International ranking events at Savio Sports Complex

This weekend, the Malta Table Football Sports Association (MTFSA) will be holding the Gasan Mamo International Open and Grand Prix for four different categories.

Both competitions are official world ranking tournaments. Matches will be played at the Savio College Sports Complex, Dingli.

There was great interest from local and foreign players with eight countries, namely, Malta, Holland, Wales, England, Italy, Austria, Russia and Greece represented in the two competitions. 62 players will take part.

Among the entry field is current world no.1 Eric Verhagen, of Holland.

In last year's first edition of the International Open and Grand Prix, he narrowly lost both finals to Joseph Borg Bonaci and Charles Aquilina.

Verhagen starts favourite at the Savio Complex but faces a hard time to consolidate his lead in the rankings from Maltese players Massimo Cremona, world no.11, Joseph Mifsud (23), Hansel Mallia (29), Charles Aquilina (39) and Joseph Borg Bonaci (79). Among the visiting players one finds Darren Clarke (17), Chris Thomas (19) and Kasper Bennett (70), all of the UK, and Austria's Manfred Pawlica (26).

The Italian contingent is headed by their top seed Enrico Testa.

In the U-19 category, Samwel Bartolo, winner of the Belgian Mons Major tournament last week, should retain the title he won last year if he plays to his current form.

The U-15 competition is a different matter and the top Maltese player here should emerge from Timothy Spiteri, Andre Grima or Clint Abela Wadge. All three figured prominently in this year's national tournaments.

In the class for veterans, Patrick Pace is looking to keep his title but Mario Spiteri and Tony Sapiano lead a pack of close contenders that should serve stiff opposition.

One may obtain more details by phoning 7949-2046.