Singapore’s Benny Ng (Western Flickers) claimed the first FISTF event staged in Canberra, the national capital of Australia, ahead of a strong field of 23 players.

The Swiss format competition was staged over five rounds, with some dramatic matches and equally dramatic final rankings.
Northern Falcon’s young duo of Oli Ollnow and Torben Pfister claimed second and third places, while Canberra TFC’s Nick Brill finished fourth.

Top ranked Fabrizio Coco (Sydney TFC) fell 3-1 to Benny, and with two 1-1 draws (against Northern Phoenix Paul Mercer and Brisbane’s Giuseppe Tardiota), he fell to 8th place in the final ranking.

There was much discussion both before and after the tournament as to the pluses and minuses of the Swiss format, and ATFA will present a final report to FISTF on their views on the tournament.

Results
Canberra-FISTF-Satellite
Table
Canberra-FISTF-Satellite_table

Very few changes in the Asian rankings this month.
Enjoy!!

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Feb Open 201902

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Feb Women 201902

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Feb Teams 201902

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Feb Vet 201902

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Feb U15 201902

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Feb U19 201902

Fabrizio Coco claimed the second Northern Falcons WASPA of the year, with a nerve wracking victory by shots over clubmate Tony Credentino.

A healthy turnout of 12 players contested the event, with an early shock when Adrian Grunbach edged Eliot Kennedy 2-1.
Steve’s propensity to hit the post with chipped shots saw him dip out in the ‘group of death’, while Eliot recovered to beat Jonty and qualify with Adrian G from their group.
Hermann Kruse and Adrian Elmer advanced from Group C, while very little separated eternal rivals Oli Ollnow and Torben Pfister before they both advanced.
Fabrizio and Elion had convincing wins in their quarterfinals, while Tony edged Hermann 1-0. Oli Ollnow and Adrian G needed shots to decide their encounter, with Oli winning 2-0.

In the semis, Eliot battled hard and had a golden opportunity with seconds left on the clock to equalise against Fab, but fluffed his lines, and Fab burst forward to snatch a late second. In the other, Tony continued his stirling form with a 1-0 win against Oli.

The final was packed with drama. Tony scored early, and then had to battle against Fab’s intense pressure. With just over a minute remaining, Fab got his equaliser, taking the match to shots.
The pressure remained, with both players taking their chances, before Fab scored with the last of his five to win 3-2.

Another great night at the Falcons’ Nest!!!

Cedric Garnier of Tokyo TFC took top spot on the Asian rankings for the first time since July 2018 on the back of the Yokohama Satellite.

He leapfogged both Anas Rahamat (SGP, Jurong Central) and Antonio Carabillo (HKG Dragons).
The biggest mover was Rob Green (AUS, Northern Falcons) who leapt 15 places in the Asian rankings, into the top 10 for the first time. He also moved 103 places in the world ranking.
Among others who rose in Asia, were Fabrizio Coco (AUS, Sydney FC) who jumped 4 places, Steve Dettre (AUS, Northern Falcons) 6 places, Adrian Connolly (AUS, Western Flickers), Tony Credentino (AUS, Sydney TFC) 10, Adrian Elmer (AUS, Western Sydney) 8.
In the teams category, Juron edged ahead of their country rivals SG Lions to be ranked 1, while Sydney TFC rose to third in the rankings.
There was no activity and no changes in the Veteran category, U15 and U12.
In the U19 Top spot was retained by Benjamin Ng (AUS, Westrn Flickers), ahead of Isaac Lim (SGP, Lions), while Jonty Brener jumped two places into third in the ranking, ahead of clubmate Oli Olnow.
Falcons Torben Pfister moved up six places, as did Nicholas Carabillo (HKG Dragons), while Daniel Sirmai moved up five places to 15th.
Biggest mover was Liam Browne (AUS, Western Flickers), who leapt 10 places to 23rd.
In the women’s ranking Beth Eveleigh too top spot for the first time since January 2018, ahead of Kimi Wada (JPN, Yamato), while Charlotete Wright moved up one place to 4th, Æowyn Elmer rose two places to 6th and Juliette Brown jumped five places to 7th.

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Jan_201901_women

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Jan_201901_U12

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Jan_201901_U15

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Jan_201901_U19

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Jan_201901_Vets

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Jan_201901_team

FISTF-Asian-rankings-201901_Jan Open

Sydney TFC’s Daniele Lombardi caused an upset when he won the pre-AGP19 WASPA, organised by the Northern Falcons on Monday night.
A 10-man field including AGP19 3rd seed Eliot Kennedy (Nthn Falcons), 5th seed Fabrizio Coco (Sydney TFC) and 7th seed Robert Green was drawn into a four round Swiss competition.

Daniele started inauspiciously when he lost 1-0 to Greenie, but then amassed points and culminated in a 2-0 win over Fabrizio to win on goal difference.
“I’m not sure it’s a good thing to have won tonight,” said a surprised Daniele. “I hope I can keep the form going into the AGP.”

Falcons’ Jonty Brener got in some good preparation for the AGP with wins over Adrian Elmer and his dad, while Adrian managed to shrug off his shooting woes, at least some of the time, to grab two precious wins.

Steve and Tony renewed their great rivalry, but this time it ended in a 1-1 draw, while it was great to see Jonny Ball in action, preparing for the AGP.

Great fun all around and in true camaraderie.

Results
Falcons PRE AGP

Singapore’s Anas Rahamat finished 2018 as the No.1 Asian ranked player, but there was a new No.2 with Hong Kong’s Antonio Carabillo replacing Cedric Garnier of Tokyo TFC.

These two have been playing leapfrog for most of the year, and it sees Antonio go into the Australian Grand Prix 2019 as the Number One Seed.

A number of Australian players re-entered the rankings after their registrations were processed, as well as some new Singapore players.

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Dec_18_Women
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Dec_18_U12
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Dec_18_U15
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Dec_18_U19
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Dec_18_Vets
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Dec_18_Teams
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Dec_18_Open

Anas Rahamat of Singapore retained the number one ranking in Asia at the end of 2018,  the 8th time this year he has held the No.1 place.

He held off the challenge of Japan’s Cedric Garnier, who moved up one place as Hong Kong’s Antonio Carabillo dropped one.
Raffaele Lombardi claimed the top Aussie ranking, on the back of his Melbourne International Open victory.
Of significant note are the number of players across the region who need to renew their domestic registration to confirm their world ranking places.

FISTF-Asian-rankings-Nov_18_Open
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Nov_18_Women
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Nov_18_U12
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Nov_18_U15
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Nov_18_U19
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Nov_18_Vets
FISTF-Asian-rankings-Nov_18_Teams

Northern Falcons’ junior Oliver Ollnow caused a major surprise when he upstaged his senior clubmates to win the December 17 Christmas WASPA at the clubhouse, now dubbed ‘The Falcons’ Nest’.

While it’s true that Oli didnt win a match in normal time, he did what was necessary to take the tournament, based on a defence of steel and the capacity to work attacks with just two figures – always being willing to move the ball back rather than being boxed in.
He won his three knock-out matches on shots, showing a capacity to finish in shootouts.
The Monday night event attracted 11 players, with Johnny Ball making a welcome return after more than a year in the table football wilderness. Many thanks also to Tony Credentino and Geoff Sirmai for once again supporting our club.

Group 1 saw a pulsating first match, with Neil Brener and Oli sharing the points in a 2-2 draw. Eliot Kennedy beat Neil 2-0 and then struggled against Oli but came up with a 1-0 win.
In group 2, Hermann Kruse stole a first up win against Jonty Brener with a last gasp goal, much to the entertainment of a couple of onlookers who followed Hermann’s exploits in the tournament. Adrian Grunbach overcame Torben Pfister 1-0, Hermann beat Torben and when Adrian and Hermann drew 1-1, Adrian claimed the automatic semifinal placing.
In group 3, Steve Dettre beat Geoff Sirmai 2-1, after Geoff scored a lightning equaliser. Tony Credentino bested Johnny Ball 2-1, but not before ‘Sphere’ scored a shock first up goal.
Steve powered three past Tony in a 3-1 win, and after two scoreless draws, it was Steve and Tony who progressed to the barrage round.

Both matches went to shots, with Hermann edging Tony and Oli beatigng Steve.
Eliot was on fire in the semifinal, knocking in five unanswered goals against Hermann, while Adrian found it touch against Oli’s disciplined defence and went down 2-0 on shots.
In the final, Eliot worked hard to get around the back of Oli’s defence, creating a few opportunities, but wasting the precious chances. Oli was by no means sat back, and worked a few chances of his own.
But it then went to shots, and Oli’s two nicely chipped shots, combined with some good keepin, was enough to claim the event.

Results Christmas WASPA Dec 2018

Sydney TFC’s Fabrizio Coco claimed the 3^rd edition of the Christmas Cup, a traditional tournament organized by Sydney Table Football Club. This year for the first time it was also played under the FISTF regulations and format as a Satellite event.

It was a very good turnout of Open players and junior players coming mostly from local area of Sydney but also interstate. The great weekend started with a traditional dinner draw. A big surprise during the draw was seeing Fabrizio Coco in the same group with clubmates Daniele Lombardi and Antonio Credentino — definitely the group of death!

The tournament had 4 groups with a total of 14 Open players and 2 groups for the U19 category for a total of 7 players with Gabriel Lombardi, Oliver Ollnow and Jonty Brener taking part also in the main category and played an incredible level showing how far they have grown during these years!

Raffaele Lombardi (Sydney TFC) current number 55 in the world ranking, was the top seed player and favourite to win the title, followed by Eliot Kennedy (Northern Falcons WR 81), Fabrizio Coco (Sydney TFC WR  107) and Hermann Kruse (Northern Falcons WR 204).

It was a pretty easy life in their group stages for Raffaele and Eliot in their groups, but not really for Fabrizio who had to face his top team mates Daniele Lombardi (1-1) and Antonio Credentino (3-1) but still finished first in his group on goal difference. Herman finished 2^nd in his group on goal difference, behind Giuseppe Tardiota (Brisbane Subbuteo Club WR 165).

The quarter finals started with a big match between the two Sydney TFC brothers Raffaele Lombardi vs Daniele Lombardi (2-1) followed up by Jonty Brener vs Giuseppe Tardiota (0-2), Oliver Ollnow vs Fabrizio Coco (0-2) and Eliot Kennedy vs Hermann Kruse (4-1).

The semifinals were just as tight,  where everything was about to happen.

Raffaele Lombardi and Giuseppe Tardiota finished 1-1 after Giuseppe took the lead. Only the Golden Goal saw decided the victory for Raffaele 2-1. In the other semifinal Fabrizio Coco vs Eliot Kennedy was a  game plenty of occasions from both sides where Fabrizio took the lead in the first half and Eliot equalized in the second half finishing the game with 1-1 results. Only the penalty shootout decided the fate of the game that saw Fabrizio winning 2-1.

The Open final was a Sydney TFC matter between Raffaele Lombardi and Fabrizio Coco, battling without pause. An intense game well refereed by Eliot saw Fabrizio claiming his 2^nd Christmas Cup title winning 1-0 against his club mate.

In the junior category Oliver Ollnow (Northern Falcons) took the title beating in final Gabriel Lombardi (Sydney TFC) 2-0 .

Congratulations to all the players who competed in the tournament and many compliments to the incredible juniors growth in the game!

Results
Xmas Cup

Sydney TFC’s Fabrizio Coco took the honours as the Northern Falcons celebrated moving in to new club premises.

After more than four year at Good Games Chatswood, the club has relocated to the Willoughby Park Bowling and Recreation club, still within the Willoughby district. Many thanks to Councillor Brendon Zhu, and Willoughby Park President Roger Womersley for making this happen. The club is fully licensed, and we are able to make use of their great facilities. There is plenty of space for us to set up boards, and just as importantly, there is plenty of car parking.

Nine players attended the first session at the club, with Fabrizio laying down a serious challenge in the first round with a 2-0 win against Tony Credentino.

Hermann Kruse and Neil Brener tussled out a tough 0-0 draw, while Geoff Sirmai came from behind with a cracking goal to get a 1-1 with Steve Dettre.

Fab won again 2-0 against Jonty, while Hermann was plagued by bad shooting in another 0-0 draw, this time with Kostas Barbaris.

Steve and Adrian Grunbach traded goals, with Adrian twice taking the lead, only to be pegged back.
In the group ranking deciders, Tony beat Jonty 2-0, Kostas beat Neil 1-0 and Adrian overcame Geoff 1-0.

In the barrage round, Tony clipped Adrian 1-0, while Steve beat Hermann on shots after coming back from 1-0 down to a wonderful opportunist shot by Hermann.

The Sydney lads wrapped up the semis, with Tony winning comfortably, and Fab finally beating Steve’s keeper during the shootout after being denied four times in the match with miraculous saves!

Fab then took the title with two goals in the first five minutes setting the scene for a 3-0 win.
It was great to see plenty of friendly matches happening too! As always, our mate Harley Ullrich remains in our memories, and his Memorial Board hosted the final.

The Northern Falcons currently have five boards — two Kevin Grant specials, and three older Falcons boards — and will put the calendar up soon. All players from across Sydney, whether experienced or beginners, are welcome to attend.

Results:
Inauguration Cup, Nov 2018