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- 18 Jun 2012
Total Posts: 658

This Houston WC's might very well have the biggest turnout in history. Houston has been very good about rounding up the folks. The 2001 Jillians tournament was the most exciting tournament i've ever been to, and i really feel this tournament next month, will surpass it in pretty much every area.

We have the return of Pedro. After 11 years of being away, he will be back to take on our best, and may have another historical rematch with Jose. With that, he feels like he has a legitimate shot at winning this tournament. More Venezuelans will be coming with him too. The invasion is near....expect them to bring their flag!

Eleven years ago, Danny and Tim battled in the finals, Danny for his first title, Tim for his 11th. Now they will both be going for number 11 to tie the record, set by Jessie dotty.

-I will predict Billy in the finals again. How will the rest of Houston respond to have seen their champ, now former Champion, Danny Hynes, lose his first World Championship finals ever?

The field will be flooded with talent, more so than in a long time. We have some new masters the last couple of years; Q., Dan Meyer, August Parra, Syed Rahman, will be fighting to retain and regain their masterhood. And then there are people like Pete L., Lazaro, and Javier, who are bound and determined to climb higher and place master in a World Championships.

Will Davis find his way back to the top? Can Anthony Marino and Brian Accrocco make their first finals, and will Keith Fletcher make his return to one?

Just over one month until Armageddon.

- 22 Jun 2012
Total Posts: 658

Any predictions? Syed? Don?

I see Lazaro, Danny, Mr. Ortiz, Syed, Pete L. and a few others are preparing pretty well. I know they all want to improve even more from where they've been.

Seeing Lazaro defeat Phil Arnold in Vegas was quite an unexpected surprise for me. Was that your first time beating him in a tournament, Lazaro? I remember when Lazaro had what i think was his first good tournament in 2003, it was Phil i'm sure, who knocked him out, and into the 17-24 bracket. So here is Lazaro getting revenge, helping to put Phil in that 17-24 bracket, and Laz's finishes 11th, his best WC's to date.

John Mitchell had i believe his best finish as well, which was in the 20's. Good finish, John! It beats the 50's and 60's for rankings, ehhhh?? :)
Mr. Michael Rosen (if he makes this tournament) will have more energy to focus on playing than running the event, so good for him.

We'll see how good of practice Tim can get himself in. If Tim can get as sharp as he was in 2001, he has a pretty good chance of winning this tournament. If Danny can up it just a tad more than last tourney, he'll be a top 2 favorite to win it. If Billy goes down one notch, he'll still be favored to win. :)

Everyone keeps saying Don is not going to play Fine...i give up. He'll be a great coach to Tim and his friends, and do some fine commentating, giving some interesting thoughts, and making fun of certain people. I'm absolutely fine with him calling me snow flake, but remember i am one big fat white dangerous snow flake!

Just slightly over one month away!

Pedro Otero - 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 269

Today, spain soccer national team won its second europeam title in a row, and the third big title, including 2010 world cup in a row. They do not allowed a single goal against in he last 10 games, like i never were eliminated by an american player in a word level event. Im pretty sure no american player has still born to kick me out in the losers bracket.

USA = Italy; hope but not chance. You can be a good player, but you never will be a real champ unless you beat the best

- 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 658

LOL......Nicely said, Pedro!!

Alright you American players, is this egging you on OR WHAT?!?!? :)

-Nizzi

P.S. Hey Pedro...maybe if you would have shown up to more tournaments, you more likely would have been taken out by an American player. ;)

Pedro Otero - 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 269

marknizzi said:

lol who? billy? tim? be serious man!!! only dany had a real chance if i were in a bad day. Like the USA soccer team against la roja.

- 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 658

OHHHH!!!! I love it Pedro!!

Um...let me see. First off, Billy can beat you now, he's playing really good, so yes. Secondly, Ehab beat you the last tournament you were at, so count him in. Tim can beat you, and he would have beaten you had you guys played at Jillians back in '01. Then there is Wil who beat you at Jillians, so you gotta include him. Danny of course! Davis I think can beat you too, so you got a lot of guys to go through in this next tournament, so don't get too cocky my friend!

However, i'm really excited to see you come back.

-Nizzi

ajflanagan - 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 509

Oh this is getting good...

Pedro Otero - 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 269

marknizzi said:

Had you ever felt the presuure in the losers bracket after a 3000 miles trip? My friend, the airhockey was not created for the today champions, they do not know nothing of that. If an american player beat ne in the losers bracket before the finals then i will eat the puck (my promise)

- 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 658

I've only felt the losers bracket after a 1500 mile trip, so you got me there. :)

I'm well aware of your great travels, and your awesome play. But i fear, my Venezuelan Emperor, that your overconfidence is your weakness. ;)

Pedro, have you been paying attention to the players and how much they've improved since you left? When you were last with us, Jose was champion, handing over the reigns to Danny. Since then, so many others have had their moments of greatness. Jose, has not won a World Championships since 2000, and has not made a finals since '03. That should give you a good indicator that things are different, and others levels have been raised.

Pedro Otero - 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 269

marknizzi said:

Trust me, lets me smyle. The airhockey i played againts Javier Pulido in a Challege match showed me that the airhockey cant be improved. i beated him in a challenege match absolutely out of practice. And Javier is like i boy againts me now. He willl travel with me, you sill see im not overconfidenced, im real.

After 2000 nationlals i almost retired form the airhockey an i still finished 5th in the 2001, only losing to jose 3-4 in the losers bracket (and 4-3 agsint Ehab in the winners) Do you REALLY believe that in practice anyone could beat me? I won some bets in my 1999 challenge matchs trip, do you want try now?

- 01 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 658

Wow......Wow Pedro.....WOW. ;)

Well, i have bragged you up too, knowing full well your capabilities in Airhockey. I for one minute wouldn't count you out to in this tournament. I think you have a chance to win it. I don't doubt it.
Javier is a very good player, even after he only finished 13th. I do see him much better than 13th though. However, i personally wouldn't brag too hard about defeating someone a challenge match who hasn't yet finished master in a tournament. That's your decision though.
I personally believe that Danny, Tim, Billy, and Ehab, would all be favored to beat you a challenge match if they are in top form. Davis would be 50/50. I really look forward to seeing you back in action.

And by the way, Ehab beat you in 2001, 4-2, not 4-3. But i know that doesn't count, because it wasn't in the losers bracket. ;)

Your talk here is going to give some extra spice to this tournament, and create some good stories for it. This is what it's all about folks! This is the beginning of great moments and memories being made. Again, Pedro, look forward to seeing you in 3.5 weeks!

Pedro Otero - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 269

marknizzi said:

I had a little enough loses in USA so i remember all; i lost to Ehab 3-4 in 2001(he had 0-3 advantage and i tied 3-3 before i los tthe last gane) Ehab is one of the bet friends i have (or had) in USA, but actually he is not a real menace since i had almost one yaer to become in practice (all my travelmates will let you know it when we arrive there)

Javier almost beated Davis "crazy shot" las year without experience. Davis a national champion? sorry, but...

lol

travis - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 530

Pedro Otero said:

Javier almost beated Davis "crazy shot" las year without experience. Davis a national champion? sorry, but...

lol

Pedro, I think I may have made a clerical error on the website. I'm looking for your name in the list of people who've won a USAA national or international tournament, but I can't find it... In all seriousness, am I missing a tournament result?

Also, my memory is failing me -- I thought I remembered the USA defeating La Roja three years ago in South Africa. I must be mistaken.

Your Humble American Amigo,
Travis

Travis Luscombe
AirHockeyWorld.com Webmaster
http://twitter.com/air_hockey

TWeissman - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 210

Pedro,

I defeated you in a challenge match.

I still remember the look on your face after it was over. You were utterly shocked and you told me "This doesn't make sense. No one can beat me like that."

I am a Clinical Psychologist. What you experience is delusional thinking.

For example, you believe that you can eat a puck. This is not possible as your teeth can not grind that hard plastic to small enough pieces to swallow.

We welcome you back to compete, delusions and all.

FYI, don't forget to add Don James to the list of Americans who have beaten Pedro in a World event.

Take care...

Tim

DRAGO - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 46

I am undefeated (actually I have never lost so much as a game) on the third Thursday of the month, during a full moon, following a mid-term election , when I have eaten a mounds bar within 24 hours of playing. When this scenario takes place during a leap year, I have not even surrendered a point.

Otearo 's made-up statistic is about as silly as the above. Isn't it funny that he claims he had so "little loss he remember", but we know for a fact he also "remembers" match wins (over top guys, like say Jose) which never ever took place?

Who gives a shit about Soccer either? (America certainly doesn't) And is Otearo not from Venezuela? Why is he bragging about Spain who beat Itlay? US Soccer has been ranked ahead of Venezuelan soccer for over a decade.

pedro, we have a saying in this country, it is "Put your money where your mouth is!" If only "dany" (translator must have missed that one) "has a real chance, if [you] were in a bad day", then why play in this tournament at all. It is so far beneath you. You are much better served by coming here and quickly dominating our current champion (Billy Stubbs ) to prove your point.

Therefore, I propose the following: you fly to America and play Billy a match. The match is played for $20,000 (U.S. dollars). Actually I will give you 3 to 2 odds, meaning I will put up $30K to your $20K. I am sure (even though its about 1/17th of your miserable country's GDP) you can raise that for such an easy task. I will wager any amount up to six figures depending on what you raise.

Surely thirty thousand dollars (or the equivalent to the annual income of fourty-six and one half Venezuelans) is worth far more to you than a silly American trophy and meaningless title.

You pick the American city anywhere in the lower 48 and we will both wire our funds in advance to a third party we trust (Phil Arnold or Mark Robbins).

Do you accept this challenge? Or are your post's nothing more than the meaningless talk, drivel, and delusion ravings (thank you Dr. Weissman) of a madman (thank you Dr. Weissman) we all suspect they are.

I know your translator will suddenly fail to work when you read this post, so again I say Put up or shut up! Poner or Callar! Or are you a Cobarde?

Adios

---DJ

Wait I'm not done... i hate these character limits!

(cont)

DRAGO - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 46

(cont)

PS - My last post was unfairly removed by the frowners that be. Even though continuous insults to myself are free reign, apparently questioning the intelligence of someone who voluntarily refers to themselves as (from the urban dictionary) 1. one, who, through the fault of his parents conception, is a skid mark in society's collective underwear or 2. One whose stupidity and/or ineptitude exceeds the descriptive potential of both the terms ass and clown in isolation, and in so doing demands to be referred to as the conjugate of the two. - is frowned upon in this establishment. (Yeah that was a tough sentence to get through). Not sure why the one offending word couldn't be edited by the overseers instead of the scrapping of a very important post. Surely it had nothing to do with the allegations over You Nap's terrific track record.
I will be reposting my infamous "flyboy" post within 72 hours (I have to re-type it as I only have a screen shot to work from) - minus my derogatory remark on the above named party - don't worry Travis.

I have promised a full tournament report on the last tournament coupled with tournament predictions for Houston which is also forthcoming.

I will be at the Houston weekly this Friday, if you would like me to sign a copy of this post or the "Flyboy" post please bring a money order

---DJ

travis - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 530

DRAGO said:

I will be reposting my infamous "flyboy" post within 72 hours (I have to re-type it as I only have a screen shot to work from) - minus my derogatory remark on the above named party - don't worry Travis.

I'm not worried - there haven't been any deleted posts today, so I'm guessing maybe the "offending" post just never made it through?

Although, I have to wonder if Pedro's just trying to stir up some intrigue as we get close to the event by talking some smack. That never happens around air hockey players, right?

I'm beginning to seriously consider having a "no-holds barred", unmoderated section of the forums where you and Pedro and whoever else can go employ your particular gifts of tact-lessness.

Travis Luscombe
AirHockeyWorld.com Webmaster
http://twitter.com/air_hockey

jtweissm - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 87

DRAGO said:

(cont)

I will be at the Houston weekly this Friday, if you would like me to sign a copy of this post or the "Flyboy" post please bring a money order

---DJ

How much?

jasonstevens - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 176

Feel the love.

- 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 658

TWeissman said:

Pedro,

For example, you believe that you can eat a puck. This is not possible as your teeth can not grind that hard plastic to small enough pieces to swallow.

LOL @ Tim!

Nobody worry here, no cause for concern, I got this one! We are simply going to puree a bunch of pucks so Pedro will be more able to consume them. This is necessary, because all us realistic thinking players know he's going to be spoon fed a lot of lexan, by our very hospitable American Airhockey players. And I will personally help him wash it down by all the beer he's going to buy me at the banquet. :)

Pedro Otero - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 269

@drago, im spanish and venezuelan (you can have 2 nationalities or even more, did you know it?) and i will not bet 30K$ in a challenge match againt billy or against obamaÂ´s mom.

@tim I were trying to copy the face you had after i beated you in the 1998 semifinals, did you remember it too?

@travis actually i won the 1999 doubles event, 7 venezuela nationals, 2003 spain national, and yes, usa beated la roja 2-0 in the 2009 semifinals (a minor event, anyway)

TWeissman - 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 210

Crushing you in a challenge match over a decade ago is irrelevant now. So is my 4-3 loss of a single set to you which happened even longer ago.

We have a few more weeks then all of us in Houston will see if you have improved.

You guaranteed us that you will win and that none of us will be good enough. It will be painful for us or painful for you - whichever way it goes.

Take care and have a safe trip.

- 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 658

Tim and Pedro now would be a match for the ages! Hope it happens. :)

Pedro, if someway somehow, id like to play you a challenge match sometime soon.

- 02 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 658

Also, as far as the betting goes, let's get a little more realistic. An amount of money lost that would scar somebody like Don for ten minutes, would scar someone like Pedro and myself for a lifetime. I think a proposal of a "weeks worth of salary" would be more appropriate. Considering that i'm unemployed right now and my weekly income is $0.00, i wouldn't mind betting ANYONE who's employed, for a weeks worth of pay. :)

Don, are you hiring any employees right now? Perhaps you could use a body guard? A 'frisbee-golf, frisbee retriever'? A friend? Something? You're gonna die with a lot of left over money man, spread the $*#% around!! ;)

tableman - 03 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 690

I played Pedro in the '99 Mationals, and he had maybe the greatest defense I had ever seen. Coupled with his patented RWU/RWO attack, I couldn't do anything with him. And that was in a tournament where I beat all 3 Amigos (Don, Owen, Tim).

But it's been a while since Pedro competed at the highest levels. Time, and AH, march on. This will be a good test to see just how AH has advanced (and whether Pedro still has it).

A championship attitude means you believe you can beat anyone across from you. But realistically, Pedro should be happy to finish top 10, and ecstatic if he can crack the top 5. Lo siento, mi amigo. :)

Mark

Pedro Otero - 16 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 269

I remember your set against owen on that tournament as the longest single set i ever see. I believe the winner was playing against me next, and you guys had me waiting for more than one hour.

Less that 2 weeks to know if the AH level is better now.

sjrbat - 18 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 527

A lot of movement in the ratings lately.

Tim is now 10 and Fletch is now 9. Man I wanted to see Tim vs Pedro

Brian was 5 points away from 5 but got upset by Evan and now is 8.

Ramiro got upset by Laz.

And of course, we will not know until Saturday morning if Nizzi is playing in singles or not. So this could be all different.

sjrbat - 18 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 527

Man, where are all the predictions???? (Don?)

Only a week away, come on folks...start your trash talk (other than the Nizzi/Pedro match)

On another note, if this Pedro/Nizzi match goes long, I cannot see Nizzi playing in the Singles event. (Right Nizzi) And Nizzi has never liked the tables down here in Houston.

Come on Nizzi, REGISTER!!!! How can a good player like you miss playing in such a packed tournament like this?????

Pedro Otero - 19 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 269

Match Myself vs the other guy: 3-0
Doubles: Danny/Ehab
Main: Billy, Danny, Ehab, Myself in the top 4
GG500: Only god knows.

ajflanagan - 19 Jul 2012
Total Posts: 509

GG500: Only god knows

And that, my friends, is precisely why I'm so excited about the Goalgrinder 500!

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