Peter Thomas winner in Melbourne

Northern Phoenix Waspa No.5
Friday 27th July 2018

The fifth Northern Phoenix WASPA took place on Friday the 27th July, 2018.

In what was undoubtedly the best ever Grand Final match hosted by the Northern Phoenix TFC, Peter Thomas took out Waspa honours with a hard fought victory over a gallant Luke Radziminski. In a tense and exciting encounter, the victory had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out after regulation and extra time couldn’t separate both combatants. Radziminski took a surprise early lead after just two minutes however Thomas struck back in the eighth and tenth minutes of the first half to take the lead. The match continued at a frenetic pace with both players missing chances to register further goals. Just when it looked like the final would finish 2-1 in Peter’s favour, Radziminski took his opportunity and struck the equalizier with 2 minutes left on the clock. At 2-2, extra time followed however both goalkeepers proved a stubborn last line of defence and would simply not be denied. In the shoot-out, Thomas held his nerve to register a famous 3-1 win.

The format for the evening included dividing all eight flickers into two groups – Thomas and Radziminski being allocated seeds in each group. All Round One matches were played in the now popular ‘Super 20’ format were each game lasted 20 minutes (no half time break being exercised). All subsequent Play-Off matches undertook a FISTF format i.e. thirty minute encounters with half time allocation allowing players to swap ends at the break.

In the Semi-Finals, Peter Thomas was ruthless against ATFA president Benji Batten securing a 9-1 victory although Luke Radziminski didn’t have it all his own way in the other decider against Christos Garagounis. In a close and even battle, late goals at the end of each half gave the MTFC President a 2-0 victory over his Northern Phoenix counterpart.

In other Play-Off matches, Paul Mercer took the honours 2-0 against the constantly improving Anthony Madiona in a thoroughly entertaining and free flowing encounter. In the other game, Beth Eveleigh and Kevin Grant went head to head in a tense and even contest that would only be decided by a single goal. On this occasion, it was ‘The Carpenter’ who notched up the win against Northern Phoenix’s own 2018 Asian Cup runner-up. No third place Play-Off match was contested so both losing semi-finalists shared the bronze medal honours.

All in all, the evening served up some wonderful table football at a venue that is fast becoming recognised as the home of subbuteo in the northern suburbs. The organisers would like to take this opportunity to thank the generosity of Darebin United (Apollo) Soccer Club for making the Mayer Park facilities available and supporting table football.

Final Standings:
1. Peter Thomas
2. Luke Radziminski
3. Christos Garagounis & Benji Batten
5. Paul Mercer
6. Anthony Madiona
7. Kevin Grant
8. Beth Eveleigh

Copa Libertadores for Kostas Seses

On Saturday, July 21, 16 players from various clubs competed in Kallithea the win the "WASPA Copa Libertadores 2018" following this year's finalists. Congratulations to the winner Kostas Seses who claims one more WASPA trophy, to the finalist George Papadopoulos for a great final and to all the participants for a nice tournament.

Subbuteo in Cyprus this summer?

Subbuteo action in Cyprus? Paul Andreas is currently in Cyprus and is hoping to have some games or tournaments going. Whoever is interested in playing subbuteo in Cyprus this August can contact Paul on Twitter (@PaulAndreas10) or telephone (99134801 Cyprus number or 0044 7859015295 UK number). Paul is still hoping to hold the tournaments, but can also accommodate some test matches too.

Some news from Australia - July 2018

Several small tournaments have recently been played in Australia.

Nick Brill and Martin Kennedy shared the first place in the Canberra tournament held last week. The event was played in home and away games and both Nick and Martin finished the group stage with 10 points and the same goal-difference. Ryan Farrall was 3rd and Bruce Millar was fourth.

On July 1, Steve Dettre finished on top of a group of 4 to win the event co-hosted by the Northern Falcons and Subbuteo Parramatta in the premises of "Good Games Bella Vista". Adrian Elmer was runner-up, Ray Micallef 3rd and Vince Micallef 4th.

On July 19, Adrian Grunbach won a small tournament hosted by Subbuteo Parramatta. Adrian finished on top of a group of 3 while Adrian Elmer was runner-up, Mathew barrie was 3rd.

Action in Perth (report from the Facebook page)

To wrap up a wonderful weekend of table football in Perth, local lad Marc Tan Yew Loy and Melbourne visitor Benny (Western Flickers TFC) headed up to Chris Thorn's country castle Serenity (aka Subbuteo Perth HQ) for a small WASPA tournament “The Western Flickers Tournament”.

The format was a double round robin where the players faced each other twice. Carrying his recent hot form, Benny won all his matches to take out the WASPA title. Marc finished runners up while Chris Thorn completed the placings having picked up valuable tips from the more “experienced” players.

Most importantly, it was great fun day and everyone had a fabulous time ! And special mention to Barbara Thorn for the most beautiful vegetarian pizza ever.

Round robin scores:
Benny 2 Chris 0
Marc 1 Benny 2
Chris 0 Marc 1
Chris 0 Benny 4
Marc 0 Benny 1
Chris 0 Marc 3

Hobart TFC tournament (report from the Facebook page)
With two Western Flickers members in Perth for the FISTF IO, and several Melbourne based players having competed the night before in the NPTFC WASPA, it was a small gathering that participated in the HTFC WASPA held for Yago Dzelalija’s trip to Melbourne. Yago was keen for some competitive action in the lead up to a European holiday that will include some WASPA action in Holland.
The format was a round robin league with each player playing one another twice, once on Astrobase and once on Extremeworks.
Kevin Grant surged to an early lead in the standings with a win over Yago whilst tournament host Adrian Connolly held Luke Radziminski to a scoreless draw. Luke soon worked his way to the top of the standings and looked set to build on his excellent results in the NPTFC WASPA the night before by strolling to the title. However, Adrian took advantage of his home advantage in the return fixture held on his Extremeworks pitch and caused the upset of the day with a 1-0 win. This meant the competition would go down to the wire with Luke, Kevin, and Adrian only separated by a point with two games to go. Luke held his nerve and took the title. Adrian remained undefeated but a further three points behind by virtue of drawing all his games on the Astrobase surface.
There was some side interest in the Tasmanian rivalry! Yago and Adrian were the founders of the Tasmanian Table Football scene 30 years ago. There was still nothing between them in their first competitive head to head clashes since the early 90s, with both matches ending in draws.
It was great to see a HTFC player in competitive action and holding is own in a small but strong field. Plans are being discussed to bring an event to Hobart if enough interest from interstate players can be generated.

New name for Parramatta
Following discussions amongst the active members of the "subbuteo parramatta club", they have decided to return to their roots and rebrand back to the name we started with in 2013 "Western Sydney Subbuteo". They feel that, with a move of the clubhouse away from Parramatta to Bella Vista, and because the name better indicates the diverse region from which we all come, "Western Sydney Subbuteo" best represents who the club is.

Agenda
As Herman Kruse is back in Sydney, people should not forget the next events:
- Friday, 3. August 7 pm Herman's monthly WASPA will happen in 27 Bertram Street. Panzerotti this time and white wine.
- Club's juniors international game AUS vs GER at 18th Aug.
Western Sydney Subbuteo will have a WASPA tournament on August 2 at Good Games Bella Vista (7.00 pm)

More new players in Toronto

Five players attended the 4th Toronto tournament on July 28. There were three beginners and they did well as Howard Christie finished on top of the group stage before winning his semi-final against Mike Chieffallo. Mike Sgro won the other semi against Andrew Christie before winning the final (1-0) against Howard. Well done Toronto Subbuteo Club!

A first WASPA title for Angel Valverde

Apart from the nice summer sunny day, the main reason for the success of the VII MontGoal was the participation of great players like the Dutch Henk Landzaat, and the Spanish Pedro Benavent and Angel Valverde, both selected to play the forthcoming World Cup in Gibraltar end of August. In particular Valverde must be considered a top players, one of the best actually playing in the world federal circuit.

The formula was a league followed by semi-finals and the finals, including a total of 20 matches played in the sunny Javea.

The level was as high as expected. As forecasted the winner was Valverde after an interesting final against Landzaat. Pasquale Carrassi finished third, showing a promising improvement in terms of concentration and effectiveness. Benavent played as well great matches during the league. Bill Dunham also showed a great attitude but was unlucky loosing the consolation final against the more experienced Abraham Martinez.

Neil Youngson wins NETFA final event

Here are the results from Saturday's NETFA Brigantes AGM tournament.

Round 1

Andy Mill 0 - 1 Neil Beeforth
Nigel Lamond 0 - 2 Ben Staples
Rob Heseltine 2 - 3 Mike
Stephen Dobbison 0 - 1 Dave Brothers
Chris Kaberry 0 - 1 Neil Youngson

Round 2

Neil Beeforth 3 - 3 Ben Staples
Mike Parnaby 3 - 0 Dave Brothers
Neil Youngson 4 - 0 Andy Mill
Nigel Lamond 1 - 1 Rob Heseltine
Stephen Dobbison 0 - 3 Chris Kaberry

Round 3

Mike Parnaby 0 - 1 Neil Youngson
Neil Beeforth  3 - 0 Dave Brothers
Ben Staples 4 - 2 Chris Kaberry
Nigel Lamond 0 - 0 Stephen Dobbison
Rob Heseltine 0 - 1 Andy Mill

Final standings

                              P      W   D    L     F     A   GD  PTS
Neil Youngson      3        3    0    0     6     0    +6     6
Ben Staples          3        2    1    0     9     5    +4     5
Neil Beeforth        3         2    1    0     7     3    +4     5
Mike Parnaby       3        2     0    1     6     3    +3     4
Chris Kaberry       3        1     0    2     5     5      0     2
Nigel Lamond       3        0     2    1     1     3    -2     2
Andy Mill               3        1    0     2     1     5    -4     2
Dave Brothers      3        1    0     2     1      6    -5     2
Rob Heseltine      3        0     1    2      3     5    -2     1
Stephen Dobbison 3      0     1    2      0     4    -4     1a

Manuel Reguera winner in Peru

Earlier this week there was Subbuteo action under WASPA banner for the second time in Lima, Peru. Manuel Reguera finished on tp of a group of four to claim the honors while Italian player Davide Bozzano was runner-up, Cesar Kasuga was third and Marco Chuquihuaca was fourth. There were many close games and some excellent moments between the players who are building slowly but surely a good future for the game in the country.

Daley and Nicholls winners in Wales

Players in Drury

Wales had two great WASPA tournaments this week-end.

Brian Daley gets trophy from Cayne Maathews

London Road Subbuteo Club held their monthly tournament with a good field of 8 players. Martin Blanchard and Cayne Matthews came on top of their respective groups but failed to qualify for the final. In the final Brian Daley defeated Richard Stock (1-0) to claim the title while Dan Nicholls defeated Danny Bird (3-1) in the Plate final.

On Friday Knighton TFC was holding a Regional tournament with six players. In the end of the Swiss ladder, Dan Nicholls finished on top with 4 wins. In the standings Danny Bird was runner-up while the other players were Tom Taylor, Rory Gittoes, Matt Booth, Kenny Evans.

Some more Summer action in Belgium

In Templeuve, the monthly event held on July 5 had a small turnout of 7 due to the heat and the holidays. After seven sessions of games of 20 minutes, Geoffrey Marain took the honors with 6 wins. There were close games in the last sessions with Steven Delfosse finishing fourth but having lost a good opportunity to be runner-up.

Final standings:
1. Geoffrey Marain (AS Hennuyer)
2. Vincent Coppenolle (Templeuve)
3. Matthias Averlant (Templeuve)
4. Steven Delfosse (Templeuve)
5. Julien Hourez (Templeuve)
6. Benjamin Marain (Warcoing)
7. Jean-Luc Canfin (Tournai)

Small field in Vresse
There was a small field of 4 players for the WASPA tournament held in Vresse last week. Pascal Droeven took the honors with 3 wins while Renaud Parisel was runner-up, Philippe Thys took the third place and Tom Léonard was fourth with some good results in his group games.