Author: Peter Alegi

The American Subbuteo Association is going international—and they’re bringing serious firepower. Six standout players from across the U.S. are set to compete in an upcoming European tournament, flying the ASA flag in both the individual and team events at the Major Grand Prix of Mallorca in Spain.

Among the squad: ASA #1 and #2 ranked players, Pat Sheridan and Dan Cranston, plus Maryland’s rising talent Mikey Kimack, Colorado’s emerging duo Justin O’Malley and Kurtis Heithoff and the Outer Banks’ Jeremy Goninan. They’ll need to claw their way through some stiff competition, with the open category featuring five of the world’s top 10 players and a staggering 124 participants across all divisions.

Even bigger: the team will compete under the newly resurrected Sporting America Table Soccer Club, originally founded by Zack Walker in 2006. Nearly two decades later, Sporting America is back—with a vengeance—and ready to roar onto the European circuit.

The ASA isn’t just sending players. They’re sending a message.

Click here to find out more and follow the action as things flick off on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

The countdown is officially on—the 2025 ASA National Championships are just two-and-a-half months away, and the flicking action is heading west as BUSL95 prepares to host the most anticipated event on the ASA calendar.

Set to take place in Caldwell, Idaho, this year’s Nationals marks a return to one of American Subbuteo’s most historic strongholds. BUSL95, one of the country’s oldest and most respected clubs, was awarded the hosting bid last fall—and since then, the buzz has only grown louder.

With 19 players already registered and more expected in the final stretch, the tournament is shaping up to be a showdown of familiar names, rising stars, and a few rivalries. And if past events are any indicator, the host club is more than ready to deliver a top-tier weekend of competition, camaraderie and flicking action.

Why Caldwell? Why BUSL95?
This isn’t just another nationals—it’s a celebration of 30 years of Subbuteo legacy in Southwestern Idaho. From humble beginnings in the mid-‘90s to hosting national and regional majors, BUSL95 has been a steady force in American Subbuteo over the years and represents both tradition and the future of the sport.

The 2025 ASA Nationals aren’t just two months away. They’re already calling. Click here to find out more and register!

Weekend Calendar

The 2024 ASA Nationals lit up the Subbuteo scene from August 2–5 in Thousand Oaks, CA. The event brought together 25 players from 7 different states for 3 days of high-stakes flicking and fierce competition.

In the open event, Christian Filipella once again proved why he’s one of the nation’s best players. Down 1–0 in the final to Colorado’s Pat Sheridan, Filipella mounted a thrilling comeback to win 2–1 and claim his third Nationals title—adding 2024 to his previous crowns in 2016 and 2019. Clutch, calm, and clinical when it mattered most.

Over in the Veterans category, Varant Kurkeyerian edged out Paul Eyes with a tight 1–0 victory, securing his second Veterans championship and reinforcing his status as one of the association’s most consistent and respected competitors.

But perhaps the biggest storyline came in the Team Championship. In a seismic shift, Colorado stunned the Subbuteo world by toppling Maryland 2–1. Maryland had held the team title since all the way back in 2007—a 17-year* reign finally brought to an end by a determined and united Colorado squad. A true changing of the guard moment.

The 2024 ASA Nationals delivered drama, passion, and legacy-defining performances. With the bar raised once again, the road to 2025 looks more competitive—and exciting—than ever.

_{*7 titles in this time frame}

Patrick Sheridan from Colorado won the 2024 Copa de la Rocha staged on January 27 by the BUSL 95 club in the Boise, Idaho, area. The Copa de la Rocha is one of the ASA’s oldest tournaments, debuting in 1997.

Organizer Lenny Foster reports that this Copa set a new record for participants (16) and featured three u20 and four u16 competitors. “It is rewarding to see our club’s continued growth after nearly 30 years of existence,” Foster said.

In the semifinals, Sheridan defeated Jonathan Smith 4-0 while Foster nipped Eric Garza 1-0. Sheridan claimed the title with a 1-0 victory in the final. In the consolation tournament, Eric Foster defeated Andrew Rice 3-2 on shots after a scoreless draw in regulation.

A strong field of 32 players from 10 states competed in the 2023 U.S. FISTF International Open event. The Maryland tournament organized by Paul Eyes is known as the “Holiday Silver”—a prestigious event in the U.S. table soccer calendar.

Play began on Friday with a friendly Travelers Cup featuring 16 players from out of state. Michael Tillman (Minnesota)  defeated Benny Nuger (Virginia) in the final match.

Saturday saw the main event take place at the Long Reach Community Center in Columbia, MD. A key match up was a semifinal clash between Daniel Cranston and Christian Filippella, the U.S. National Team captain and World Cup semifinalist. Cranston recorded an impressive 2-0 victory. He took his fine form into the final where he defeated Tillman 5-0. In the Veterans final, Alex Batacchi (Florida) defeated Gregg Deinhart (Virginia) on shots.

In the U20 event, Chris Belcher defeated Mason Lilly 2-1 (OT). In the final of a very competitive Mary Jane (consolation) tournament, Scott McCaulley (Outer Banks) edged out Jonathan Smith (BUSL95) on shots.

Sunday play was highlighted by a Team Event. Maryland retained the team title, defeating Tampa Bay Mountaineers in a tight final. Play concluded with an FA Cup-style knockout individual event. Cranston defeated Tillman in the final to secure his sweep of the weekend.

The ASA announces the 2024 Minnesota Open will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in the Minneapolis area.

For more information and to register for the tournament, please contact Michael Tillman (mptillman13 AT gmail)

The Outer Banks Subbuteo Club will host the Carolina Classic ASA Open on Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

For more information and to register for the tournament, please contact Jeremy Goninan (jeremygoninan AT gmail)

The ASA Board of Directors has selected Christian Filippella as the 2024 Team USA World Cup team captain.

Filippella returns as team Captain after leading the squad in Rome in 2022. He is a deeply accomplished and experienced player: a two-time ASA National Champion, twice World Cup semi-finalist (2018 in the Open and 2022 in Traditional Subbuteo), and a regular competitor in the Italian Serie A. He has played in the last four World Cups as a core member of Team USA and is the only ASA player to have ever won a World Cup medal.

“I’m honored to be the captain once more,” Filippella said. “I’m proud to represent a growing movement in the United States. There is a lot of enthusiasm for the game and it is great to see so much improvement in the last few years.”

The 2024 FISTF World Cup will be staged in Tunbridge Wells, the area where Peter Adolph invented the game in 1946. “I’m excited to play in England again,” Filippella said. “Last time I played there was in 2000 with Italy at the European championships at the old Wembley stadium. I reached the semifinals and it was an amazing experience.”

The USA captain tells us the World Cup squad is about to be announced. Stay tuned!