Category: News

There were three Americans that competed in the Veterans category: Peter Alegi, Varant Kurkeyerian, and Bryan Arnold. For these players, the Vets category was a long awaited and long anticipated tournament. Many hours of training went into preparation. Many matches back home to get fit and prepared were played. These players used their accumulated personal assets to take on the best Vets in the world.

By Bryan Arnold

Like many players all over the world, I had been anticipating the World Cup in Rome for several years: thinking on and off about what it would be like and what would happen. I looked forward to representing my country in a big way. I looked forward to being a teammate to some of our best players. 

My anticipation did not lag. The world cup cycle was changed to two years instead of one. My anticipation grew as more time passed. Then, the nasty beast of a pandemic thundered across the face of the earth. Time passed as it does, table soccer was no where near my consciousness.

The team event of the World Cup in Rome was a highly charged tournament: teams wanting to achieve great things together, and players wanting to win their matches to make dreams come true. There were scenes of teams huddling and whispering strategies. Fantastic team colors and jerseys made every view memorable. There were loud screams of satisfaction in scoring goals that jarred the onlookers, but who also smiled and laughed with enjoyment.

Americans were proud to participate in the FISTF World Cup Open category playing some of the best players in the world. Christian Filippella led the American effort with Benny Nuger as our second participant.

Christian Filippella excelled in this debut event of traditional Subbuteo at the FISTF World Cup. He achieved his second podium in a row across two World Cups by finishing in third place. His effort was of diligence and class. Christian’s success for the USA has been magnificent. He competed in the semi final losing to the eventual winner from Italy, Morgan Croce (as seen in the photo below).

We spoke with Daniel Cranston of our FISTF World Cup team in the sixth installment of the interview series with members of the USA squad going to Rome.

ASA: Can you describe the feeling of representing the USA at the FISTF World Cup?

DC: I’ve had the privilege of representing the USA five times at the FISTF World Cup. Each time I always try to take a step back on the Saturday morning with all the players in the hall kitted out in matching uniforms from their national association and take the scenes in. It is always super motivating to see table soccer players from all over the world come together, make friends and relationships, and compete. Traveling, sightseeing, and playing with teammates from the USA also brings our community closer together by making new memories and bonds between players from across our vast country.

We spoke with Benny Nuger of our FISTF World Cup team in the fifth installment of the interview series with members of the USA squad going to Rome.

ASA: Can you describe the feeling of representing the USA at the FISTF World Cup?

BN: When I tell people that I’m representing the USA in a hobby of mine people’s eyes light up and ask me a billion questions about it, which is a cool feeling. Most people never get to have that opportunity, so to be able to represent my country in a hobby I love is very special.