The 2002 CONNECTICUT CUP
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Massimo Conturso (in the pitcure with Jimmy Theodosiou of NYC-TFC) did it again. With a perfect record of 9-0-0, 32 goals for,
0 against, the Italian outplayed the competition from Connecticut and New York and won the first edition of the Connecticut
Cup.
It was a long but glorious day of Subbuteo at the Club House of Wellington Drive, Farmington, CT: five straight hours of flicking,
cheering and smiling, despite the heat, the A/C failure, a bumpy pitch, a shaky table and Jim Taylor being two hours late.
It started around 9am for Massimo, who found himself working alone for three hours to set the venue up in time for the
beginning of the competition (12noon). A problem with directions made the NYC guys arrive a little late, but still in time to
make a tremendous impression.
The first part of the tournament saw the Italian winning four in a row and putting himself in pole position for the group's
victory; Jim Taylor losing three consecutive games (2 by forfeit); Miguel coming back after a bad start; Eddie showing that he
was not going to share the Wolves' destiny (0-3 in Long Island on Saturday night). The Greeks from the City started to prove
their ability on the pitch, despite the long and hot drive to Connecticut.
After a well deserved break with pizza (from "Naples", Route 4), soda (from "Polar Beverages, Inc.") and brownies--kindly
brought to us by Mona Davidson--the competition entered in the crucial part with the last three rounds. Jimmy Theodosiou, a
great guy and excellent table footballer, decided to make it happen: despite 1 point in the first 4 rounds, he won 3 in a row
(Jim, Jeff, Eddie) and qualified for the semifinals as group's third. A scoreless tie with Taylor and an astonishing 5-0 over Jeff
"Spiderman" Davidson gave Jimmy's cousin--Manny Karagiannis--the green light to advance to the Top Four Round. Davidson Sr.
was directly affected by his son's result: due to his loss against Jimmy, Eddie found himself with Manny at 7 points, but with an
inferior goal differential than the Greek's.
Before the tournament's second phase, another break was necessary. The A/C inside the House started to fail and the 95
degree heat outside was getting to the players. They decided to challenge even Mother Nature and turned the A/C off and
opened windows and doors, leaving the hot air of August to invade the big room (our next Anniversary's celebration wil be
played in October..!). Massimo and Jimmy shared an Italian espresso and a "salute!" before the semifinals, hoping to meet each
other in the final. Unfortunately, while Massimo passed by Manny with a record-breaking 7-0, Jimmy didn't make it against
Miguel Marques, who won 2-1. That's right: the Portuguese! In this Euro-American Babylon, we almost forgot about the
"Number One Challenger". After a shaky start (0-4 Massimo; 2-2 Manny), he stopped to pick the ball up from his own net
and--inspired by the presence of his future wife, Jennifer--started to score with regular precision: 1-0 Jimmy, 1-0 Jim, 1-0 Jeff,
2-0 Eddie, 2-1 Jimmy in the semifinal.
In the playoff, Jim Taylor was finally able to win his first match agaist Spidey Davidson (2-0), who proudly finished the
tournament in seventh place.
The Cup's Final Phase started with a clamorous result. In the 5th place Final, Taylor--not his best day, for sure--was defeated
1-0 by Big-E Davidson, who crowned his best performance ever with an astonishing record of 3-3-1.
0 against, the Italian outplayed the competition from Connecticut and New York and won the first edition of the Connecticut
Cup.
It was a long but glorious day of Subbuteo at the Club House of Wellington Drive, Farmington, CT: five straight hours of flicking,
cheering and smiling, despite the heat, the A/C failure, a bumpy pitch, a shaky table and Jim Taylor being two hours late.
It started around 9am for Massimo, who found himself working alone for three hours to set the venue up in time for the
beginning of the competition (12noon). A problem with directions made the NYC guys arrive a little late, but still in time to
make a tremendous impression.
The first part of the tournament saw the Italian winning four in a row and putting himself in pole position for the group's
victory; Jim Taylor losing three consecutive games (2 by forfeit); Miguel coming back after a bad start; Eddie showing that he
was not going to share the Wolves' destiny (0-3 in Long Island on Saturday night). The Greeks from the City started to prove
their ability on the pitch, despite the long and hot drive to Connecticut.
After a well deserved break with pizza (from "Naples", Route 4), soda (from "Polar Beverages, Inc.") and brownies--kindly
brought to us by Mona Davidson--the competition entered in the crucial part with the last three rounds. Jimmy Theodosiou, a
great guy and excellent table footballer, decided to make it happen: despite 1 point in the first 4 rounds, he won 3 in a row
(Jim, Jeff, Eddie) and qualified for the semifinals as group's third. A scoreless tie with Taylor and an astonishing 5-0 over Jeff
"Spiderman" Davidson gave Jimmy's cousin--Manny Karagiannis--the green light to advance to the Top Four Round. Davidson Sr.
was directly affected by his son's result: due to his loss against Jimmy, Eddie found himself with Manny at 7 points, but with an
inferior goal differential than the Greek's.
Before the tournament's second phase, another break was necessary. The A/C inside the House started to fail and the 95
degree heat outside was getting to the players. They decided to challenge even Mother Nature and turned the A/C off and
opened windows and doors, leaving the hot air of August to invade the big room (our next Anniversary's celebration wil be
played in October..!). Massimo and Jimmy shared an Italian espresso and a "salute!" before the semifinals, hoping to meet each
other in the final. Unfortunately, while Massimo passed by Manny with a record-breaking 7-0, Jimmy didn't make it against
Miguel Marques, who won 2-1. That's right: the Portuguese! In this Euro-American Babylon, we almost forgot about the
"Number One Challenger". After a shaky start (0-4 Massimo; 2-2 Manny), he stopped to pick the ball up from his own net
and--inspired by the presence of his future wife, Jennifer--started to score with regular precision: 1-0 Jimmy, 1-0 Jim, 1-0 Jeff,
2-0 Eddie, 2-1 Jimmy in the semifinal.
In the playoff, Jim Taylor was finally able to win his first match agaist Spidey Davidson (2-0), who proudly finished the
tournament in seventh place.
The Cup's Final Phase started with a clamorous result. In the 5th place Final, Taylor--not his best day, for sure--was defeated
1-0 by Big-E Davidson, who crowned his best performance ever with an astonishing record of 3-3-1.
The 3rd place Final saw the NYC cousins battling each other in a classic Greek
Derby. After regular time and over time, the score was still 1-1. Under Miguel's
supervision, Jimmy and Manny gave the best of themselves and proof of their
shooting skills. Despite Theodosiou's ability, the victory went to Manny
Karagiannis with the score 5-3.
The Italo-Portuguese Connecticut Cup's Final started with Massimo in a
three-one advantage: while Miguel was supported by his fiancee, the Italian
had his wife Ellen, his daughter Julia and his mother-in-law Alberta to cheer for
the Family's Champion (..and only player). Conturso took strength from this
inspiring presence--as well as from the espresso, still in his bloodstream (is that
doping?)--and finished the first half with an almost-untouchable 3-0. In the
second half, the Italian controlled the game, closed the spaces and scored
twice for the 5-0 final.
Derby. After regular time and over time, the score was still 1-1. Under Miguel's
supervision, Jimmy and Manny gave the best of themselves and proof of their
shooting skills. Despite Theodosiou's ability, the victory went to Manny
Karagiannis with the score 5-3.
The Italo-Portuguese Connecticut Cup's Final started with Massimo in a
three-one advantage: while Miguel was supported by his fiancee, the Italian
had his wife Ellen, his daughter Julia and his mother-in-law Alberta to cheer for
the Family's Champion (..and only player). Conturso took strength from this
inspiring presence--as well as from the espresso, still in his bloodstream (is that
doping?)--and finished the first half with an almost-untouchable 3-0. In the
second half, the Italian controlled the game, closed the spaces and scored
twice for the 5-0 final.