The country against country "multi-table" TEAM tournament (called the "ITSF World Cup of Table Soccer") is now held every year in conjunction with the ITSF World Championships. The 2010-11 combined event was held January 6-9, 2011, in Nantes, France (with next year's event already planned for a similar timeframe). This competition has become recognized worldwide as the premier, all-around determination of the top players and national teams from ITSF's 63 member countries worldwide. (See related ITSF and USTSF press releases here.) At the next level, at each of the annual "World Championship "Series" tournaments (discussed on theIndividual Competitionspage) there are also "ITSF National Team" events, where each country competes on that tournament's table only (i.e., the Garlado WCS event will only be played only on Garlando tables, at the Bonzini WCS tournament it will only be played on Bonzini tables, and so on for the other table tournaments) to see who is the best from each country on that table type for that year. Each country's team consists of 6 men, 2 women, and 2 alternates (1 man and 1 woman) or in some cases there can be separate men's and women's national teams events.
Note: The method to determine the participants for the USA National Team in these "team" events is determined by the USTSF "National Teams Selection" Committee (see org chart).
The USTSF National Teams Selection Committee is pleased to confirm selection of the following teams to represent the United States of America in competition at the January 2011 ITSF World Cup tournament:
Men's Team:
Dan Barber Robert Mares (co-captain) Ryan Moore Brandon Moreland Bruce Nardoci Tony Spredeman (co-captain) Matt Steward Tom Yore Jessie Maynard
Women's Team: Tommy Bagley Shelly Langley Jan Maynard Dallas Smith Joy Steward Melanee Tosh Terri Cissi Whipple
Junior's Team:
Daniel Colter Evan Jones Collin Taylor (1 player short of a full team)
Senior's Team:
Steve Corioso Marty Jones Charles Mackintosh (captain) Steve Mori
(Note: Coach for all teams this year is Pat Ryan.)
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2009-10 ITSF Team (Country) Tables Championships (France - January 7-10, 2010):
The 2009-10 ITSF Table Soccer World Cup took place in Nantes, France, from January 6th to 10th, 2010. This major event also featured the 2009-10 ITSF World Championships. Details are available on theITSF Tour website.You can also view avideo clip of the 2009 World Cup(January, 2009).
Update 12/31/09: Team rosters below changed from those originally listed due to some players having last-minute emergencies (unable to attend). USTSF's request for Player/Team roster change approved by ITSF Executive Sport Commission.
Note: Coach of all teams is: Pat Ryan; Assistant coach is Cissi Whipple.
Men's Team:
Ryan Moore Tony Spredeman Billy Pappas Robert Mares Tom Yore Dave Gummeson (Captain) Tracy McMillin Larry Crowder (Alternate)
Gregg Perrie Bruce Nardoci (Captain) Robert Janac Bud Spredeman
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The USTSF National Teams Selection Committee is pleased to confirm selection of the following teams to represent the United States of America in competition at these 2009 ITSF WCS tournaments (Note this does not include the team for the ITSF World Championships in January 2010, which hasn't been determined yet):
ROBERTO SPORT WCS [Czech Republic - Oct 15-18, 2009]
After a vote by the USA National Team Selection Committee it has been determined that the World Cup-winning United States Men's Team and three members of the Women's World Cup Team will represent America in the National Team Event at the upcoming Tornado World Championships. In order to once again recognize and honor the great accomplishment of "the redeem team" it was decided that the full 9-man roster will be introduced at the Opening Ceremonies in Dallas, with 7 of the 9 players competing in the event due to the differing format (6 starters, 1 alternate).
Dave Gummeson-Captain Robert Mares Tracy McMillin Ryan Moore Tony Spredeman Tom Yore Adrian Zamora
Stayce Fowler Shelly Langley A-Dusty Bambenek
Coach: Bruce Nardoci Assistant Coach: Pat Ryan
(John Zoller and Blake Robertson of Team USA will also be introduced at the ceremony)
Jim Stevens Chairman USA National Team Selection Committee
GARLANDO WCS [Austria - July 22-26,2009]
TBD
BONZINI WCS [France - held May 21-24, 2009]
Bruce Nardoci Tony Spredeman Alan Cribbs Pat Ryan Jim Parris Ezekiel Moore Rebecca Terry Jim Stevens Mike West Robert Yates Jr. Bruce Herring (Coach)
TECBALL WCS [Netherlands - held March 19-22]
No info
2008-09 ITSF Team (Country) Tables Championships:
The Gold Medal winning USA men's Team.
3/4/09:During the first week of March 2009, the Eurosport 2 TV channel will broadcast two26-minute featureson the 2009 ITSF World Cup.
12/16/08 Update(from ITSF) about Tables and Balls to be used at the World Championships. See also relatedITSF email commentsabout table changes.
10/31/2008 Update: 2009 USA World Cup Team Announced:
After a National Champions/Wild Cards eligibility notification, confirmation, and World Cup team selection process that took several weeks to complete, we can now introduce the 2009 United States World Cup teams that will compete at the ITSF World Cup of Table Soccer in Nantes, France this January 8-11.
Team USA is looking to redeem itself after finishing a disappointing 5th at the 2006 event in Hamburg, Germany and will look to some of the biggest names in the sport to try and bring the World Cup title back to the USA. Tornado World Champions Tony Spredeman, Dave Gummeson, Tracy McMillin and Cindy Head lead a strong American contingency into battle, with this year's event featuring both men's and women's teams.
Team captains will be voted on this week by the individual team members and will be announced later this week.
2009 UNITED STATES WORLD CUP TEAMS:
HEAD COACH: Bruce Nardoci ASSISTANT COACH: Pat Ryan
MEN'S WORLD CUP TEAM Tony Spredeman Tom Yore Ryan Moore Dave Gummeson (Captain) Tracy McMillin Bob Diaz Rob Mares Adrian Zamora
Subs: Blake Robertson John Zoller
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP TEAM Cindy Head (Captain) Stayce Fowler Tiffany Moore Dusty Bambenek Shelly Langley Lotus Chesborough
World Cup Groups - find out which country plays which in the qualification phase. The draw to determine the groups took place live on Nantes 7 TV station (http://www.nantes7.fr/) on November 5th. Check which teams will compete against each other within each of the 8 groups in the Men's event and each of the 4 groups in the Women's event on the ITSF website: http://www.table-soccer.org/worldcup/team.php. The list of players for each team will be posted online on November 17th.
10/7/08 Update: Announcement of Process Used to Select the U. S. National Team Members for the January 2009 ITSF Event:
USA World Cup selection process as determined by the USTSF Selection Committee. The selection committee consists of 9 members: Jim Stevens (Chairman), Shelly Langley (Secretary), Terry Moore, Ezekiel Moore, Brad Anderson, Dave Gummeson, Stayce Fowler, Pat Ryan, and Tom Yore.
Each member of the USTSF selection committee submits suggested World Cup players for both the Men's Team and the Women's teams, using the process outlined below. Each committee member shall consider US ranking, ITSF ranking, recent results, international experience, level of play on non-Tornado tables, ability to play forward, goalie, and singles, ability to represent the US on an international stage, etc.
The list submitted by each committee member shall consist of the following: 12 men (8 main team members, 2 alternates, and 2 reserves) and 10 women (6 main players, 2 alternates, and 2 reserves). Each player should be assigned a rank in the list submitted, #1 next to the player that should be the top player on your list (the player best suited for world cup team selection), #2 next to the second highest (the next player best suited for team selection), etc. The final list will have your first selection listed first, second selection listed second, on down the list for each team (men's and women's).
Once all of the Selection Committee members have submitted their lists, the lists of the nine Committee members will be combined to form the player pool. Each player in the player pool will be assigned an average weighted rank based upon how high a particular player was placed on each list.
The top six (6) ranked male players and the top four (4) ranked female players from this process will be named to the respective man's and women's teams. If there is a tie for these top slots, a separate vote will be taken to break the tie, (players on the selection whose names are part of the tie shall not vote in the tie-breaker to avoid a conflict of interest). The other 4 slots for each team will be selected from the remaining pool of players (i.e. alternates) based on needs to form the best, most well-rounded team, by taking the following into account:
a) current status as USTSF National Champions/Wild Cards and/or ITSF automatic qualifications, b) team needs (goalies, singles players), c) experience on non-tornado ITSF Tables, d) team chemistry, individual player professionalism/sportsmanship/etc. e) player willingness/commitment to attend.
Again, selection committee members who are up for consideration for this part of the selection process shall not be allowed to participate in this particular part of the selection process.
Once the top 10 men and the top 8 women have been selected to the teams, then each selected member will be contacted to firmly confirm availability to attend/willingness to participate, ability to pay their own way to attend, or if they will already be in attendance for the concurrently held ITSF World Championships. Players who cannot attend/are unable to confirm within prescibed deadlines, for whatever reason, will be replaced with a player from the player pool of alternates, based on team need and availability of alternates to attend.
The Selection committee will also select a coach for the teams. One coach will be selected to serve as the coach for both the men's and women's teams. Once the teams are in place, the team members shall elect their team captains (one men's team captain and one women's team captain) from the team members.
Additionally, it should also be noted that a selection committee members individual selections for the teams will be kept totally confidential. The public part can be the total player pool (all players submitted by the selection committee members after the lists have been merged).
9/14/08 Update (revised 9/26/08):ITSF information and schedule package for combined World Championships/World Cup event. You will find details on qualifying conditions, national champions and teams, competition formats, schedules and more. This document will be further updated with new information on travel, accommodation, prizes, etc., so make sure to check it again later.
The USTSF National Teams Selection Committee (Chairman: Terry Moore) is pleased to confirm selection of the following teams to represent the United States of America in competition at these 2008 ITSF WCS tournaments (Note this does not include the team for the ITSF World Championships in January in France, which hasn't been determined yet):
TORNADO WCS [Las Vegas - September 2008]
Tommy Adkisson Bob Diaz Tracy McMillin Ryan Moore Billy Pappas Tony Spredeman Tom Yore Dusty Bambenek Stayce Fowler Tiffany Moore U.S. National Champion Junior Singles Qualifier*
*Blake Robertson not attending, alternate TBD Coach: Terry Moore
ROBERTO SPORT [Switzerland - September 2008]
No Team
GARLANDO WCS [Austria - held July 2008]
No Team
TECBALL WCS [Germany - held July 2008]
Tom Yore Todd Loffredo Mark Winker Dave Smith Kathy Brainard Jim Stevens
BONZINI WCS [France - held May 2008]
Bruce Nardoci (and coach) Billy Pappas Tom Yore Pat Ryan Jim Parris Ezekiel Moore Rebecca Terry Jim Stevens Mike West
6/27/07 Update: Announcement of U.S. National Teams at ITSF World Championship Series Tournaments
The USTSF Board of Directors is pleased to confirm selection of the following teams to represent the United States of America in competition at these upcoming 2007 ITSF WCS tournaments:
Garlando WCS [Austria]
1. Todd Loffredo 2. Billy Pappas 3. Terry Moore 4. Jim Stevens 5. Ezekiel "Iceman" Moore 6. Tiffany Moore 7. Brad Anderson
Tornado WCS [Las Vegas]
1. Todd Loffredo 2. Billy Pappas 3. Tony Spredeman 4. Rob Mares 5. Terry Rue 6. Tracy McMillin 7. Dusty Bambenek 8. Tiffany Moore Alternates: 1. Lotus Leong-Chesborough 2. *U.S. National Champion Junior Singles Qualifier*
* By winning the U.S. National Junior Singles Champion title this summer at the IFP Kentucky State Championships, a berth on the U.S. National Team for the National Teams competition in Vegas is an honor/bonus awarded over and above the qualification to play in Italy in October, with both opportunities provided courtesy of USTSF. This was formally announced at the January 2007 IFP SuperBowl tournament and has been posted on the USTSF website. Other countries' National Teams have no requirement to field a Junior (or Senior as the case may be) in the National Teams competitions at any of the five ITSF World Series class tournaments, which includes Tornado Worlds. It is purely a USTSF initiative designed to motivate greater involvement and increase development of the 18 & Under player base -- the future of our sport. USTSF invites other ITSF member federations to establish similar initiatives!!
Roberto-Sport WCS [Switzerland]
To be determined...
Note: These teams were selected based on:
a) availability to compete internationally and desire to participate (acceptance of nomination), b) prior multi-table experience, c) likely pair-ups against international teams (remember, the USA had no "real" goalies in Hamburg last year, causing some detrimental line-up and pairings issues), d) current tour performance, and e) professionalism and sportsman-like attitude.
Note: While the U.S. Pro Tour has many top contenders that may also fit the above criteria, due to ITSF limitations on the total number of players per team the USTSF (unfortunately!) cannot include all. The same was true of last year's ITSF World Cup. However, since there are still openings available for the U.S. Team in Austria and Switzerland, additions/revisions to those teams may be expected. Also, while players above have been selected by the USTSF National Teams Selection Committee and confirmed by the USTSF Board of Directors, all currently listed names may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Thanks go out to Terry Moore who has volunteered as coach for all the above team events; while each of the teams' captains are to be named by the teams themselves.
Bonzini WCS [France - held May 2007]
Bruce Nardoci Tom Yore Alan Cribbs (also served as team coach) Mike Giles Jim Parris Ezekiel Moore Gloria Hiatt-Cribbs Jim Stevens
Special thanks go out again to Alan & Gloria Cribbs (and Bonzini USA) who coordinated arrangements for the team to compete in a very successful trip to Paris and back.
2006 ITSF Team (Country) "World Cup" Championships:
Twenty selected countries (list) will send teams to compete in the inaugural ITSF Table Football World Cup of Nations which will take place in Hamburg, Germany, May 25 to 28, 2006 (Press Release).
January 28, 2006: U.S. National Team Announced!!!!
The U.S.T.S.F. today announced the members selected to the U.S. National Table Soccer Team, who will represent the United States at the World Cup of Table Soccer teams championship in Hamburg, Germany:
Men: Women: Louis Cartwright Stayce Fowler Dave Gummeson Cindy Head Robert Mares (Alternate) Lotus Chesbrough Terry Moore (Standby) Dusty Bambenek Billy Pappas Adrian Zamora (Alternate) Tom Yore (Standby) Bruce Nardoci
The announcement was made at the IFP Superbowl of Foosball by U.S.T.S.F. Executive Director Larry Davis. Over 1,170 individual player votes were received.
3/2/06 News Update (revised 3/7/06): Inside Foos to cover World Cup 2006 in Germany
Inside Foos Productions has reached agreement with Farid Lounas and the International Table Soccer Federation to work closely with his outstanding organization, and will be flying to Europe to cover the World Cup of Table Soccer this May 25-28 in Hamburg, Germany. Christina and I, along with Table Sports Radio's Brad Anderson, will be heading to Germany this Spring to bring you full coverage of this groundbreaking competition, which should be one of the most exciting events in the history of the sport.
A very strong American team, made up of some of the sport's biggest names, will be competing against other talented contingents from around the world in this team vs. team event, including pre-tournament favorites Belgium and the amazing Frederic Collignon. Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, will also be among the 20 nations fielding solid contending teams of eight individuals (plus alternates), who will face off in an exciting, multi-table format designed to decide which country is the world's best.
For more information on this incredible international event go to www.table-soccer.org.
We will of course be offering a comprehensive DVD set for sale (8 or 10 hours long) and this event has also been added to our Full Season Package at www.insidefoos.com. We will have other information available on the site in the next few days.
Mr. Anderson and I will also be offering daily internet radio reports from the 2006 World Cup at www.tablesportsradio.com beginning May 25th, keeping foos fans around the world updated on everything that transpires in Hamburg.
Along with our usual duties (Kickoff and Tornado Worlds) Inside Foos will also be traveling to Italy to cover the ITSF Table Soccer World Championships this October, as we begin what we hope is a long and productive relationship with the ITSF. This event, which features the top qualifiers from each ITSF sanctioned country playing off for world honors, should also provide Inside Foos viewers with a very entertaining experience.
I can tell you that Christina, Brad, and I are really looking forward to bringing these star-studded big events to the world's foosball-viewing (and listening) public, as we begin what we hope is a long and productive relationship with the ITSF!
Jim Stevens Inside Foos Productions
5/2/06 News Update (Revised 6/16/06):Inside Foos to Cover 2006 World Cup of Table Soccer in Germany
Inside Foos Productions will join forces with the International Table Soccer Federation to bring the 2006 I.T.S.F. World Cup of Table Soccer to foosball fans all around the world this May 25-28. This prestigious international event will take place in Hamburg, Germany and will feature all star teams from 20 different countries competing in a team vs. team format to determine which is the world's top foosball-playing country. You can own your copy of this historic event by pre-ordering this exciting 5 Disc, 10-hour-long DVD. This DVD set has also been added to the economical 2006 Inside Foos Full Season Package. Inside Foos 2006 World Cup DVD Ordering Information.
World Cup ClipWorldCupShort2.wmv (17mb Windows Media File). Note: The clip is 15 frames per second compared to 30 fps for the DVDs.
Fooscaster Jim Stevens, Producer Christina Fuchs, and Table Sports Radio's Brad Anderson, will be heading to Germany this spring to bring you full coverage of World Cup '06, which should be one of the most talked-about competitions in the history of the sport. A very strong American team, made up of some of the sport's biggest names, will be competing against other talented contingents from around the world, including pre-tournament favorites Belgium and their star, the great Frederic Collignon. Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Hungary, Japan, China and the United Kingdom, will also be among the twenty nations fielding solid contending teams of six men and two women (plus alternates), who will face off in an exciting, multi-table format designed to decide which international team is the world's best.
Table Sports Radio will also be offering daily internet radio reports from Hamburg, keeping you up to date on all the action while also bringing you features, interviews and up to the minute reports on World Cup matches. Go to http://www.tablesportsradio.com to access these daily reports beginning Thursday, May 25. [TableSports Internet Radio World Cup Broadcasts: May 25, May 26 - None due to technical problem, May 27, May 28]
For more information on this incredible international event go to the I.T.S.F. website at http://www.table-soccer.org.
2006 UNITED STATES NATIONAL TEAM
(l-r): Alan Cribbs (Coach - Pinnacle, NC), Tom Yore (Tampa, FL), Dave Gummeson (Coon Rapids, MN), Lotus Leong-Chesborough (Colbert, WA), Billy Pappas (Lowell, MA), Bruce Nardoci (Men's Alternate Player - Charlotte, NC), Stayce Fowler (Cedar Rapids, IA), Terry Moore (Chicago, IL), Rob Mares (Team Captain - Aurora, CO), Adrian Zamora (Newark, CA), Dusty Bambenek (Women's Alternate Player - Canal Fulton, OH), Larry Davis (USTSF Executive Director - Denver, CO). Not pictured (unable to attend): Louis Cartwright (Las Vegas, NV), Cindy Head (Sterrett, AL).
6/9/2006 (Revised 6/16/06) News Update: World Cup Results
"The Greatest Match Ever"
5/30/2006: Hello from Germany, where Christina, Brad Anderson and I are touring the countryside in our rented VW station wagon. It is an amazingly beautiful country, with castles, ancient churches, large rivers and some of the best beer in the civilized world!
Chris and I will be heading down the Autobahn (at 120 mph) to Belgium on Thursday for the EuroSoccer event in Borgloon, which is being hosted by Frederic Collignon. Herr Anderson will head back to Minnesota on that same day and will unfortunately miss this appx $20,000 event which will feature Europe's top players along with several of the USA team members.
However, not an hour goes by without the three of us reflecting back on last Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal between the USA and France and getting chills all over again. It was quite simply the greatest table soccer experience of my career and all 500 or so who were there to witness it would, I'm sure, say the same thing.
Although the US team came out on the short end of the result, they have nothing to be ashamed of. After falling behind 3 sets to 1 in the singles half of the match, the Americans valiantly fought back to tie it up at four apiece, with the three US doubles teams pulling out closely-contested wins. The tie-breaker was a back and forth affair that went down to the final balls before France pulled it out thanks to their anchor team Nicolas Carouge and Nicolas Belliot, who outlasted Dave Gummeson and Terry Moore to win the match for the French.
Brad, Christina, "Iceman" Moore and I were on the air for the full 4 1/2 hours that "the greatest match in table soccer history" lasted, as one amazing turn of events followed another. The spectators in the huge crowd that packed the stands, the balconies, the Inside Foos booth, and every other available space inside the Hamburg Fischauktionshalle, were roaring their approval after every point, and oohing and aahing at every bit of the incredible action they were witnessing. The referees had to constantly raise their hands to quiet the crowd who simply could not contain themselves. I guarantee you that there has never been anything like it in the history of the sport.
I have seen a lot of foosball action but nothing approaches the electricity that circulated throughout that World Cup arena, or the level of competiton that the players exhibited. Not only was it the greatest match that I have ever witnessed, it was one of the most amazing and memorable sporting events of "any kind" that I have ever seen! And I'm damn glad to have been a part of it and to have recorded and commentated it for table soccer fans to watch and enjoy for many years to come.
I could go on and on, but my words simply cannot convey the excitement and emotion that this remarkable event produced. The entire World Cup event was incredible, but despite the USA loss I will always remember "the match" as the sport of table soccer's finest moment ever.
The match was simply stunning -- the intensity, resolve, concentration, professionalism, phenomenal skill and the unmatched unity demonstrated by the American team; the undivided and emotionally involved attention of such a huge audience; and an opponent that was absolutely and obsessively determined to win -- it was incredible. (And I'm saying this after having been witness to countless World Championships and other great finals as the Super Doubles upset by Ben Rivera and Tom Klein and the '79 Worlds final between Wiz & Fur and Spear & Kaiser.) This truly grueling marathon of a match was a genuine roller coaster!! Even more, the amazing thing that struck me was that all of this was for the World Cup title only: the pride of team and country, and of being the best that that represents.
Each and every player on our team had shifted gears in a way that would amaze everyone back home -- instead of playing against each other and just for themselves and/or their doubles partner in hopes of winning enough to pay for tournament expenses for the weekend, they put aside egos and individualism and pooled their combined talent, desire, and motivation into something bigger than each of themselves. I've never seen anything like it, ever. And in that final match, regardless of outcome, they were and are the U.S. National Foosball Team.
All of them deserve a tremendous thanks from each of us for how well they represented the USA. I'm not understating this: I'm damn proud of them; and I too will never forget: the greatest match in foosball history.
1. Austria 2. Germany 3. Belgium 4. France 5/8. USA Canada Hungary Italy 9/16. Czech Republic Poland Japan Netherlands Great Britain Denmark Ireland Costa Rica 17/20. Argentina Slovakia Luxembourg South Africa
Pictures from the 2006 World Cup (Courtesy of ITSF):
Early match play during Germany vs Austria
Germany's Sonja Breuer and Susanne Klug dig in for a victory
Germany's Tim Ludwig (l) defeats Jozef Horciak of Slovakia
Ultimate Winners of the World Cup of Table Soccer -- Team Austria
US Team Players (blue) Prepare to Face Off Against French
US Team Players Billy Pappas (l) and Tom Yore (r) compete at World Cup of Table Soccer
2006 US National Foosball Team (click on picture for larger)
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