Things are going well all over the UK & Ireland. Even of england is the most active country in the WASPA circuit, we are glad to receive results from recent events in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Here is a grief summary of results.

Cork (Ireland), November 4, group format

1. William Magnier (Cork)
2. Mario Frittelli (ITA/Cork)
3. David Elton (Tralee)
4. Cian Hogan (Tralee)
5. Barry Higgins (Cork)

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558190611074

Donegal (Ireland), November 9, group format

1. Oisin Mór (Derry)
2. Brendan Rodgers (Donegal)
3. Frankie Connolly (Donegal)
4. Sean Connolly (Donegal)

Contact: tonnaithorai@hotmail.com

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

Edinburgh (Scotand), November 15, group format

Marco took the honours in a quiet Edinburgh WASPA tournament, however, Andy Kent almost spoiled the party by scoring some cracking goals, only for Marco to win it with 7 seconds left. Although life sometimes gets in the way, it's always good to be able to continue playing WASPA events and help develop the newer players to continue to improve.

1. Marco Bevilacqua (Golazzo)
2. Arthur Kent (Golazzo)
3. Andy Kent (Golazzo)

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

Drury (Wales), November 24, group format

London Road SC held a 5 man WASPA League on Sunday. It was great to see Brian Daley return after a 6 month absence. Three wins out of four games gave him a respectable runner-up spot after losing 0-1 to four game winner Ruby Matthews. The London Road Christmas tournament will take place on December 15.

1. Ruby Matthews (London Road)
2. Brian Daley (London Road)
3. Cayne Matthews (London Road)
4. Mark Tilling (London Road)
5. Harry Tilling (London Road)

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1699324517049032

Tralee (Ireland), November 25, group format (2 divisions)

The best night as a club yesterday evening! For the first time ever, the club hit double figures for a club night with 10 players giving the great game their best shot. This afforded  to have 2 competitions. An experienced and a novice comp which worked very well.

Congratulations to Mario who took top place in the World Amateur Subbuteo Players Association (WASPA) and a very well done to Ciaran who who took the newbies comp. Once again a big thank you to the guys who travelled in from Cork and Killarney as well as a special thank you to our hosts at the Klub Bar and Bistro.

Experienced players:

1. Mario Frittelli (ITA/Cork)
2. William Magnier (Cork)
3. David Elton (Tralee)
4. Cian Hogan (Tralee)
5. Barry Higgins (Cork)

Novice players:

1. Ciaran (Tralee)
2. Sean O'Connell (Tralee)
3. Silvia Martin Simal (ESP/Tralee)
4. Liam O'Sullivan (Tralee)
5. Donall O'Sullivan (Tralee)

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/382626976190248

Ian Clarke is South African champion

The South African Championships took place in Cape Town on Saturday 23 November. 8 players competed in a group format with semi-finals and a final. Ian Clarke (Easterns TFC) defeated Neil Hampton (Cape Town) in the final (1-0) while semi-finalists were Clinton Gahwiler (who now lives in Switzerland) and Sven Schilling (Germany). Mike Ryder won the Plate tournament.

After the main event, an old rules tournament was played with Clinton Gahwiler taking the honors in the final against Ian Clarke (1-0).

Congratulations to the organizers for a great tournament!

WASPA events in Manaihant and Templeuve

Top players of the night: D. Scheen, P. Scheen, C. Dheur, S. Scheen

Two WASPA events have recently been played in Belgium. In the opposite corners of the country, players had fun and Subbuteo was the winner. In Manaihant (Verviers), 12 players met the night before the national interclubs league with England's Justin Finch as special guest. After the group section, the win was decided in knock-out games. Christophe Dheur defeated Pascal Scheen in the final (4-1) while the semi-finalists were Sébastien Scheen and Daniel Scheen.

Old rules legend tournament including Dominique De Marco (with the Brazil shirt)

Besides the main event, an old rules tournament (with no ranking) was played between legends of the games as many old players came to revive the love for the game. Among the players, dominique De Marco (FISTF and FISA world champion in 1994) was for sure the star of the night.

Players in Templeuve

In Templeuve, it was not a funny time for the local club as the premises will be totally renewed in the next few months and the Templeuve guys will have to find a new venue for their training sessions and tournaments. There were many group games though and some surprises as Vincent Coppenolle finished on top of the Swiss table after beating Geoffrey Marain and sharing points with Matthias Averlant. Marain was runner-up, Averlant third and Benjamin Marain took the 4th place.

Subbuteo lives on in Cyprus

 There is a revival of the game in Cyprus as regular events are held this season in Limassol thanks to Giorgos Zangylos.

The test-match between G. Zangylos and C. Stoilescu

Last Friday, a WASPA test-match was held between local organizer Giorgos Zangylos and Subbuteo Bucharest's Cezar Stoilescu. The local organizer won the test-match (2-1, 2-0, 3-1) against the player from Romania.

On Sunday, the third WASPA tournament of the season took place in Limassol. 8 players competed in a league format and Panos Vogiatzis won his 7 games to claim the victory.

Final standings:
1. Panos Vogiatzis (GRE/Famagusta)
2. Massimo DalPrà (ROM/Bucharest)
3. Giorgos Zangylos (Famagusta)
4. Petros Kosmas (Famagusta)
5. Giorgos Stylianou (Famagusta)
6. Cezar Stoilescu (ROM/Bucharest)
7. Marcos Kalopsidiotis (Salamis)
8. Marios Nikolaou (Phoenix)

The Lower Saxony Open 2024 in Hannover

On November 23rd, 10 Subbuteo friends met to play the Lower Saxony Open in Hannover. In addition to players of the last year event, Klaus Fritz (from Laatzen) and Jens Röttjer (from Lüneburg) made their debut.

The "draw fairy" actually managed to place all the "Underdogs" in Group A. Noah, Luc, Klaus and Carsten made it to the next round ahead of Linus. In Group B of the "favorites" and "co-favorites", Charis was eliminated by the narrowest of margins.

In the quarterfinals, Michael, Fred, Edin and Jens prevailed against their challengers from Group A. In the semifinals, Edin showed Michael his best with a 4-1 win. Fred was forced into a free kick shootout with Jens, but narrowly won with a 3-2 score.

In the match for 5th place, Luc crowned his very good performance against Noah with a 4-2 Victory. Jens won the 3rd place with 1-0 against Michael, celebrating his great "comeback". In the repetition of last year's final, Fred turned the tables this time and defeated defending champion Edin with a 2-1 score.

Conclusion

In terms of sport, there was a lot that will continue to be talked about in the future. Starting with the incredible group draw, through to impossible goals and exciting games.

The fact that "veteran" Klaus Fritz made his debut and Jens Röttjer made a comeback at the regional level is also one of the many positive aspects of the Lower Saxony Open.

Congratulations to the new Lower Saxony champion Fred. He was perhaps the most consistent and strongest player in this tournament, just ahead of Edin. Linus should also be mentioned positively here. He never gets tired of challenging his opponents again and again.

Special thanks go to SG '94 Hannover members, without whom this year's competition would not have been possible.

Michael Nixdorf (Bad Fallingbostel, 24/11/2024)

Final standings:

1. Fred Elesbao (SG '94 Hannover)
2. Edin Mulasmajic (SG '94 Hannover)
3. Jens Röttjer (Sparta Spreeathen 74/82)
4. Michael Nixdorf (SG '94 Hannover)
5. Luc Kaouane (SG '94 Hannover)
6. Noah Wulff (SG '94 Hannover)
7. Carsten Bock (SC Berlin)
8. Klaus Fritz (Sparta Spreeathen 74/82)
9. Linus von Schultzendorff (SG '94 Hannover)
10. Charis Chatziplaton (SG '94 Hannover)

Results of WASPA event in England - October 2024

October 2024 was another big moth for the game in England. 14 WASPA tournaments were played in the country and many different organizers offered superb events to the entrants! Here is a brief summary of results.

Haverhill, October 2 2024

1. Joe Harrington (Haverhill)
2. Peter Holmes (Haverhill)
3. Mike Williams (Haverhill)
4. Gerry Harrington (IRL/Haverhill)

Leicester, October 2 2024

1. Ian Aggett (Milton Keynes)
2. Mark Weaver (Leicester)
3. Graham Harwood (Pedmore)
4. David Everitt (Kettering)
5. Damian Mayes (Leicester)
6. Andy Henly (Leicester)
7. Richard Roper (Pedmore)
8. Martin Holmes (Kettering)
9. Michael Mayes (Leicester)
10. Sean Wenlock (NIR/Milton Keynes)
11. Jay Williams (Leicester)
12. Kevin Coleman (Leicester)
13. Paul Taylor (Leicester)
14. Nigel Edwards (Leicester)

Solent, October 3 2024

Quarter-finals: Nigel Morgan - Malcolm Jamieson 0-4
Connor Gregory - Chris Burford 1-0
Paul Izard - Dave Hunter 3-4
Roger Duckworth - Rob Piggott 0-0*

Semi-finals: Rob Piggott - Dave Hunter 2-0
Malcolm Jamieson - Connor Gregory 1-0

Final: Rob Piggott - Malcolm Jamieson 1-2

Consolation final: Jerry Lovegrove - Tony Martin 0-1

Pedmore, October 9 2024

Final: Chris Short - Ian Aggett 3-1

Final 3-4: Justin Scott - Richard Badger 1-2

Final 5-6: Richard Roper - Simon McMurray 1-0

Final 7-8: Andy Pountney - Simon Bodily 1-3

Final 9-10: Alex Scott - Mark Weaver 2-0

North Shields, October 11 2024

1. Nigel Lamond (North Shields)
2. Chris Kaberry (Worthing)
3. Nick Pearson (Yorkshire)
4. Tom Heslop (North Shields)
5. Jeff Parsons (Darlington)
6. Rob Heseltine (North Shields)
7. Ben Staples (Yorkshire)
8. Neil Wearmouth (North Shields)

Pedmore, October 19 2024 (English Championship tournament)

Quarter-finals: Rudi Peterschinigg - Chris Short 1-4
Aaron Skinner - Victor Jones 1-0
Kevin Cordell - Mick Hammonds 3-0
Ruby Matthews - Sam Curtis 2-1

Semi-finals: Chris Short - Aaron Skinner 2-1sd
Kevin Cordell - Ruby Matthews 2-1
Final: Chris Short - Kevin Cordell 3-0

Plate final: Malcolm Jamieson - Rob Paterson 2-0

Chesterfield, October 20 2024

Quarter-finals: Ian Aggett - Luca Lanzani 4-0
Jason Christopher - Colin Tarry 2-3
Brian Kinrade - Colin Fletcher 0-2
Jeremy Boothman - Tom Heslop 4-2

Semi-finals: Ian Aggett - Colin Fletcher 2-0
Colin Tarry - Jeremy Boothman 3-2

Final: Ian Aggett - Colin Tarry 5-0

Plate final: Trevor Allen - Ian Sharp 0*-0

Milton Keynes, October 21 2024

Final: Ian Aggett - Damian Mayes 1*-1

Final 3-4: Mark Green - Greg Lickorish 1-2

Final 5-6: Graham Farmer - Matt Hinde 1-0

Dagenham, October 23 2024

1. Mark West (Chasers)
2. Mark Francis (Chasers)
3. Gary Gladwell (Chasers)
4. Jack Cossington (Chasers)
5. John Kiely (Chasers)
6. Michele Claydon (Chasers)

Stourbridge, October 24 2024

1. Richard Roper (Pedmore)
2. Andy Pountney (Pedmore)
3. Stuart Collins (Stourbridge)
4. Matthew Powell (Stourbridge)
5. Arthur Collins (Stourbridge)
6. Matthew Reynolds (Stourbridge)
7. Sam Taylor (Pedmore)

Dagenham, October 26 2024

Quarter-finals: Joe Harrington - Simon Goodman 0-0*
Ian Aggett - Jason Christopher 4-2
Malcolm Jamieson - Neil Doherty 1*-1
Victor Jones - Terry Arnold 0-0*

Semi-finals: Simon Goodman - Ian Aggett 0-1
Malcolm Jamieson - Terry Arnold 1-2

Final: Ian Aggett - Terry Arnold 5-0

Plate final: Marco Barqueiro - Gerry Harrington 3-0

Shield final: Stephen Moreton - Dave Collier 2-3

Junior final: Hadley Chapman - Fraser Chapman 1-0

Morecambe Bay, October 29 2024

1. Luca Lanzani (Morecambe Bay)
2. Stuart Andrews (Morecambe Bay)
3. Perry Sinacola (Morecambe Bay)
4. Keith Carman (Morecambe Bay)
5. Rob Wilkinson (Morecambe Bay)

Worthing, October 31 2024

1. Dave Cope (Worthing)
2. Shaun Allison (Worthing)
3. Steve Taylor (Worthing)
4. Ian Maskell (Worthing)
5. Joe Currey (Worthing)
6. Nigel Pestelle (Worthing)
7. Dave Croucher (Worthing)
8. Daniel Whittington (Worthing)

Yorkshire, October 31 2024

1. Craig Heward (Yorkshire)
2. Brian Kinrade (IOM/Chesterfield)
3. Ian Sharp (Yorkshire)
4. Luca Lanzani (Morecambe Bay)
5. Shaun Dunne (Wolverhampton)
6. Andrew Forster-Fake (Chesterfield)
7. Kevin Adderley (Yorkshire)
8. Darren Brook (Yorkshire)

International events in Oceania

Christian Haas winner of the Travellers Cup in Auckland

The very first New Zealand International Open was played last week-end and was a success with travellers from Austria and Australia among the competitors. Wolfgang Haas was the big winner of the tournament but the real winner was Subbuteo. Organizers held a WASPA consolation tournament on Saturday with 11 players taking part, including some beginners. Mark Rossi defeated Conrad Mudge in the final to claim the title.

Besides the main event, there was also a "Development League "for total beginners. New Plymouth's Ian Samson finished on top of a group of 4 players. Congratulations!

The field for the Travellers Cup

On Sunday, the "Travellers Cup" was played as a WASPA tournament with Christian Haas (Austria) defeating Luke Radziminski in the final. It was another great day of Subbuteo table football with 10 players divided in 2 groups and then semi-finals and a big final. 

Melbourne final between Benjamin Ng (finalist) and Christos Garagounis (winner)

A week earlier in Australia, a Northern Phoenix WASPA was held on the sidelines of the Melbourne International Open for the players that were knocked out of the group stages.

The event saw plenty of goals being scored during the early stages. The final became a local Derby as Christos Garagounis from Northern Phoenix TFC and Benjamin Ng from Western Flickers TFC battled out a closely fought contest that ended in a 1-1 draw. So it was onto the dreaded penalty shoot-out which saw Old Age prevail over Youth. Well done to Benjamin Ng on making the final after not having played in a year - Great effort.

Jean Carl Tabone winner in Bormla

Bormla Subbuteo Club held a WASPA tournament ths week-end. Once again the standards of play were high with a quality field in the final. Jean Carl Tabone defeated Charles Aquilina in the final while semi-finalists were George Ebejer and Spencer Conti. Thanks to the organizers and Josef camilleri in particular for making things possible!

The October rankings are out!

Dear Subbtueo friends, the updated standings of the WASPA circuit are now available.

Excel file with rankings and statistics

PDF file with results

Ian Aggett is the new WASPA number 1 player

Pizza break in Sydney during the latest Northern Falcons tournament

We had 37 regional tournaments, 1 National Cup, 1 promotional event and 2 test-matches added in the records last months and WASPA events have been played in Belgium, South Africa, England, Cyprus, Australia, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Malta.

WASPA test-match in Cyprus between George Zangylos and Mark Weaver

There is a big change on top of the Individual ranking as Ian Aggett (Milton Keynes TSC) is the new number 1. Ian has been very active in the WASPA circuit in the last few month and he managed to win 4 tournaments in October (runner-up in Pedmore, winner in Leicester, Chesterfield, Milton Keynes and Dagenham). It's not surprising to see another player from England dominating the WASPA circuit!

The WASPA circuit was back in Malta thanks to Bormla Subbuteo Club

Ian is also on top of the Season ranking while Solent's Connor Gregory is the number 1 junior player.

We are pleased to see that 54 different clubs have already scored points in the different rankings of clubs.

Great success for the All-Ireland Championship in Dublin

Welcome also to the Greek clubs of Atlas FTC and Evia Subbuteo Club who ran their first WASPA tournaments!

Even if WASPA tournaments were organized in 14 different countries last month, we are looking forward to seeing more nations joining in the near future.

Great turnout for the Barcelona tournament

Please note some clubs might be wrong in the database as we have not been informed about all transfers. If you see mistakes, don't hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Vincent Coppenolle, WASPA organizer, vincentcoppenolle@gmail.com