Twinning: Switzerland - USA

Trisha Baumeler (SCAHZ) and Dominic Hutchinson (SCSC)

Thomas Baumeler (SCAHZ) and Steve Tucker (SCSC)

On Friday 13 August, 2010, the Southern California Subbuteo Club, USA, and the Subbuteo Club Anfield Hoppers Zürich, Switzerland, announced that they had become "twin clubs".

"Due to our friendship with Trisha and Thomas Baumeler it was natural for the twinning of our two clubs," Simon Hutchinson of the Southern California Subbuteo Club, SCSC, explained.

In August 2009 while on vacation in the western USA the Baumelers had visited with the SCSC, played Subbuteo, beat them, and become friends.

"We are very happy over the fact that we've got very nice friends in our favorite holiday destination," Thomas told us.  "We're very interested to continue the twin club friendship with the SCSC. Because we like the members of SCSC a lot. Even if we can't visit every year, it's super we can take part in causes like Subbuteo Across America."

You can learn more about both club's from their websites:

• Southern California Subbuteo Club  (http://SoCalSubbuteo.com)
   
• SC Anfield Hoppers Zürich  (http://AnfieldHoppers.jimdo.com)

ASA Open August 2010

The American Subbuteo Association Open held by the Southern California Subbuteo Club on Saturday August 7, 2010, was the highest scoring tournament in the history of the club.  The seven players managed to score 56 goals in 21 games, an average of 2.67 goals per game.

Wayne Smith's streak of Open wins continued as he finished in first place again, having won all six of his games.

In an exciting finish Simon Hutchinson claimed second place on goal difference from Steve Tucker, who had impressed everyone by his play as he had not flicked for six months.

David Jensen's victory over Kevin Nieman allowed him to finish in fourth place, with Kevin finishing in fifth.

Dominic Hutchinson resolute defending and goalkeeping may not have won him any game, but it did allow him to tie three games and finish in sixth place. John Carroll's defense was not so robust and he finished in seventh, with two ties.

A full report of this tournament can be found on the ASA Open August 2010 page
(Photographs and video will be added later)

ASA Open 17 April, 2010

It may have been the smallest American Subbuteo Association Open in southern California in four years but it was described as a "Cracking tournament" by the organizer Simon Hutchinson.

Wayne Smith won his 16th consecutive Open tournament, beating Simon in the final.  And David Jensen claimed third place winning a shoot out in "sudden death" against Dominic Hutchinson.

The group stage saw several games that almost ended in upsets.  Dominic gave his father, Simon, a shock by taking a very early lead.  Wayne had a tough time breaking through David's defense.  Simon scored an early goal on Wayne, and then hung onto this slender lead until midway through the second half.

All the scores, match reports, and photographs can be found on the ASA Open April 2010 page»

FISTF Satellite of California

After a year's hiatus the Western States Open returned to California as part of the Southern California Subbuteo Club's 25th anniversary celebrations.  This year's tournament was special as it was also a FISTF Satellite, the first time a FISTF santioned tournament had been played in the Golden State.

Wayne Smith became the first person to win the WSO four times.  He cruised through the group stage and the barrage rounds winning all of his games, scoring 17 and conceding only three goals in five games.  David Jensen finished runner up, the second time he has been a beaten finalist.  In the third place play off game John Carroll bested Simon Hutchinson by a single goal.

Kevin Nieman beat Dominic Hutchinson in the Mary Jane, Consolation, tournament final to claim his second Mary Jane win in as many tournaments.  Sean Daly finished third.

You can see photographs, results, and read the match reports on the Western States Open 2010 page.

The winners
Open winner Wayne Smith	Mary Jane (Consolation) winner Kevin Nieman

ASA Open February 20, 2010

The first American Subbuteo Association Open of the year to be hosted by the Southern California Subbuteo Club was played on Saturday February 20, in Simi Valley.

The day started with six players, but after three games Dominic Hutchinson was taken ill and had to withdraw from the tournament.  His remaining games were awarded as 3-0 wins to his opponents.

Wayne Smith won his umpteenth Open, winning all of his games and only conceding two goals.

Steve Tucker finished in second place, a remarkable feat as he had not flicked a Subbuteo figure for six months.

Simon Hutchinson rounded out the top three, losing to Steve in the Open semi final.  He played even though he had been in a serious car accident six days earlier and was under the influence of strong pain killers, that delayed his reactions time.

Kevin Nieman won the "Mary Jane" final.  He had been in second place until the last round of games in the Group stage, when Simon beat him and consigned him to the bottom half of the Group.

David Jensen finished "Mary Jane" runner up in a spirited final, that was decided in over time.

A full report of this tournament and photographs can be found on the ASA Open February 2010 page»

Best photographs of 2009

The Southern California Subbuteo Club have picked their "Best Photographs of 2009", and put them into the slide show above.  You can see a larger version of the show here»

There are plenty more slide shows of photographs and videos on the SCSC's photographs page»

Subbuteo across America

On Saturday May 22, 2010, we will be holding the first Subbuteo across America day to raise money for the Red Cross.

We would like to encourage all of the Subbuteo players in the USA and Canada to take part in this historic occasion, and help raise money for a very worthy charity.

All you do is play Subbuteo, on May 22, and send us your donation.  We will gather all of the donations and send them on to the Red Cross.
Note: Players under 18 do not have to send a donation.

• If you are a member of a Subbuteo/Table Soccer club please encourage all the other members of the club to take part.
   
• If you play with friends and family then please encourage them to take part.
   
• If there are no other Subbuteo players near you then you can play solo games.

What is important is that you play Subbuteo on the day, even if it is only one game.

If you would like to take part contact us using the Contact page on the Southern California Subbuteo Club's websitehere»

For more information check the Subbuteo across America micro site here»

Yes, it is a long URL which is why we have the shorter: http://SubbuteoAcrossAmerica.tk  that will take you to the same page.

Thank you

Carlos Flores again

30 players attended the tournament of El Prat (near barcelona). Carlos Flores beat Angel Valverde in the sudden death of the final (3-2) while the Real Murcia won the team event.

Martin Hodds wins

14 players attended the Huntingdon Open last sunday. Martin Hodds was the final winner. The Yorkshire Phoenix player beat Kevin Dyson in the final (1-1 & shots). Adrian Curtis and Russel Geraghty were the semi-finalists.

The Greek cup for Nikos Beis

The 26th Greek national cup was held this week-end. Almost 100 players were taking part. Int he teams section, Falcons won the trophy. Olympia was the finalist while Atlas and Pireas Lions were the semi-finalists.

Int he Open category, Nikos Beis was the winner as he beat Giorgos Koutis in the final. Hantzaras and Stamokostas lost in the semis.

Finally, the U15 tournament came to a logical end as Giannis Vlassopoulos beat Koulosousas int he final. Dimopoulos and Bourtsonis lost in the semis.