Flick2Kick

Featured Flicker: Wayne Smith

Wayne is a founder of the SCSC that meet in the Los Angeles
area. Wayne is a fine player who has been active on the US
scene for much of the last decade. 


F2K. What bases are you playing with at the moment?

A.  Sure shots.  I'm waiting for a Sure Shot with a soft edge.


F2K. When did you first start playing subbuteo?

A.  About 1984 or so.  I saw a box full of little plastic soccer players
painted to look like the German National Team in a friend's closet.  I
asked him about it and he said that no one ever expressed interest in
playing.  He gave me two teams and a ball to play with.  I played on the
back of some indoor-outdoor carpeting.  A few days later I beat him
twice.  He was stunned.  My friend quit playing about 1988.  I still
have all his teams at my house.

F2K. What is your best ever result?

A.  Hmmm...my best results were last century!  3:0 over Rick
Wilcox...twice...both friendlies-the beer he was drinking helped my game
immensely!  I've never even gotten a point off him in a tournament.  In
a tournament?  OOO!  I remember!  I beat Gregg Deinhart in the 1999
Super Cup!  We started at about midnight.  By about 1 AM I had a 1:0 win
and a 0:1 loss.  I then won on a shootout.  I could never have won if we
had been well-rested.  OH YEAH!  In the 1998 (I think) National I held
Gregg to a 0:0 tie.  It was his only blemish on the day and he won the
National Title.  He out-shot me more than 10:0 and my skinny Subbuteo
keeper made 10 saves.

F2K. Worst result?

A.  That's easy-11-0 to David Wouters.  I had a flimsy Toccer keeper and
when the ball hit its arm, the handle flexed and so the ball would knock
the keeper out of the way and just go right in the goal.  That was
awful.  With a decent keeper it would have only been about 4 or 5 to
zero.

F2K. Your funniest subbuteo moment...

A.  Jon Schultz (who is so intense that he makes Wilcox seem relaxed)
and I were playing in the WSO in 1999.  We had just spent about 20
minutes going over the new (for the time) FISTF rules.  I flicked a
figure past the ball, missing it.  Schultz flicked a figure and hit my
figure, while it was moving.  I don't think we knew if his flick was
allowed from a previous attacking flick or not.  We both started to open
our mouths to make our argument about how it was our ball and both of us
froze because neither of us knew the rule that would apply.  There we
were both pointing and gaping with brain freeze.  We then both started
laughing and explaining that we didn't know what the rule was.  I guess
you had to be there.


F2K. One sentence only. How would you describe the game of subbuteo to a
stranger?

A.  It's a 1:100 scale soccer game in which each player controls a team
and, unlike Foozball, you can throw players forward if behind and pull
players back if ahead.


F2K. Boxers or briefs?

A.  Briefs-I prefer law to pugilism any day.  


F2K. Who has been your most difficult opponent?

A.  Other than European players WAY better than I am, I'd say Rick
Wilcox.  I think I've played him 6 times or more in tournaments and the
best I've done is to force him into overtime before losing.


F2K. Why do you play subbuteo? (one sentence only)

A.  It's incredibly colorful-in so many ways.


F2K. Who would you most like to beat in a game ? Why?

A.  That's a tough one... Keira Knightley?  She was a soccer player in
"Bend it like Beckham," but changing jerseys after the game might not be
that exciting.  Kelly Carlson, on the other hand, might be way more fun
to exchange jerseys with.


F2K. Should the ASA join FISTF as a fullmember, or stay with partner
status?

A.  I'm the last guy to ask because I don't play in FISTF tournaments.
My feeling is that until we put a guy out there who can play with the
best in the world, "they" won't give us much respect whether we join or
not.



F2K. What is your preferred food/drink at tournaments?

A. My wife's barbeque!  She's an awesome cook and makes the best burgers
in the world.  She always breaks out the barbeque whenever we have a
tournament at my house.  If you like burgers, you should come to one of
our tournaments at our house.


F2K. What is your strength as a player?

A.  Seven years ago I was the 3rd ranked player in the US.  Now I'm not
even in the top 50.  So my strength now is that my teams look good.


F2K. What is your weakness?

A.  Lack of tournament play.  This lack of experience really hurts.  My
tactics haven't developed any in the past 7 years, even though I'm a
better flicker and shooter (thanks to my Sure Shots).


F2K. What was the best advice ever given to you about playing the game?

A.  LOL!  USE POLISH!  I never tried polish until I went to Toronto to
play with Scott Aldridge-this was in 1997.  He beat me several games by
a goal or two and I never got even CLOSE to scoring.  He convinced me to
use polish and by the time I left Toronto I was beating him quite
frequently.  

Mary Jane Has Had Her Fun : by Jonathon Smith

ASA President Jon Smith tells us about the origin of the "Mary Jane" Consolation bracket, a moniker unique to the ASA. As new clubs and regions across the country develop their own traditions, the title Mary Jane may become a thing of the past, but the sentiment behind it seems set to continue..

The Mary Jane consolation bracket was born as a fun tournament in the BS now known as BUSL in Boise, Idaho. A door size Joe Jusko poster of Mary Jane wife of Spiderman with the classic tagline "Face it tiger you just hit the jackpot" not some wacky tobaccy or any other connotation is the namesake across the ASA.   One night Chris Seigenthaler, Garin Fuhriman and Jonathan Smith were deciding what to play for and saw a vision on the door.  The winner would sign her with the stipulation to hang the poster until the next "Mary Jane."  The "Stormin' Mormon" Garin Fuhriman won that night and Denise Smith was happy to see the MJ go, not because she was offended by MJ- Joe Jusko art doesn't offend anybody, but because the poster was huge.  In October of 1996 Gregg Deinhart visited Boise and Mary Jane hitched a ride East. Members Earl Shores, Ron Ferguson, and John Sarra to name a few became signatures across the expansive real estate of the MJ.

The Original poster is lost in two-time winner Ron Ferguson's garage (don't tell me different Fergie I know it's there under the work bench.) She has lived on in spirit as the default title of the National consolation and most other tournament consolations. The ASA has distinguished itself through the play of consolation brackets and Mary Jane has been the format's greatest ambassador. Consolation brackets didn't start with MJ, but they took off because of her influence.  Subbuteo is fun because of the craziness and the little things like the MJ and the Deinhart litmus test.  Clubs and regions have built on their own uniqueness like the Wes Mantooth in the St. Louis Subbuteo League, and the signing of the life size cardboard cutout of "Captain for life" John Harkes in the Northwest. There will always be a soft spot for Mary Jane Watson-Parker.  She gets compliments on the hyphen.   Face it tiger, you just hit the jackpot.

Featured Flicker: Andrea Gasparini

Ask those in the know before a major tournament who they think may win, and chances are that the name of Andrea Gasparini will be mentioned. As he plays in just a handful of tournaments a year, he is often a dreaded unseeded opponent when a tournament draw is made. At the end of every match Andrea records the score of the game, his "little book" goes back to the 1980s. There are not many losses in that book!

Andrea is also a film maker and a national champion in a Kayak sport (think water polo with kayaks). Currently living in Massachusetts. In the last two years he has started a club in Salem, MA.

F2K. What bases are you playing with at the moment?

Subbuteo Parodi


F2K. When did you first start playing subbuteo?

October 1986 (although I had played maybe 10 games in the previous years)


F2K. What is your best ever result?

11-0 against a kid named Umberto (December 1st 1988)


F2K. Worst result?

9-0 with Marco Gagliardi (3rd World cup U16 1990) on Sep 18 1988,  9-0 with 
Giovanni Gagliardi on July 8 1988


F2K. Your funniest subbuteo moment...

March 12 1988, when I played my first double game . My teammate and I 
scored an incredible goal. It was so unbelievable that we started laughing 
like crazy after seeing the desperate faces of our opponents (who not only 
lost the game but also lost a bet)


F2K. One sentence only. How would you describe the game of subbuteo to a
stranger?


A combination of chess and billiards; strategy and accuracy.

F2K. Boxers or briefs?

A Boxers.


F2K. Who has been your most difficult opponent?

A.Giovanni Gagliardi. He was a member of my club who was among the top 10 
players in Italy. He used to trash me all the time (up to 9-0). I was able 
to defeat him for the first time in a regional tournament semifinal. 3-1 
(Nov 2nd 1991)


F2K. Why do you play subbuteo? (one sentence only)

A.I am addicted to it


F2K. Who would you most like to beat in a game ? Why?

A. Zach Walker. He's our current national champ.


F2K. Should the ASA join FISTF as a fullmember, or stay with partner 
status?

A.Partner Status


F2K. What is your preferred food/drink at tournaments?

A. Tomato sandwich and Coke Zero


F2K. What is your strength as a player?

A. Patience


F2K. What is your weakness?

A.Inconsistency


F2K. What was the best advice ever given to you about playing the game?

A. Ryan Bak gave me some tips on how to play in goal

Great Painting Guide...

So many players are painting their own blank figures nowadays. This awesome webpage, courtesy of Hattrick Subbuteo in the UK should help you  get started in the right direction...

Featured Flicker: Miguel Marques

Miguel Marques is one of the finest players in the country. His clubmates at SCC in Connecticut have known how good he is for some time.He is the club champion of the strongest club in the land. This year, Miguel proved it on the national  stage with a storming run to the individual final.

F2K. What bases are you playing with at the moment?

A. C-6 Astrobases-Sporting Clube de Portugal, ironically I'm a SL Benfica supportor, my brother Rick Marques is playing with SL Benfica.

F2K. When did you first start playing subbuteo?

A. I was introduced to the game at an early age by my cousin Luis Silva, but only recently began playing (2003)

F2K. What is your best ever result?

A. Defeating Massimo Conturso my first time and most recently defeating Rick Wilcox in 2006 ASA Nationals.  Both outstanding players.

F2K. Worst result?

A. Zack Walker 3 vs Miguel Marques 0, 2006 ASA Nationals, but actually i would have to say against Massimo Conturso.  He has taught me a lesson or two.  True leader, key to my improvement in the game.

F2K. Your funniest subbuteo moment...

A.  My wife, Jennifer Marques,  explaining to a couple of friends of ours that I play with soccer dolls!

F2K. One sentence only. How would you describe the game of subbuteo to a
stranger?

A.  My wife convinced me that I play with soccer dolls!!

F2K. Boxers or briefs?

A. I usually go commando!!!

F2K. Who has been your most difficult opponent?

A. Zack Walker

F2K. Why do you play subbuteo? (one sentence only)

A. I love o jogo bonito.

F2K. Who would you most like to beat in a game ? Why?

A. Zack Walker and Greg. D., which I have not played yet.

F2K. Should the ASA join FISTF as a fullmember, or stay with partner status?

A.  Depends on what our association would benefit from joining.

F2K. What is your preferred food/drink at tournaments?

A. Whatever.

F2K. What is your strength as a player?

A. Very organized, tactics, long range control

F2K. What is your weakness?

A.  I'll have to let my opponents answer this one.

F2K. What was the best advice ever given to you about playing the game?

A.  Have Fun. 

More Portuguese Muffins!

Regular readers of this blog will recall ( July 5 ) a previous incident with regard to Portuguese muffins. Less than a week after being defeated by Miguel Marques (Portuguese!) in the Open category of the National Championships my wife rubs salt in a still open wound by bringing home yet more of said muffins! To help understand my reaction, conjur up a vision of Nancy Kerringan after she got hit in the knee with a metal bar, to quote Nancy, "Why, Why, Why...!"

P.S. The muffins are good, err...so I am told

Basic Rules

The full unabridged rules of the game available at Fistf.com are notoriously mind boggling. One of the amazing things about this great game is that you can have 2 players playing each other with 20 years of experience, and neither one will know a specific rule/call during a game!  A few attempts have been made to simplify the rules, mainly to help new players understand the game. Thanks to Paul Wilkinson and the Newport club in the UK for their FISTF Rules Made Simple

Featured Flicker: Lenny Foster

Lenny Foster is our player this week. Lenny lives in Idaho. He is a cornerstone of the BUSL club that has been active for over 10 years. He has won many ASA titles, and was a National Quarter Finalist in 2005.

F2K.   What bases are you playing with at the moment?

A. Black C8 profibases   with the Newton Heath throwback Man United kit from the   mid-90's..


F2K. When did you first start playing   subbuteo?

A. I first remember flicking when I was about 4 or 5   with a set that belonged to a buddy of my older   brother's.  I then rediscovered the game in 1994 when I purchased a USA   '94 set from Eurosport

F2K. What is your best ever result?

A.   Hard to say, but just waking up for some of the Sunday tournaments on my trips   back East has been a feat in itself.

F2K. Worst result?

A.    My second ASA tournament in December of 1995 was a complete nightmare for   me.  Every game was horrid.  I lost to one of the worst players   there by a clear 3 or 4 goals.

F2K. Your funniest subbuteo   moment...

A. Subbuteo is filled with funny moments on and off the   field.  The topper would have to be at the first tournament that I ever   played in at the soccer store where Jonathan Smith worked.  We had   to stop games in order for Jonathan to sell soccer shoes and on one occassion   this little kid was looking at the game, picked up one of my guys, and licked   the bottom of the base.  That time just barely beat out the time we had   the cops callled on us at a tournament.

F2K. One sentence only. How would you describe the game of   subbuteo to a
stranger?

A. Grown men reliving their failed youth   soccer glories, only in miniature.


F2K. Boxers or briefs?

A.   Wouldn't you like to know.

F2K. Who has been your most difficult   opponent?

A. I only played him once, but the UK's Chris Thomas was   tremendous.  I remember his first goal came on a chip where the ball   bounced twice after lobbing my keeper before it went into the net.

F2K.   Why do you play subbuteo? (one sentence only)

A. To satisfy the geek in   my innerself - and the people aren't half bad either.

F2K. Who would   you most like to beat in a game ? Why?

A. Anybody I'm playing.    Losing sucks.

F2K. Should the ASA join FISTF as a fullmember, or stay   with partner status?

A. We should stay as we are - we're not at the   participation level yet to make it worth the effort to become a   fullmember.  We need to focus on bettering the ASA with growth,   publicity, etc. and I don't think joining as a full member does accomplishes   much for us at the current moment.


F2K. What is your preferred  food/drink at tournaments?

A. Gatorade works wonders.  After a long night out it's important to rehydrate yourself.


F2K. What is your strength   as  a player?

A. I'm not sure I really have one.  I'm kind of a jack of all trades, master of none kind of guy.


F2K. What is your  weakness?

A.   Everything.  Theres always room for improvement.


F2K. What was the best advice ever given to you  about playing   the game?

A. Relax and enjoy the game, the people, and the   competition.

Team Tournaments in the US, here to stay? : F2K Editorial

At the recent National Championships in Connecticut there was a marked difference between the atmosphere on Saturday and on Sunday. Saturday was the individual open, with peace and quiet interrupted only occasionally by a shout from a player - and by the music emanating from Eddie Davidson's labtop.  Sunday however  was characterized by screams, yelps, banging heads against walls, and a level of passion that I have never witnessed at a subbuteo event in the US. One parent observer who has attended several previous subbuteo tournaments approached me on the Sunday to ask "What is going on? Why is everybody screaming, shouting and running around like crazy?"

In the second ever playing of a National Team Championship, SCC (Connecticut) ended up winning the title by defeating WTSL (Washington DC)  on a goal scored in the last 3 minutes - with the tie even - by Miguel Marques against Rick Wilcox. All three results were still possible until the last flick. In the last minute, Gregg Deinhart of WTSL came very close to scoring a goal against Massimo Conturso that would have swung the match - and the title - back to WTSL.

So there you have it. The excitement of team play. But what of the future. Are such events going to be a permanent feature of the subbuteo scene in the US? Or is this just going to be a once a year deal? The cat may already be out of the bag. As previously mentioned, the passion displayed during the recent championships may convert more players to the format. Already, plans have been made to hold a team competition as part of a FISTF International weekend on March 16/17th in Washington DC. Maryland and Connecticut have started a head to head series, where they will play as a team against one another to win the North Atlantic Challenge Cup. A trophy currently held by Maryland.

However, there are challenges ahead for the team format in this country. What criteria should be used to select teams, specifically those contesting the National Championships? Should a group of friends (who hapen to be very good players in different parts of the country) be allowed to form a de facto "Super Team" to challenge for titles?

At present, the hosting club of a team tournament held in this country, would seem to hold a big advantage. With distances so huge between competing clubs. The host club of any National Championships could have a huge advantage. Any problem with that?

On the flip side, will the team format encourage larger groups from clubs to travel en masse to tournaments? Thus increasing tournament participation.

What about the individual player that has no natural team affiliation. Will they feel left out of the process? Will they share the same excitement as a player from a larger more established club, with a "natural" team made up of clubmates?

Should players be able to transfer between teams during a season?

The world governing body - FISTF- sees team competitions as the natural way forward for the game. The US National Championships proved no different to the atmosphere at the yearly World Cup held in Europe, where the atmosphere at the team event is highly charged. Weekly European events see team tournaments one day, individual the next. Are we close to that stage? The fact that it can even start to be discussed, is a measure of the progress being made in the US. Where 5 years ago, around 30 players were in the individual ASA rankings, this year it looks like growing to 150 active players in the rankings. That is remarkable growth. How/and if the ASA and its members nurture this growth via team play  - with some prodding from FISTF - will be fascinating to watch.

F2K

Please use the comments section below to share your views on the team format and its future in this country.