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Translated from an article by Béla Palágyi, Szabadföld

I don't deny that, until now, I've had bad experiences with foosball. Four years ago, when I was in the barracks in the Hungarian city of Janoshalom, the soldiers there loved to play on the foosball table during their break. Unfortunately, the table was stationed directly in front of the barracks toilet, which is why foosball has always reminded me of that particular smell. My neighbor's dog was also named "Csocso", which is of course Hungarian for foosball. I hated that dog so this didn't help to change my mind about foosball.

But then, I recently had a chance to meet Petra Koncz, a pretty woman with a college degree, who threw new light upon the game of foosball for me. Petra began playing in 2000 when she and a girlfriend were invited to play the game by two guys in a local pub. The girls said okay, and Petra proceeded to play fantastically well in her first game ever. This athletic young woman, who had previously swam, played table tennis, handball, and other competitive sports, surprised the two foosball experts with her natural ability. "It is worth it for you to start playing", they concluded.

So, beginning in 2003 Petra began attending competitive tournaments. At her first event in Hungary, she won the Women's Doubles title with her partner and her foosball career was launched.

In case you were interested in this sport's popularity in Hungary, I can tell you that a MACSOSZ (Hungarian Foosball Association) tournament will draw 300-400 players. There are so many different events at these tournaments that I can't begin to list them all. There are even events using two balls at the same time! So if your planning on becoming a foosball player it is probably best if you learn all the rules first!

But let's just stay on Petra's career. After her doubles victory in that first Hungarian event, she continued to play well, winning titles in doubles, singles, and mixed doubles. By my tally, she couldn't do any better than that! She played in her first international tournament during 2003, when she traveled to Austria to compete at the World Championships. Petra, who was attending the College of Szeged, specializing in English and Music, played very well in her first event outside Hungary. She finished third in doubles in Austria, while also finishing fourth in the mixed doubles competition.

The story of Petra's success was a typical Hungarian one: she had been working the entire summer as a manual worker to earn the money to attend the Austrian world championships. She worked from 7am - 4pm every day, and then practiced her foosball game until midnight.

Unfortunately all this practice took its toll. Two days before the worlds, she found that she was unable to move her right arm. At the hospital the doctor wanted to place her injured arm in a cast, but of course this tough, competitive woman would not allow it. She still went to Austria to compete, and despite the pain, which often brought tears to her eyes, she was still able to outplay most of the other lady players in attendance. But her toughness would only take her so far. Before the match to reach the women's doubles final, Petra reluctantly told her partner "sorry, but I am not able to move my arm anymore", and this is how she finished with the bronze medal.

Since then, she has traveled the world playing her favorite sport, winning many titles and trophies. She won two titles at a tournament in Montreal, Canada, and also claimed titles at european championships in Great Britain and Austria. For her efforts this talented Hungarian lady has 62 different trophies and 19 medallions on display in her Szolnok home.

"Foosball players are like one big family", says Petra. "We can't wait to go to these international tournaments so we can all see each other again". The most talented "family members" head to Italy at the end of each year to compete on five different types of tables to decide who are the best male and female players in the world.

During her five year career, Koncz has finished in 2nd place one time, and 3rd on five other occasions. Because of her success, she no longer has to hammer picture frames to finance her travels, because the prize money will cover the cost of her expenses.

An American company, Inside Foos Productions, with whom Petra also works, hopes to popularize the sport worldwide, by recording and commentating the professional matches and selling them on DVD. Their goal is to bring their sport to television, and with the help of the different table manufacturers they hope this soon will be the case.

Recently Petra's partner has been Hungarian player Jandi Tibor, but she has also played with British and Arabian partners.

She currently works as an English Interpreter and will soon be headed to Las Vegas to compete in a big American event for the first time. "To participate at this international tournament in the USA has always been my dream...and it comes true now. I can't wait to kick their asses!" she laughs.

Until then, she trains at the local Zanzi Bar, works out daily, and travels abroad to compete and work on her skills.

In one word I will say...I'm sorry foosball! I can't smell the stink of ammonia anymore.