the 2008 World Graphic Design Foosball Championship

November 18, 2008 • 8:41 pm • POSTED BY tim beitz

Last night, Christopher Van Auken and I participated in the 2008 World Graphic Design Foosball Championship (WGDFC) hosted by karlssonwilker inc. and The Office of Paul Sahre. In it’s 5th year, 61 doubles-teams representing 49 studios were split into 3 regional mini-tournaments held at Pentagram, Sterling Brands, and Fat Cat, with the winners joining the Elite Eight at Fat Cat in New York City’s West Village. First prize is the coveted one-legged trophy (above) brought back each year for the next challenge. This is our story…

Traveling from Philly via the Bolt Bus and the Metro, we arrive at our regional location, Fat Cat, around 6:15. We sign in, grab free PBRs, and inhale the dark underground environment embracing our out-of-town advent. Gaming tables abound: pool tables, couches and benches cover most of the floor; numerous ping-pong tables hug the walls; and in the back corner, a shadowy duet of Tornado tables stand below peering designer-types dressed in cohesive team-attire. Awaiting the megaphone commencement, we decide to engage in an exhibition match with Roger & Co. that falls to our favor. The tournament kicks-off shortly thereafter.

While awaiting our debut, we eat pizza from across the street, watch a few games, and modestly consume our PBR. Our first matchup is called, and we’re set to play CBH/JMS. Chris posts up on offense, I on defense, and we begin our journey. They score the first goal. And the second. There was a flash of light, and the next thing we know, it’s 4-0. With our hearts racing, we take a deep breath knowing this is the formula Philadelphian’s are born with. It’s our serve, and immediately Chris scores a goal. Then another. And another. Within seconds it’s tied up and we’re back to even, all or nothing. A lightning-fast long-shot from the back rod seals our fate. It’s 1-0, and we’re off to Round 2.

Reveling the close victory and massive adrenalin spike, our unostentaious PBR absorbtion continued while we meditated on our success and strategy. Further complementing the scene was the Heun Choi String Quartet, performing a set of vibrant and complex waltzes, symphonic poems inspiring convocations of witches and demons, and other polonaise rhythms finding themselves comfortably appropriate for the couples at play. It was f’ing great. [short music clip here]

Bumped through Round 2 from an odd number of teams, we were called to the familiar practice table for our Round 3 matchup against Funky LPs. We shook hands, exchanged hello’s, and as the first goal scored we were immediately reminded of our foreign status by the depth of their loud and loyal fanbase. The LPs were fast and focused, but coming through on the up-front was CVA’s concentrated attack. The crowds’ cheering kept constant memento of our place, but that too was under great momentum. Shortly we find ourselves 2-0, and off to the next round.

Our next event was against Big Spaceship, and we were lucky to keep a close eye on their playing style from a few previous games. We also kept a close eye on a couple of Swedish dudes (one who interviewed my nipple) who easily knocked us into the losers’ bracket in 2007. Knowing the remaining competition would be fierce, we stuck to the plan of consistent PBR intake mixed with quiet observation and homogeneous banter. Yet despite this, our next appearance on the rods was our first disappointment, struggling against a very tight squad from the Brooklyn-based interactive agency. Not yet out for the count, we headed to the losers’ bracket with one last chance to make it into the night’s second-half.

In our path stood a familiar team with a familiar look, awaiting our year of foosball study, practice, and patience. Dawning a black gubbkeps, black t-shirt, and the quickest push-shot in the room, the offensive-side of Your Majesty was quite the threat to our championship ascension. I was keenly aware of our formidable opponent from the start, and took careful analysis of his tactics in anticipation of this very matchup.

Over the next 8 points, our skills were put to the ultimate test. It was a true game of strategy, mixing acute passes and wild blasts from all sides of the rigid Tornado Storm walls. Their push-shot was as much as anyone couldn’t defend, and their defense was simply awesome. And for that last point, it wasn’t the push-shot that prevailed, but a multi-wall ricochet from their back end, bouncing past our goalie, deafening our souls back to the humble state in which they were born.

Your Majesty shared very kind words for us as challengers, and epitomized the strong play to which we’ve aspired. And while we didn’t stick around for the Finals [edit: congrats to O.O.P.S.!], we left with a new perspective of our capabilities and a freshened appreciation for the camaraderie within this community and annual event.

So yes… we’ll definitely be going for that broken trophy next year. And if that doesn’t work out, there’s always ebay.