Bormla Subbuteo Club triumphs in Derry: Maltese giants secure 22nd international title

Bormla Subbuteo Club has further cemented its status as a global powerhouse in table football, capturing the 2026 Grand Prix title in Derry, Ireland. The prestigious victory marks the club’s 22nd international title, extending their extraordinary reign at the summit of the sport.

With this latest triumph, Bormla SC has maintained the world number one spot in the Federation International Sports Table Football (FISTF) Teams Category for 23 consecutive months. The club is now on the verge of breaking the historic world record of two consecutive years at the top of the global rankings, sitting comfortably with a commanding 1,950-point lead over their nearest competitors.

The Maltese squad, featuring the elite lineup of George Ebejer, Jean Carl Tabone, Mauro Camilleri, and Josef Camilleri, put on a masterclass of tactical precision and composure throughout the tournament.

Bormla SC opened their campaign in Group A with a convincing 3-1 victory over Hannover of Germany, followed by a flawless 4-0 clean sheet against hometown hosts Derry. The momentum carried directly into the knockout stages, where they dismantled Spain’s Barcelona Taula 4-0 in a one-sided semi-final.

The grand final against England’s Yorkshire proved to be a tense, closely contested affair. While the match finished in a 2-2 draw on individual points, Bormla SC clinched the championship trophy by virtue of a superior nine-goal difference across the boards, showcasing the squad’s immense depth.

The team’s success was mirrored in the individual Open Category, where Bormla’s own George Ebejer claimed the ultimate prize.

Entering the tournament as the world number five, Ebejer topped his group before launching a stellar run through the knockout brackets. He navigated past Ferrell with a 2-1 victory in the quarter-finals and secured a spot in the final after defeating Spain’s Prats 2-0. In the championship match, Ebejer showcased world-class composure to edge out Italy’s Gazzoldi 2-1, securing a historic double gold for the Maltese contingent.