Spain's Flores triumphs in Malta

Carlos Flores, the world's no.4 ranked player, won the fifth World Masters Table Football Tournament after a 3-2 victory over Massimiliano Nastasi in the final, played on Saturday at the Marsa Sports and Country Club.

Flores, from Spain, looked to be heading to an easy win after opening a 3-0 lead in the first half but Nastasi produced a fine comeback in the second period. The Italian scored twice to narrow the deficit to just one goal but his bold effort just fell short as Flores held on to his slim lead to secure the title.

The final was controlled by Maltese referee Patrick Pace.

In the semi-finals, Flores recorded a 2-1 victory over Massimo Bolognino, World Masters winner in 2004. Nastasi progressed to the final after beating Joe Mifsud 3-0 in the semi-final. Mifsud was the only Maltese player to reach the last four.

Surprisingly, Massimo Cremona, the world's top-ranked player, failed to make it to the semi-finals. The other two Maltese participants in this tournament were Hansel Mallia and Charles Aquilina.

The World Masters Tournament was staged for the first time in Malta after the FISTF, the world governing body of table football, awarded hosting rights to the Malta Table Football Sports Association (MTFSA).

FISTF provided the prize money for the top players while Michele Peresso Limited sponsored the trophies and mementos which were presented to all the participants.

After the final, FISTF board members Thossa Busing and Fred Vulpes presented the prize money and trophies to Flores, finalist Nastasi and the two losing semi-finalists.