🌍 A truly global week for WASPA

WASPA events remain as vibrant as ever, with tournaments continuing to take place across the globe. In recent days alone, results have been collected from England, Ireland, Italy, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand—a clear demonstration of the international reach and energy of the circuit.

This worldwide spread perfectly illustrates what makes WASPA unique: a flexible and inclusive competition network where local clubs, emerging players and experienced competitors all come together under a common passion for Subbuteo. Week after week, from small club nights to national championship stages, the WASPA calendar reflects a sport that is truly alive on every continent.

One of the standout events took place in Ireland, where the third stage of the Irish Championship delivered high‑quality action (see group picture). Mark Farrell produced an excellent performance to take the title, defeating Mario Frittelli in the final and confirming his strong form on the international scene.

Across the Irish Sea, England once again proved to be a key hub of activity. While several local tournaments were held in places such as Worthing and Morecambe Bay, the big story came from Finchampstead, where the local Subbuteo club successfully hosted its very first WASPA event. The occasion was made even more special with the حضور of players from Solent Subbuteo Club, underlining the spirit of connection and exchange that defines the circuit.

Further afield, the international dimension of WASPA was equally evident. In New Zealand, despite a few late withdrawals, the Auckland tournament went ahead in great style, with Andy Shearer claiming victory after a strong run to the title. Meanwhile in Wales, Darren Barnes dominated proceedings by winning two stages of the national championship in as many days, showing remarkable consistency.

Italy also played its part in this global snapshot, with both senior and youth competitions taking place. In Lamezia, the future of the game was on display as young Francesco Pujia secured victory in the latest junior event, highlighting the importance of development pathways within WASPA.

From Western Europe to Oceania, from grassroots events to national competitions, these results once again confirm that WASPA is not just a series of tournaments—it is a worldwide community, connecting players, clubs and cultures through a shared love of the game.

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🏆 Results

Regional tournaments

Worthing, England (May 18, 2026)

1. Malcolm Jamieson
2. Shaun Allison
3. Daryl Radwell
4. Nathan Holley
5. Steve Taylor
6. Ian Maskell
7. Allan Ewart
8. Riccardo Castagna
9. Colin Houlson
10. Simon Neale

Dublin, Ireland (April 25, 2026)
Semi-finals:

• Mark Farrell 2–0 Kenny Beggs
• Mario Frittelli 3–0 Andy Fitzpatrick

Final:

• Mark Farrell 4–1 Mario Frittelli

Plate final:

• Daniel Kaliszewski beat Louis Herbert

Junior final:

• Roisin Hogan drew with Eliott Fitzpatrick

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Terni, Italy (May 19, 2026)

1. Marco Perotti
2. Riccardo Pazzaglia
3. Simone Perotti
4. Moreno Margheriti

Morecambe Bay, England (May 19, 2026)

1. Luca Lanzani
2. Lee Hatfield
3. Perry Sinacola
4. Keith Carman
5. Rob Wilkinson
6. Tom Eddington
7. Henry Eddington
8. Steven Dobinson

Gouda, Netherlands (May 20, 2026)

1. Jerrel van Keimpema
2. Martijn Bom
3. Casey van Os
4. Xavier Aret
5. Marco de Bruin
6. Richard Oranje
7. Maurice Montone
8. Rinaldo van Dijk
9. Jan‑Willem Wind

Perth, Australia (May 20, 2026)

1. Hugh Best
2. Noel Mani
3. Des Devine

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Terni, Italy (May 26, 2026)

1. Marco Perotti
2. Simone Perotti
3. Moreno Margheriti

Finchampstead, England (May 25, 2026)

1. Jason Christopher (Solent)
2. Dave Legg(Finchampstead)
3. Simon Hawley (Finchampstead)
4. Andy McGovern (Solent)
5. Nigel Morgan (Solent)
6. Alan Cutler (Finchampstead)
7. Jon Patten (Finchampstead)
8. Shaun Ellis (Finchampstead)
9. Dave Simmil (Finchampstead)

Auckland, New Zealand (May 16, 2026)

Final: Andy Shearer 4–1 Mark Rossi

Milton Keynes, England (May 25, 2026)

 

1. Paul Gildersleve
2. Grahame Farmer
3. Harry Staszewski
4. Greg Lickorish
5. Tom Staszewski

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National championships (Wales)

Aberaeron (May 23, 2026)

• Final: Darren Barnes 4–0 Rob Fitch

Aberystwyth (May 24, 2026)

1. Darren Barnes

2. Rob Fitch

3. Dave Samuel

4. Richard Roper

5. Matthew Rowley

6. John Lauder

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Club WASPA

Néchin, Belgium (May 22, 2026)

1. Matthias Averlant
2. Sébastien Rochez
3. Vincent Coppenolle
4. Sébastien Sorge

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Old rules

Renishaw, England (May 17, 2026)

Final: Dave Collett 1–0 Colin Fletcher

Plate final: Simon McMurray beat Nigel Morgan

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Promotional event (Youth)

Lamezia, Italy (May 21, 2026)

1. Francesco Pujia
2. Gianpaolo Pulici
3. Francesco De Santis

🎉 15 Years of the WASPA Circuit: What Can We Learn?

Today, we celebrate a symbolic milestone: 15 years of the WASPA circuit. An anniversary that invites us to look back on the journey so far—and to reflect on what this project truly represents for our sport.

🌍 A worldwide expansion

Over the past 15 years, WASPA has become a truly global network, connecting players and clubs across the world.
From small local groups to structured communities, the circuit has helped keep Subbuteo alive in dozens of countries, including places where there was previously no activity at all.

🚀 A gateway to the top level

One of WASPA’s greatest successes has been providing a progressive pathway to the FISTF circuit.
Many players and organisers have started with:

• casual sessions with friends
• small local tournaments
• then WASPA competitions
  … before eventually moving on to official international events.

👉 The recent example of Romania perfectly illustrates this stepping-stone role.

🤝 A unique philosophy

WASPA is also about a mindset:

• accessibility (anyone can organise)
• flexibility (simple and adaptable formats)
• inclusiveness (every player matters, regardless of level or country)

It’s this approach that has allowed so many enthusiasts to rediscover or discover the game.

🌱 Youth development

Although there is still work to be done, the circuit is placing increasing emphasis on the next generation.
Every young player starting today represents the future of Subbuteo—and WASPA plays a key role in offering them their first competitive experiences.

🏆 More than just a ranking

Beyond results, WASPA has made it possible to:

• build connections between players
• encourage local initiatives
• maintain regular activity worldwide

👉 In short, WASPA is about keeping the game alive—everywhere, all the time.

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🎯 What does this anniversary represent?

It proves that:

• the model works
• the passion is still strong
• grassroots development is both possible and sustainable

Above all, it is an invitation to keep going:
👉 organising, playing, sharing and growing the game.

👏 Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to the WASPA circuit over the past 15 years!

🎙️ Interview with Vincent Coppenolle

15 Years of WASPA: Building the Game from the Ground Up

In 2011, after serving as President of the FISTF (Federation of International Sports Table Football) from 2002 to 2010, Vincent Coppenolle launched a new initiative: the WASPA circuit. His ambition was simple yet powerful — to strengthen table football at its roots.

Fifteen years later, the WASPA circuit has become a major force in the global Subbuteo and table football community. We sat down with Vincent to reflect on its journey, impact, and future.

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⚽ From a Bold Idea to a Global Movement

When the WASPA circuit was first introduced, expectations were modest.

“At the beginning, very few people believed the WASPA circuit would succeed,” Coppenolle recalls. “Fifteen years later, more than 5,000 players from 68 different nationalities in 43 countries have taken part. Who could have imagined that?”

Over time, the circuit has steadily built credibility thanks to consistent and dedicated organizers. What started as a grassroots initiative has grown into a well-structured and respected global platform.

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🤝 Complementary, Not Competitive

Despite early misconceptions, WASPA was never designed to rival the FISTF.

“It’s quite the opposite,” says Coppenolle. “The two circuits complement each other. Like in many other sports, the official governing body focuses on elite competition, while other organizations contribute to development and promotion.”

This dual structure has proven effective in supporting both high-level competition and grassroots expansion.

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🌱 A Breeding Ground for Talent and Clubs

One of WASPA’s greatest achievements lies in player and club development.

“We’ve seen clubs start from scratch, grow gradually within WASPA, and eventually reach international competitions. Players have been able to improve step by step without skipping essential stages.”

For Coppenolle, seeing former WASPA participants compete in Majors or even World Cups is a source of immense pride.

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🌍 Driving Growth Across Nations

The circuit has played a key role in strengthening table football in several countries.

“WASPA has had a major impact in places like Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom,” Coppenolle explains.

In particular, the post-COVID period saw remarkable growth in England, with a surge in clubs, competitions, and overall playing standards.

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⚖️ Maintaining the Right Balance

Has WASPA reached its full potential?

“As long as clubs continue to invest in local players and offer competitions for everyone, WASPA will remain relevant,” Coppenolle says.
“The real risk is when clubs focus only on major tournaments and forget to welcome beginners.”

At its core, the circuit relies on volunteers — passionate individuals whose efforts often go underappreciated.

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🏟️ The Question of Major Events

While there has been talk of organizing larger WASPA events, reality imposes limits.

“The calendar is already very busy, and the FISTF circuit offers many international opportunities. A special event is possible, but it’s not a priority.”

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🚧 Challenges and Frustrations

Not all countries have embraced the WASPA model.

“One of my biggest disappointments is seeing some national federations lack vision,” Coppenolle admits.
“In some cases, clubs are even discouraged or forbidden from organizing WASPA tournaments.”

Despite this, he remains convinced that collaboration between circuits could unlock significant progress.

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📈 Success Stories Around the World

The circuit’s global footprint includes many remarkable achievements:

• Growth in countries such as Hungary, Romania, and Cyprus
• Revival of the game in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Netherlands
• Regular activity in South Africa
• Expansion into more distant territories like New Zealand and even Mongolia

Not every initiative has succeeded long-term, but each attempt reflects the circuit’s ambition to expand.

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⚙️ Improving the System

Looking ahead, Coppenolle identifies areas for improvement.

“I would like stricter rules for tournament organization — for example, ensuring events are public and announced in advance.”

Another key challenge is convincing national structures to work more closely with WASPA instead of resisting it.

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🏆 Rankings: Motivation and Reflection

WASPA rankings are sometimes debated, but Coppenolle stands by their value.

“They are a source of motivation and a reflection of activity in each country. For clubs, promotion and relegation systems reward long-term work in organization and development.”

However, one concern remains: the low participation in youth club rankings, highlighting a broader issue of generational renewal.

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🔮 Looking to the Future

Will WASPA still exist in 15 years?

“That’s the goal. If someone wants to take over and ensure continuity, I’m ready to support the transition.”

Running the circuit requires significant effort — from processing results to maintaining rankings — but the passion remains intact.

“At the end of each season, publishing the annual report still gives me the same sense of satisfaction. That’s what keeps me going.”

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🎉 A Lasting Impact

Fifteen years on, the WASPA circuit stands as a cornerstone of global table football development.

By focusing on accessibility, progression, and international collaboration, it has helped shape a vibrant and inclusive community — one tournament at a time.

WASPA International Round-Up

Andrew Fairweather (right) winner of the first Norfolk tournament

England & Australia – May 2026

We are always delighted to see players coming together to compete in official events under the WASPA banner. Recent weeks have once again demonstrated the passion and diversity of our global Subbuteo community, with tournaments held in Australia and England.

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🇦🇺 Australia: Strong participation across Perth and Brisbane

In Western Australia, both Perth clubs organised gatherings, continuing to grow the local scene.

• The Sports TFC of Western Australia tournament was won by Hugh Best, who delivered an excellent performance.
• At the latest Subbuteo Perth event (May 16), Alan Kimber took the honours ahead of Hugh Best and Des Devine.

Meanwhile, in Brisbane (May 9), Gordon Orr produced a standout performance by defeating local legend Giuseppe Tardiota 2–0 in the final to secure victory.

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🏴 England: Competitive nights and new beginnings

Yorkshire Phoenix WASPA – May 14

A strong turnout of 8 players gathered at Dewsbury Moor Sports Club for a highly competitive evening.

The event was fiercely contested, with no fewer than 7 matches ending in draws, highlighting the balance between players. The title race went down to the final session, with Craig Heward edging out defending champion Ian Sharp on goal difference.

• Craig Heward claimed victory
• Ian Sharp finished second
• Luca Lanzani secured third place, earning the لقب of "draw specialist" with three draws

Special mention goes to Dave Everett and Perry Sinacola, who both made their club debuts 👏

➡️ Next meeting: June 11 – newcomers always welcome!

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Norfolk – First WASPA “Old Rules” Tournament

A landmark moment as Norfolk hosted its first WASPA event, played under classic “old rules”.

After an exciting group phase, Martin Nudd defeated Andrew Fairweather 2–0 in the final, reversing their group standings in a competitive and enjoyable evening.

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Waterlooville & SE Subbuteo Club – Club WASPA

A friendly 5-player league event saw Malcolm Jamieson finish top of the group.

It was also great to see Toby Gregory making his tournament debut, reinforcing the welcoming spirit of WASPA events.

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📊 Results

Regional Events

Perth, Australia – April 16, 2026

1. Hugh Best
2. Noel Mani
3. Des Devine

Brisbane, Australia – May 9, 2026

1. Gordon Orr
2. Giuseppe Tardiota
3. Gareth Whalley
4. Derek Hovell
5. Paul Walker
6. Wayne Miller
7. Jordan Heal
   Final: Gordon Orr def. Giuseppe Tardiota 2–0

Perth, Australia – May 16, 2026

1. Alan Kimber
2. Hugh Best
3. Des Devine
4. Noel Mani

Yorkshire, England – May 14, 2026

1. Craig Heward
2. Ian Sharp
3. Luca Lanzani
4. Andy Boyer
5. Adrian Hawcroft
6. Dave Everett
7. Perry Sinacola
8. Darren Brook

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Club WASPA

Waterlooville, England – May 17, 2026

1. Malcolm Jamieson
2. Connor Gregory
3. Dave Cope
4. Jayden Bishop
5. Toby Gregory

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Old Rules Event

Norfolk, England – May 14, 2026

1. Martin Nudd
2. Andrew Fairweather
3. Rob Colbeck
4. Simon Eastmead
5. Stuart Hallett
6. Steve Race
7. Fran Hales
   Final: Martin Nudd def. Andrew Fairweather 2–0

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Conclusion

From Australia to England, WASPA events continue to bring together players of all levels, from newcomers to experienced competitors, in the true spirit of Subbuteo: friendly competition, inclusivity, and passion for the game.

➡️ Don’t hesitate to send in your tournament results — the WASPA circuit is open to everyone!

WASPA Tournament Report – Eschenbach (Switzerland)

A newcomer and a remarkable comeback

On Thursday, 7 May 2026, seven Subbuteo enthusiasts gathered in Eschenbach for a WASPA tournament organised by the Linth Sliders Subbuteo Club in collaboration with Swiss-Subbuteo.

Despite the small field, the event delivered a great atmosphere and competitive spirit, highlighted by both a new face and a legendary return.

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Newcomer joins the community

We were delighted to welcome Luca Trapasso, who made his debut in the group and immediately became part of the friendly and competitive environment that defines WASPA events.

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A comeback after nearly 50 years

A particularly special highlight of the tournament was the participation of Ivo Tosoni.
After nearly five decades away from competition, he returned to play his first official Subbuteo tournament since the 1970s.

Active in Switzerland between 1972 and 1978, Ivo’s presence in Eschenbach marked a memorable and emotional comeback, warmly appreciated by all participants.

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Tournament format and final

The competition began with two groups to determine the semi-finalists.
After a series of closely contested matches, the final featured:

• Peter Erb
• John Imbrogiano

The final proved to be a thrilling encounter. After a tight match, the title was decided in a penalty shoot-out, where John Imbrogiano edged victory with a narrow 3–2 win.

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Final standings

1. John Imbrogiano (SUI / Pinco Devils Table Soccer)
2. Peter Erb (SUI / subbuteo.ch)
3. Roman Bernhardsgrütter (SUI / Linth Sliders Subbuteo Club)
4. Martin Wiesmann (SUI / subbuteo.ch)
5. Ivo Tosoni (SUI / no club)
6. Paul Remund (SUI / subbuteo.ch)
7. Luca Trapasso (ITA / no club)

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Conclusion

This WASPA event in Eschenbach perfectly illustrated what Subbuteo is all about: competition, passion, community, and unforgettable stories. From a promising newcomer to an inspiring comeback, it was a day to remember.

Latest results from around the world – May 2026

The WASPA circuit continues to prove just how vibrant and accessible table football can be, with a series of events held across Austria, Malta, Romania and England in recent days.

Players at the FISTF Satellite in Bucharest, Romania

From experienced international players to local club enthusiasts, WASPA competitions once again delivered competitive, friendly and high-quality table football for everyone involved — a true reflection of the spirit of the circuit.

In Austria, the monthly tournament of the Phoenix club in Vienna gathered eight players competing in a knock-out format, with each player guaranteed three matches. Austrian legend Erich Hinkelmann showed his class by taking the title, defeating Jürgen Lizar in the final.

Austria was particularly active, as two additional events were organised during the Baumfalken Cup. On May 1, the Old Rules tournament attracted nine players from Austria and Germany, offering a nostalgic return to classic Subbuteo. Played with traditional equipment and rules dating back to 1979, the event highlighted the diversity of the WASPA circuit. Marcel Kwiatkowski impressed by overcoming several experienced opponents to take the title.

Robert Green & Alfred Strommer

The consolation tournament of the Baumfalken Cup further underlined the international dimension of WASPA, with 12 players from six different countries competing. Australia’s Bob Green emerged victorious after defeating Italy’s Alessandro Casanova in the final. The event also benefitted from prestigious support, with the trophy sponsored by the Austrian State Secretary for Sport, Mrs. MMag. Michaela Schmidt.

In Malta, the Attard club welcomed special guest Joe Parody from England. A friendly five-player WASPA event was organised, once again demonstrating how the circuit creates opportunities for players of all levels to compete and connect. Stanley Farrugia claimed first place.

Meanwhile in England, North Shields Subbuteo Club hosted a six-player round-robin tournament on May 8. Nick Pearson continued his excellent form, following up last month’s success with another victory.

Players in North Shields

Finally, in Romania, the historic first FISTF Satellite tournament in Bucharest also featured a WASPA event. Five players took part in the consolation competition, where England’s Jason Christopher took the honours. Great credit goes to Cezar Stoilescu and his team for organising such a memorable international weekend.

👉 Across all these events, one message stands out clearly:
the WASPA circuit offers fantastic playing opportunities, bringing together players of all backgrounds, ages and levels in a welcoming and competitive environment.

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Results

Old Rules – Vienna, Austria – May 1, 2026

Semi-finals
Marcus Tilgner – Marcel Kwiatkowski 1–6
Michael Stolzenberg – Horst Deimel 1–0

Final
Michael Stolzenberg – Marcel Kwiatkowski 1–3

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Regional Event – Vienna, Austria – April 28, 2026

Semi-finals
Marios Strommer – Jürgen Lizar 1–3
Erich Hinkelmann – Igor Ljubisavljevic 2–1

Final
Erich Hinkelmann – Jürgen Lizar 4–1

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H’Attard, Malta – May 9, 2026

1. Stanley Farrugia (Attard)
2. Robert Farrugia (Attard)
3. Valentino Zamara (Attard)
4. Joe Parody (That Retro Place SC)
5. Walter Attard (Attard)

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Bucharest, Romania – May 9, 2026

1. Jason Christopher (England / Solent)
2. Paolo Di Michelangelo (Italy / SC Real Montesilvano)
3. Massimiliano Iervese (Italy / SC Real Montesilvano)
4. Cezar Stoilescu (Romania / Bucharest)
5. Bogdan Panait (Romania / Bucharest)

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Vienna, Austria – May 2, 2026

Semi-finals
Marco Zucchi – Alessandro Casanova 0–1
Christian Milessa – Robert Green 1–3

Final
Alessandro Casanova – Robert Green 0–1

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North Shields, England – May 8, 2026

Final standings (round-robin)

1. Nick Pearson
2. Tom Heslop
3. Nigel Lamond
4. Jeff Parsons
5. Rob Heseltine
6. Dan Gosling

Global WASPA Round-Up: Tardiota Triumphs as International Events Flourish

We are back in business with WASPA results from around the world. Results from nine different tournaments have already been collected in May 2026, and we have already published a story about the fantastic tournament in Hungary:

https://waspa-circuit.blogspot.com/2026/05/subbuteo-fiesta-in-sopron.html
However, we are equally pleased to bring you results from several other nations.

Tardiota claims AGFA Cup XXVI after decisive final win

Many great games were played at the AGFA Cup

In Australia, Giuseppe Tardiota became the latest AGFA Cup champion, defeating Steve Dettre 2–0 in the final of AGFA Cup XXVI at Willoughby Park Bowling Club on May 3, 2026. Tardiota completed an unbeaten tournament, progressing confidently through Group A before delivering his strongest performance of the day in the final.

The eventual champion finished second in Group A with nine points, just behind Dettre, who topped the standings with 11 points after three wins and two draws. The pair had already faced each other in the group stage, playing out a 0–0 draw, but Tardiota found another level when it mattered most.

In the semi-finals, Dettre edged Melvin Singh 1–0, while Tardiota booked his place in the final with a 1–0 win over Francis Cozzarin. The final brought together the top two players from Group A, but Tardiota turned the earlier stalemate into a clear championship victory, defeating Dettre 2–0 to lift the trophy.

Group A was tightly contested, with Tony Credentino finishing third on eight points and Geoff Sirmai fourth on six. Adrian Elmer placed fifth, while Jeremy Simpson endured a tough campaign despite scoring twice in a narrow 3–2 loss to Dettre — including a trademark Toccer thunderstrike to equalise after trailing 1–0.

Group B was even closer at the top, with Cozzarin and Singh both finishing on 10 points. Cozzarin claimed first place on tie-breakers after three wins, one draw and one defeat, while Singh also impressed with three wins and one draw. Adrian Grunbach finished third on eight points, ahead of Jonny Ball on seven.

The knockout stage underlined the depth of the field, but Tardiota’s unbeaten run and composed display in the final made him the standout player of the day. Many thanks, as always, to Willoughby Park Bowling Club for hosting, to Louie for his efforts on the BBQ, and to all players for attending.
(AGFA Cup report by Steve Dettre)

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In Italy, Club Rebels Genova held their latest WASPA tournament last weekend, featuring a strong group of young players. Fourteen participants were divided into two leagues of seven players. Tommaso Sani won all six of his games to take the main competition, while Alberto Capoferri claimed victory in the junior event with a narrow win over Samuele Bignardi.

The superb venue of the Rebels Genova

In Terni, Alessandra Arca emerged as the winner of a small three-player tournament. All participants recorded one win each, but Arca secured first place thanks to a superior goal tally.

In England, Mark West continued his excellent form by winning his third consecutive monthly WASPA tournament. He finished top of a six-player league at the latest Chasers event in Dagenham — congratulations on a great achievement.

Mark West (left) with Samantha Levy

The sixth round of the ESA Championships took place in Haverhill, where 18 players competed in a WASPA-sanctioned consolation event. Godiva’s Richard Grimley defeated Kent’s Kye Arnold in the final.

Meanwhile, in Leicester, eight players competed in a two-group format. Damian Mayes (Godiva) took the honours, defeating Alex Ashcroft in the final.

A great field of players in Rijnmond

Finally, a larger-than-expected field gathered in Rijnmond, the Netherlands. With 11 players participating, shorter matches were used to ensure everyone played a sufficient number of games. It was great to see Dennis Landzaat and Ronald Scheffer back in action, but in the end, home player Jerrel van Keimpema claimed the title after defeating Marco de Bruin in the final.

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Results

Sydney, Australia – May 3, 2026

Semi-finals
Steve Dettre (Northern Falcons) vs Melvin Singh (Western Sydney) 1–0
Francis Cozzarin (Western Sydney) vs Giuseppe Tardiota (Sydney TFC) 0–1

Final
Steve Dettre vs Giuseppe Tardiota 0–2

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Genova, Italy – May 2, 2026

Main tournament

1. Tommaso Sani (Club Rebels Genova) – 18
2. Luca Bignardi (Club Rebels Genova) – 12
3. Riccardo Dordoni (Club Rebels Genova) – 9
4. Massimo Togo (Club Rebels Genova) – 7
5. Andrea Gandin (Club Rebels Genova) – 7
6. Maurizio Cussotto (Ligures) – 6
7. Andrea Baccialine (no club) – 1

Junior tournament

1. Alberto Capoferri (Club Rebels Genova) – 16
2. Samuele Bignardi (Club Rebels Genova) – 15
3. Alessandro Gandin (Club Rebels Genova) – 7
4. Filippo Di Rosa (Club Rebels Genova) – 7
5. Filippo Careddu (Club Rebels Genova) – 6
6. Samuele Corrias (Club Rebels Genova) – 6
7. Matteo Alippi (Club Rebels Genova) – 1

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Haverhill, England – May 3, 2026

Semi-finals
Richard Roper (Pedmore) vs Kye Arnold (Kent) 0–2
Richard Grimley (Godiva) vs Simon Goodman (Surrey) 3*–3

Final
Kye Arnold vs Richard Grimley 2–4

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Solent, England – May 6, 2026

1. Jason Christopher
2. Andy McGovern
3. Steve Smith
4. Chris Burford
5. Rob Piggott
6. Gary Birch
7. Simon Hawley
8. Nigel Morgan
9. Russell Cramer
10. Tony Martin
11. Paul Izard
12. Jon Lee
13. Tim Hill

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Dagenham, England – May 6, 2026

1. Mark West
2. Gary Gladwell
3. Adam Jackson
4. Samantha Levy
5. Martin Colwell
6. Michele Claydon

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Leicester, England – May 4, 2026

Semi-finals
Alex Ashcroft (Leicester) vs Dave Tressler (Kettering) 2–0
Henry Baker (Leicester) vs Damian Mayes (Godiva) 0–1

Final
Alex Ashcroft vs Damian Mayes 1–2

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Terni, Italy – May 7, 2026

1. Alessandro Arca (Subbito Gol Ferrara)
2. Marco Perotti (SC Terni 2014)
3. Simone Perotti (SC Terni 2014)

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Rijnmond, Netherlands – May 6, 2026

Semi-finals
Marco de Bruin (Dutch Legends) vs Martijn Bom (Dutch Legends) 1–0
Fabrizio Cavazza (Gorizia) vs Jerrel van Keimpema (Rijnmond) 0–1

Final
Marco de Bruin vs Jerrel van Keimpema 0–0*

The WASPA April 2026 rankings are now available!

Excel file with rankings and statistics

PDF file with results

Action from the latest tournament in Melbourne

We experienced another excellent month, with 37 tournaments added to the records. Among them was a special “Club WASPA” event in England, where David Hunter was declared the winner. It was a particularly emotional moment, as David sadly passed away a few weeks ago, and the community was deeply affected by the unexpected news.

Over the course of the month, Italy and England organized events using the old rules, while regional tournaments were held across a wide range of countries, including Australia, Belgium, England, France (for the first time this season), Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, South Africa, and Wales. This once again highlights the global reach and dynamism of the WASPA circuit.

Ian Aggett won the latest Chesterfield tournament

If you have any questions about the circuit, please do not hesitate to contact us – we are always happy to help.

Thinking about joining the WASPA circuit?
👉 The circuit is open to all Subbuteo groups, whether you are an established club or a new initiative. We are welcoming returning clubs, new clubs, and several ambitious projects already in development.

We are also excited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the WASPA circuit this coming May!
👉 All your ideas to mark this milestone are more than welcome – let’s make it a great celebration together.

Below, you will find an analysis of the latest rankings generated by AI. While neutral by nature, it offers an interesting perspective on how artificial intelligence interprets the evolution of our circuit.

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Vincent Coppenolle
WASPA Organizer
📧 vincentcoppenolle@gmail.com

📊 WASPA Rankings – April 2026

Key Insights and Trends

🔝 1. Individual Rankings: Strong UK Dominance

The April 2026 WASPA ranking is clearly led by Malcolm Jamieson (Scotland) with 634.48 points, ahead of Ian Aggett (England) and Jason Christopher (England).

Key observations:

• The UK dominates the top of the ranking, especially England.
• The Top 10 includes multiple English players, confirming a strong national depth.
• Belgium is well represented with:
  • Matthias Averlant (6th)
  • Vincent Coppenolle (20th)
• There is good international spread (Australia, South Africa, Netherlands, Italy), but mostly outside the very top.

👉 Conclusion:
The elite level is still heavily concentrated in the UK, but other nations remain competitive.

Action in Gillingham

📈 2. Season Ranking vs Overall Ranking: Different Dynamics

Interestingly, the season ranking tells a slightly different story:

• Jason Christopher is #1 in the season ranking (275.56 points) 
• Malcolm Jamieson is #2, despite being #1 overall
• Matthias Averlant is #3, showing strong recent performances

👉 Key insight:

• The overall ranking rewards consistency over time
• The season ranking highlights current form

✅ This suggests that:

• Some players (like Jamieson) dominate long-term
• Others (like Christopher or Averlant) are currently peaking

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🌍 3. Nations Ranking: England Far Ahead

By points:

• 🇬🇧 England: 2284.33
• 🇧🇪 Belgium: 1039.8
• 🇦🇺 Australia: 949.7 

👉 England has more than double the points of Belgium, which is second.

By depth (places ranking):

• England leads again with the highest cumulative placements
• Belgium and Australia confirm their position as main challengers

👉 Key takeaway:

• England dominates both quality AND depth
• Belgium has strong top players but less depth
• Australia is very competitive and consistent

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🏟️ 4. Club Rankings: English Supremacy Continues

Top Clubs:

1. Solent Subbuteo Club (England) – 677.01 pts
2. Worthing Fivestar (England)
3. Bristol Subbuteo FC (England) 

👉 All Top 5 clubs are English.

What this means:

• England benefits from strong club structures
• Clubs combine:
  • regular events
  • multiple high-level players
  • good organization

✅ Example:

• Solent Subbuteo Club has both:
  • the season #1 player (Jason Christopher)
  • strong squad depth

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🚀 5. Development & Emerging Clubs

Development League:

• Morecambe Bay SC (England) leads
• Club Rebels Genova (Italy) is 2nd

👉 This shows:

• England dominates the present
• Italy is building the future through development

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👶 6. Junior Rankings: Italy Leading the Future

The junior circuit is clearly dominated by Italy, especially:

• Samuele Bignardi
• Tommaso Sani
• Multiple players from Club Rebels Genova 

👉 Major insight:

• Club Rebels Genova = the top junior academy globally
• Italy is investing heavily in youth

✅ Belgium also appears with:

• Maxim Grosdent (#8 junior)

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⚖️ 7. Key Strategic Trends

1. England = Current Dominance

• Best players
• Strongest clubs
• Highest participation

2. Italy = Future Power

• Dominates junior ranking
• Strong club development (Genova)

3. Belgium = Competitive Elite Nation

• Strong top players
• High global ranking (#2 nation)
• Slight lack of depth compared to England

WASPA are also held in Romania

4. Global Expansion

• Strong presence from:
  • Australia
  • South Africa
  • Netherlands

👉 WASPA is truly global, not just European anymore.

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🔍 8. Final Takeaways

✅ Clear hierarchy today:

1. England (dominance)
2. Belgium / Australia (challengers)
3. Others (competitive but behind)

✅ Biggest trend:

• Shift could come from younger Italian generation

✅ Winning formula (visible in data):

• Active clubs
• Regular events
• Strong youth programs

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🎯 Conclusion

The WASPA circuit in April 2026 shows a very structured and mature ecosystem:

• England remains the benchmark at all levels
• Belgium continues to perform strongly at the top level
• Italy is preparing the future through junior excellence
• Clubs are central to success, not just individual players

WASPA rankings of April 2026 - main tables

Below is a comparison of the March 2026 vs April 2026 WASPA “Top 10” sheets, highlighting what changed across each ranking.

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1) Individual Open Ranking (Top 10) — Stability in positions, shifts in points

Positions (ranks 1–10) are identical in March and April: the same ten players remain in the same order.
What changed is mainly points, suggesting the underlying rolling calculation updated (e.g., events aging in/out).

Key point movements (March → April)

• Malcolm Jamieson stays #1 but drops from 645.4 to 634.48 (-10.92). 
• Ian Aggett stays #2 with a larger drop: 615.15 → 568.25 (-46.90). 
• Jason Christopher stays #3 and slightly increases: 528.79 → 536.32 (+7.53). 
• Richard Roper (#4) increases: 432.36 → 442.61 (+10.25). 
• Connor Gregory (#5) decreases: 431.78 → 415.65 (-16.13). 
• Lower part of the Top 10 mostly declines as well (e.g., Matthias Averlant 382.5 → 348.7, Kevin Cordell 360.63 → 321.5, Chris Short 275.25 → 262.75). 

Takeaway: the competitive order is unchanged, but several players—especially #2—lose significant points, while #3 and #4 gain. 

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2) Nations Ranking by “Places” — Same #1–#5, reshuffle in the tail + Spain enters

Top of the table remains steady:

• #1 England stays at 255 (unchanged). 
• #2 Belgium increases 194 → 207. 
• #3 Australia decreases 191 → 180. 
• #4 Italy decreases 188 → 172. 
• #5 South Africa stays 166 (unchanged). 

Structural changes in the lower ranks

• The Netherlands moves up from #7 to #6 (152 → 164). 
• Scotland moves down from #6 to #7 (points stay 153). 
• Ireland stays #8 but drops 143 → 138. 
• Spain enters the Top 10 at #9 with 130, replacing New Zealand, which was #10 (104) in March and is absent from April’s “places” Top 10. 
• Northern Ireland shifts from #9 to #10 (129 → 121). 

Takeaway: Top 5 is stable; Belgium strengthens; the Netherlands overtakes Scotland; Spain newly appears; New Zealand drops out of this specific Top 10. 

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3) Nations Ranking by Points — Top 3 unchanged, Scotland and Italy swap, Wales rises

• #1 England remains #1 but decreases 2368.71 → 2284.33. 
• #2 Belgium stays #2 and increases 1027.4 → 1039.8.
• #3 Australia stays #3 but decreases 970.5 → 949.7. 

Notable rank shifts

• Scotland climbs from #5 to #4 (879.5 → 874.58, slightly down in points but up in rank). 
• Italy drops from #4 to #5 (905.25 → 863.05). 
• The Netherlands stays #6 and increases 741.4 → 797.4. 
• South Africa stays #7 and increases 706.9 → 716.8. 
• Ireland stays #8 but decreases 690.44 → 638.29. 
• Wales improves from #10 to #9 (477.46 → 501.28). 
• New Zealand moves from #9 to #10 (478.9 → 497.6). 

Takeaway: Scotland overtakes Italy; Wales climbs above New Zealand; Belgium strengthens while England and Australia decline in points. 

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4) Individual Open Season Ranking — More movement than the monthly ranking

Here, the Top 10 composition and/or order shows meaningful changes.

Top of the table

• Jason Christopher remains #1 and increases strongly 248.66 → 275.56. 
• Malcolm Jamieson remains #2 and increases 229.8 → 263.8. 
• Matthias Averlant remains #3 at 203 (unchanged). 

Mid-table changes

• Richard Roper moves from #5 to #4 (171.7 → 189.1). 
• Casey van Os shifts from #4 to #5 (180 → 187). 
• Eliot Kennedy moves up from #7 to #6 (139 → 152). 
• Andy McGovern moves down from #6 to #7 (143.81 → 150.19, more points but lower rank due to others rising). 

Bottom of the Top 10: new entries / exits

• Lee Hatfield stays in at #8 (137 → 150). 
• Luca Lanzani appears at #9 (146.68), replacing Simon Goodman, who was #10 in March (122.18) and is absent in April’s season Top 10. Tommaso Sani stays #10 at 138.75 (same points as in March’s season Top 10). 

Takeaway: Season ranking is more dynamic: Roper overtakes van Os, and Luca Lanzani enters while Simon Goodman drops out. 

5) WASPA Top Clubs (Top 10) — Big growth for Solent & Worthing; reordering in the top half

• #1 Solent Subbuteo Club increases 603.38 → 677.01.
• #2 Worthing Fivestar increases 415.78 → 492.98. 

Notable reordering

• Bristol Subbuteo FC jumps from #7 to #3 (239.6 → 419.23). 
• Pedmore TFC drops from #3 to #5 (391.6 → 416 still increases). 
• Yorkshire Phoenix and Dewsbury Moor TFC stays near the top but shifts from #4 to #4 with increased points 365.38 → 418.38. 
• Easterns TFC rises from #9 to #8 (204.8 → 261.8). 
• Kent Invicta TFC enters the Top 10 at #10 (222.35), replacing Stanway Rovers Flickers SC, which was #10 in March (199.88) and is not in April’s Top 10. 

Takeaway: Clubs ranking shows strong upward momentum for Solent/Worthing and a major surge by Bristol; one Top-10 turnover (Kent Invicta in, Stanway out). [

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6) Individual Junior Ranking — Reordering + Malta player climbs

• Top two remain the same:
  • #1 Samuele Bignardi decreases 210.4 → 190.9. 
  • #2 Tommaso Sani decreases 177 → 173.25. 

Biggest positional changes

• Robert Farrugia jumps from #6 to #3 (103.1 → 112.6). 
• Alessandro Gandin drops from #3 to #5 (119.2 → 105.7). 
• Ruby Matthews stays high (from #4 to #4) with a small drop 116.7 → 112.2. [

Takeaway: Junior ranking is volatile in mid-table: Farrugia surges into the Top 3 while Gandin falls two places. 

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7) Junior Clubs — Top 4 stable; #5 changes

• #1 Club Rebels Genova decreases 506.6 → 469.85. 
• #2 Kent Invicta increases 89.65 → 91.9. 
• #3 Wamme SC decreases 87.4 → 84.2. 
• #4 Templeuve United TSC slightly increases 48.1 → 48.7. 
• #5 changes from Club Subbuteo Tigullio (12) in March to Jurong Subbuteo Club (11.5) in April. 

Takeaway: Same leading quartet, but the #5 slot switches to Jurong. 

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8) Development League (Top 5 shown on Feuil1) — New #2 + new entry

March Top 5: Morecambe Bay, Brisbane, Club Rebels Genova, Dutch Legends, Irish Premier League.
April Top 5: Morecambe Bay, Club Rebels Genova, Dutch Legends, Brisbane, Godiva SC. 

Main changes:

• Morecambe Bay SC remains #1 and rises 341.68 → 415.48. 
• Club Rebels Genova rises to #2 (was #3). 
• Godiva SC enters at #5, pushing Irish Premier League out of the displayed Top 5. 

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9) Conference League (Top 5 shown on Feuil1) — SC Terni enters the Top 5

March Top 5: MVV Rijnmond, ST Stembert, Virtus Calabria, That Retro Place SC, North Shields STF.
April Top 5: MVV Rijnmond, ST Stembert, Virtus Calabria, SC Terni 2014, That Retro Place SC. 

Main changes:

• MVV Rijnmond remains #1 and rises 325 → 364. SC Terni 2014 enters at #4, and North Shields STF drops out of the shown Top 5. 

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Overall summary (what evolved most)

1. Monthly Individual Open: ranks unchanged, but several point totals shift materially (notably #2 down, #3/#4 up). 
2. Nations: stable leaders, but Spain enters the “places” Top 10 and Scotland overtakes Italy on “points.” 
3. Season + Clubs: the largest rank movement appears here—Bristol’s club surge, Kent Invicta entering Top 10 clubs, and Luca Lanzani entering season Top 10. 
4. Junior: mid-table volatility, with Robert Farrugia making the biggest jump into #3.

WASPA Circuit – April 2026

Final Results Round‑Up

Here’s a quick look at the final results from the WASPA circuit for April 2026. This update includes events organised by the Hipfingerz club in Australia, as well as tournaments from Chesterfield and Solent in England.

Chesterfield, England

Congratulations to Ian Aggett on winning the Chesterfield April WASPA. It was great to see several new faces in attendance, including Ben Staples and Mark Green, who shared the runners‑up spot with Colin Tarry in a tightly contested event.

Solent, England

At Solent, Jason Christopher was in unstoppable form, going unbeaten to finish first in a Swiss‑system tournament.

Australia – Hansie’s Flicks

Another great night at The Station, although numbers were limited to five players. Eliot Kennedy took the honours once again, recording four wins, 12 points, and an impressive nine goals scored without reply.
Adrian Grunbach edged out Steve Dettre for second place on goal difference. It was also great to see Greg Werner back in action. Thanks as always to hosts Geoff Sirmai and Eliot Kennedy.

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Results

Sydney, Australia – April 21, 2026

1. Eliot Kennedy (Northern Falcons)
2. Adrian Grunbach (Northern Falcons)
3. Steve Dettre (Northern Falcons)
4. Geoff Sirmai (Hipfingerz)
5. Greg Werner (Hipfingerz)

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Chesterfield, England – April 26, 2026

Swiss system – 4 games per player

1. Ian Aggett (Milton Keynes)

2. Mark Green (Milton Keynes)

3. Colin Tarry (Chesterfield)

4. Ben Staples (Yorkshire)

5. Jeremy Boothman (Doncaster)

6. Colin Fletcher (Chesterfield)

7. Tom Heslop (North Shields)

8. Nick Pearson (North Shields)

9. Andrew Forster‑Fake (Chesterfield)

10. Paul Gildersleve (Milton Keynes)

11. Jeff Parsons (Wolverhampton)

12. Ian Sharp (Yorkshire)

13. Trevor Allen (Chesterfield)

14. Paul Taylor (Leicester)

15. Adrian Hawcroft (Yorkshire)

16. Andy Henly (Leicester)

17. William Lacey (Godiva)

18. Carl Drabble (Doncaster)

19. Graham Farmer (Milton Keynes)

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Solent, England – April 29, 2026

Swiss system – 4 games per player

1. Jason Christopher
2. Rob Piggott
3. Simon Hawley
4. Gary Birch
5. Jerry Lovegrove
6. Steve Smith
7. Chris Burford
8. Paul Izard
9. Nigel Morgan
10. Andy McGovern
11. Tim Hill
12. Russell Cramer

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Added note:

The updated results file with all WASPA results is now available.
Looking ahead, May marks 15 years of the WASPA circuit, a fantastic milestone for the worldwide Subbuteo community. We’re keen to make this celebration special, so ideas, suggestions, and contributions from clubs and players are more than welcome!

Subbuteo Fiesta in Sopron

The Sopron Subbuteo Championship was held with 15 players competing in junior and adult categories, following a round‑robin format and subsequent play‑offs (semi‑finals and finals).

Junior Tournament

The podium winners of the junior competition (from left to right): Ottó Stöckert, Simon Polgár-Mayne, Gergő Kelemen, Teodor Rozman

The junior event was won by Simon Polgár‑Mayne (Budapest Subbuteo), who completed the competition undefeated and without conceding a goal, continuing his strong performances after his recent success in Vienna.

Second place went to Gergő Kelemen (SMAFC), followed by his clubmate Ottó Stöckert (SMAFC). Teodor Rozman (Váci Forte) finished fourth in what was his first ever Subbuteo tournament.

Junior Final Standings

1. Simon Polgár‑Mayne (Budapest Subbuteo)
2. Gergő Kelemen (SMAFC)
3. Ottó Stöckert (SMAFC)
4. Teodor Rozman (Váci Forte)
5. Patrik Dominik Papp (SMAFC)
6. Erik Stöckert (SMAFC)
7. Ármin Kerepes (SMAFC)
8. Botond Németh (SMAFC)

Adult Tournament

The adult competition was won by Gábor Baross (TSC Phoenix) after a closely fought final against Károly Szathmáry (Váci Forte), decided by a shoot‑out.

István Csáki (Budapest Subbuteo) finished third, while tournament organiser Gergő Inczédi (SMAFC) took fourth place.

Adult Final Standings

1. Gábor Baross (TSC Phoenix)
2. Károly Szathmáry (Váci Forte)
3. István Csáki (Budapest Subbuteo)
4. Gergő Inczédi (SMAFC)
5. Oliver Mayne (Budapest Subbuteo)
6. Tamás Rauscher (Váci Forte)
7. Norbert Straszner (SMAFC)

The tournament was played in a friendly and sporting atmosphere and highlighted the continued development of both junior and senior Subbuteo players in Hungary.

🔗 Further details:
https://budapestsubbuteo.blog.hu/2026/05/04/subbuteofieszta_sopronban

The best of the adult competition (from left to right): Gergő Inczédi, Gábor Baross, Károly Szathmáry, István Csáki