Fifth StickBreakers Cup Showcases Sectorball Excellence
A mini jubilee was celebrated this year in Miercurea Ciuc Romania, as the local StickBreakers club organized the fifth edition of its prestigious international sectorball tournament – the StickBreakers Cup. Now firmly established as a key fixture in the international sectorball calendar, this year’s event carried added significance: it served as one of the qualifying stages for the Romanian national team, ahead of next year’s World Championship, hosted by the International Confederation.
Fittingly, the tournament drew elite attention, with the President of the International Table Football Confederation and the President of the Hungarian Federation both in attendance. Among the 26 participants were multiple European and World Champions, ensuring top-tier competition from the very first round. Also, from the best 20 players accross the globe 14 were present which is showing the high quality of the championship. Players attednded from Romanai, Serbia and Hungary covering more then 8 clubs like Energofish, Stickbreakers, Vasi GE, Testvériség SE, Váci Forte, ALC KSE Szeged, Csíkfalva, DSC-ALE.
The format followed the Swiss system, with 11 intense rounds played. Throughout the day, sectorball.hu provided live coverage and interviews via their YouTube channel, bringing the action directly to fans around the world.
The tournament’s high level of play was evident in the results: no player managed to finish undefeated. Even the eventual winner had to settle for two draws and one loss, a testament to the balanced, competitive field. However, by the end of the 10th round, the title was already secured — Károly Szathmáry had amassed enough points to be mathematically uncatchable, celebrating his triumph even before the final match.
Szatmári, who kept pace the longest, finished in second place, six points behind the winner. Positions 3 through 12 were decided by the narrowest of margins — within just four points — with tie-breakers (Buchholz points) often playing a decisive role in the rankings.
In addition to the overall podium, players were also recognized within category rankings, with special prizes awarded accordingly.
Final Standings – 5th StickBreakers Cup (Top 3 Overall):
🥇 Károly Szathmáry (Váci Forte)
🥈 Szatmári (Testvériség SE)
🥉 Simon Ferenc (Testvériség SE)
With growing prestige and increasing international interest, the StickBreakers Cup continues to raise the bar for sectorball events across Europe.
