England and most nations is substantial.

What we learn: Depth matters more than having a few stars. England's strength comes from a broad base of competitive players and clubs rather than a single dominant champion. 

4. The Netherlands and Australia are the strongest challengers

The Netherlands showed strong momentum through clubs such as MVV Rijnmond, while Australia demonstrated remarkable activity and participation levels. 

What we learn: Nations that combine active club structures with regular tournaments are steadily closing the gap on the traditional powers.5. Youth development predicts future success

The junior statistics are particularly interesting. Club Rebels Genova led the junior club rankings, and Italian and Belgian clubs showed exceptional strength in youth development. 

What we learn: Countries investing in junior programs today are likely to dominate future senior rankings. Italy and Belgium appear especially well positioned for the next generation. 

6. Participation is reaching record levels

The season included more than 400 events across more than 40 nations, with a mix of regional tournaments, promotional events, junior competitions, and traditional formats.

What we learn: The game is expanding geographically and organizationally. Growth is not limited to traditional centres; nations such as Hungary and Serbia are contributing to the spread of WASPA competition. 

7. Organizing events correlates with success

Belgium and England were among the most prolific organizers, while Australia also recorded very high tournament activity. What we learn: There is a strong link between hosting tournaments and producing successful players. The countries that organize the most events tend to generate the most competitive depth.

Most important records and trends

• Jason Christopher became the new world No. 1. 
• Solent Subbuteo Club finished as the leading club. 
• England extended its position as the strongest nation. 
• Club Rebels Genova became the top junior club. 
• International participation reached one of the broadest levels in WASPA history, with over 40 nations involved. 

Overall conclusion

The biggest lesson from the 2025-2026 season is that success is driven by ecosystem strength. The top nations and clubs are not merely producing individual champions; they are creating regular competitions, developing juniors, and maintaining active communities. The statistics suggest that England is currently the benchmark, but the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, and Italy are building the depth and youth structures needed to challenge that dominance in future seasons. 

WASPA season rankings (August 2026)

Dear friends,

It is time to reveal the final standings of the WASPA Circuit for the 2025-2026 season.

The season has been amazing, with a total of 437 tournaments held in 25 different countries. We are also delighted to see that 960 different players took part in a WASPA tournament over the last 12 months.

PDF file with results: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K2fk4r1tDOPA4d6e955tUpPIWrgBLcz0/view?usp=sharing

Excel file with rankings: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQrcTtry5cj9nFMwiP8qA4ox5qIQx-9wLSXYLxyK-TSvdxrTxheGxN4qFqyxF0HEA/pub?output=xlsx

It is now time to congratulate those who finished at the top of the various rankings:

• Jason Christopher (England, Solent SC) as Open Champion and Season Number 1
• Tommaso Sani (Italy, Club Rebels Genova) as Best Junior
• England as the Number 1 Nation
• Solent Subbuteo Club (England) as Number 1 in the Top Clubs Series
• Morecambe Bay SC (England) as winner of the Development League
• MVV Rijnmond (Netherlands) as winner of the Conference League
• Club Rebels Genova (Italy) as Best Club for Juniors

As this is a special time of the year, we know that many players will travel to Paris this weekend to compete in the FISTF World Cup. We wish the very best of luck to all players and organizers, as we know how challenging it is to dedicate the time and energy required to run major events.

We would also like to express a special thought for Mr. Steve Dettre, who has decided to step down as FISTF President. As I have written before, Steve has played a major role in stabilizing FISTF after years of turmoil and has clearly been the best FISTF President in a very long time.

Beyond his role as President, it is above all Steve's human qualities that we will remember. Unlike some of his predecessors and other Board members, he has always understood the value of the WASPA Circuit, the importance of cooperation, and the need to encourage initiatives aimed at recruiting new players and motivating enthusiasts who do not have the financial or human resources required to travel and compete.

Steve has done an enormous amount to promote the WASPA Circuit in Australia. We particularly remember that, through this collaboration, the land of the kangaroos regained its status as a major table football nation while also playing a key role in the creation of the Asian Confederation.

Rather than giving a long speech, we simply want to thank Steve for all the work he has accomplished within FISTF. Leading such an organization is far from an easy task, and we know that from our own experience.

We sincerely hope that his successor will demonstrate the same open-mindedness and continue to foster cooperation between FISTF and the WASPA Circuit for the benefit of Subbuteo table football.

Finally, we would like to receive feedback from players and clubs as we prepare for the new season. We would especially like to know what could be improved within the WASPA Circuit.

We can already confirm that:

• Tournaments played between members of the same club over different days will be counted as Club WASPA events.
• We will investigate reports of fake results being submitted solely to obtain WASPA points. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable.
• We insist that WASPA tournaments must be announced at least one week in advance. Otherwise, the results will also be counted as Club WASPA events.
• We will consider a new promotion and relegation system for club rankings.
• Increasing junior participation will be a major priority.
• Results should be submitted as quickly as possible after tournaments.

Well, that is all for now.

Thank you once again to all the players and organizers involved. We have enjoyed a fantastic season and are already looking forward to the start of the next one.

Keep on flicking,

Vincent Coppenolle
WASPA Organizer

The 13th Endurance Colpani Cup: A Great Celebration of Subbuteo Old Rules

Sunday, August 23 in Brescia was another fantastic day of Subbuteo Old Rules, marked by friendship, sportsmanship, and fair play.

Forty players from Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and even distant Campania took part in the 13th edition of the Endurance Colpani Cup, organized under the W.A.S.P.A. banner.

Following an opening stage consisting of eight groups of five players, the competition continued across five different categories, with three further knockout rounds. In total, 128 matches were played on 16 pitches throughout the day.

This year, Gaetano Ciraolo emerged victorious, defeating tournament organizer Claudio Colpani, winner of the previous edition. The final was a thrilling contest that remained finely balanced until the very end. Colpani displayed his trademark attacking flair, while Ciraolo adopted a more disciplined and structured approach, typical of an accomplished table football player.

The event was enriched not only by the participation of players representing nine different Italian regions, but also by the presence of historic figures from the Lombard Subbuteo scene of the 1970s, including Antonio Maggi. As has become tradition, several members of the Old Subbuteo community also took part, alongside young talents such as Pieretti, Monti, and Cazzaniga, competing together with experienced table football players.

A special thank you goes to the ever-present Francesco Zolfanelli, who once again traveled all the way from Campania to join the event.

Everyone came together to enjoy a tournament format with no referees, plenty of playing time, and, above all, a wonderful atmosphere of friendship and sportsmanship.

The next edition, eagerly awaited by all participants, will be announced soon.

WASPA Update: Results from England, Australia, Cyprus and Finland

We have received results from England, Australia, Cyprus and Finland, and we are delighted to see the successful staging of the first tournament organized by the Larnaca Spartans, with the help of Paul Andreas.

Larnaca Tournament Report

Paul Andreas reports:

“On Saturday, 9-year-old Greek Cypriot Christos Marneros won his first WASPA title. Christos has been playing FISTF Subbuteo for one year and took his first flicks of traditional Subbuteo at the age of five, using his father Andreas Marneros’ 1980s Lightweight Club Edition set.

Christos showed a tremendous appetite for the game, a strong eagerness to learn, excellent concentration, and some very impressive technique. He even helped explain rules to his opponents during the tournament. With three wins and one draw in the five-player round robin competition, he deservedly claimed the title.

All of us involved with Subbuteo in Cyprus are extremely proud of our young players, and we look forward to following their Subbuteo journey.”

Kent WASPA Sunday Specials

Terry Arnold reports:

“Kent Invicta held a couple of WASPA events in Gillingham on Sunday, featuring Open and Junior categories, with the latter serving as World Cup preparation.

In the Open event, Worthing's Malcolm Jamieson took victory by a single point ahead of the in-form Tom Lacey of Kent, with fellow Worthing player Connor Gregory finishing third.

The Youth tournament welcomed guest player Simon Polgár-Mayne from Hungary, who joined the Kent youngsters for a fun afternoon of flicking. In the end, Fraser Chapman emerged victorious, ahead of Hadley Chapman in second place and Joel Palmer-Jones in third.”

England and Australia

In Milton Keynes, Mark Green finished at the top of a six-player group, while Jason Christopher claimed top honours at the latest tournament in Finchampstead.

In Brisbane, six players took part in another closely contested event. After a series of tight matches, Wayne Miller defeated Gareth Whalley 1–0 in the play-off before overcoming Gordon Orr 1–0 in the final to take the title.

A small international gathering was also held in Helsinki, where George Papadopoulos claimed first place ahead of Australia's Robert Green, with local player Kari Hakkarainen finishing third.

Upcoming Event

We are also pleased to publish the poster for the forthcoming Dave Hunter Memorial Trophy, which will be organized by Solent Subbuteo Club on 4 October. Entries are limited to 32 players, so be sure to secure your place early.

Please continue sending in the results of your WASPA tournaments. Remember that the season concludes at the end of August, and the next rankings will be the final standings for the 2025/26 season.

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Results

Milton Keynes (England) – 17 August 2026

1. Mark Green
2. Paul Gildersleve
3. Greg Lickorish
4. Harry Staszewski
5. Graham Farmer
6. David Parsons

Finchampstead (England) – 17 August 2026

1. Jason Christopher
2. Alan Cutler
3. Shaun Ellis
4. Jon Patten
5. Dave Simmil
6. Ian Graham

Helsinki (Finland) – 21 August 2026

1. George Papadopoulos (George)
2. Robert Green (Australia)
3. Kari Hakkarainen (Finland)

Brisbane (Australia) – 22 August 2026

1. Gordon Orr
2. Gareth Whalley
3. Wayne Miller
4. Giuseppe Tardiota
5. Jordan Heal
6. Mick Church

Play-off: Wayne Miller 1–0 Gareth Whalley
Final: Gordon Orr 0–1 Wayne Miller

Larnaca (Cyprus) – 22 August 2026

1. Christos Marneros
2. Andreas Marneros
3. Vasilis Kotzakoulakis
4. Akis Iosephides
5. Marios Kotzakoulakis

Gillingham Open (England) – 23 August 2026

1. Malcolm Jamieson (Scotland)
2. Thomas Lacey
3. Connor Gregory
4. Daryl Radwell
5. Chris Shilling
6. James Palmer-Jones
7. Riccardo Castagna

Gillingham Youth (England) – 23 August 2026

1. Fraser Chapman
2. Hadley Chapman
3. Joel Palmer-Jones
4. Simon Polgár-Mayne (Hungary)
5. Marco Castagna
6. Evan Longman

A total of seven WASPA events were reported this week, highlighting the continued growth of the circuit across four countries and featuring winners from England, Scotland, Cyprus, Finland and Australia.

WASPA Results from Wales and England

We have received the first WASPA results of the month, arriving just a few days after the historic tournament in Mulhouse, France. This time, the spotlight falls on Wales, where the Welsh National Circuit reached its dramatic conclusion, and on England, where club events were held in Solent, North Shields, Andover, Yorkshire and Norfolk.

Wales: History Made with a Double Crown! 🏆🏴

An unforgettable weekend in Wrexham and Buckley brought the Welsh Circuit season to a thrilling close, with two different players earning the highest honours in Welsh table football.

Welsh National Champion: Darren John Barnes 🏴

Congratulations to Darren John Barnes, whose consistency throughout the season saw him secure the title of Welsh National Champion. Competing against a strong field across the entire circuit, Darren accumulated enough points to guarantee his position as the official No. 1 ranked Welsh player, sealing a well-deserved national crown.

Circuit Champion: Richard Grimley 🏴

If ever there was a comeback story, this was it. After being eliminated in the group stage in Wrexham on Saturday, Richard Grimley looked to be out of contention for the overall circuit title. However, he produced a remarkable response in Buckley on Sunday.

Following a dramatic final against Chris Bedford that went all the way to a sudden-death shootout, Richard claimed victory in the tournament, reached the maximum points tally available, and secured the Overall Welsh Circuit Open Championship.

Saturday belonged to Chris Bedford, who defended home turf in Wrexham, while Sunday saw Richard Grimley triumph in Buckley after a tense and closely contested final.

Two different titles, two deserving champions, and a memorable conclusion to the Welsh season.

Report from the Wales Subbuteo Table Football Association.

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Nick Pearson Wins Chris Kaberry Memorial Cup in North Shields

North Shields Subbuteo Table Football held a special tournament on 8 August in memory of their friend Chris Kaberry, who passed away just over a year ago. The event was played for the inaugural Chris Kaberry Memorial Cup, which organisers hope will become an annual fixture.

Six players took part, including Chris's childhood friend Andy, who returned to competitive action after a lengthy absence. Chris's dog, Ritchie, was also present and, according to participants, was in fine form throughout the day.

After an excellent tournament and a meal together at a local curry house, everyone agreed that the event had been a fitting tribute. The inaugural trophy was won by Nick Pearson.

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Ian Sharp Tops Dewsbury Moor WASPA Night

Dewsbury Moor Sports Club welcomed back Brian Andrew to WASPA club-night action, but his return was denied a perfect ending by Ian Sharp.

The contest for first place went right down to the final round after the two leading contenders had previously played out a goalless draw. Ultimately, Ian's crucial 1-0 victory over Adrian Hawcroft proved decisive, while Brian could only draw 0-0 with Kevin Adderley.

Luca Lanzani finished third after a late challenge, in what was a highly competitive evening. No player lost more than three of their five matches, highlighting the increasingly strong standard of play at the club.

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Andy Palmer Triumphs in Norfolk Old Rules Event

Norfolk Subbuteo Club staged its third Old Rules WASPA tournament of the season, with Andy Palmer emerging victorious.

After progressing through the group stage and semi-finals, Palmer defeated Steve Race 2-1 in a tense final to claim the title. Palmer established a 2-0 lead through one of his trademark chipped goals and an unfortunate own goal, before Race fought back to make it 2-1. A late opportunity almost forced the match into penalties, but Palmer held on to secure the trophy.

The club thanked hosts Mulbarton Sports & Social Club for their support.

Report from Chris Burford.

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Jason Christopher Wins Rowland Lyons Memorial Trophy

The annual Rowland Lyons Memorial Trophy was held at Solent Table Football Club, attracting ten competitors.

In the main final, Jason Christopher defeated Chris Burford 4-2 to reclaim the trophy from last year's winner, Connor. Elsewhere, Andy McGovern defeated Gary Birch in the Plate Final, while Tim Hill claimed the Haribo Shield courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Dirk Kelly.

The event once again provided an opportunity to remember a respected friend of the club while enjoying a highly competitive evening of table football.

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Results

Regional Tournaments

Wrexham, Wales

1 August 2026

Semi-finals

• David Lauder bt Darren Barnes 1-0
• Chris Bedford bt David Samuel 6-2

Final

• Chris Bedford bt David Lauder 1-0

Plate Final

• Richard Grimley bt Luca Lanzani 2-0

Shield Final

• Brendan Ashley bt Raoul Newton 1-0

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Buckley, Wales

2 August 2026

Semi-finals

• Richard Grimley bt Brendan Ashley 4-1
• Chris Bedford bt Richard Roper 5-1

Final

• Richard Grimley bt Chris Bedford 2-2* (won on shootout)

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Solent, England

5 August 2026

1. Jason Christopher
2. Andy McGovern
3. Rob Piggott
4. Simon Hawley
5. Gary Birch
6. Tim Hill
7. Jerry Lovegrove
8. Paul Izard
9. Dave Legg
10. Roger Duckworth
11. Steve Smith
12. Dirk Kelly
13. Nigel Morgan

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North Shields, England

8 August 2026

1. Nick Pearson
2. Karl Dragan
3. Mike Parnaby
4. Tom Heslop
5. Nigel Lamond
6. Andy Mill

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Andover, England

12 August 2026

Semi-finals

• Chris Burford bt Tony Martin 3-0
• Jason Christopher bt Nigel Morgan 4-1

Final

• Jason Christopher bt Chris Burford 4-2

Plate Final

• Andy McGovern bt Gary Birch 2-1

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Dewsbury Moor, England

13 August 2026

Final Standings

1. Ian Sharp – 13 pts
2. Brian Andrew – 11 pts
3. Luca Lanzani – 9 pts
4. Perry Sinacola – 9 pts
5. Kevin Adderley – 5 pts
6. Dave Everett – 4 pts
7. Adrian Hawcroft – 2 pts
8. Darren Brook – 2 pts

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Old Rules

Norfolk, England

5 August 2026

Semi-finals

• Steve Race bt Martin Nudd 1-0
• Andy Palmer bt Rob Colbeck 2-0

Final

• Andy Palmer bt Steve Race 2-1