Independent Foosball Promotions Announces the IFP U.S. Open of Table Soccer -- Top Foosball Players Compete in Atlanta for Over $35,000 in Prizes

Athletes and enthusiasts from around the world have already begun to gather to compete in a unique sports event: the U.S. Open of Table Soccer (a.k.a. "foosball"). Taking place April 19-22sd, 2007 at the Airport Hilton, 1031 Virginia Avenue in Atlanta, an estimated 350 participants from as many as 15 countries are expected to face off in "handle-to-handle combat."

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) April 19, 2007 -- Athletes and enthusiasts from around the world have already begun to gather in Atlanta to compete in a unique sports event: the U.S. Open of Table Soccer (a.k.a. "foosball"). Taking place April 19-22sd, 2007 at the Airport Hilton, 1031 Virginia Avenue in Atlanta, an estimated 350 participants from as many as 15 countries are expected to face off in "handle-to-handle combat."

Table soccer fans will be watching some of the best foosball action anywhere, with fierce competition expected to occur between U.S.A.'s #1-ranked player Billy Pappas of Lowell, MA and rival World #1-ranked Frederico Collignon of Liege, Belgium. Still playing hot after a highly competitive 2006 season, additional match-ups between members of the U.S. National Team and the national team members of several other countries such as Germany, Austria, Costa Rica and the U.K. may serve as an early measure of success on this year's worldwide pro tour.

Women's events may prove even more intense, with the reigning World and International Champion Cindy Head, of Sterrett, AL facing strong competition from former World Champion Stayce Fowler of Cedar Rapids, IA and Vancouver Canada's top-ranked Moya Tielens. Adding to the excitement, as a United States Table Soccer Federation sanctioned event the first place finishers in Women's Doubles, Women's Singles and Men's Open Doubles will all qualify to complete in the International Table Soccer Federation's World Championships Finals in Italy in October.

With categories for men and women and beginner through Master, the tournament is open to all comers. Numerous specialty events are also included such as 17 & Under Doubles, Forward Shootout and Goalie Wars, with most finals held on Sunday the 22nd. There are entry fees for players who wish to compete in an event, but there is no admission fee to enter the tournament room and both press and spectators are welcome to attend. All competition will take place on Tornado Table Soccer™ tables, made by the Valley-Dynamo division of Brunswick, Inc. Sponsors of the tournament include Independent Foosball Promotions, TornadoFoosball.com, and the Atlanta Airport Hilton Hotel (reservations: 1-404-767-9000). Sponsors of the U.S. National Team include Nike, Brunswick, Warrior Custom Golf, Foosball.com, Tornello Productions and Bonzini™ USA, Inc. Video production and live web-streaming are provided by InsideFoos.com.    

Other USTSF/ITSF 2007 World Tour events in the United States are scheduled to take place in Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Colorado, Louisiana, Texas and Virginia, while table soccer players from over 40 countries are gearing up for further ITSF competition in Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Romania, South Africa and the UK, among others. In fact, this year's 56-tournament, five-continent tour will be the largest worldwide table soccer pro tour ever!

For additional details about the event and the sport of table soccer, please see the following websites:

www.vifa.com - Tournament/league information site
www.table-soccer.org - ITSF official web site/international rankings/news
www.foosball.com - General information about the sport of table soccer
www.foosworld.com - Information about players & regional events across the U.S.A.
www.insidefoos.com - Pro Tour video production/Hall of Fame Selection
www.ustsf.org - USTSF official web site/U.S. National Team sponsorship opportunities

For more information, photos, or for an electronic version of this release, please contact:Mary Moore, Tournament Director, Tel: 1-859-268-8502; Email: ifpfoos @ alltel.net

Larry Davis, Executive Director, USTSF, Tel: 1-563-580-9485; Email: larry.davis @ ustsf.foosball.com

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