Thursday evening saw the Table Football World Cup 2014 played to a conclusion.
A sell-out crowd comprising players and supporters from most of the businesses who had participated in the tournament was greeted into the Estadio Sao Paulo by 4 glamorous Brazillian dancers. Samba music played, Bean provided food and drink (including their fantastic chilli dogs!) and the crowd were treated to 8 fiercely competitive matches and an incredible 191 goal bonanza!
It was only fitting that the World Cup Final should be an all-South American affair, with the hosts Brazil (Hill Dickinson) taking on Chile (Ridge). Both sides had won 6 matches out of 6, so it was no surprise that the match was a very even contest, with little to choose between the two teams. Scores were level when the final whistle blew, but an explosive first period of extra time saw Brazil crowned champions. Everton and Scotland legend Graeme Sharp awarded medals to all the finalists and presented the World Cup trophy to the winning team.
The full results can be found on the 'Fixtures and results' page and a selection of photographs from the evening can be seen on the Hill Dickinson Flickr page, which can be found by clicking here.
At the end of the day, however, what really matters is that everyone has enjoyed themselves and hopefully made some useful new contacts along the way.
I should like to finish by saying thank you to those who helped to make TFWC2014 happen:
- PlaceEXPO for hosting, promoting and generally supporting the tournament;
- the Commercial District BID team for their support throughout the tournament and for providing much of the entertainment at the opening and closing events;
- Graeme Sharp (and Everton in the Community) for presenting the medals and trophy;
- Ray Farley, official photographer at the opening and closing events;
- Bean, for providing the catering at the World Cup Final event;
- the Marketing team at Hill Dickinson, particularly Martyn Smith for letting me spend some of his budget and Liam Russell who liaised with the competitors, refereed his share of matches, organised the medals and was of course the other half of the victorious Brazil team!;
- my 10 year old son Ciaran for creating this blog for me;
- and last, but not least, everyone who has played in, supported their colleagues in or refereed a match in TFWC2014.
See you in 2016 for the Table Football European Championships!
Thank you
Bill
Monday 7 July 2014
Friday 4 July 2014
Day 15 - They think it's all over ...
Since people have been logging on from across the globe this morning to find out who won TFWC2014, I have updated the results page. A more detailed review of last night's festivities will follow, probably over the weekend!
Thanks again to all our competitors for making last night - and indeed the whole tournament - such an exciting and enjoyable event.
Thanks again to all our competitors for making last night - and indeed the whole tournament - such an exciting and enjoyable event.
Wednesday 2 July 2014
Brazilian dancers to entertain TFWC final party
A final reminder to all competitors (whether or not you're still in the tournament) and supporters that the Table Football World Cup Final Party takes place tomorrow night, Thursday 3 July.
In addition to the conclusion of the tournament and the awarding of the trophy and medals by football legend Graeme Sharp (and the accompanying food, drink and music), the Commercial District BID Company have secured four of the high quality Brazilian dancers from Viva Brasil who are currently working their feathers off with all things World Cup and Brazil, including the fantastic Brazilica Festival.
The dancers will be ready to create a carnival atmosphere, greet the teams and supporters and have their photographs taken with guests from 5.15pm.
The BID Company have also arranged a second table for some 'just for fun' matches, so those not competing tomorrow night will still be able to say that they played at the World Cup Final.
Don't forget to register on Eventbrite and bring your World Cup Final ticket with you to tomorrow night's spectacular finale.
In addition to the conclusion of the tournament and the awarding of the trophy and medals by football legend Graeme Sharp (and the accompanying food, drink and music), the Commercial District BID Company have secured four of the high quality Brazilian dancers from Viva Brasil who are currently working their feathers off with all things World Cup and Brazil, including the fantastic Brazilica Festival.
The dancers will be ready to create a carnival atmosphere, greet the teams and supporters and have their photographs taken with guests from 5.15pm.
The BID Company have also arranged a second table for some 'just for fun' matches, so those not competing tomorrow night will still be able to say that they played at the World Cup Final.
Don't forget to register on Eventbrite and bring your World Cup Final ticket with you to tomorrow night's spectacular finale.
TFWC photos on Flickr
A selection of photos from the first day of TFWC2014 can be found on Hill Dickinson's Flickr page by clicking here.
TFWC2014 in numbers
With my first TFWC-free lunchtime for three weeks, I thought it would be interesting to review some statistics from the first 3 weeks of the tournament:
56 matches
8 'walkover' wins
1 draw
1 clean sheet (excluding walkovers)
777 goals (excluding walkovers)
16 average goals per game (excluding walkovers)
27 most goals scored (by both sides) in a single match
25 most goals scored by one team in a single match
24 biggest winning margin
9 fewest goals scored (by both sides) in a single match
5 lowest number of goals scored by a winning team
4 biggest half-time deficit overturned
3 penalties awarded
1 penalty scored
2650 visitors to the TFWC2014 website, from 15 countries
56 matches
8 'walkover' wins
1 draw
1 clean sheet (excluding walkovers)
777 goals (excluding walkovers)
16 average goals per game (excluding walkovers)
27 most goals scored (by both sides) in a single match
25 most goals scored by one team in a single match
24 biggest winning margin
9 fewest goals scored (by both sides) in a single match
5 lowest number of goals scored by a winning team
4 biggest half-time deficit overturned
3 penalties awarded
1 penalty scored
2650 visitors to the TFWC2014 website, from 15 countries
Tuesday 1 July 2014
Day 14 - London calling
The final 4 matches in the Round of 16 were played this lunchtime and I am grateful to my Hill Dickinson colleagues for looking after today's session whilst I'm down in London today.
The results page has been updated and the quarter-final draw is now confirmed as follows:
Quarter-finals
Brazil (Hill Dickinson) v Greece (Mason Owen)
Chile (Ridge) v Colombia (GVA)
Argentina (Keppie Massie) v Ghana (Liverpool FC)
Iran (Sutcliffe) v Algeria (DLA Piper)
Congratulations to today's winners and commiserations to the losers. It sounds like there were some fantastically close matches today, which I am very sorry to have missed.
After 14 days and 56 matches we are down to the last 8 teams, who will battle it out on Thursday evening to see who will be crowned Hill Dickinson PlaceEXPO Table Football World Cup winners 2014!
Remember that all 32 teams are invited to the party, so don't forget to book your ticket for the final at Eventbrite!
The results page has been updated and the quarter-final draw is now confirmed as follows:
Quarter-finals
Brazil (Hill Dickinson) v Greece (Mason Owen)
Chile (Ridge) v Colombia (GVA)
Argentina (Keppie Massie) v Ghana (Liverpool FC)
Iran (Sutcliffe) v Algeria (DLA Piper)
Congratulations to today's winners and commiserations to the losers. It sounds like there were some fantastically close matches today, which I am very sorry to have missed.
After 14 days and 56 matches we are down to the last 8 teams, who will battle it out on Thursday evening to see who will be crowned Hill Dickinson PlaceEXPO Table Football World Cup winners 2014!
Remember that all 32 teams are invited to the party, so don't forget to book your ticket for the final at Eventbrite!
Monday 30 June 2014
Day 13 - moving up through the gears
The first 4 matches in the Round of 16 took place this lunchtime and the results page has been updated.
Today witnessed the emergence of some serious contenders, as 4 previously fancied teams were put to the sword. Brazil (Hill Dickinson) achieved the first shut-out of the tournament and will meet Greece (Mason Owen) in the quarter-finals on Thursday evening after Greece finally put an end to England's World Cup dream.
The much-hyped meeting between two of the most impressive teams in the group stages, Chile (Ridge) and Cameroon (Mazars), lived up to its billing, with Chile edging the day's closest match to secure a quarter-final meeting with Colombia (GVA), who became the 4th team to score 20 goals in a match as Italy became the first group winners to exit the tournament.
Congratulations to today's 4 winners and commiserations to Netherlands (Merseytravel), England (CBRE), Cameroon (Mazars) and Italy (Suttons & Robertsons).
Good luck to the 8 teams who do battle tomorrow, seeking to secure the last 4 quarter-final berths.
Finally, a reminder about the Table Football World Cup Final Party on Thursday evening. Full details are on a previous post, but everyone attending does need to register on Eventbrite please!
Today witnessed the emergence of some serious contenders, as 4 previously fancied teams were put to the sword. Brazil (Hill Dickinson) achieved the first shut-out of the tournament and will meet Greece (Mason Owen) in the quarter-finals on Thursday evening after Greece finally put an end to England's World Cup dream.
The much-hyped meeting between two of the most impressive teams in the group stages, Chile (Ridge) and Cameroon (Mazars), lived up to its billing, with Chile edging the day's closest match to secure a quarter-final meeting with Colombia (GVA), who became the 4th team to score 20 goals in a match as Italy became the first group winners to exit the tournament.
Congratulations to today's 4 winners and commiserations to Netherlands (Merseytravel), England (CBRE), Cameroon (Mazars) and Italy (Suttons & Robertsons).
Good luck to the 8 teams who do battle tomorrow, seeking to secure the last 4 quarter-final berths.
Finally, a reminder about the Table Football World Cup Final Party on Thursday evening. Full details are on a previous post, but everyone attending does need to register on Eventbrite please!
Sunday 29 June 2014
Round of 16
With the 48 group matches completed and the final group tables settled, we now know the line-up for the Round of 16. Liam circulated the fixtures to the competing teams on Friday, but here they are again:
Day 13 - Monday 30 June
Brazil (Hill Dickinson) v Netherlands (Merseytravel) @ 1230
Greece (Mason Owen) v England (CBRE) @ 1245
Chile (Ridge) v Cameroon (Mazars) @ 1300
Italy (Suttons & Robertsons) v Colombia (GVA) @ 1315
Day 14 - Tuesday 1 July
Honduras (CRL) v Argentina (Keppie Massie) @ 1230
Ghana (Liverpool FC) v Belgium (PlaceEXPO) @ 1245
Iran (Sutcliffe) v France (AECOM) @ 1300
Algeria (DLA Piper) v Germany (Handelsbanken) @ 1315
Now that we have reached the knock-out stage, I would remind you that in the event of a draw after 4 minutes each way, there will be extra time of 2 minutes each way. If scores are level at the end of extra time, a 'sudden death' period will be played, when it really is a case of 'next goal wins'!
Day 13 - Monday 30 June
Brazil (Hill Dickinson) v Netherlands (Merseytravel) @ 1230
Greece (Mason Owen) v England (CBRE) @ 1245
Chile (Ridge) v Cameroon (Mazars) @ 1300
Italy (Suttons & Robertsons) v Colombia (GVA) @ 1315
Day 14 - Tuesday 1 July
Honduras (CRL) v Argentina (Keppie Massie) @ 1230
Ghana (Liverpool FC) v Belgium (PlaceEXPO) @ 1245
Iran (Sutcliffe) v France (AECOM) @ 1300
Algeria (DLA Piper) v Germany (Handelsbanken) @ 1315
Now that we have reached the knock-out stage, I would remind you that in the event of a draw after 4 minutes each way, there will be extra time of 2 minutes each way. If scores are level at the end of extra time, a 'sudden death' period will be played, when it really is a case of 'next goal wins'!
Day 12 - Red letter day for Liverpool FC, but Everton FC left feeling blue
The group stage is over. The results from day 12 of TFWC2014 are available on the 'Fixtures and results' page and the group tables have been updated for the last time.
Day 12 began with that winner-takes-all clash in Group G between USA (Everton FC) and Germany (Handelsbanken), but it was Germany who rose best to the occasion, becoming only the third team to score 20 goals in a match to book their place in the last 16. Ghana (Liverpool FC) progress as group winners, but we say goodbye to USA (Everton FC) and Portugal (Cheshire West & Chester Council).
Algeria (DLA Piper) duly wrapped up Group H with a comfortable victory in their final group match, but all the excitement surrounded who would join them in the last 16. PlaceEXPO organiser Paul Unger took to the table for the first time and led Belgium (PlaceEXPO) to back-to-back wins over South Korea (Hill Dickinson C) and Russia (Form) to secure second spot. In that crucial final match, Paul demonstrated his hUnger (geddit?) by scoring with the last kick in each half. Belgium's success means that we say goodbye to South Korea (Hill Dickinson C) and Russia (Form).
Hill Dickinson C's failure to finish in the top 2 positions in Group H means that there is only one 'lucky loser' place in the last 16 under Rule 13. That place goes to Honduras (CRL), who were very unlucky with 6 points not to qualify automatically, but that means goodbye to the unfortunate Nigeria (Kier) who, with 4 points, were the second-best third-place team.
Congratulations to the 16 teams who have progressed to the knock-out stage of the tournament. Commiserations to those who didn't make it through, but a massive thank you for taking part and we hope to see you at the Table Football World Cup Final Party on Thursday evening 3 July to enjoy the party and collect your medals!
Day 12 began with that winner-takes-all clash in Group G between USA (Everton FC) and Germany (Handelsbanken), but it was Germany who rose best to the occasion, becoming only the third team to score 20 goals in a match to book their place in the last 16. Ghana (Liverpool FC) progress as group winners, but we say goodbye to USA (Everton FC) and Portugal (Cheshire West & Chester Council).
Algeria (DLA Piper) duly wrapped up Group H with a comfortable victory in their final group match, but all the excitement surrounded who would join them in the last 16. PlaceEXPO organiser Paul Unger took to the table for the first time and led Belgium (PlaceEXPO) to back-to-back wins over South Korea (Hill Dickinson C) and Russia (Form) to secure second spot. In that crucial final match, Paul demonstrated his hUnger (geddit?) by scoring with the last kick in each half. Belgium's success means that we say goodbye to South Korea (Hill Dickinson C) and Russia (Form).
Hill Dickinson C's failure to finish in the top 2 positions in Group H means that there is only one 'lucky loser' place in the last 16 under Rule 13. That place goes to Honduras (CRL), who were very unlucky with 6 points not to qualify automatically, but that means goodbye to the unfortunate Nigeria (Kier) who, with 4 points, were the second-best third-place team.
Congratulations to the 16 teams who have progressed to the knock-out stage of the tournament. Commiserations to those who didn't make it through, but a massive thank you for taking part and we hope to see you at the Table Football World Cup Final Party on Thursday evening 3 July to enjoy the party and collect your medals!
Friday 27 June 2014
Day 12 fixtures
Today sees the final group matches in the tournament, as Groups G and H play to a conclusion.
Ghana (Liverpool FC) have already qualified from Group G but need a third win to secure top spot, whilst USA (Everton FC) and Germany (Handelsbanken) meet in another winner-takes-all match, but yesterday's results mean that Portugal (Cheshire West and Chester Council) can no longer progress.
There is still everything to play for in Group H. With 3 matches scheduled for today, no team has yet guaranteed their place in the last 16 and any of the 4 teams could still finish in the top 2.
Today's fixtures will take place indoors at the PlaceEXPO Pavillion at No.4 St Paul's Square:
USA (Everton FC) v Germany (Handelsbanken) @ 1230
Portugal (CWAC) v Ghana (Liverpool FC) @ 1245
South Korea (Hill Dickinson C) v Belgium (PlaceEXPO) @ 1300
Algeria (DLA Piper) v Russia (Form) @ 1315
Belgium (PlaceEXPO) v Russia (Form) @ 1330
Good luck to all of today's competitors.
Ghana (Liverpool FC) have already qualified from Group G but need a third win to secure top spot, whilst USA (Everton FC) and Germany (Handelsbanken) meet in another winner-takes-all match, but yesterday's results mean that Portugal (Cheshire West and Chester Council) can no longer progress.
There is still everything to play for in Group H. With 3 matches scheduled for today, no team has yet guaranteed their place in the last 16 and any of the 4 teams could still finish in the top 2.
Today's fixtures will take place indoors at the PlaceEXPO Pavillion at No.4 St Paul's Square:
USA (Everton FC) v Germany (Handelsbanken) @ 1230
Portugal (CWAC) v Ghana (Liverpool FC) @ 1245
South Korea (Hill Dickinson C) v Belgium (PlaceEXPO) @ 1300
Algeria (DLA Piper) v Russia (Form) @ 1315
Belgium (PlaceEXPO) v Russia (Form) @ 1330
Good luck to all of today's competitors.
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