| Challenge Cup XXX March 7, 2003 in Wallingford, CT |
Wallingford, Conn.
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", CTSC members
welcomed Michael from Shelton 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 scoreless.
At the shoot-outs, Massimo missed one (central, crossbar), but Roberto
missed two. The second one was fatally flicked on the post!
So the 30th Challenge became the usual affair between Massimo and tonight's
host, Miguel Marques. And for the second time tonight, the Italian capitalized
better than the Portuguese his chances, won 4-0 and claimed his 25th
Challenge Cup title.
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", CTSC members
welcomed Michael from Shelton 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 scoreless.
At the shoot-outs, Massimo missed one (central, crossbar), but Roberto
missed two. The second one was fatally flicked on the post!
So the 30th Challenge became the usual affair between Massimo and tonight's
host, Miguel Marques. And 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)
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 |
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