Date: 6th March, 2013

Report by Alessio Crisantemi
Pictures by IFPA Italia

Nicola Pierobon is the super-hero of Verona, as he wins the Stern Launch party

He's back, and in the right way too. Nicola Pierobon - one of the top Italian players who just returned to Italy after a long period away due to his humanitarian commitments in Colombia - participated in the first official tournament of this year's calender and took the win; a real triumph.

It happened last night in Verona, in the game room of the La Grande Mela mall where the launch party for the new Stern pinball The Avengers took place.

The launch party at La Grande Mela

The Avengers limited edition models

The event included a pinball tournament valid for the World Pinball Player Ranking (WPPR) points, in which most of the top Italian players participated, including the world champion Daniele Acciari.

The trophies for the winners

Players in the tournament

Pierobon had been away from the pinball circuit for a good year-and-a-half, and at his first attempt he took the win in the final played against Acciari (second), the new entry Giuseppe Violante (third) and Roberto Pedroni (fourth).

Fourth place, Roberto Pedroni

Third place, Giuseppe Violante

Second place, Daniele Acciari

First place, Nicola Pierobon

Nicola Pierobon, in addition to a good bunch of points for his world ranking, took home the beautiful official trophy donated by Stern Pinball and the International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA).

But the other big winner of the night was pinball played in public locations, such as we saw last night in Verona.

Gary Stern told Gioco News it was, "A fantastic experience, in an ideal location for this kind of event... with a wonderful feeling".

Gary Stern with some of the players and organisers of the launch party

The tournament had a big attendance, with three women competing and many first-time entrants into the pinball world. It was a big success.

© Pinball News 2013