12/26/2025
Historic Player or Simple Tall Tale?
“Pops is here…”
– Pops
During foosbooze’s early days, when pioneers JC and Fernando were starting to build the sport, there was a wise [old] player that challenged them on the OG Titletown field. One time after another, he defeated them. Until one night, many moons ago, with JC’s lockdown defense and Fernando’s controlled and innovative offense, they squeaked out a narrow victory. It turned out to be a turning point for the sport itself. The win gave JC and Fernando the confidence that they could push the sport to new levels, and they did. The wise player? He vowed to return and win again.
13 years later, on the 13th tournament, he is making his official foosbooze debut. “Pops is here…” he stated during his interview with foosbooze.com. When asked to expand or answer other questions, he simply repeated: “Pops is here…”
Will we see a historic player grace the Magic City field today? Will he take over the sport in the dominating fashion he once did? Tune in tonight to find out!
The Veterans
Only two players have played in all 12 foosbooze tournaments and they both are keeping the streak alive this time around.
“13th foosbooze tournament, and counting!” exclaimed foosbooze player, Gus. “As a veteran of the sport, I still get excited every year. There is still always a small hint of nerves because every year is unexpected. Gotta show up and earn your keep with every game, whether you’re a first year rookie or a 13th-year oldtimer.” He did not hide away from expectations either, stating, “Expectations? Same as always! Gotta climb to the top! Let’s see how this year turns out.”
Meanwhile, foosbooze player JC, the player with the most tournament games played, has a more leveled approach. “Last year, once again, I started well only to unravel in the later matches. I have to keep up the consistency if I’m ever going to reach the upper echelons of the sport again. I’m taking it game by game. All my focus is on my opening game against my little bro, Yeti.”
Second Time’s The Charm?
Yeti is coming back this year for his 2nd try at glory. “I’m feeling great, still training in armwrestling.. so maybe it’ll transfer into the table,” he mentioned when asked how he had been preparing for this tournament. “I am going to come in with more confidence now that top players are gone, so no extra pressure is put onto me,” he continued, alluding to the fact that both #2 and #3 players at last year’s tournament will be absent this go around. While Isa has a legitimate reason for being unable to participate, it seems Fernando has [once again] b*tched out of the tournament and has allegedly even fled the state.
“This is home advantage now, the players better be prepped. It’s my time to shine.”
– Yeti
Yeti concluded his interview confidently, stating, “This is home advantage now, the players better be prepped. It’s my time to shine.”
Running It Back?
Last year, foosbooze player Juan was close to the Finals when he had to forfeit the rest of his participation.
“I feel pretty good about my chances”
– Juan
“I feel pretty good about my chances,” he said when asked about this year’s tournament. “I haven’t played, but I’m pretty sure nobody has, so we’ll all basically play at the same level as last year. This gives me confidence.”
A New Face Continues the Streak
While we mentioned earlier that Pops will be making his official foosbooze tournament debut, he isn’t the only one.
Lizz will become the newest woman foosbooze player to take part in this prestigious tournament. She extends the streak of a woman playing in a foosbooze tournament to five consecutive years, starting with player Isa’s breakthrough in Tournament #9.
“Feeling rather apprehensive, but just hoping my first go is relatively uneventful 🤞,” she told foosbooze.com. “No real strategies, just hoping for limited goalie goals or such.” She does, however, have some experience with the sport, growing up in proximity to the Tioranda field. “I wouldn’t say I grew up with a foosball table,” she shared. “At some point in my youth, I asked for one as a gift, but I didn’t get as much practice as you might think without consistent people to play with.”
Lizz’s debut is also historic for a different reason. Lizz and JC will be the second couple to play in a foosbooze tournament after groundbreakers Isa and Ricky. “… being the second couple, I do think there’s pressure, especially since Isa and Ricky played so well!”, she exclaimed. “But I’m trying to not put too many expectations on myself for my first tournament. My goal is simply to participate and hopefully have fun!”
New Additions
As an ever evolving sport, this year foosbooze will introduce two things surely to change the sport for the better: referees and challenges.
There will now be a referee assigned to each game who will make the final determination of any game play or call. Each player will also be allocated two challenges per match, which they can use to review any play or call they disagree with. If the player gets both of their challenges correctly, they will be allowed one more challenge per match.
These changes were made to speed up the gameplay and not have players call for VAR on [basically] every play. Foosbooze player JC was notorious for this, even though he denies this profusely.
“‘I’m built for this job, I was made for this job. Winners win. I’m a winner. We’re going to win.
– CJS‘
– Gus”
Foosbooze player Gus shared his thoughts on the new additions. “Every year the game is evolving and becoming more regulated; first with VAR and now with Referees,” he stated. “It’s a welcomed addition because it will only sharpen the game and validate the level of play.”
Confident, he finished up by saying, “I’m not intimidated. I’m ready to get started. As our new coach says:
‘I’m built for this job, I was made for this job. Winners win. I’m a winner. We’re going to win.'”
Best of luck to everyone!