DESPITE the disappointment of a dismal World Cup in South Africa this summer there was at least one England team with something to cheer after they upset the odds to win the inaugural Anglo-Italian Subbuteo Cup held in the city last weekend.

DESPITE the disappointment of a dismal World Cup in South Africa this summer there was at least one England team with something to cheer after they upset the odds to win the inaugural Anglo-Italian Subbuteo Cup held in the city last weekend.

In a fiercely contested final the trophy was lifted by a member of the England team known only as ‘The finger’ who travelled from Lincoln to take on the best Italy had to offer.

More than 30 players including many players from the Ely-based Flicking Marvelous club took part in the day-long tournament held at the Ely Beet Club on Lynn Road on Sunday.

Although England triumphed in the main event, the die-hard Italian contenders ensured that they did not have it all their own way by taking victory in the day’s second tier championship, contested by those knocked out in the first round of competition.

Subbuteo was invented in England by Peter Adolph and was first advertised in Boy’s Own magazine in the mid 1940s. The tabletop football game is played by flicking miniature football players, with a weighted base, towards a ball which is almost the size of the players themselves.

Andrew Everitt one of the organisers of the event, said “The weekend itself was deemed a huge success by all and all Italian players went home very happy.

“Already we have planned for next year a return tournament to be played in with Milan or Rome and a return of the Italians to Ely in 2012,” he added.

The local Ely Subbuteo local starts again in earnest October. Anyone 18 and older interested in playing should either contact Andrew on 01353 658216 or email Austen at austendack@aol.com.

The league is made up of players of all abilities and new players are welcomed.