Brilliant days for the future of the game in Norway

The final

We are very happy to see young players having great Subbuteo games in Norway. Thanks to Terje Ellefsen, kids learn how to play and 8 of the players recently played a "Champion's League" in Terje's school in Oslo as part of an afterschool program.

This week the final of the tournament was played with "Palermo" defeating "Start IK" (2-0) in the final.

The anthem of the Champion's League was played before the final and about ten other kids and some adults watched the game.

Terje Ellefsen (left) against Italy's Andrea Di Vincenzo in Paris earlier in 2024

Of course it was only a friendly tournament are laws in Norway make there are no competitive events till the age of 12, in particular as the tournament is played in a school, and children are encouraged not to specialise. Terje Ellefsen, who is very motivated to teach the games to newcomers. So far about 150 kids aged 8 to 10 have tried Subbuteo in the last 2 years so there are good hopes for the future, in particuler since about 25% of the young players are girls (and one girl played the final of the "Champion's League" tournament). This is for sure one of the largest recruitment projects in Europe and WASPA will for sure support Terje's work in the future as it's done in the "WASPA spirit".

Thanks also to NBFF president Thomas Flaaten Fredriksen who has been very supportive about the project.

Keep up the excellent work Terje!

PS: any person wanting to support the project or to play Subbuteo in Oslo can contact Terje Ellefsen at terje.ellefsen@gmail.com

Action in Edinburgh, Scotland

We are pleased to publish the report of the latest tournament in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Original report: https://www.facebook.com/SubbuteoEdinburgh

"Well, there we have it. Another Monday Night Subbuteo event with WASPA (World Amateur Subbuteo Players Association) 

And what an event it was! Allow yourselves to be updated...

With seven players split into two groups, Marco Bevilacqua topped group one, with the returning Dave "Dark Horse" Allen from the infamous Hot Club, taking top spot in the other. 

Andy "Cut Throat" Kent went on to be king of "The Losers Club" beating Paul McFadyen and Lee McMenemy to top spot. 

But onto the semis... Marco squeezed past Bruce "The Bomber" Henderson 1 - 0 with Peter Morrison and Dave Allen playing out a tense 0 - 0 draw. Onto the dreaded SHOTS! Again, another tense affair with Dave sneaking a cheeky one in to beat Peter 1 - 0. 

Peter then repeated the entire process and lost 1 - 0 to Bruce in the 3rd place play-off of doom. 

The Final. And my goodness, it was a final to end ALL finals. An enormous 0 - 0 between Marco and Dave with the outcome and glory once again needing SHOTS! to determine a winner. 

With the prestige and honour of The Golden Finger trophy looking on, Marco managed to slip a few past the sprawling metal of Dave's keeper and triumph 3 - 1. 

A MASSIVE thanks to everyone who came and participated and of course to the lovely folks at The Chanter for storing the tables and letting us rearrange the furniture. 

Thanks WASPA (World Amateur Subbuteo Players Association) and our next event will be on the 17th June."

WASPA tournaments all over England

As we all know, England is the most active nation in the WASPA circuit. Here is a summary of the latest events held in the country. Leicester was the home of the 5th stage of the old rules circuit, Andover held a fantastic Open with 39 players while club nights were organized in Solent, Pedmore, Haverhill and Braintree (where White Notley SC held a first WASPA event).

Old School Circuit Round 5 Results and Current Table

It was round 5 of the Old School Circuit this past weekend, a Bank Holiday Monday meet hosted by Leicester Foxes at there Witherley venue in Atherstone. After a great days play of Old School Subbuteo, it was won by Simon Goodman who has now taken victory at the last two events which is a brilliant achievement. 

Original story: https://www.englishsubbuteoassociation.com/post/old-school-circuit-round-5-results-and-current-table

Chris Short winner in Pedmore

8 players attended the latest Pedmore tournament. Afte the group stage, Chris Short and Ian Aggett met in the final with Chris taking the honors.

Final: Chris Short - Ian Aggett 3-0
Final 3-4: Simon Bodily - Justin Scott 1-3
Final 5-6: Mick Hammonds - Richard Badger 2-3
Final 7-8: Gage Badger - Steve Wonnacott 4-0

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/176810971922999

Connor Gregory takes Solent May Open

The monthly WASPA club night in Solent had a great turnout of 16 players. Connor gregory managed to win his first WASPA event after beating Rob Piggott in the final on shots while Roger Duckworth took the Plate. Tournament results as follows:

Quarter-finals: Connor Gregory - Nigel Morgan 3-0; Malcolm Jamieson - Paul Izard 0-0*; Chris Burford - Jason Christopher 2-1; Rob Piggott - Dave Cope 1-0.

Semi-finals: Chris Burford - Rob Piggott 0-1; Connor Gregory - Paul Izard 1-0
Final: Connor Gregory - Rob Piggott 1*-1

Plate semi-finals: Roger Duckworth - Kyle Jamieson 0*-0; Steve Smith - Dave Hunter 0-0*
Final: Roger Duckworth - Dave Hunter 1-0

Solent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2759539824274495

Kevin Cordell winner in Haverhill

Gerry Harrington reported there was a great night of flicking action at the Haverhill Ex Servicemens Club. "A WASPA Tournament with 12 in attendance, keenly contested with Kevin James Cordell running out a winner with Ian Aggett a close runner-up."

1. Kevin Cordell (Stanway)
2. Ian Aggett (Milton Keynes)
3. Sam Curtis (Yorkshire Phoenix and Dewsbury Moor TFC)
4. Martin Hodds (Yorkshire Phoenix and Dewsbury Moor TFC)
5. Adam Douglas (Stanway)
6. Mike Williams (Haverhill)
7. Joe Harrington (Haverhill)
8. Marco Ghigliotti (Harrow)
9. Jamie Samuel Warren (Stanway)
10. Rob Fitch (Stanway)
11. Gerry Harrington (Haverhill)
12. David McCartney (Chasers)

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/378921166394976

Awesome turnout of 39 in Andover

The Andover WASPA Open was held on Sunday with a fantastic turnout of 39 players.

Players were divided in 8 groups before the knock-out stage. Kevin Cordell defeated Rudi Peterschinigg in the final. Both players formerly played each other in the group stage. Miguel Pereira won the Plate final while Connor Gregory was the Shield winner. The Argo Table Soccer Fair Play awarded to Mark Weaver.

Huge thanks to Chris Burford for organising a fantastic tournament.

Quarter-finals: Ian Aggett - Kevin Cordell 2-2*; Steve Wonnacott - Paul Andreas 0-3; Malcolm Jamieson - Jason Christopher 2-1; Aaron Skinner - Rudi Peterschinigg 0-0*.
Semi-finals: Kevin Cordell - Paul Andreas 1*-1; Malcolm Jamieson - Rudi Peterschinigg 0-3.
Final: Kevin Cordell - Rudi Peterschinigg 4-2

Plate Semi-finals: Victor Jones - Chris Burford 1-0; Terry Arnold - Miguel Pereira 2-8.
Plate Final: Victor Jones - Miguel Pereira 0-1.

Shield Semi-finals: Connor Gregory - Tony Martin 2-1 ; Richard Roper - Dave Cope 0*-0.
Shield Final: Connor Gregory - Richard Roper 2-0

Contact: https://www.facebook.com/groups/985139298989041

Inaugural WASPA event at White Notley Subbuteo Club

White Notley SC had their first WASPA event in Braintree on Monday. Six players competed in a league format and Martin Hodds was the big winner of the evening!

1. Martin Hodds (Yorkshire Phoenix and Dewsbury Moor TFC)
2. Adam Jackson (Chasers Club)
3. David McCartney (Chasers Club)
4. Rob Fitch (Stanway Rovers Flickers SC)
5. Mark Francis (Chasers Club)
6. Rob Ellis (White Notley SC)

Contact: https://www.facebook.com/white.notley.subbuteo.club

Eliot Kennedy did it again at the AGFA Cup

We had a great table football event: the 24th AGFA Cup, with Eliot Kennedy claiming his 7th AGFA Crown, beating Fabrizio Coco 2-1 on shots in a tense final.

Of special note, young Aidan Wilson claimed the Junior AGFA, beating off challengers from Katelyn Grunbach and his younger brother Owen, making his competitive debut. It was fantastic to see them all in action, and also great to see older players refereeing them and providing coaching advice along the way.

The competition was affected by a few late withdrawals, and we wish all the lads the best in their recoveries from injuries and illness.

We had the usual mix of scores as befits the AGFA, and a few surprises.

Giuseppe Tardiota came from Brisbane for his second AGFA appearance, and recovered from being 0-2 down to draw 2-2 with Adrian Grunbach. Adrian then held Eliot to a 1-1 draw, drawing a few odd looks from the Barbie gathering with his loud, Batten-esque cry after he scored!

In Group 2, Steve got his first of 4 draws, with a 0-0 against Fabrizio, while Louie continued his hex over Adrian Elmer, also with a 0-0 draw.

Louie resisted desperate attacks from Steve to hold on to a 1-0 win, while Franck gained a morale boosting 2-1 win over Adrian E. Adrian's hopes of a semifinal place evaporated when he was held 0-0 by Steve, while Richard drew 1-1 with Fab.

Thanks to everyone for coming, for assisting with the fast set-up, and to Louie for helping me put everything away.

And also to Pino for continuing to be a great supporter of the Sydney scene.

(Article by Steve Dettre)

Ashley Tan wins Kebun Baru tournament

The Kebun Baru Doves club held their "May 2024 WASPA tournament" on May 9. 6 players competed in a league format and Ashley Tan took the honors after being unbeaten.

Final table:
1. Ashley Tan  (Singapore Lions)
2. Tan Kok Wee  (Singapore Lions)
3. Shiong Bock, John Ho  (Singapore Lions)
4. John Edwards (Kebun Baru)
5. K.S. Bavasuryan (Kebun Baru)
6. Nagulan (Kebun Baru)

April and May 2024: results from around the world

WASPA event are played in many countries. Sometimes there are small tournaments but players are always happy to take part in an international circuit. Here is a brief summary of results from several events played in Northern Ireland, England, Belgium, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Wales and Austria.

Derry, Northern Ireland, April 23, Group format

1. Martinog Bradley
2. Oisin Mór
3. Frankie Connolly

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/DerryCityTableFootball

Dagenham, England, April 24, Swiss system

1. Adam Jackson
2. Stephen Moreton
3. Jonathan Beales
4. Gary Gladwell
5. Ben Torr
6. Samantha Levy
7. Michele Claydon

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/314595413269756

Worthing, England, April 25, Swiss system

1. Malcolm Jamieson (Solent)
2. Ian Maskell
3. Steve Taylor
4. Dave Cope
5. Nathan Holley
6. Nigel Pestelle
7. Chris Stapleton

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/worthingfivestar

Gillingham, England, April 28, Consolation tournaments of the FISTF Satellite.

Final: Joe Harrington - Mike Williams 1-4
Final 3-4: Dave Cope - Gerry Harrington 1-3
Final 5-6: Thomas Lacey - Nigel Morgan 3-0

B category (Group format)

1. Kyle Jamieson
2. Dave Hunter
3. Phil Davis
4. James McCormick

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/KentInvictaTFC

Brisbane, Australia, April 28, Group format

1. Gus Gillespie
2. Giuseppe Tardiota
3. Gareth Whalley
4. Wayne Miller

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/brisbanesubbuteoclubinc

Firenze, Italy, April 29, Swiss system

1. Marco Bonciani
2. Luca Pini
3. Stefano Barducci
4. Gabriele Casati
5. Tiberio Becucci
6. Marco Trevisan
7. Gabriele Allegria

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/894913724019874

Milton Keynes, England, April 29, Group format

1. Ian Aggett
2. Mark Green
3. John Cooper
4. Greg Lickorish

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1526416458124954

Templeuve, Belgium, April 30, Swiss system

1. Geoffrey Marain (AS Hennuyer)
2. Matthias Averlant (AS Hennuyer)
3. Sébastien Rochez (Templeuve)
4. Vincent Coppenolle (Templeuve)
5. David Sardi de Letto (Wattrelos)
6. Michaël Dupret (MT Tournai)
7. Franck Santer (Templeuve)
8. Benjamin Marain (AS Hennuyer)
9. Marc Sceraert (Eugies)
10. Olivier Bodelle (Wattrelos)
11. Eric Caillaux (Templeuve)
12. Sébastien Sorge (Wattrelos)
13. Thibaut Marville (Wattrelos)

Facebook links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/25637672693 & https://www.facebook.com/TempleuveUnited

Leicester, England, May 1, Swiss system

1. Ian Aggett (Milton Keynes)
2. Richard Roper (Pedmore)
3. Martin Holmes (Kettering)
4. Mark Weaver (Leicester)
5. Andy Henly (Leicester)
6. Paul Taylor (Leicester)
7. Martin Hill (Kettering)

North Shields, England, May 3, group format

1. Chris Kaberry
2. Rob Heseltine
3. Nigel Lamond

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/northshieldssubbuteotablefootball

Vienna, Austria, May 5, group format, consolation of the Baumfalken Cup

1. Marcus Tilgner (Germany/Sparta Spreeathen 74/82)
2. Alfred Strommer (Austria)
3. Reinhard Schöberl (Austria)
4. Marian Flemer (Germany/Sparta Spreeathen 74/82)

Auckland, New Zealand, May 6, Swiss format

1. Mark Rossi
2. Conrad Mudge
3. Richard Edeson
4. Andy Shearer
5. George Miller
6t. Andy Miller
6t. Craig Wright

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4898270816916585

Stembert, Belgium, May 7, group format

1. Noah Janssens (Wamme)
2. Lucas Père (AS Hennuyer)
3. Noah Dirick (Wamme)
4. Aurélien Feye (Stembert)
5. Mélina Scheen (Stembert)
6. Pascal Scheen (Stembert)

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1527136117349276

Cardiff, Wales, May 6, groups in 2 rounds

Winners group

1. Phil Dacey (Cardiff)
2. David Lauder (Cardiff)
3. Darren Barnes (Cardiff)
4. David Samuel (Cardiff)

Consolation group

1. John Lauder (Cardiff)
2. Alan Hounsell (Cardiff)
3. Stuart Briffett (Bristol)

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/978571135493228

WASPA rankings of April 2024

Dear friends, you will find here the updated WASPA rankings after the 41 tournaments played in April.

Excel file (rankings and statistics)

PDF file (results)

First tournament in Haidari, Greece

Western Sydney flickers in Australia

Great fun in Auckland, New Zealand

Good turnout in Antwerp, Belgium

Action in Edinburgh, Scotland

Subbuteo action in Germany with players from Hannover and Berlin

Tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa

Rudi Peterschinigg winner
in Haverhill, England

Once again we had an amazing number of great tournaments played in many different countries and 31 players competed for the first time in a WASPA event.

We are pleased to see the first tournament played in Haidari (Greece) and to have the Milton Keynes club (England) entering the Conference League.

England is doing an amazing job and reached the number of 100 regional tournaments since the beginning of the season.

All clubs in the WASPA "top clubs" and "Development league" sections have already scored points this season and we are happy to have an impressive number of 27 active clubs in the "Conference League", which is some kind of "3rd division" for new and smaller clubs.

Just a quick note about stories on the blog. We don't often receive stories and pictures of tournaments. It's much easier for us to get a few lines about tournaments and at least one picture to make a post on the blog. Help from the organizers is always welcome!

We still receive requests from interested groups of players who are thinking about joining the WASPA circuit and it's always nice to see growing interest from many different places.

If your club is not yet involved in the WASPA circuit, don't be scared to join as our doors are open to all kind of players!

Keep on flicking!

Vincent Coppenolle, WASPA organizer

Please send your tournament requests and results to vincentcoppenolle@gmail.com

First WASPA tournament in Haidari

Our friends in Greece keep on doing a great work to promote the game. For the first time a tournament was held in the Lyceum of Haidari. The tournament was organised by the athletics professor Antonis Krysilas and tables and equipment were donated by Flaming Flickers to help the promotion of the game.

Congratulation to Antonis for introducing the game to the kids and to all the players for their effort and nice games! We await their next events!

The winner was Ioannis Fakyriades (Inter Milan), runner-up was Petros Gioulis (Borussia Dortmund) and the third place was for Elias Chronis (Panathinaikos).