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eFlicker.net
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eFlicker's Five to watch in 2005
A new year, a new challenge in the world of Table Football. Here, the experts at eFlicker pick five players likely to make a big – or in some cases bigger – impression in their respective sections during 2005.
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1 – Sam Curtis (Yorkshire Phoenix) |
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At the tender age of 10, Sam has accumulated a mass of trophies and has gained World Cup experience at both under 15 (individual) and under 19 (team) levels. An almost ever present at domestic tournaments, he is regularly beating opponents much older than himself, and now, as the junior section grows, has the opportunity to improve his skills further by playing against those of a similar age range. More trophies will no doubt follow. |
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2 – Matt Lampitt (English Premier League) |
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Under the guidance of his new EPL teammates, Matt has shown steady improvement, establishing himself as the top UK youth player. With a devastating shot, he attained a string of good results in 2004, and made a quarter final appearance at the Preston Grand Prix. Playing alongside some of the best mentors available in the English game, Matt can only improve further. |
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3 – Barry Ryder |
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Towards the opposite end of the age spectrum to the likes of Sam and Matt, Barry is a player showing that being a veteran doesn't necessarily mean a decline in one's playing ability, but instead maybe an improvement as experience shines through. The East Londoner has been grinding out some decent results at national level, as well as performing well in the London League. He will be looking to build on the veterans’ title he won at the Cardiff Grand Prix, where he beat the highly rated – and highly excitable - Italian Alessandro Arca in the final. |
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4 – Federico Ronzani (SC Biella, Italy/Putney SC) |
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Federico was briefly the Putney club's best kept secret. Part of Italy's seemingly never ending supply of top quality players, the London-based flicker had achieved a number of good results in events in his home country, including pushing Vasco Guimaraes close in an eventual 2-1 defeat. Federico performed well at the London International Open at the beginning of 2004, and with good showings at English Circuit events at Worthing and Putney – the latter of which was won – his skills were displayed to a wider audience. Now planning to attend more UK tournaments, Federico should cause a few surprises for the English elite. |
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5 – Trevor Cummings (Yorkshire Phoenix) |
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A Merseyside based former Northern Ireland champion, who has joined up with the Yorkshire Phoenix club, Trevor has quickly caused a stir in national events on his return to the game. At the Witton Albion Open he had the better of his game against eventual winner Chris Wrigley, albeit losing 2-1, then in Dumfries caused one of the shocks of the season when he beat the EPL's Chris Thomas in the team event. For good measure, Trevor thrashed Southern Ireland’s number one Gary Moore 4-0 during the next day's individuals’ competition. The Yorkshire Open was won in December, finishing with an 8-goal demolition of Alan Collins in the final. Trevor is likely to feature in the Northern Ireland team in the future, as standards improve across the UK and Ireland. |
Other players to keep an eye on in 2005….
English internationals Bob Varney (Murciana, Spain) and Kasper Bennett (English Premier League) were already established players within their respective Veterans and Youth categories, but each will become permanent fixtures in the Open section in future.
Much is expected of Kasper, the former world Youth number one. Cool under pressure, he has shown that he can compete with the very best having pushed ex-world champion Massimiliano Nastasi close in an eventual 3-2 defeat at the Cardiff Grand Prix, the Italian’s winning goal coming just seconds from time.
Bob made the move to the Open section at the Dublin events in July, and there the Milton Keynes player showed why he was such a dominant force in the game before going into semi-retirement, picking up wins against Olivier Pere and Joseph Mifsud. And at the Cardiff Grand Prix in October, he beat Chris Thomas by an impressive 5-2 scoreline.
Both Bob and Kasper will be challenging the likes of Darren Clark, Phil Redman and Shorab this year for the right to be considered as England’s number one.
Like Federico Ronzani, Adrian Ritoridis (East Midlands Alliance) is another relatively unknown ready to surprise a lot of people. His only previous individual tournament appearance in his now adopted English home was at Hinckley in the early 90s where he went out on shots in the semi-finals. Much more is expected of the Greek player as he competes around the UK this year.
Former Cypriot international Rob O’Hare (Putney) has only recently returned to the game, but regular match practise is bringing about rapid improvement, with victories over the seasoned Brian Barnes and Paul Lawrenson in tournaments in December. The experience to be gained representing Cyprus again at this year’s World Cup will be invaluable.
Daryl Shanks (Birkhill) has taken the step up from the Juniors for this season, and an impressive 2-2 draw with John Moore at November’s Dumfries Open meant that he progressed into the knockout rounds at the expense of the Irishman.
At current Junior level, along with Sam Curtis, youngsters like Anthony Collins and Tom Motley (Cheshire Corinthians) represent a bright future for the game in this country.
Internationally, Carlos Flores (Bologna Tigers, Italy/Murciana, Spain) promised a lot after winning last January's London Open in fine style, but has not played regularly on the world circuit since, though he did win the Cormons Open in October. Carlos also had – by his own high standards – a disappointing World Cup. He may have made a wrong move in signing for Italian team Bologna Tigers, but in individual competitions this year, again much will be expected of the fast, yet tactical, young Spaniard.
Flores may find the Italian domination of top level Table Football difficult to break down though, but he has the ability to make a convincing attempt. As standards in the UK improve, a few from these shores discover themselves in a similar position.
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