blog post courtesy of Kevin Shanus

FireFold Inc. is generously sponsoring the Summer/Fall 2019 Abari Pinball Players League, a monthly pinball league open to all skill levels and genders (21+ of age).

A technology solutions company, FireFold Inc. serves customers around the world with their online presence and locally with storefronts in Concord, NC. At their retail locations, repair services are offered for desktop computers, laptops, and cell phones with order pickup available on networking and audio/video equipment. The team at FireFold also specializes in audio, video and IT consulting services along with installation services for businesses.

Abari Game Bar is Charlotte, NC’s first arcade and full bar with over 20 Pinball Machines and 30 Arcade Games. Abari has hosted the IFPA’s (International Flipper Pinball Association) North Carolina State Championship the past two years and will host again in January 2020. Abari also hosts the only women’s pinball league in the Carolinas with their Belles & Chimes Charlotte Chapter.

The Abari Pinball Players League meets once a month for pinball matchplay.  Through their sponsorship, FireFold, Inc, is providing participants free entry into these monthly league nights and is committing cash prizes to the top finishers. These benefits are available during the 6 upcoming league nights held July through December, with specific dates to be announced. Finals will be held in December. We are excited FireFold is a local business supporting our pinball community. For more information on upcoming events, please like the Abari Game Bar Facebook page or join the Abari Pinball Players Facebook group..

FireFold Inc

Website – http://firefoldinc.com/

Social Media – https://www.facebook.com/FireFold

Abari Game Bar

Website – http://abarigamebar.com/

Social Media – https://www.facebook.com/abarigamebar

blog post courtesy of Andreas Maarbjerg

I guess many people around the world have difficultys namedroping danish athletes or sport legends. Sure we have the football playing Laudrup brothers, tennis darling Caroline Wozniazki and the NFL hall of fame kicker Morten Andersen. But by now almost every pinball player or enthusiast should know Peter Andersen. He just entered the IFPA top 25 (21st place, atm) after another round of great results, when he visited the neighbours in the Norwegian capital Oslo and their fine tournament Tilt pinball open.

For those who think “Peter who?”, you better get ready for the IFPA World Championship next weekend, because i and the rest of the Danish pinpopulation are sure, that he will make a great result and is definitely this years dark horse.

On behalf of all of Denmark: We are sorry for the embarrassing effort of Pilou Asbæk as Euron Greyjoy in the last season of Game of Thrones. To compensate – we bring you Mr Andersen.

Corriere Della Sera in Rome, Italy published a piece on the upcoming IFPA16 World Pinball Championship. Click HERE to read the article.

Fanpage in Naples, Italy published a piece on the upcoming IFPA16 World Pinball Championship. Click HERE to read the article.

Wired in Italy published a piece on the upcoming IFPA16 World Pinball Championship. Click HERE to read the article.

Gazzetta dello Sport: the most important sport newspaper in Italy, wrote a piece on the upcoming IFPA16 World Pinball Championship that is coming to Milan. Click HERE to read the article.

blog post courtesy of IFPA Italia

This year the IFPA16 sports pinball World Cup takes on an even more important meaning because it will be dedicated to the Italian player who died just a month ago: Fabrizio Amiconi. The decision was taken by IFPA together with the country director in Italy, Alessio Crisantemi, and the organizers of the Assago World Cup (Milan), scheduled for June, 7-9, 2019.

The reason that led us to take this decision is because we believe that Fabrizio Amiconi has represented something important for the Italian and international sports pinball movement. Because few, like him, have been able to best exemplified the values we want to spread through this wonderful game that is the pinball machine: that is, those of friendship, socialization, brotherhood, even before the sports aspects and the competition, which in any case belonged to him.

Fabrizio was also an example of great strength and courage, fighting – as rarely happens – a disease against which he could do nothing, but which he brought under control until the last days, hanging on to life and never ceasing to smile, until the last day.

Fabrizio made a promise some time ago, that is to try to be present in Assago to closely follow the Italian World Cup and maybe even play the pre-IFPA tournaments of the previous days. But unfortunately it is the only promise that he failed to keep. One more reason to dedicate this edition of the World Cup to him. In addition to wanting to be a thanks for all the smiles he has given us in these years of activity as a professional player and the laughs we shared with him.

To remember Fabrizio, the IFPA16 Pinball World Championship will begin on Friday, June, the 7th, with a moment of silence dedicated to his memory. To feel him close again, play with us.

Team USA currently holds the Epstein Cup for another 10 days before it is once again up for grabs at IFPA16 in Italy on Thursday night June 6th.

8 players per side earn the right to represent their country in this prestigious event, so let’s take a closer look at the rosters for both sides.

Team USA includes:

• Current world ranked #1 and 2-time Major Champion Raymond Davidson from Mukilteo, WA
• 2-time Major Finalist Trent Augenstein from Delaware, OH
• 2-time Major Champion Cayle George from Seattle, WA
• 1-time Major Champion Zach Sharpe from Chicago
• 1-time Major Champion Robert Gagno from Burnaby, Canada
• World ranked #25 David Riel from Pittsburgh, PA
• 1-time Major Champion Colin Macalpine from Austin, TX
• 1-time Major Champion Jim Belsito from Murrieta, CA

The 8 members of Team USA 2019 have accounted for 8 Major Championships along with 36 Major Championship Top 4’s.

Team Europe includes:

• 4-time Major Champion Daniele Celestino Acciari from Italy
• World ranked #4 Johannes Ostermeier from Germany
• 2-time Major Champion Albert Nomden from the Netherlands
• 4-time Major Finalist Mats Runsten from Sweden
• 7-time Major Champion Jorian Engelbrektsson from Sweden
• 1-time Major Champion Robert Sutter from Switzerland
• 1-time Major Champion Levente Tregova from Switzerland
• World ranked #39 Erno Rotter from Germany.

The 8 members of Team Europe 2019 have accounted for 15 Major Championships won along with 31 Major Championship Top 4’s.

For more details on the event, click HERE.

ABC news in Australia published a piece on Jason Lambert who will be representing Australia at the upcoming IFPA16 World Pinball Championship in Italy. Click HERE to read the piece.

The lead up to the IFPA16 World Pinball Championship is officially here! Adam Becker is enjoying an Italy vacation leading up to the pinball festivities. Unfortunately this will mean a delay to calendar and results approvals.

We know how anxious tournament directors and players are to see their calendar submissions approved and results posted quickly, so we wanted to let you know that approvals will not be happening until after IFPA16 commences.

If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard back from the IFPA regarding your event, that’s why.