Annual Texas State Foosball Championships

Top athletes from around the world are preparing to compete in an unusual, unique sports competition: the 15th annual Texas State Foosball Championships. To be held May 25-28th at the Holiday Inn Select D/FW Airport North in Irving, TX, this event is expected to draw over 250 table soccer (a.k.a. "foosball") enthusiasts and professionals, including international players and several members of the U.S. National Team.

Now recognized as an International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF) Master Series event, the annual Dallas tournament has even been elevated to international tour status. This means the competition is likely to draw match-ups between players such as USA #1-ranked Billy Pappas of Lowell, MA, defending Champion Tony Spredeman of Cudahy, WI and D/FW hometown favorites David Radack, Mike Archer, and multi-time World Champion Steve Murray. Top ranked players from countries such as Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, and the United Kingdom are also expected to shoot for the title. Women's competition will feature some of the best in the world as well, with noted champions Gena Murray of Ft. Worth, TX and Dusty Bambenek of Canal Fulton, OH leading the field.

At the Master level, players are competing not just for $25,000 in cash and prizes at the event, but also for qualifying points to compete at the ITSF World Championship Finals in St. Vincent, Italy this coming October. And, with many Masters playing exceptionally strong after foosball's recent U.S. Open and Hall of Fame Classic tournaments in Atlanta and Las Vegas, respectively, the matches at Texas State should be extremely intense.

Opening events begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 25tt. Competition will include numerous categories for men and women from beginner to Master, and specialty events such as "Draw Your Partner Doubles" and "Goalie War." Sunday the 27th.will also feature announcement of this year's inductees into the "Texas Legends of Foosball," followed by finals matches both Sunday and on Monday the 28th. The tournament is open to press and spectators, and there is no admission fee to enter the tournament area. Players of every skill level can register for events on site, and all competition will take place on more than 50 individually lighted Tornado Table Soccer tables made by Texas' own Valley-Dynamo division of Brunswick.