Francis Cozzarin wins Western Flickers tournament
The Western Sydney SC had a tournament last week. Here is Adrian Elmer's report:
With the Australian Grand Prix being held in Melbourne on this weekend, and a few of our players really wishing they could have been there, the club decided on a hastily organised WASPA tournament, our first for the year.
The initial starting line up of six players had shrunk to four by the start of play, with illness and the speed of life taking their toll. So, a four player league with a grand final was decided on. Playing in just his second tournament, Greg brought along his new Brazil team and pitted them against Adrian. Still learning the ropes, he succumbed 2-0, but learning was definitely the main factor for all Greg's games this evening, and he was able to do a lot of this. On the other pitch, Dave brought out the shooting skills he had been practising at home over the summer, and was able to pull off a great 1-1 draw against Franck, who had been favoured to win the match.
Franck was stung into action. He took an early lead in his next game, against Adrian, with a move on the run seeing the ball in the back of the open goal and Adrian still at the other end of the pitch. Adrian managed to pull back an equaliser but, Franck, not to be denied, received a yellow card for his over-the-top celebrations after a deft chip put him back in front a few minutes before full time. He was able to hold, in spite of renewed pressure from Adrian, for his first ever win against that opponent. Meanwhile, Dave rode a wave of shooting, putting three past Greg to go to the top of the table, alongside Franck.
While Franck was already assured a place in the final, Dave just needed a draw against Adrian to join him. The mind games started early as Adrian encouraged Dave to park the bus. Adrian got an early goal to settle his nerves but took until late in the game to score the second and put the result beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Franck was giving Greg a range of tactical pointers as Greg's Subbuteo education continued.
Adrian changed his glasses in preparation for the Grand Final rematch against Franck, but this didn't have much positive effect as the game got going. Within eight minutes, Franck was up by two goals and could have had a third following a stranded 'keeper from Adrian, though messed up his first flick to let Adrian off the hook. However, within a minute of Franck's second, Adrian jagged one back to give a breath of life to his challenge by the half way mark. The game became tense from there, but Adrian was gaining the upper hand, scoring an equaliser with 5 minutes to go. Referee Dave then began heckling Franck - "I can't believe you've given up a 2 goal lead!". Franck was holding out, though, forcing Adrian into a 'Magee Swarm' from a goalkick in the final 30 seconds. With the clock ticking down, desperate defending was blocking gaps, but also giving up free-flicks which Adrian was taking rapidly. Then, with literally 2 seconds on the clock, Adrian found the slight gap he needed to trickle the ball past Franck's diving 'keeper and take the win.
An epic struggle to conclude a great night of Subbuteo fun. Every player learned new things, every player built on their skills and knowledge.
The full original report can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/westernsydneysubbuteo/tournaments?fbclid=IwAR1acSY9_n12BybTMbFPzZso5-y_2106ZDiglR_8wCpE1DFU6MNVOyc1IuQ
Final table:
1. Francis Cozzarin
2. Adrian Elmer
3. David Rudd
4. Greg Adams
Chandiramani and Tardiota take honors in Melbourne
During last week-end's FISTF Grand Prix in Melbourne, two WASPA tournament have been played under WASPA banner.
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| Vikas (right) in action |
On Saturday, the consolation tournament of the individual Grand Prix had 9 players taking part. Brisbane's Giuseppe Tardiota defeated Geoff Sirmai on shots after a 2-2 draw to claim the title. Beth Eveleigh and Richard Wilson managed to make it to the semi-finals.
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| Giuseppe (right) in action, too |
On Sunday, a WASPA event was organised for those who couldn't play the team events. here again, 9 players from many different clubs where taking part. In the end it was Singapore's Vikas K. Chandiramani who defeated Adrian Connolly in the final (3-1) while semi-finalists were Nick brill and Geoff Sirmai.
To be noted the two events were played by New Zealand's George Edeson who travelled from Auckland to play the tournament. It's amazing to hear george is active in the "Northern Line Flickers TFC" (Facebook link: Northern Line Flickers TFC), which is the first Subbuteo club in the country.
You can see amazing pictures of the tournament on this Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.3277365609192249&type=3 and here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.654015466727339&type=3&mibextid=ncKXMA
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