Subject: $46,000 Bonzini World Championships May 20-23, 2004 





The 2004 Bonzini World Championship (for 36,400 Euros, which is about $46,000 currently) will be held May 20-23 in a suburb of Paris France (see http://www.bonziniusa.com/foosball/tournament/events/2004-5-Worlds/CDM2004%20ENGLISH.doc ) for details. There are the usual array of events (Open Doubles, Open Singles, Mixed Doubles, Women's Singles and Doubles, Senior and Junior Doubles and Singles, DYPs, Forward Shootout, and Goalie War. Since there aren't separate divisions based on ranking (i.e., there are no "rookie" or "semi-pro" divisions, just open), the prize payout breakdown per event is like a much bigger tournament. You must sign up to play in the tournament (Registration) by April 26 (I will do it for you if you want, if you confirm to me that you are going, and which events you want to enter). Unlike package deals in the USA, the package deal for this tournament includes ALL the events (DYPs, etc too). Assuming it was like last year, the entry fee (package deal) for USA players is FREE (I will verify this). Also, the tables are set on free play (they are home model tables). 



In addition, there is also an "International Cup" event for the top 8 players from each country (with up to 4 alternates), which is a much bigger deal than the International Cup event at the Tornado Worlds - this event is heavily covered by the France media, and involves matches between each country in Singles (A & B), Doubles (A & B) and Mixed Doubles (1 team). If anyone would like to be on the USA team, please let me know prior to 4/26 (I will be coordinating the USA team). Bonzini USA may again be supplying team uniforms for the event (for pictures of last year's uniforms, see 

http://www.bonziniusa.com/foosball/tournament/events/2004-5-Worlds/EPSN0932.jpg ). This year anticipates to have even more international participation than in the past: Luxembourg (10 to 20 players), Canada (10 to 12), Switzerland (near 10), Germany (near 50), Belgium (near 30), England (4 to 15 ?), Italy (5 to 10), China (3 to 6), and possibly 6 or so other countries. 



Also, there is a hotel specially reserved for International players within easy walking distance of the tournament site, but space is limited - let me know ASAP if you want to stay there.



For anyone worrying about the language barrier, the tournament is in a suburb of Paris, and virtually everyone in that region speaks english as a second language. Also, last time the French federation arranged to pick up and transport USA (and Canada, etc) players to/from the airport (or where you were staying in Paris if you come early) and take you to the tournament site/hotel, as well as transport you back to Paris or the airport after the tournament. They plan to do the same thing this year too.  Since entry fees/package deals are free (I think, or will be substantially discounted if not) for USA/Canada players, the tables are on free play, the hotel is very reasonably priced, and food is not expensive (especially at the tournament where they have sandwiches, hotdogs, etc.), your only real expense is the cost of a plane ticket to Paris (you need to have a passport).



In past years they had a special website devoted to the World Championships. I assume they will have one this year (I will post the link when available). In the meantime, more info on the World Championship tournament (e.g., the "Dossier de presse" Press Information Package" for media) is available on the French Federation website (under the tournaments section): http://www.francebabyfoot.com .



Bruce Nardoci

footsball@worldnet.att.net