Holiday Silver and Team National Championship in Maryland

The weekend of December the 5th and the 6th Alex Batacchi was the only club member to participate at the annual classical held at the Patapsco Middle school in Ellicot City, MD.

The competition in every tournament was very tough and our player did not show his best Subbuteo, frustrated mostly by a terrible shooting form that to a certain extent affected his whole game.

He reached the Semifinal in the Veterans tournament to be eliminated by Gregg Deinhart [7 times American Champion, in the picture], he left the main event at the round of 16 loosing with Ed Morgans at the Golden Goal in overtime, and on Sunday he reached the Semifinal in the F.A. Cup style tournament to be trashed by Zach Walker 5-0 best American player at the moment and probably for years to come [ simply awesome to watch him playing].

His best performance was in the Team National Championship, where being in the S.C.C. United team[as a free agent] he won all his games, and even though

his shooting was still terrible, in the interest of the team he kept on playing with discipline and intensity.

His best weekend game was in the Team Championship Final against Michael Tillman, very tight game, that could have gone both ways, he was able to win it in the dying seconds....Batabomber!!!!

Incredibly competitive this event, leave to a side your own individual perception of the game and put you at your team service.

For Alex was the second final in team competition in a row, and again a second

place with an unbeaten individual sequence of 12 games[ 11 won one tied]-

Our heroes lost the final 2-1 againt the M.S.C. team ,for the fourth time in a row A.S.A. Champions. In the picture above Miguel Marques, Alex Batacchi, Ed Morgans and Massimo Conturso [Captain], proud members of the S.C.C. United team Vice National Champion. Massicci ed incazzati!!!!-

The National Team Championship final results board.

Again a fantastic weekend of real competition in Maryland, a lot of fun playing this fantastic game and looking at a movement that is growing big time in quantity and quality of players.

Looking back at our history

First of all congratulations to the S.T.S.L. for their fresh start, hopefully they will prosper and play the game, unfortunately the old history of the club was lost in the internet so let's try to remember just with numbers and pictures, it would be very difficult and too long writing about any singular event.

There were played 3 A.S.A. sanctioned tournaments held at the Batacchi grounds since September 2007:

1. Florida Cup 07 - Winner - Alex Batacchi - Runner Up - Jody Schaaf
   
2. Turkey Classic 08 - Winner - Alex Batacchi - Runner Up - Jody Schaaf
   
3. Florida Cup 09 - Winner - Alex Batacchi - Runner Up - Isabel Batacchi
   

Above some action from the Florida Cup 2007.

Matt- Jody on the left . Jody and Alex on the right.

There were played also 2 not A.S.A. sanctioned events :

1. Gasparilla Cup 08 - Winner - Alex Batacchi - Runner Up - Isabel Batacchi
   
2. Sunshine Cup 08 - Winner - Alex Batacchi - Runner Up - Isabel Batacchi

The Gasparilla Cup above and Sunshine Cup Winner and Runner Up.

Here to follow some stats of the players with more than 10 games played and organized by the S.T.S.L. in A.S.A sanctioned events:

1. Alex Batacchi - 21 / 21 / 0 / 0/ 97 / 1 /



2. Jody Schaaf -14 / 11 /0/ 3 / 28 / 3 /



3. Sandro Tarozzi - 17 / 9 / 1 / 7 / 31 / 19 /



4. Isabel Batacchi - 18 / 7/ 3 / 8 / 23 / 20 /



5. Matt Fox - 17 / 4 / 3 / 10 / 6 / 39 /
   


6. player - GP/ W/ T / L / GS / GA /
   

Some stats from the not A.S.A sanctioned events:

1. Alex Batacchi - 14 / 14 / 0/ 0 / 62 / 2 /
   


2. Isabel Batacchi- 15 /5 / 5 / 5 / 9 / 14 /
   


3. Sandro Tarozzi - 9 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 3 / 14 /



4. Matt Fox - 14 / 1 / 1 / 12 / 1 / 39 /
   

Total stats for all games [ + 25 games ]

Alex Batacchi - 35 games - 35 wins - 159 goals scored - 3 goals allowed -

Isabel Batacchi - 33 games - 12 w. - 8 t. - 13 l. - 32 g.s. - 34 g.a. -

Sandro Tarozzi - 26 games - 11 w. - 4 t. - 11 l. - 34 g.s. - 33 g.a.

Matt Fox - 31 games - 5 w. - 4 t. - 22 l. - 7 g.s. - 78 g.a.
Last S.T.S.L. tournament of the old course: Florida Cup 2009 - 2nd edition , held at the end of May before the Nationals.

Let's hope that both clubs prosper bringing to the game as many players as possible to make Florida one of the largest Subbuteo State of the Country, spreading the interest for this little but great game, the only real simulation of soccer for tabletop ever created: "flick to kick" my friends.

Alex's reign at the Turkey Classic continues

Great 5th edition of the Turkey Classic at the Batacchi grounds, as tradition full of great games and competition with friendship and fun.

The format was a round robin with home and away games between the six players competing: Alex Batacchi, Isabel Batacchi, Sandro Tarozzi, Jody Schaaf, Joey Balmer, Josh Knight.

1. Josh - Alex 0-4 / Isabel - Joey 0-2 / Jody - Sandro 4-0 /
2. Joey - Alex 0-1 / Sandro - Josh 2-0 / Isabel - Jody 0-1 /
3. Alex - Sandro 4-0 / Josh - Isabel 0-4 / Jody - Joey 1-1 /
4. Alex - Jody 3-0 / Sandro-Isabel 0-0 / Josh - Joey 1-4 /
5. Isabel - Alex 0-2 / Joey - Sandro 0-0 / Jody - Josh 4-0 /
   

The first whole round of games saw Alex leading the field with 15 points, followed by Jody with 10, then Joey 8, Sandro 5, Isabel 4 and Josh 0.

Jody and Joey returned to the competition after last year Turkey, but they showed good form, Isabel did not start very well, while Sandro had his worst of Subbuteo days and newcomer Josh impressed everybody for his touch [ if he will keep on playing will become a serious contender].
All the games were quite tight and full of adrenaline, after a good pizza lunch the second whole round was played:

1. Alex - Josh 4-0 / Sandro - Jody 0-1 / Joey - Isabel 0-2 /
2. Alex - Joey 3-0 / Josh - Sandro 0-3 / Jody - Isabel 0-2 /
3. Sandro - Alex 0-4 / Isabel - Josh 1-0 / Joey - Jody 0-0 /
4. Jody - Alex 0-4 / Isabel - Sandro 3-0 / Joey - Josh 2-1 /
5. Alex - Isabel 3-0 / Sandro - Joey 1-1 / Josh - Jody 1-3 /

Incredible comeback for Isabel in the partial round with 12 points giving up only one game to Alex that topped with 15 points, then Jody 7, Joey 5, Sandro 4 and Josh 0, but scoring his first goals in an A.S.A event.

For the fouth edition in a row Alex lifted the Turkey Classic trophy, Jody was runner up and Isabel fantastic third.

Most important all the participants had a good time and fun, even though it was a serious competition and hopefully we will see everybody next year for the 6th edition of this traditionally fantastic Turkey Classic.

You could see other pictures of the tournament at :

http://Tampabaytablesoccerclub.shutterfly.com/

Turkey Classic 5th edition is approaching

The Turkey Classic was created by the Savannah Subbuteo Club in 2005, the 5th edition will be held in Tampa this coming Sunday at the Batacchi grounds.

The Turkey Classic has become a tradition full of great matches and drama, fun and competitive games.

The past winners will be present again to revive their rivalry, the 2005 edition was won by Jody Schaaf with Joey Balmer as runner up, 2006 saw Alex Batacchi beating Mark Holloway in the final, in 2007 again Alex in front of Jody with a superb performance prelude of a great Holiday Silver, and last year saw Alex winner again topping Jody after a very competitive final.

The ingredients are all there for a competitive and full of fun recipe such as become the Turkey during the years.

Tom Shirley visiting T.B.T.S.C.

Tom Shirley from the Chattanooga Subbuteo Club was in St. Petersburg with his family for vacations.He took the opportunity for visiting our club and playing a couple of friendlies with Alex, it was fun and a pleasure to see him again at the other side of the pitch after almost two years [ Turkey Classic 2007 in Savannah].
Hopefully soon we will see him for a tournament, may be with part of his clubmates.

Sunshine Cup 09/27/09

The first A.S.A. open tournament of the T.B.T.S.C. was played at the Batacchi grounds the last Sunday of September, it saw the participation of 11 players with Andrea Di Palma and Johnatan Schantz as newcomers on the A.S.A circuit, unfortunately Josh Knight was not present cause of the Flu-bug,that affected most of the participants.

The format of the group stage was 4 groups of 3 players each, unfortunately group A saw just two players [Josh Knight last minute withdrawal], with Alex Batacchi winning the group and Ludovico Boscaino arriving second;

Group B saw Isabel Batacchi coming on top winning her games 3-0 vs Nazareno Boscaino and 2-0 vs Sandra Boscaino, the latter arriving second on goal differential after her 0-0 with Nazareno;

Sandro Tarozzi dominate group C winning 6-0 vs Johnatan Schantz and 3-0 vs Andrea Di Palma second for his win 2-0 with Schantz, and if he would learn to keep his back line could be already a fantastic player;

Group D, all a family matter, saw the seeded Max Boscaino having a real bad day on shooting and arriving second after two 0-0 vs Federico and Teo Boscaino, the latter arriving first for his hard fought 2-0 vs. Fede.

The Mary Jane or consolation tournament final saw Federico Boscaino beating Nazareno 2-1 in a shoot-out, after a very tight regulation period and two 5 minutes halves of overtime[2-2].

• Quarters of final


• Alex Batacchi - Sandra Boscaino 3-0


• Teo Boscaino - Andrea Di Palma 0-0 [2-1] on shots


• Isabel Batacchi - Max Boscaino 1-0


• Sandro Tarozzi- Ludo Boscaino 6-0

Alex Batacchi had tough time to score on Sandra which defended very well, Isabel won with Max in the late stages of the game, Teo vs Andrea was the game to watch 0-0 after regulation and 10 minutes overtime with chances on both sides and then a breath-taking shoot-out with the Teo winner with a fantastic chip shot over Andrea Goalkeeper.Sandro in excellent form dominate Ludovico .

In the Semifinal Alex beat Teo 5-0 and Isabel beat Sandro 1-0 but the " Taruzza man" had a couple of great chances and fought hard to the end.

Sandro won the final for the third place 1-0 in overtime with 30 seconds left, and admitted of being lucky vs a fantastically improved Teo Boscaino.

Alex won the final over Isabel 4-0.

All in all a great day of Subbuteo and fun, that saw most of the participants improved their game and looking forward to the fifth installement of the Turkey Classic.

The Sunshine Cup pictures can be seen at http://Tampabaytablesoccerclub.shutterfly.com/.

T.B.T.S.C. players and 2008/09 season rankings

The 2008/09 season is now over and this is the position of every member of the club in the National Rankings.

1. Alex Batacchi - 2nd
2. Isabel Batacchi - 29th
3. Sandro Tarozzi - 36th
4. Max Boscaino - 45th
5. Nazareno Boscaino - 56th
6. Roberto Mattoni - 64th
7. Federico Boscaino - 66th
8. Elkin Morris - 70th
9. Andreas Hatum - 81st
10. Teo Boscaino - 89th
11. Ludovico Boscaino - 103rd
12. Sandra Boscaino - 121st
13. Enzo Dalma - 121st
14. Lorenzo Herrera - 121st

Next season 2009/10 will see the first A.S.A. event for the Tampa Bay Table Soccer Club, hopefully the Sunshine Cup in September.

Gasparilla Cup 08/16/09

The tournament, a not A.S.A. event ,was played at the Batacchi grounds, it saw the participation of 10 players including newcomers Andrea Di Palma and Vincent Brown in addition to the regular squad formed by Isabel and Alex Batacchi, Max, Sandra, Federico, Ludovico, Nazareno and Teo Boscaino.
Having in mind to play also the Corsendonk Cup in the same day[thing that did not happen], the format used was a little strange.
Five qualifying games, with the five winners plus three of the loosers drawn went in the quarters of final.
The most competitive game in the first phase was Sandra vs Federico, that saw a tie in regulation 1-1 with Fede scoring with 18 seconds left, and a dramatic penalties shoot out with Sandra winner [3-2].
In the quarters another great game between Teo and Sandra, again a tie 1-1, this time she scored in the dying seconds reaching the shootout and winning them[2-0] with incredible shots.
In the semifinals Alex beat Max 4-0 and Isabel beat Sandra 2-0.
The two finals were played at the same time of the Mary Jane final[Consolation final]: husbands and wives fought hard, with Max winning 1-0 with the golden goal in overtime when Sandra was getting ready for the shoot out and Alex beating Isabel 2-0.
Andrea Di Palma was the worthy Mary Jane winner at his first Subbuteo experience and showed the Italian passion and good skills through out his games, beating Federico 2-0, Nazareno 3-0 and in the final Ludovico 3-0.
All in all a fantastic day of Subbuteo and fun.
The event pictures can be seen at http://Tampabaytablesoccerclub.shutterfly.com/
Hopefully in September more players and the first A.S.A event of the Club with The Sunshine Cup for opening the 2009/2010 season.

The Pond Challenge Cup

Ben Staples player of the N.E.T.F.A. [ North East Table Football Alliance] from Middlesbrough, England, was visiting Orlando Florida with his family, after exchanging e-mails Ben and Alex Batacchi decided to meet on the pitch Thursday August the 6th, for playing the Pond Challenge Trophy over 6 games

It has been like the meeting between two old friends, even though they never met each other before,[ the Subbuteo table soccer power],the two share the passion for the game with the same love and intensity.

The pitch [mini-Old Trafford] saw intense and competitive games, very tight on the playing, even though the final results could give a different impression.

Ben is a very good player and fought hardly, Alex found one of his best days, everything was working for him including tactics and shooting [ he scored some really nice goals]

Results :

• Alex - Ben 4-0


• Alex - Ben 5-1


• Alex - Ben 4-0


• Alex - Ben 4-0


• Alex - Ben 7-1


• Alex - Ben 3-2

Besides the results a fantastic day

of Subbuteo, fun and human relationship.

T.B.T.S.C. veteran Players

The Club just formed has three experienced players coming from the Suncoast Table Soccer Club:

Sandro Tarozzi - started to play Subbuteo back in Italy.

He played his first American Subbuteo Association Open tournament in 2007, at the moment he has 3 participations in A.S.A. sanctioned events with his best result being a Third place in the Florida Cup IInd edition.

Isabel Batacchi - started to play in A.S.A. sanctioned events in 2007 participating at 4 Open tournaments in total, her best result in the Florida Cup IInd edition as Runner up.

Sandro and Isabel in action during the Florida Cup 2007

Alex Batacchi - Started to play in 2006, winning his first ever A.S.A. sanctioned Open tournament in Savannah Georgia: the South Region Major.

He used to play Subbuteo mostly with his brother back in his old country: Italy

Alex participated at 26 A.S.A. sanctioned Open events, playing for the Savannah Subbuteo Club and the Suncoast Table Soccer League, in the 2007/08 season he finished third in the season National rankings.

The Italian born won 10 A.S.A. events, being Runner Up in five and Semifinalist twice.He is the American Open Category Vice Champion at the last National Championship held in Maryland.

Daniel Cranston and Alex Batacchi before the National Open Individual Championship final.

July the 14th 2009 a new Club was born

Alex Batacchi former player and co-founder of the Suncoast Table Soccer League is honored to announce the creation of a new Table Soccer Club in the Tampa area.

We will try to get new players to the game organizing the following tournaments during a regular season: Sunshine Cup - Turkey Classic [until The Savannah Subbuteo Club will approve] - Corsendonk Cup - Gasparilla Cup - Florida Cup -and probably a League Cup.