Friday, 29 August 2025

Some news from around the world

We have a living Subbuteo planet with tournaments held all over the globe. Here are quick results of recent WASPA events held in several countries.

Our sincere apologies for the lack of details about recent tournaments. We still receive many results and are working hard to publish the final standings of the season quickly.

Special thanks to the organizers who take time to write a report and/or to send pictures of their events.

If you still have results on hold, don't forget to send them ASAP.

All ideas to improve the circuit in 2025-2026 are more than welcome!

Romania in action: Michele Sterlechini on top


Small WASPA tournament on Monday won by goal difference by Michele, not far behind was Massimo who is back in action after the vacation. There is still a big gap in terms of skill but I see it as a good thing, we have good players to train with, will determine us to become better! Also today we tested two new EW pitches, huge improvement for our game! Keep on flicking! (report from https://www.facebook.com/subbuteoromania)

1. Michele Sterlechini
2. Massimo DalPrà
3. Cezar Stoilescu
4. Bogdan Panait
5. Ciprian Necula

Finland: International meeting in Helsinki



Helsinki players had their traditional Helsinki-tournament with the FISTF rules on August 23 and were happy to get some WASPA points. the tournament was "international" once again with special guests from Greece and Australia.

To be noted the Finnish championship tournament with the Finnish rules will be on November 30.

1. George Papadopoulos (GRE)
2. Eliot Kennedy (AUS)
3. Robert Green (AUS)
4. Kari Hakkarainen (FIN)
5. Kai Grönfors (FIN)

Italy: Old rules in Terni and Roma

Our friends in Italy keep on playing WASPA tournaments in different cities. The clubs of Terni and Alba Roma had their old rules events in the last few days with wins for Marco Perotti and Luca Di Lullo.

1. Marco Perotti
2. Simone Perotti
3. Giuseppe Gatti
4. Emanuele Perotti

1. Luca Di Lullo (ASD Alba Subbuteo Roma)
2. Riccardo Galieti (SS Lazio TFC Roma)
3. Ernesto Poncetta (SS Lazio TFC Roma)
4. Andrea Alfonsi (ASD Alba Subbuteo Roma)

South Africa: latest Easterns tournament

1. Craig Smith
2. Gary Downs
3. Rui Dos Santos
4. Christopher Paolini

Australia: Western Sydney tournament

August WASPA tournament
Sunday, August 17, 2025, 2:30PM
FitDistrict Studio, Bella Vista

Adrian E turned up full of excuses. "I was in such a rush". "Oh, no, I left my polish at home, can I borrow yours?" "I left my traveling 'keeper at home". "Oh, no, I left my glasses at home". The others weren't having any of it and told him to just get on with it.

And so the five players began a league format tournament, playing each other once. The opening fixtures pitted Franck against Ray along with an Adrian Derby. Franck's 3-0 victory was aided considerably by Ray's traveling 'keeper travails, 2 of Franck's goals coming when Ray's errant 'keeper was stranded on the pitch. The Adrians battled out a typically tight tussle with neither player able to attain full dominance. A solitary goal to Adrian E halfway through the game, and some desperate defending late in the game as Adrian G piled on the pressure, gave Adrian E the victory.

Adrian G and Melvin then went head to head and Melvin caused a minor upset holding Adrian to a 1-1. Adrian had taken an early lead and looked to be in control, but Melvin, in his first WSS tournament in exactly a year, would not give up, clawing back an equaliser before full time. On the other pitch, regular sparring partners, Franck and Adrian E, went at each other again. Adrian took an early lead with a tidy shot on the run and then attempted to hold on. Franck wasn't having it and scored a ridiculous equaliser from an acute angle right under Adrian's 'keeper's nose. He apologised for his celebration, but added - "I'm sure you would have celebrated, too, if you pulled that off!" Both players desperately searched for a winner in the remaining time but it wasn't forthcoming. Until a Magee Swarm in the final seconds. Adrian hit a goalflick deep upfield towards Franck's defense, packed with both defenders and attackers. Somehow, it missed every figure, found its way into the shooting zone and Adrian flung a desperate attacker towards the ball, which connected sweetly and sent the ball clunking into Franck's goal with 3 seconds left on the clock. Adrian's celebration was even louder than Franck's.

The 3rd, crucial, round saw every player make positive moves, but none was able to fully cancel out their opponent. Which meant that Franck & Adrian G, Ray and Melvin, all finished their games in 1-1 stalemates. Every player desperately pushed for a winner in their respective games. After his earlier problems, Ray put away his traveling 'keeper and was much more in control as a result. But, in spite of a few half chances each way in the final few minutes, neither he nor Melvin could press home an advantage. Likewise with Franck and Adrian, the second goal that either player would have been delighted with was not forthcoming, every tied up at full time.

Which meant that a victory by Adrian E in the 4th round would give him a tournament victory with a game to spare. Ray, however, had other ideas, almost scoring in the opening 5 seconds to force a corner and, after almost a decade of trying, earned his first ever competitive victory over Adrian. The 1-0 result probably flattered Adrian as Ray also had a couple of shooting opportunities where Adrian wasn't anywhere near his 'keeper, but sent the shots wide. And, so, Franck's concurrent 2-0 victory over Melvin on the other pitch, slipped him to the top of the table. Franck's performance was commanding with Melvin keeping the score down with some excellent goalkeeping.

Franck had points on the board, but also had the final round bye and was left to cheer for others to hold his position. Any of Franck, Adrian E or Ray could win the title depending on final round results. Franck needed a Melvin victory to have any chance and so spent much of the game hovering over their pitch encouraging Melvin. Their relatively dour draw moved Adrian ahead of Franck due to their earlier head-to-head result. However, this opened the door for Ray who, due to his head-to-head victory over Adrian, could tie with both on points but take the title with a good goal difference. He pushed hard against Adrian G, scoring again but, in the end, a 1-1 result squashed his chances of glory.

And so, Adrian E stumbled over the line, just making his way to the top of the table, his earlier excuses now being seen as a tactical manipulation. In truth, every player had their moments in the tournament, the number '1' in the 'Losses' column for every single player demonstrating just how tight the entire afternoon had actually been.

1. Adrian Elmer
2. Francis Cozzarin
3. Ray Micallef
4. Adrian Grunbach
5. Melvin Singh

Australia: Melbourne TFC tournament

With exactly two months before the Asian Cup of Table Football, Melbourne TFC hosted their August WASPA at East Ivanhoe Bowling Club. Full 30 minute games were played in a Swiss-system format which saw some interesting results and competitve, high-scoring matches across the day. 

George Theocharis returned to the tables, but had a tough afternoon drawn up against some Subbuteo mainstays including Benji Batten, Nathan Kaz and Beth Robin which will prove to be good development for a hopeful entry into the Asian Cup in October. 

Kevin Grant and Nathan Heard played out an intense game in good spirits in round 3, with Kevin coming out a 1-0 winner despite some calls for VAR introduction into the sport from Nathan. 

Matches featuring Adrian Connolly never disappoint, being involved in games that finished 3-0, 3-0, 4-3 and 2-1, to finish fourth overall. 

Beth had a mixed bag of results including a win, draw and a loss against George, Nathan Heard and Kevin, respectively, to finish in an impressive third place. 

Benji and Nathan, both of MTFC, rounded out first and second at the end of the day, both finishing on 10 points each, but with Benji edging it on goal difference; +14 to Nathan's +8, with an absolute clinic put on by Benji in the last round of games, winning 9-0. 

Excellent numbers again for a WASPA as preparation is well under way for all players looking to compete in what is anticipated to be one of the most competitive tournaments held in Australia this decade. 

1. Benji Batten (Melbourne TFC)
2. Nathan Urbaniak (Melbourne TFC)
3. Beth Eveleigh (Northern Phoenix TFC)
4. Adrian Connolly (Northern Phoenix TFC)
5. Kevin Grant (Central Victoria TFC)
6. Nathan Heard (Northern Phoenix TFC)
7. George Theocharis (Northern Phoenix TFC)

New Zealand: latest gathering in Auckland

Nice turnout for a little Saturday WASPA at Chez Shearer’s Subbuteo Playground. Good practice for the NZ Squad travelling to the Asian Cup of Table Football in October

1. Andy Shearer
2. Andy Miller
3. Conrad Mudge
4. Richard Edeson
5. Ian Samsom
6. Phil Samsom
7. Nick McNeil

Wales: last stage of the national circuit


In the last stage of the WSTFA circuit in Treforest, David Lauder took the best on Matthew Rowley in the final, also confirming David as Cymru champion for 2025.

Semi-finals: Matthew Rowley - Darren Barnes 4-2
David Lauder - David Samuel 2-1
Final: Matthew Rowley - David Lauder 1-2

Belgium: SC Flanders players preparing for the new season


This season the SC Flanders players will compete in the prestigious Europa League and the club has ambitions. Players, including some new recruits, met for a WASPA tournament in Antwer earlier in August with some great games and David Wouters was the undisputed winner with 4 wins and a draw after the 5 sessions of Swiss system.

1. David Wouters
2. Salvatore Visconti
3. Yves Peremans
4. Geert Leys
5. Johan Lourdon
6. Frank Lannoy
7. Corentin Boltz
8. Jos Ceulemans
9. Vincent Wouters

Wednesday, 13 August 2025

Action in Johannesburg

Players at the recent Nevado Cup

Our friends in South Africa are still playing on a regular bases and we are happy to see players of the three different clubs in the Johannesburg area meeting for regional tournaments. Here is a brief summary of results of the last three events held in Johannesburg. All three events were played in league format.

Easterns tournament - July 20

1. Ian Clarke (Easterns)
2. Gary Downs (Easterns)
3. Rui Dos Santos (Easterns)
4. Craig Smith (Easterns)

ETS tournament - August 3 (Nevado Cup)

1. Gary Downs (Easterns)
2. Jason Kennedy (ETS)
3. Fernando Rodrigues (ETS)
4. Liam Chapman (ETS)
5. Johan Niewenhuis (Johannesburg TFC)
6. Shaun Majendie (ETS)

Easterns tournament - August 9

1. Ian Clarke (Easterns)
2. Gary Downs (Easterns)
3. Rui Dos Santos (Easterns)
4. Craig Smith (Easterns)
5. Fernando Rodrigues (ETS)
6. Johan Niewenhuis (Johannesburg TFC)
7. Jarryd Westerdale (ETS)

Friday, 8 August 2025

WASPA rankings of July 2025

Dear friends,

the WASPA rankings of July 2025 are ready!

Excel file with rankings

PDF file with results

It was another great month of Subbuteo table football with 23 regional tournaments, 4 events played with the old rules and even a test-match added in the records. Events took place in England, Australia, Belgium, Malta, Romania, Wales, New Zealand, Ireland and Italy while the test-match was played in Cyprus.

There are not many changes in the rankings but we are happy to have a new club (South Devon SC) in the Conference League.

The sad news this month also come from England as we have been informed that Chris Kaberry recently passed away. Chris put a lot of energy in the last few years to run the North Shileds club and will be missed by all.

Among the great events run in July, we will certainly point out the excellente grand Prix of England run by the ESA in Haverhill. "Subbuteofest" was a huge success and 2 WASPA events were held during the week-end, proving once again FISTF and WASPA can work together.

August is the last month of the WASPA season so don't hesitate to run a last tournament in the last few days to improve your season rankings!

Have a great week-end,

Vincent

Action in Attard, Malta

Players in Brisbane, Australia

Action in Auckland, New Zealand

Players in Trieste, Italy


Wednesday, 6 August 2025

Matthias Averlant winner in Malta


Before we finalize the monthly tables of July 2025, we are happy to see the club of H’Attard running WASPA events again. Last month Robert Farrugia Randon was the winner of the July event but this time, Belgium's Matthias Averlant took the honors. Here is the club report.

See club Facebook link here: https://www.facebook.com/hattardsubbuteoclub

WASPA - Ħ’Attard Subbuteo Club - August 2025 🏆

"Another fantastic WASPA event held by our club, with tight matches, great sportsmanship, and a brilliant atmosphere throughout the day! 💪⚽️

Congratulations to Matthias Averlant of Hennuyer Subbuteo Club (Belgium), who took top spot with an unbeaten run and 16 points. Matthias was a great addition to our tournament! 🇧🇪🔥

Our own Robert Farrugia Randon finished a close second with 15 points, while Stanley Farrugia Randon and Mark Baldacchino followed with solid performances.

Well done to all participants from Ħ’Attard Subbuteo Club who competed with passion and determination! It’s not just about results — it’s about playing, learning, and growing together as a club. The journey continues! 👊⚽️

Stay tuned and keep flicking! 😉"

#WASPA #Subbuteo #TableFootball #wearehattardsc #SportMalta #visitmalta