"ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOSBALL?”

2013 $12,000 MARYLAND STATE FOOSBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Super Bowl is over. The Ravens have won. Now the question is…. “ Are you ready for some FOOSBALL?” Yes, foosball that game you tried once or twice in your student union, family basement, office lounge or favorite watering hole. Now Marylanders can see foosball played as they have never seen it before because the professional foosball tour is coming to town.  Many of our nation’s top foosball players will be converging on Jessup, Maryland for an exciting sports event: Maryland State Foosball Championships held February 15th - 17th 2013 at Holiday Inn Columbia in Jessup, MD. This tournament is expected to draw over 150 of the best foosball players from all over the United States, Canada, and Central America. 

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

Events are divided by skill-level, all are welcome to participate, be it basement /bar enthusiast, league player, or touring professional. First time competitor events begin Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. The stiffest competition will be in the open division where touring Pro and Master ranked players compete in singles, doubles, women’s and mixed doubles events.  Several specialty events are scheduled, including Juniors, Forward Shootout, and Goalie Wars. The specialty Draw-Your-Partner (DYP) event randomly teams players for a chance to team up with national, local, and top ranked players. There is something for everyone.  Admission is free to spectators and press.

THE PLAYERS

LOCAL FEMALE PLAYER A FORCE ON THE NATIONAL SCENE

Maryland States draws many of the top female players in the United States including Maryland’s Kristin Grogan (Jessup, MD). Kristin has played foosball since she was a teenager and is known on tour for her quick reflexes and ability to “stuff” an opponent’s shot right back into the goal, similar to a smash at the net in tennis. Grogan fearlessly faces the best in the world in the Open Mixed Doubles events at the National and World Championship events each year. Just ask the number one ranked player in the U.S., Tony Spredeman, “ Don’t let her appearance fool you. She may be a sweet little 110 pound gal with a smile on her face off the table, but on the table she is a determined competitor.” This fall in New York, Grogan became one of the few women in the history of the sport to win an Open Doubles event competing against Master-level men’s teams. “The thing that is great about foosball is that it is a great equalizer.” said Grogan. “Men, women, tall, short, old, young and people with disabilities can all compete if they put in the time to learn the game and strategy from experienced players. Grogan explains that women are known for their excellent defensive skills and their game is usually more finesse than power. Mixed Doubles begins Friday night and Women’s Doubles Saturday Night. Grogan will be playing in the Open Women’s Doubles event with Kitty Shadman (Derwood, MD). Their toughest competition will come from Master Mary Moore (Lexington, KY) and Elite player Jessica "Cat Woman" Sanftleben  (St. Louis, MO). Both women have played for Team USA at the World Cup competition in France and have multiple national titles.

THE BEST

All eyes this weekend are on the top three players in the United States, Tony Spredeman (Florida), Ryan Moore (Colorado) and Todd Loffredo (Ohio).

Tony Spredeman age 27, is the highest ranked player in the United States. “I have been playing for 17 years, and what started out as a hobby has turned into my job, traveling the globe, playing and promoting the game that I love.” said Spredeman. He turned pro at the age of 16 after winning an impressive 5 amateur world titles. His first open world title came in 2003 at the age of 18. Since that time he has won numerous national, local, and world titles in both singles and doubles. Tony competes on the international level, traveling to France, Italy, Germany, China and the Middle East. Tony is returning to defend his Maryland Open Singles, Doubles and Mixed titles again this year.

Ready to take Spredeman’s Maryland titles is Ryan Moore (Denver, CO) , age 23. Ryan beat Spredeman at the 2013 Tour Kick Off in Atlanta. While it is common to see them battle in the championship finals in the United States, Spredeman and Moore together helped Team USA win the 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Cup Championships held in Nantes, France. Moore started playing in tournaments as a junior beating his first pro-level player when he was 14.  Now ranked number two in the country he also plays foosball full time as a profession. Moore is teaming with Mike Philbrook (Boston, MA) for the Open Doubles event and with Amy Powers (Buffalo, NY) in the co-ed Open Mixed event.

Between matches, players and spectators are likely to get valuable tips from the number three ranked Master, Todd Loffredo (Columbus, OH). Loffredo won his first world title in 1977 at the age of 17. Considered the most accomplished player in foosball, he has played for over 37 years earning endless list of national and world titles. Loffredo was inducted to the Foosball Hall of Fame in 2005. The game has changed over the years and so has his style of play. Loffredo explains that since the 70s the offense has become much more structured and going to the higher percentage scoring shots such as the addition of the rollover. Loffredo will partner with Spredeman as the number one seed in the Open Doubles event and with his regular partner Kristin Grogan in the Open Mixed Doubles event. Loffredo talks about what makes players great and why he partners with players such as Kristin Grogan. "Her strengths are that she really wants to improve, which is a quality of all good players. She puts in the time and effort it takes to develop ball control, competitiveness, and the intellect of the game".

FOOSBALL

Foosball’s popularity and tournament action has recently been building after drop off in the 1980’s. This years regional and national tournaments across the United States will bring over $250,000 in prize money. Overseas the sport has rocketed with government sponsorships and world titles going to the Germany, Belgium, and Austria. International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF) World Tour events are held across five continents in cities such as Tokyo, Paris, Dubai, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Costa Rica, Denmark, Singapore, and the UK. In January 2013, World Cup Championships where held in Nates France with live competition EuroSport broadcasting each night during prime time. The final matches were carried here by ESPN3 for the first time.

Throughout the year, the best local foosball action can be found at Triple Nines Bar and Billiards in Elkridge, Maryland. John Lee of Maryland Foosball Promotions organizes local tournaments twice a month for Maryland’s top foosers. Lee says, "Experienced players in the area are always happy to show new players the basics of the sport. We would love to expand our player base.” Other action can be found at Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern in Herndon, Virginia and at The Whiskey in Annapolis, MD.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

The tournament begins with events at 6:30 pm Friday February 15th, continuing throughout the weekend, with most finals played on Sunday the 17th. All matches played on Tornado Table Soccer tables.

Holiday Inn Columbia
7900 Washington Blvd
Jessup, MD 20794
(410) 799-7500