Third stage of the Scottish circuit: the honors for Steve Bennett

On May 4th, 11 players took part in the third and final Scottish circuit event of the 2013-14 season. Of the three tournaments, each players' best two event results counted towards their final Scottish Championship points for the season and were also all WASPA events.

Before play began on Sunday, Steve Bennett and Gareth Christie (both Tayside Kickers 91) were tied at the top, both with a win and a second place previously. The remaining positions were all up for grabs so every game had significance.

While numbers were affected by a surprise birthday party the night before for Willie Flemming's 60th birthday (Glasgow TSA), those that made the trip all enjoyed a good days play with many close matches and a relaxed atmosphere.

Congratulations go to Steve Bennett for both winning the tournament and clinching the Scottish title after closely fought key wins. Elsewhere Scott Fleming (TK91) and Dave Gladman (GTSA) earned their highest finishes of the season with 3rd and 4th place respectively, to climb the table.

There were some great matches of note, such as new player Rob Conway stealing a 2-1 victory against training partner Andy Beskaby, with a wonderful deflection shot goal in the dying seconds. Andy, also a recent new player later had his own success coming back from 3-0 down to draw with Ben Staples (NETFA). Baver Bari (HCE) had a tough day, but scored some excellent goals and was unlucky not to win after going 2 down against Martin Phee (GTSA). Tom Burns was disappointed on the day, but retained 3rd place in the Championship and vowed to "split the Tayside two" next season. Tom will undoubtedly be a contender next season after running close in many games.

A note about the venue: This was the first event to be held at the studio space of FlickForKicks, and as such was a trial for hosting the Tayside IO there on 14-15th June. With ample space, good on-site facilities (farm shop and restaurant downstairs, plenty parking) and with a picturesque balcony view across the hills and River Tay estuary, the feedback was positive. With a few tweaks, the IO will go ahead there.

Finally, members of the STFA would like to thank Ben Staples for making the trip from south of the border, and also to wish Willie many happy returns and all the very best!

(Report by Gareth Christie)

Next event with the old rules in Italy

Jos Ceulemans wins his 7th tournament in Hofstade-Zemst

There was a good field of 9 players taking part in the WASPA tournament held in Hofstade-Zemst on monday. As always, the swiss system was used and there was no surprise as Jos Ceulemans (SC Anfield Hoppers Zürich) won all his games to win his 7th WASPA title. Frank Lannoy (SC Temploux) finished second with 9 points while Bart Van de Vliet had 7 and Rudi De Smet had 6.

The final ranking of the evening was as follows.
1) Jos Ceulemans (SC Anfield Hoppers Zürich)
2) Frank Lannoy (SC Temploux)
3) Bart Van de Vliet (SC Flanders)
4) Rudi De Smet (London and Essex United)
5) Johan Lourdon (SC Flanders)
6) Filip Van Hulle (SC Flanders)
7) Eddy Beernaert (SC Flanders)
8) Bert Feyens (SC Flanders)
9) Steven De Greveleer (SC Flanders)

Four WASPA titles for Alberto Gagliardi

We are sorry for the delay but we only publish now the results of the tournament held in Villa Potenza three weeks ago by the club of Macerata. It was a tournament with the old rules with 7 players and everyone playing each other twice. Alberto Gagliardi finished on top with 34 points while Stefano Gambella was second and Alessandro Mattioli was third. Well done Alberto!

Richard Stolwijk wins in Bergkamen

On sunday 13 players attended the WASPA tournament held in Bergkamen with the special vist of two players from the Netherlands, Ron Corsten and Richard Stolwijk, who are new members of the Dortmund club. It was an great event with good atmosphere under the players. All matches was played without referees. After a group stage with 3 groups of three and one group of four the "Eisgekühlter Bommerlundercup" ended up in the knock-out system. In the semis, Thossa Büsing managed to beat Ron Corsten on shots while Richard Stolwijk beat Tom Horn (3-2). The final was not so close as Stolwijk beat Büsing (5-0) to become the first ducth player to win a WASPA tournament.

The final ranking of the tournament is as follows:
1. Richard Stolwijk (TSL Dortmund)
2. Thossa Büsing (TSL Dortmund)
3. Ron Corsten (TSL Dortmund)
4. Tom Horn (Sparta Spreeathen 74/82)
5. Frank Stiller (TSL Dortmund)
6. Uwe Stiller (no club)
7. Pascal Schäfer (SUB Kaiserau)
8. Fabian Mertins (SUB Kaiserau)
9. Alexander Büsing (Borussia Bergkamen)
10. Felix Herrmannsdörfer (TSL Dortmund)
11. Ralf Popp (no club)
12. Edin Mulasmajic (no club)
13. Kati Popp (no club)

14 players at the Singapore tournament

The Singapore tournament held on friday managed to attract 14 players, where players were placed in 4 groups and as there is no ranking the luck of the draw usually determine players progression to the next stage. The top two players of each group would eventually progress to the knock out stages and the strongest players will eventually meet in the final.

Groups
The tournament favorites were Erza Aripin, Bernard Lim & Anas were luckily not to be drawn in the same group. However, the tournament dark horses Fadzly & Fauzi were unlucky to bundled in the group A deemed the group of Death together with Erza & seasoned veteran  Wee Lik. The event also introduced three newcomers to the WASPA circuit were Hashim, Arthur Yeo & Darwis.

Group A: Erza Aripin, Soo Wee Lik, Mohd Fauzi & Muhd Fadhly
Group B: Bernard Lim (Lions SC), Ezan & Hashim (Leste Aquila SC)
Group C: Muhammad Azhar Yusri, Nic Tan, Rizal Tayib & Darwis (Leste Aquila sc)
Group D: Anas, Arthur Yeo (Lions SC) & Aziz (Leste Aquila sc)

Group stages 
The group games did not provide any suprizes with the favorites qualifying comfortably. However group A, 2nd qualifying spot had to detained till the last game where Fauzi required a draw while Fadhly required to win to advance to the next stage. The game was very tensed with Fauzi doing an ala Chelsea & parked a bus at the shooting area with Fadhly struggled furiously to score. In the end the game ended 0-0 with Fauzi advancing.

Quarter Finals 
1 Erza v Ezan 1 *
1 Azhar v Arthur 1*
4 Bernard v Fauzi 2
2 Anas v Nic 0

The quarters provided a few suprizes as favorite Erza and seasoned player Azhar bowed out in the shoot-outs after drawing their games. Fauzi & Bernard dished out an exciting 6 goal triller with the latter winning 2-4while Anas prove to strong for Nic winning 2-0.

Semis
0 Arthur v Ezan 4
*1 Bernard v Anas 1

Ezan was gaining in momentum & bring his last win to this game when he demolished Arthur while a shoot-out had to settle the winner between Bernard & Anas after their game ended in a 1-1 draw.

3rd v 4th (winner group)
Anas won by a solitary goal but it was an a great achievement for newcomer Arthur who managed to qualify till semis.

Final (winner Group)
Bernard v Ezan

Could Bernard do a double over Ezan after their recent group meeting ended in a 1-0 win or could Ezan get his revenge? A fast pace & open affair between both players did not disappoint the crowd with several breathtaking flicks, shots & saves. Both had equal share of chances but Bernard managed to prevail with a grounder shot which penetrated pass Ezan stubborn defence. In the end one goal was enough and Bernard finally won a tournament.

(Report by Rudy Hesty)

Next event in Pretoria

Contact is Julian Vander Merwe at julianrvdm@gmail.com

WASPA monthly report of April 2014

The monthly report of April 2014 can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4_PpphlADgVeDFLdUZ6S25DQTQ

This month we had some interesting facts:
- 2 events were played in Cyprus, the first one counted for March as there was no tournament in Limassol last month.
- tournaments with the swiss system had a good turnout in Templeuve, Heckmondwike, Kallithéa and Rome.
- there were tournaments in two different cities in Australia
- the first WASPA tournament ever took place in Austria
- a tournament in California had a special guest from Singapore
- 11 players competed in Chile with representatives from New Zealand, Ecuador and Colombia
- a tournament played with the old rules in Italy will be added in the next ranking

As for the rankings:
- we have now 1250 ranked players from 34 nations
- Denmark is the first nation to disappear from the ranking as no Dane has played in the WASPA circuit in the last 24 months
- 42 players competed for the first time in WASPA events this month
- Simone Trivelli has entered the top 5 of the ranking
- the way points are awarded in the ranking of nations has been slightly modified due to the growing numbr of players
- 16 regional tournaments and 1 promotional tournament held in April 2014 counted in the new ranking

News from the US
The American Subbuteo Website has a renewed webiste at www.americansubbuteo.com/‎
Any update or idea of improvement can be sent to vincent.cop@rsca.com

About the WASPA blog (http://waspa-circuit.blogspot.com):
- Our friend Panos from Greece is now doing interviews for the blog. this month interviews of Daniel Matos, Rudi Peterschingg and Vincent Coppenolle were added
-> Direct link: http://waspa-circuit.blogspot.be/p/interviews.html
- called "Project Brazil 2014". If you have pictures of some kits of national football teams (playing the world cup), feel free to drop a line. If you have any other idea of promotion regarding Subbuteo & the football world cup, (for instance setting up a subbuteo tournament under the theme "Brazil 2014" or you are playing subbuteo with the jersey of a national team), let me know by e-mail at vincent.cop@rsca.com
-> Direct link: http://waspa-circuit.blogspot.be/p/interviews.html


Useful links
Here are the few links to check when you have time:
the WASPA blog: http://waspa-circuit.blogspot.com
the WASPA map: http://goo.gl/maps/MP4gu (to be updated soon)
the WASPA Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/waspasubbuteo/
the WASPA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/WASPA-World-Amateur-Subbuteo-Players-Association/231789816834700
the FISTF website: http://www.fistf.com
the independent table football forum: http://tablefootball.friendhood.net/

If some of your friends want to receive the monthly report by e-mail, they can drop a line to vincent.cop@rsca.com to be added in the mailing list

Use also vincent.cop@rsca.com for tournament requests or for sending results and pictures

Again, thanks to all players and organizers for the continued support over the last few months. So much support is a best reason to keep on working for the game!

Yours sincerely,

Vincent Coppenolle

14 WASPA titles for Georgios Zangylos

This thursday the players from Cyprus met for their monthly tournament of May. There were 19 players taking part and there were many close games. In the quarter-finals, three games ended on a draw. Peter Kalopsioditis beat Giorgos Stylianou on shots, Georgios Zangylos defeated Vangelis Zorbis in sudden death and Kostas Kalopsioditis also beat Charalambos Constantinou on sudden death. In the semis, the three Kalopsioditis brothers and Zangylos were ready for the win but in the end, Zangylos defeated Kostas Kalopsioditis (2-1) in the final to claim his 14th WASPA title. Well done!

The semi-finalists

The sixth WASPA title for Simone Trivelli

The 6th stage of the WASPA Lazio League took place on wednesday evening with a great foeld of 19 players and some new names taking part. Simone Trivelli, who is the current leader of the circuit, had a perfect evening ith four wins and the victory of the day. It's his fourth tournament win this season and sixth WASPA trophy overall. Three players finished the evening with 9 points but the italians ystem calculating the points of the opponents offered the second place of the evening to Matteo Del Brocco while Patrizio Lazzaretti is third and Paolo Barone is fourth.

Final table of the evening:
1 Simone Trivelli
2 Matteo Del Brocco
3 Patrizio Lazzaretti
4 Paolo Barone
5 Claudio Paolino
6 Gianmarco Del Brocco
6 Simone Lo Iacono
8 Mikael Caviglia
9 Luigi Aniballi
10 Stefano Tagliaferri
10 Giuseppe Cascioli
12 Mario Lo Iacono
13 Strano
14 Luca Trivelli
15 Marco Moretti
16 Riccardo Poncetta
16 Cristian Minotti
18 Alessandro Spoto
19 Ernesto Galieti