A Busy Weekend on the WASPA Circuit

The WASPA circuit enjoyed another highly successful weekend, with tournaments and events taking place across Europe. From France to Romania, Malta, Italy, and England, players once again proved the dynamism and growth of subbuteo at both local and international levels.

Wattrelos FISTF Satellite: Competition and Collaboration

Some of the players of the Friday tournament

The FISTF Satellite hosted in Wattrelos, in the North of France, was a major highlight of the weekend. With more than 40 players competing, the event welcomed participants from France, Belgium, and Germany, confirming its strong international appeal.

Alongside the Open and U16 official competitions, several additional tournaments were organised under the WASPA banner. The Friday evening WASPA tournament went far beyond a simple warm‑up session for the nine players involved, with Sébastien Rochez emerging victorious. Due to his high ranking in the Veterans category, however, he was unable to take part in the Satellite on Saturday.

With table availability limited on Saturday, the 14 players involved in the consolation competitions were divided into two separate tournaments of seven players each. Didier Van Renterghem and Vincent Coppenolle claimed victory in their respective events, while the host club of Wattrelos celebrated having two finalists: Jean‑Michel Cordier and Jean‑Jacques Trichot.

Finalists of both events on Saturday: JJ Trichot, V. Coppenolle, D. Van Renterghem, JM Cordier

Reflecting on the event, Vincent Coppenolle underlined the importance of such initiatives:
“These events prove that FISTF and WASPA can work together. The feedback from the players was amazing, and everyone was happy to play more than just friendly games after the group stage of the Satellite.”

A Welcome Revival in Romania

In Romania, the subbuteo scene returned to action after a challenging period marked by several weeks without competition. The Bucharest players took the opportunity to welcome Paul Andreas, a Cypriot player based in London, by organising a special WASPA tournament in his honour.

Paul Andreas claimed the win, but one of the standout moments of the tournament was the noticeable improvement shown by Bogdan Panait, who delivered excellent performances throughout the day. Looking ahead, Bucharest is now preparing to host its first-ever FISTF Satellite — an important milestone for the development of the game in Romania.

Monthly Action in Malta

In Malta, the H’Attard players ran their regular monthly WASPA event. Robert Farrugia delivered a flawless performance, finishing the tournament undefeated and claiming the title as the undisputed winner of the day.

Old Rules Tournaments in Italy and England

Two Old Rules tournaments also featured in this busy weekend.

In Italy, SC Alba Roma organised a league-format tournament in Grottaferrata, with six players competing against one another. Marco Perotti, from Terni, took the top spot after consistent performances throughout the competition.

In England, the fifth stage of the English Championship was held at the home of Surrey Saracens. The event once again highlighted the strong organisation and hospitality of the host club. Victor Jones claimed victory in the main event, while Richard Myers won the Plate competition.

Adam Wells paid tribute to those involved in making the event a success:
“Big thanks to Charles Lee Fenton for being the hostess with the mostest, and to the Surrey crew for setting up and taking down. Congratulations as well to Simon Goodman and Richard Myers for winning the main and plate events respectively.”

A Circuit That Keeps Growing

From large international Satellites to intimate local tournaments, this weekend once again demonstrated the strength and diversity of the WASPA circuit. High participation, competitive spirit beyond main events, and cooperation with FISTF continue to provide players with meaningful playing opportunities across Europe.

The momentum is clearly there — and the weeks ahead promise even more exciting developments.