| CHALLENGE XXX CUP March 7, 2003 |
| 9 players, 3 pitches, 2 new enthusiastic friends, 2 large pizzas, 4 playing hours: these are the numbers of the 30th edition of our Challenge Cup, hosted by Miguel Marques in Wallingford, CT. In an almost surreal atmosphere of "Subbuteo bachelor party"--no streapers dancing on our Astropitches!--CTSC members welcomed Michael from Shelton, CT, and Greek-American Kurt, as well as our 3rd international guest. In fact, after the performances of Blake Fisher from London, England (March 8, 2002), and Marco Scolamiero from Rome, Italy (March 29, 2002), it was the turn of Italian Roberto Conturso, Massimo's little brother. Rob had his initiation in Group C, with Eddie Davidson--first time seed--and Frank Silva. After a comforting win over Frank on 2-0 decision, Conturso Jr bounced on Eddie's wall--and goalie!--and didn't go over a 1-1 tie, finishing second in the group, but clinching the wild card as best second. In the semifinals, while Miguel passed over Eddie 2-0 and qualified for his 2nd Challenge of this Olde Oake Village Night (the 29th Challege Cup final has been played as well: click here!), Roberto faced his brother Massimo in a Conturso Family Derby, first time on US soil. Despite the many wins in friendly matches previously played at home, Massimo knew it was going to be a different music: he knows his own blood. Roberto started to press in every square inch of the pitch, battling on every single ball and speeding up with excellent combinations. To Massimo's advantage, Rob replied with a fast winning counterattack. To Massimo's 2-1, he opposed a chip under the crossbar. Conturso Sr played well, but missed too many chances and hit way too many posts! The overtime passed painless. At the shoot-outs, Massimo missed one (central, crossbar), but Roberto missed two. The second one was fatally flicked on the post! The 30th Challenge was the usual affair between Massimo and tonight's host, Miguel Marques. For the second time tonight, the Italian capitalized better than the Portuguese his chances, won 4-0 and claimed his 25th Challenge Cup title. |
| GROUP "A" MASSIMO 6-0 ANDY JEFF 2-0 ANDY MASSIMO 6-0 JEFF Standings: Massimo...............6 Jeff......................3 Andy.....................0 Massimo qualifies to the semifinals (A1) GROUP "B" MIGUEL 3-1 LUIS LUIS 2-1 RICK MIGUEL 5-4 RICK Standings: Miguel.......................6 Luis..........................3 Rick..........................0 Miguel qualifies to the semifinals (B1) GROUP "C" EDDIE 4-0 FRANK ROBERTO 2-0 FRANK EDDIE 1-1 ROBERTO Standings: Eddie.....................4 Roberto..................4 Frank.....................0 Eddie qualifies to the semifinals (C1) Roberto qualifies to the semifinals as best second (wild card) |
| SEMIFINALS B1-C1 MIGUEL 2-0 EDDIE A1-Wild Card MASSIMO 2-2 ROBERTO (3-2 at the shoot-outs) 30th CHALLENGE CUP FINAL MASSIMO 4-0 MIGUEL |
