Kovács Claims 12-Touch Crown in Thrilling Finale in Miercurea Ciuc Romania

May 31, 2025
Stick12

The StickBreakers club of Csíkszereda hosted its third annual 12-touch sectorball tournament, held the day after the fifth edition of the international StickBreakers Cup. Once again, the event was streamed live by the sectorball.hu YouTube channel, offering fans full coverage of this dynamic variant of the game.

A total of 13 players competed in the round-robin tournament, representing mostly local talent from Miercurea Ciuc and Târgu Mureș, with additional participants from Debrecen and Budapest. The format meant 13 intense rounds for each player, ensuring a true test of stamina and tactical depth.

Early results suggested an unusually balanced field: defending champion Marschal, reigning European Champion Kovács, and Hungarian league leader Matkó all opened with draws. They were joined by the young Debrecen talent Major and the President of the International Table Football Confederation, István Mártonfi, who also started with a share of points.

As the rounds progressed, the favorites began to assert themselves. Heading into the final three rounds, Kovács, Marschal, and Matkó were locked in a three-way tie with 25 points each. Mártonfi trailed with 18 points, but within striking distance.

A critical draw between Kovács and Marschal (3–3) gave Matkó the advantage, and Mártonfi closed the gap further. Matkó capitalized with a crucial victory over Marschal, while Kovács defeated Bors, setting the stage for an electric finish.

In the decisive final round, Matkó (31 pts) faced Kovács (29 pts), while Marschal (26 pts) took on Mártonfi (24 pts) in what essentially became a battle for bronze. In a dramatic match, Mártonfi only led once—but it was at the final whistle, winning 4–3 and knocking the home favorite Marschal off the podium.

The title clash between Kovács and Matkó was a fitting finale. Kovács turned in a dominant performance, defeating his clubmate 7–2 and taking the trophy back to Hungary. In a poetic twist, the two had faced off on the very same stage exactly one year earlier, when Matkó emerged victorious with a 7–3 win. This time, Kovács reversed the script in emphatic fashion.

Final Standings of the III. 12-Touch Tournament – StickBreakers Cup:

  1. Kovács (Hungary)
  2. Matkó (Hungary)
  3. Mártonfi (Hungary)
  4. Marschal (Romania)

The event once again showcased the excitement and strategic richness of the 12-touch format, reinforcing its growing popularity across Central Europe.

Final result:

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