The latest foosbooze tournament is right around the corner and, once again, this will be the largest tournament in history. Ten players will be looking to be the ones holding the Thompson Trophy when it is all said and done.
This tournament also marks a decade of foosbooze. Ten years filled with memorable games, shocking upsets, lots of trash talking, but most importantly, good fun times.
Foosbooze.com reached out to this year’s participants to get their take on what they expect when the ball starts rolling and drinks start flowing.
The Past Champions
“I eat pieces of ****, like you chumps, for breakfast.”
– Ricky
Defending champion Ricky, foosbooze’s most dominant player, did not mince his words when asked about this new challenge and the fact he suffered his first loss last time around.
“I eat pieces of ****, like you chumps, for breakfast. I got a little distracted last year when I played Fernando and lost my undefeated reign. With the undefeated pressure off the table, there are no concerns going forward. I said it last year, and I’ll say it again…. I wake up every day and p*** excellence, [and] will be doing that again on the 26th.”
Since Ricky’s first tournament, he has taken over the sport, winning every tournament he has been part of. He tied Fernando’s three championship wins after Tournament #9, the key differentiator being that Fernando has taken part in five more tournaments than Ricky.
“Last year I proved he can bleed. This year, I put him down for good.”
– Fernando
“I feel it’s about time to take my trophy back,” stated player Fernando. “I was giving a chance for new faces to shine, but that’s enough of a spotlight for Ricky. Last year I proved he can bleed. This year, I put him down for good. This will be the beginning of an era where I will take back the championship and no one will be able to take it away. It will be a dynasty!” said Fernando.
Foosbooze’s other champions had their focus on different things.
“I need to get back to competing for championships. No excuses.”
– JC
“It has been embarrassing, to say the least,” stated player JC, foosbooze’s all-time leader in goalie goals, when asked about the last two tournaments at his home field. “Having only won a single game in the last 8 games played at home is unacceptable. This must change this year. I need to get back to competing for championships. No excuses.”
Player Juan stated he is not coming into this tournament at 100%, just like last year. “I will say that I wasn’t focused last year. And honestly speaking am not coming prepared this year,” stated Juan. “Completely winging it. Maybe next year I’ll get a head coach that teaches me proper technique and discipline. Until then, expect highs and lows and a 6-7 season.”
Juan opened last tournament with a loss to JC, only his second loss ever to JC in official tournament games. After a valiant effort in the losers’ bracket, where he won three games in a row, he fell against Fernando in the de facto tournament semifinal.
Tournament Dark Horses
“… I’ll do whatever it takes to beat whoever I have in front. I’m not scared, I’m confident this year I’ll win more.”
– Isa
Player Isa was thankful for the opportunity to make her debut at foosbooze tournaments last year. “Thank you for making me part of this!” she said. “I really enjoyed playing last year and I’m anxious about this next tournament!”
Isa made history last tournament becoming the first woman to play in a foosbooze tournament, but that was not enough for her. Not counting player Ricky’s first appearance or the first ever tournament, Isa ended up with the best winning percentage and most goals scored by a rookie. She also had no own goals and was tied for the least amount of goalie goals received by a rookie. She didn’t just show up… she came to compete, which has quickly made her a crowd favorite.
“I will do my best to represent women and I hope that motivates them to join the group next time,” she stated. When asked if there’s any added pressure competing against her husband (current champion, Ricky), she answered with, “I’ve been practicing and getting better, so my husband might be a little worried about playing against his wife…”
She ended her interview saying the following: “I love competing, playing and having fun! So I’ll do whatever it takes to beat whoever I have in front. I’m not scared, I’m confident this year I’ll win more.”
“Nobody takes more shots than me. Nobody!”
– Agustin
3rd year player, Agustin, has quickly climbed the ranks of the sport and finds himself at #4 in all-time winning percentage. When asked what he owes this quick success to, he responded with, “It’s all about determination… nobody takes more shots than me. You gotta bring that attitude in everything in life to achieve great things. It also helps to play some bad opponents…” When asked if he will be the one to finally put an end to his brother Ricky’s reign as champion, he stated, “If anyone’s gonna do it… it’s gotta be me. I’m tired of his smug face. Well, probably not as tired as JC.”
Agustin is alluding to the well-known JC vs Ricky rivalry. While Ricky is 3-0 against JC, their games have always been exciting and close, with Ricky holding only a +2 average goal differential against JC. To close his interview, Agustin had a shout out for the rest of the competitors: “Bring it!!!”
Revenge Game 10 Years in the Making
“… as a first comer I want to prove my skills and take down my culprits… This year is different and I’m ready for the challenge.”
– Verdugo
Another player that is ready to take down current champion Ricky is first time player Verdugo. He actually took part in games during foosbooze’s early years, when the rules of the game were still being written. There are strong allegations that, during a doubles match against players JC and Fernando, Verdugo’s own teammate (Ricky) sabotaged him, doubling his shot intake. We asked Verdugo what he thought about these allegations and he did not hold back.
“Sabotage?” Verdugo stated. “Yes. My performance was hindered by the fact that unbeknownst to me, my teammate was feeding me more alcohol than what rules applied. It’s ok, I understand their values, but this year as a first comer I want to prove my skills and take down my culprits whose whole intention was to make me drink. This year is different and I’m ready for the challenge.”
A Foosbooze Prodigy?
“I will come with everything I got and I will underestimate no one. Good luck to you all.”
– François
In the world of sports, every so often you hear of a special new talented individual dominating the lower leagues. This is extremely rare, as athletes normally take many years to develop their skillset. However, there are some that flash signs of greatness right away.
It seems we might be in the presence of such a prodigy. Rookie player François has been identified by scouts as someone who could very well challenge the great foosbooze players right away for championships, and there are those who say we might be witnessing the start of a new dynasty soon.
“I feel like my foosbooze skills are something that have just come naturally to me,” François told foosbooze.com. “I have not had [too] many experiences on the field, but the few I have had have been against my brother so you could say he has caught a glimpse of my ability. This being the first real challenge I will [face] in foosbooze, I believe it will be my first opportunity to unleash my true potential.”
François’ brother, foosbooze player Fernando, has indeed spoken highly of François skills, yet still claims he is the best in the family. When player François was asked what he thought about these statements and how he liked his chances against the rest of the field, he stated, “I do not like to underestimate my opponents as that could end up being your greatest mistake. A clear example is my brother. Who could imagine there is any aptitude inside of him? But he surely will surprise you in a game of foosbooze. I will come with everything I got and I will underestimate no one. Good luck to you all.”
Only time will tell if François ends up being closer to Messi or to Freddy Adu.
Second Try is the Charm?
“If [Gus] loses to me he needs to retire for life lmao.”
– Dante
Player Dante was given an invitation to officially join foosbooze Tournament #9 last year, but had to cancel his participation at the last second as he did not pass the sport’s strict COVID-19 protocols.
Rumors quickly surfaced that he made up the COVID-19 exposure to avoid playing player Gus, who he had previously called out with some colorful language. When asked about this, Dante was quick to deny these rumors, saying, “There is no fear when he lost to me in beer chugging when I do not even drink beer. (Drop mic 🎤)” He followed this up with, “Also, to be fair, it has been years since I have played on a foosball table. If [Gus] loses to me he needs to retire for life lmao.”
When asked what he’d like to tell the rest of the field, he stated, “You thought I was finished?!! Ha. Here I come *****!”
Strong Remarks and a Call to Action
Foosbooze player Gus, the sport’s most veteran player, usually avoids the media and has even declined to comment on foosbooze tournament previews before. This year, it was quite different, immediately responding to Dante’s comments.
– Gus responding to Dante
“That guy can talk all the smack he wants. I’ll start to pay attention when he can actually back it up,” Gus replied. “If he plays foosbooze anything like he drinks, we already know this won’t end well for him.”
Gus is coming off his 2nd best tournament, stats wise. When asked if this is the tournament when he will finally take the next step and challenge the sport’s blue bloods for the title, he answered with, “I’m not afraid of taking on any of the top seeded players. I’ve faced them before and won a few times; I’ll do it again. I think we’re all coming off a cold start. I’m pretty sure barely any of us have played much foosball since last year’s tournament. It’ll be a good tournament.” He then brought up allegations against player JC, saying “My only concern is JC. I’ve heard rumors he’s been practicing lately in preparation for this tournament. I was told he used Christmas as an excuse to get some rounds on the field. He’s probably scared of losing in his home turf again. Understandable. We’ll see if it’ll make a difference.”
“I thought my back was hurting because I’m 30. But now I realize it hurts from carrying our conference on my back.”
– Gus
Gus finished his interview off with a special request to the original tournament participants. “This year, we need to bring the Thompson trophy back home to the OG 1912 conference. So I’m calling on the three other roommates to step up their game and help make it happen,” Gus said. “I thought my back was hurting because I’m 30. But now I realize it hurts from carrying our conference on my back.”
“I’ll see y’all on THE TABLE ✌” – Gus