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
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