IMAGE is EVERYTHING!

IMAGE is everything�  Well, not really.  Fun is
everything when it comes to a Subbuteo Tournament. 
If you're not having fun you should find another hobby. 
With that said, I think I can safely claim that
everyone who attended the first ever Image is Everything
tournament in St. Louis, June 9th had a great time.

The Stefan Corda Company has been hosting events for a while in
England that re-create classic English football seasons using their
"retro" Image II table football base.  The Image II base is not
exactly an old school base, but it definitely encourages the fine art
of curling and rewards those with skills beyond the straight line play
of the current game.  These ISF tournaments in England got a few of us
in St. Louis thinking about doing something similar with an NASL
theme. 

Before long we were in discussions with Neil Lishman at Stefan Corda
Co. and the IMAGE is EVERYTHING tournament became a reality.  Neil
would supply the equipment and Jeff Drake would do all the painting
(18 teams).  We were going to re-create the 1977 NASL season.

By the time all was said and done we had 15 teams compete for the
coveted Stefan Corda Soccer Bowl Trophy.  SLSL player Matt Morice had
to drop out at the last minute to witness the birth of his daughter-Hailey
Ann Marie Morice

8 teams from the host club SLSL, 1 from Lonestar SC, 4 from Maple City SC,
1 from Queen City TSC, and 1 from MSC were there to battle for the trophy. 

Some of the people that attended had never been to St. Louis for a
tournament, a few we only knew from forums or emails, and a few were
old friends, but by the end of the tournament I think everyone fit
into the category of friend.  And really, that's what's great about
our little game.  I had 4 people stay at my house, Jeff had 2 people
crash with him and Mitch kenneled the English Bulldog Constable for
the weekend.  I hosted 15 guys at my house all day Saturday for the
tournament and at the end of it all my wife said the house was in
better shape than if the kids had just had their normal Saturday
routine.  I have no reservations about opening my home to anyone I've
met playing this silly little game and I'm sure I could email almost
anyone in the ASA and get a couch to sleep on and a place to play at a
moments notice.  That's something very special and I hope we all
appreciate what a special group we are.

Anyway, back to the tournament.  We had a few big dogs in the
tournament (Jon Schultz, Keith Constable, Jeff Drake, Steve Laskey), a
few new players and a big batch of journeymen in the middle.  The hope
was that the Image bases would level the field a bit.  And I think
they did in the beginning.  Many surprise scores happened and close
games that could have been blowouts. The NASL shootout we used to
settle all ties was a big hit with players and spectators alike.
Cheers throughout the house signaled a clutch save or a rocketed goal.
Despite surprise playoff appearances by Larry Fryer from Maryland and
yours truly from the SLSL and some not so surprising playoff spots for
Mitch Morice and Darren Koffman (SLSL), Steven Laskey (QCTSC), and
Keith Constable (Lonestar), in the end though, the cream rose to the
top and a finals of Jon Schultz vs. Jeff Drake seemed a natural ending
to the festivities.  Jon's Seattle Sounders beat Jeff's Tampa Bay
Rowdies in the finals, but I think we all won.

At the end of the day the measure of the success of the event was a
bunch of guys sitting around laughing and telling subbuteo war
stories.  Invitations to "come and stay at my place" were offered
sincerely.  Promises to keep in touch and get together soon were the
norm.  "Thanks" was thrown around more times than I can count.  And at
the end of it all "I'll be back for the next one" was the resounding
refrain.  There were no ASA points or FISTF points on offer, just
friendship, fun, and bragging rights.  This was the first of what we
hope will be many Image is Everything Tournaments.  Next time we hope
to see you there.

For full tournament results and pictures, go to: 

http://www.stlsubbuteo.com/image_is_everything.htm

Brad DeMunbrun

End of Transmission...

Comments

[GOALSeattle.com]

GOALSeattle.com is proud of Jon's accomplishment on behalf of the colors of the SOUNDERS! :)

[GOALSeattle.com]

Hey..could you have Jon contact us? Thanks!