# AUSTRIAN PINBALL OPEN 2017 **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2017-10-09 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2017/10/09/austrian-pinball-open-2017 --- ## Analysis Coverage of the Austrian Pinball Open 2017 (September 15-17) held at Hall of Pinball-Fame in Badendorf, Austria. The event featured a Warm-Up Tournament on Friday, Main and Side Tournaments on Saturday-Sunday with Swiss-style and group-play formats respectively. Notable machines included new Stern titles (Star Wars, Game of Thrones) and Heighway's Alien LE. Krisztián Szalai won the Side Tournament; Main Tournament final featured Star Wars. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Hall of Pinball-Fame in Badendorf houses an impressive collection of modern pinballs across three floors — _Direct observation and venue tour documented with extensive photographs_ - [HIGH] Star Wars Limited Edition was available at the tournament venue, with two additional Star Wars Pro machines in the Stern room — _Specific mention that 'Star Wars is just arriving with operators and home buyers, here they have two Pros in addition to the LE downstairs'_ - [HIGH] Heighway Pinball's Alien machine was unboxed and set up during the Friday night warm-up tournament — _Detailed documentation of Alien LE machine being supplied by RS Pinball and unboxed on Friday evening_ - [HIGH] Main Tournament used Swiss-style format with 17 rounds of head-to-head games and 100 initial qualifiers — _Tournament format explicitly described: 'Swiss-style one, where everyone took part in 17 rounds of head-to-head games'_ - [HIGH] Krisztián Szalai won the Side Tournament final on Alien machine with approximately 100M score — _Tournament results table and final game description showing Szalai won all three final games with final score 'just under the 100M mark'_ ### Notable Quotes > "To find the Hall of Pinball-Fame you drive south from Vienna for about two hours until you reach the city of Graz. Then go a little further, out into the countryside, to the village of Badendorf." > — **Article narrator** > _Venue location description; establishes remote Austrian setting for tournament_ > "A 500ml bottle of beer was €2.70 ($3.16/£2.42), coffee was €1.50, while a coke would set you back €1.50." > — **Article narrator** > _Documents bar pricing and accessibility; contextualizes tournament amenities_ > "The machine was clearly playing tough, and the final game didn't last too long." > — **Article narrator** > _Commentary on Twilight Zone difficulty in Warm-Up Tournament final between Ostermeier and Ibric_ > "When Star Wars is just arriving with operators and home buyers, here they have two Pros in addition to the LE downstairs." > — **Article narrator** > _Indicates Star Wars was very recent release; Hall of Pinball-Fame had superior machine availability compared to market_ > "Krisztián had won the first two games and was in an unbeatable position going into the third." > — **Article narrator** > _Describes Szalai's dominance in Side Tournament final before Alien game finale_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Hall of Pinball-Fame | location | Tournament venue in Badendorf, Austria; three-story building housing extensive pinball collection across multiple themed rooms (main hall, Stern room, practice areas, Williams/Bally tournament rooms) | | Austrian Pinball Open 2017 | event | International pinball tournament held September 15-17, 2017 in Badendorf; featured Warm-Up, Main, and Side tournaments with 100+ competitors | | Krisztián Szalai | person | Hungarian/regional pinball player; won Side Tournament final defeating Boldizsár Botka and Cesare Datri; also reached Main Tournament final | | Heighway Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; Alien LE machine was featured/unboxed at tournament, supplied by RS Pinball | | Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer of multiple machines at venue including Star Wars LE/Pro, Game of Thrones Pro/Premium, Ghostbusters, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Kiss LE, Batman 66 | | RS Pinball | company | Austrian pinball distributor/operator; supplied Heighway Alien machine to tournament; associated with Stefan Riedler | | Stefan Riedler | person | RS Pinball representative; introduced tournament format and made organizational announcements | | Johannes Ostermeier | person | Warm-Up Tournament winner; defeated Jasmin Ibric in final on Twilight Zone with 122M three-ball score | | Niegelhell | company | Stern Pinball distributor/supplier providing machines for tournament venue | | Boldizsár Botka | person | Regional pinball competitor; finished 2nd in Side Tournament final | | Cesare Datri | person | Pinball player who reached Side Tournament final (3rd place) and Main Tournament final | | Zsolt Szabo | person | Pinball competitor; appeared in Main Tournament final on Star Wars | | Edith Mayer | person | Top-ranked women player in Main Tournament | | Elin Wilhelmsen | person | Second-place women player in Main Tournament; from Norway (based on name) | | Simone Götzhaber | person | Third-place women player in Main Tournament | | Daniela Neuberger | person | Won raffle prize of restored Firepower II machine | | Star Wars Limited Edition | game | Stern Pinball machine set up in main hall; also had two Pro versions available in Stern room; used in Main Tournament final | | Alien LE | game | Heighway Pinball machine; featured prominently in tournament (unboxed Friday), used in Side Tournament final | | Twilight Zone | game | Classic pinball machine; used in Warm-Up Tournament final | ### Topics - **Primary:** Tournament Format & Organization, Venue & Infrastructure, Competitive Results - **Secondary:** Stern Pinball Machines, Heighway Pinball Alien, International Pinball Community - **Mentioned:** Machine Availability & Distribution ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.82) — Article presents tournament as well-organized, venue impressive, community engaged, and competitive play successful. Detailed photography and comprehensive documentation suggest author satisfaction. No major complaints or controversies mentioned. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Stern Pinball strong distribution presence in Austria through Niegelhell; dedicated Stern room featuring latest titles (Game of Thrones, Star Wars variants, Aerosmith, Kiss LE) (confidence: high) — Detailed inventory of Stern machines across Pro, Premium, LE tiers in dedicated venue room - **[community_signal]** International competitive pinball community with strong Central European participation base (Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Norway, Italy representation in results) (confidence: high) — Tournament competitor lists showing geographic diversity; venue positioned as destination event - **[event_signal]** Tournament venue quality indicators: multi-floor infrastructure, dedicated Stern showroom, practice areas, external catering, projector displays for match coordination (confidence: high) — Comprehensive venue tour documentation showing professional tournament setup - **[event_signal]** Austrian Pinball Open 2017 successfully executed with 100+ competitors, Swiss-style Main Tournament and group-play Side Tournament across modern and classic machines (confidence: high) — Detailed tournament results, venue documentation, and competitor statistics from official event - **[market_signal]** Star Wars Limited Edition positioning as premium release; venue had multiple variants (LE downstairs, two Pros in Stern room) indicating strong distributor access despite 'just arriving' status (confidence: high) — Quote: 'when Star Wars is just arriving with operators and home buyers, here they have two Pros in addition to the LE downstairs' - **[announcement]** Heighway Pinball's Alien LE machine publicly unveiled at Austrian Pinball Open tournament venue (confidence: high) — Detailed documentation of machine being unboxed Friday evening and featured in tournament final setup --- ## Transcript **Date:** 15th-17th September, 2017 **Location:** Hall of Pinball-Fame, Badendorf 12, 8413 Badendorf, Austria To find the Hall of Pinball-Fame you drive south from Vienna for about two hours until you reach the city of Graz.  Then go a little further, out into the countryside, to the village of Badendorf.  There, set on the side of a hill is a small industrial park which mainly seems to be concerned with making cement objects, and right at the entrance is an anonymous-looking three-storey building which is secretly the home to an impressive collection of modern pinballs. [![The home of the Hall of Pinball-Fame in Badendorf](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/15-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/15-apo-2017.jpg) The home of the Hall of Pinball-Fame in Badendorf If you didn’t know that this was the home of the Austrian Pinball Open, there was one small clue to be found. [![We've found the right place](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/16-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/16-apo-2017.jpg) We’ve found the right place We arrived late Friday night with the main and side tournaments starting on Saturday morning.  We wanted to arrive earlier on Friday so that we could play in the warm-up tournament which is held on Friday evening, but a mix of distant airport gates, a small quantity of beer and an unexplained gap of thirty minutes in our lives led to us missing the intended flight and having to catch a later one. By the time we arrived soon after midnight, the final of the Warm-Up Tournament was about to begin.  It used a three-strikes Matchplay format where players were randomly paired up for head-to-head games on random machines.  Getting a win meant you carried on, but losing the game gave you a strike.  Once you get three strikes you are out of the tournament. The tournament continued until there were just two players remaining.  They then played in the final. [![The final stages of the Warm-Up Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/01-apo-2017-1024x669.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/01-apo-2017.jpg) The final stages of the Warm-Up Tournament The final of the Warm-Up Tournament was held on Twilight Zone between Jasmin Ibric and Johannes Ostermeier. [![Playing in the final of the Warm-Up Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/02-apo-2017-1024x729.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/02-apo-2017.jpg) Playing in the final of the Warm-Up Tournament The machine was clearly playing tough, and the final game didn’t last too long.  Johannes just set a three-ball score of 122M as player one, and Jasmin went into the very last ball just over 50M behind on 71M. [![Playing in the final of the Warm-Up Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/03-apo-2017-1024x711.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/03-apo-2017.jpg) Playing in the final of the Warm-Up Tournament That last ball couldn’t manage to stay out of the drain for long, giving Jasmin little opportunity to catch Johannes’ score.  So Johannes won and Jasmin was second. Benjamin Gräbeldinger and Sandor Varga tied for third place. [![Winner of the Warm-Up Tournament, Johannes Ostermeier](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/05-apo-2017-1024x709.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/05-apo-2017.jpg) Winner of the Warm-Up Tournament, Johannes Ostermeier [![The top four in the Warm-Up Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/04-apo-2017-1024x673.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/04-apo-2017.jpg) The top four in the Warm-Up Tournament Jasmin Ibric (2nd), Johannes Ostermeier (1st) & Benjamin Gräbeldinger (3rd equal) Here are the full results of Friday night’s Warm-Up Tournament: | | | --- | | **Austrian Pinball Open Warm-Up Tournament** | | | | | | --- | --- | | **1** | **Johannes Ostermeier** | | 2 | Jasmin Ibric | | 3 | Sandor Varga | | 3 | Benjamin Gräbeldinger | | 5 | Klaus Löffler | | 5 | Morten Søbyskogen | | 8 | Jürgen Letzel | | 8 | Stefan Herold | | 8 | Zsolt Szabo | | 8 | Laszlo Hornyik | | 12 | Andreas Frank Meyer | | 12 | Michael Heiler | | 12 | Mirko Hertrich | | 12 | Ralph Alexander | | 18 | Peter Boncza | | 18 | Herbert Mittelmaier | | 18 | Arno Nöbl | | 18 | Wolfgang Wetl | | 18 | Wolfgang Haid | | 18 | Markus Ramsner | | 18 | Zsolt Csiszka | | 26 | Roland Schwarz | | 26 | Boldizsár Botka | | 26 | Péter Szamosi | | 26 | Sabine Fasching | | 26 | Oyvind Winther | | 26 | Reiner Pfeiffer | | 26 | Elin Wilhelmsen | | 26 | Rene Stiegler | | 26 | Karin Eisenstecken | | 36 | Felix Radinger | | 36 | Daniela Neuberger | | 36 | Simone Götzhaber | | 36 | Frank Goeltl | | 36 | Balázs Pálfi | | 36 | János Sándor | | 36 | Piller Zsolt | | 36 | Sandra Søbyskogen | | 36 | Gregor Ponert | | 36 | Hribasek Helmut | | 36 | Uwe Ramsner | | 47 | Ingo Götzhaber | | 47 | Reinhard Kremsmayr | | 47 | Gregor Weisgerber | | 47 | Stefan Karlhuber | | 47 | Tamas Odler | | 47 | Alexander Muer | | 47 | Franz Polsterer | | 47 | Zsolt Somogyvari | | 47 | Gábor Vanderer | | 47 | Tom-Andre Andersen | | 47 | Sonja Heiler | | 56 | Gabriella Medgyesi | | 56 | Jürgen Ostermeier | | 56 | Ernestine Lachnit | | 56 | Stefan Riedler | | 56 | Kurt Ploier | | 56 | Herbert Buchberger | | 56 | Kondora Zita | | 56 | Sabine Ramsner | | | | After the presentation of the trophies, it was time to unbox one of the special games at the event – a production Alien machine from *Heighway Pinball*, supplied by Stefan Riedler’s [RS Pinball](http://www.rs-pinball.at/).  It joined a *Star Wars* Limited Edition which had been set up in the hall earlier that evening. [![The Alien LE machine is unboxed](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/06-apo-2017-648x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/06-apo-2017.jpg) The Alien LE machine is unboxed [![The box is removed](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/07-apo-2017-724x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/07-apo-2017.jpg) The box is removed [![The game is set up](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/08-apo-2017-662x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/08-apo-2017.jpg) The game is set up [![Under the Alien playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/09-apo-2017-580x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/09-apo-2017.jpg) Under the Alien playfield Although the tournament was over and the games set up for Saturday the night didn’t end there, with partying, drinks and more pinball playing until the early hours.  We left some time around 3:30am. Despite forecasts of a hot, sunny weekend, we awoke to rain, low cloud and a chill in the air at our guest house on the other side of Badendorf.  The persistent drizzle mixed with heavy showers meant we wouldn’t be walking to the Hall of Pinball-Fame as we’d hoped. [![Another wet day in the Austrian hills](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/65-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/65-apo-2017.jpg) Another wet day in the Austrian hills Inside the hall players were gathering for the start of the qualifying rounds in the two tournaments. [![Players assemble for the start of the tournaments](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/10-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/10-apo-2017.jpg) Players assemble for the start of the tournaments [![Players' names are checked-off as they register](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/12-apo-2017-1024x695.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/12-apo-2017.jpg) Players’ names are checked-off as they register Before we get into the tournaments, let’s have a look around the building.  The main hall was on the ground floor and it contained the majority of the games as well as a seating area and the bar. [![The bar in the main hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/13-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/13-apo-2017.jpg) The bar in the main hall *Murauer* was the beer of choice for many, but the bar sold two other beers as well as plenty of soft drinks, coffee and snacks.  Prices were quite reasonable.  A 500ml bottle of beer was €2.70 ($3.16/£2.42), coffee was €1.50, while a coke would set you back €1.50.  A small hot dog could be bought for €2.50. [![The apricot cake looked very appealing](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/11-apo-2017-721x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/11-apo-2017.jpg) The apricot cake looked very appealing If you didn’t fancy sitting at the bar, bench seating and tables could be found towards the back of the hall on the left hand side.  On the left were the older ‘classics’ machines which were used in their own tournament two years ago but were included in the general mix of tournament games this time. [![Tables and bench seats on the left side of the main hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/17-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/17-apo-2017.jpg) Tables and bench seats on the left side of the main hall On the other side of the seating area was another mixed row of electronic pinballs. [![The pinballs on the left side of the main hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/19-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/19-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg) The pinballs on the left side of the main hall On the right side of the hall were two rows of electronic pinballs – mostly Williams/Bally but with some Sega games in the mix. [![The two rows of pinballs on the right side of the main hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/18-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/18-apo-2017.jpg) The two rows of pinballs on the right side of the main hall [![More machines on the right side of the main hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/23-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/23-apo-2017.jpg) More machines on the right side of the main hall The walls are covered with camouflage-style netting with decorated branches protruding into the room. [![Some of the decorations in the main hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/20-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/20-apo-2017.jpg) Some of the decorations in the main hall Moving out into the entrance lobby, there was a Williams *Millionaire* machine which was free to use for practice at any time. [![There was a Millionaire machine in the lobby for practice](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/35-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/35-apo-2017.jpg) There was a Millionaire machine in the lobby for practice From the lobby there was a staircase which led up to two more floors.  On the first there was an area which would be used to serve food at lunchtime, while one floor up were three more rooms full of pinballs. [![The monitor on the second floor showing the same as the projector in the main hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/36-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/36-apo-2017.jpg) The monitor on the second floor showing the same as the projector in the main hall The room on the right used to contain a mix of machines but is now a dedicated Stern room featuring an excellent selection of all the latest titles provided by [Niegelhell](http://www.niegelhell.com/). There’s a Pro and a Premium *Game of Thrones*, and when *Star Wars* is just arriving with operators and home buyers, here they have two Pros in addition to the LE downstairs. [![Some of the machines in the Stern room on the second floor](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/37-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/37-apo-2017.jpg) Some of the machines in the Stern room on the second floor [![Two new Star Wars Pro machines in the Stern room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/38-apo-2017-1024x709.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/38-apo-2017.jpg) Two new Star Wars Pro machines in the Stern room On the right wall we find a *Ghostbusters*, an *AC/DC* Vault Edition, two *Aerosmiths* (Pro and LE), a *Kiss* LE and a *Batman 66*. [![More Stern machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/39-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/39-apo-2017.jpg) More new Stern machines The other two rooms are linked.  The first has machines which were, in the main, not part of Saturday’s tournaments and could be used for practice.  They included, not one, but two *Whoa Nellie!* games. [![The practice room across from the Stern room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/40-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/40-apo-2017.jpg) The practice room across from the Stern room The second room was mostly Williams/Bally titles, with just a lone *Batman: The Dark Knight* representing Stern.  The numbers on the machines indicate duplicates, so in the picture below you can see the third *Twilight Zone* and the second *Indiana Jones* in the collection. [![The third tournament room up on the second floor](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/42-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/42-apo-2017.jpg) The third tournament room up on the second floor ![More machines in the third tournament room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/43-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg) More machines in the third tournament room And so back to the tournaments.  Besides trophies, there were also custom beer glasses for the top players. [![The trophies for the three tournaments](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/24-apo-2017-1024x758.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/24-apo-2017.jpg) The trophies for the three tournaments Stefan Riedler made the introductions and described how the Main and Side Tournaments would work. [![Stefan greets visitors and tells them about the tournament formats](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/14-apo-2017-1024x677.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/14-apo-2017.jpg) Stefan greets visitors and tells them about the tournament formats The Main Tournament was a Swiss-style one, where everyone took part in 17 rounds of head-to-head games against other players with a similar ranking on pre-defined machines. The number of wins would determine the initial ranking, with the result of who beat who giving a more granular result which could be used in deciding the tied places. [![The matches in each round were displayed on the projector screen](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/25-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/25-apo-2017.jpg) The matches in each round were displayed on the projector screen The side tournament placed players in groups of four and gave them a machine to play.  They then played two four-player games on that machine with points awarded for positions in each game.  When both games were over, the two players with the most points moved on to the next round. A few rounds of the Main Tournament were played first followed by a round of the Side Tournament, after which it was back to the Main. [![The main tournament is underway](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/26-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/26-apo-2017.jpg) The main tournament is underway [![The tournaments were played on modern and classic machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/27-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/27-apo-2017.jpg) The tournaments were played on modern and classic machines [![Mostly though they were modern machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/28-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/28-apo-2017.jpg) Mostly though they were modern machines At 1pm everything stopped for lunch which could be purchase with the tournament entry and cost €12 for both days.  This was served on the first floor and included a selection of meat and chicken dishes, vegetable sides and salad items, along with soup and bread, all supplied by an external catering company. [![Some of the dishes available for Saturday's lunch](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/82-apo-2017jpg-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/82-apo-2017jpg.jpg) Some of the dishes available for Saturday’s lunch [![Different meat dishes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/81-apo-2017jpg-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/81-apo-2017jpg.jpg) Different meat dishes [![Salad dishes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/78-apo-2017jpg-1024x672.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/78-apo-2017jpg.jpg) Salad dishes [![Soup, bread and various sauces](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/80-apo-2017jpg-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/80-apo-2017jpg.jpg) Soup, bread and various sauces We are happy to report that the quality of the food was high and there was plenty of it.  The buffet-style allowed guests to enjoy different courses if they wished, although there were no desserts.  If anyone wanted one of those, they could try the apricot sponge cake on sale at the bar. The Main Tournament completed the 19 qualifying rounds on Saturday with the top 48 players out of the original 100 qualifying for Sunday’s play-offs. [![The current standings were shown on the screen between rounds](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/31-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/31-apo-2017.jpg) The current standings were shown on the screen between rounds The Side Tournament was played through all its rounds on Saturday with the exception of the final which would take place on Sunday. Nearly everyone who played in the Main also played in the Side. Sunday’s play-offs in the Main Tournament put the 48 qualifiers into six groups of eight and allocated them a pool of seven machines to play (plus one spare in case of technical problems).  Most machines were in the main hall but some were upstairs. Everyone played a single game against every other member of their group on a pre-selected machine from the pool.  When all seven games had been played, the four players with the most wins continued to the next round, while the remaining four dropped out of the tournament. [![The play-offs began on Sunday morning](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/32-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/32-apo-2017.jpg) The play-offs began on Sunday morning [![Tournament games in the Stern room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/83-apo-2017jpg-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/83-apo-2017jpg.jpg) Tournament games in the Stern room At midday on Sunday a raffle was drawn to win a restored *Firepower II* pinball.  Tickets were available for purchase for €2 each throughout the weekend until the draw took place. [![This Firepower 2 machine was the prize in the raffle](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/46-apo-2017-1024x696.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/46-apo-2017.jpg) This Firepower 2 machine was the prize in the raffle [![The lucky winner](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/45-apo-2017-766x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/45-apo-2017.jpg) Daniela Neuberger was the lucky winner [![Daniela with the organisers in front of her prize machine](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/44-apo-2017-1024x676.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/44-apo-2017.jpg) Daniela with the organisers in front of her prize machine There were then presentations to the top women players in the Main Tournament.  By this stage there were no more women remaining in the tournament, so the positions were based on their final rankings. [![Third place in the women's rankings, Simone Götzhaber](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/47-apo-2017-1024x746.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/47-apo-2017.jpg) Third place in the women’s rankings, Simone Götzhaber [![Second place in the women's rankings, Elin Wilhelmsen](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/48-apo-2017-1024x679.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/48-apo-2017.jpg) Second place in the women’s rankings, Elin Wilhelmsen [![First place in the women's rankings, Edith Mayer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/49-apo-2017-1024x721.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/49-apo-2017.jpg) First place in the women’s rankings, Edith Mayer [![The top women players](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/50-apo-2017-1024x673.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/50-apo-2017.jpg) The top women players Then the last few rounds of the Main Tournament took place.  After the group stage, it was down to head-to-head best-of-three games on randomly-selected machines. [![The play-offs begin](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/51-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/51-apo-2017.jpg) The play-offs begin [![Both tournaments reach their last few rounds](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/52-apo-2017-1024x690.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/52-apo-2017.jpg) One of the semi-finals of the Main Tournament There was a ruling needed on the semi-final match on Terminator 2 shown above when the drop target in front of the lock shot became intermittent. [![The organisers make a ruling](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/53-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/53-apo-2017.jpg) The organisers make a ruling The organisers decided it was a minor malfunction which affected both players equally and didn’t render the machine unplayable.  Krisztián Szalai had already won the first game and continued to win second too, booking his place in the final. Only the two finals remained. The Side Tournament three-way final played on three pre-chosen machines, starting with *Revenge from Mars*.  The three finalists were Boldizsár Botka, Krisztián Szalai and Cesare Datri, and Cesare began. [![Cesare Datri in the final on Revenge from Mars](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/58-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/58-apo-2017.jpg) Cesare Datri in the final on Revenge from Mars The second game was Farfalla. [![The second game was Farfalla](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/59-apo-2017-1024x713.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/59-apo-2017.jpg) Boldizsár on the second game – Farfalla Finally it was time for the *Alien* which was set up at the front of the hall so everyone could see it clearly.  Krisztián had won the first two games and was in an unbeatable position going into the third.  Even so, he wanted to put in a good performance to try to achieve a clean sweep of victories. [![Boldizsár Botka starts the final of the Side Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/54-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/54-apo-2017.jpg) Boldizsár Botka starts the final of the Side Tournament [![Krisztián Szalai plays second](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/55-apo-2017-1024x695.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/55-apo-2017.jpg) Krisztián Szalai plays second Krisztián had a good first ball which set the pace for the others to try to catch. [![Cesare Datri is player three](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/56-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/56-apo-2017.jpg) Cesare Datri is player three Krisztián cemented the lead further on ball two and effectively wrapped it up on his final ball to end just under the 100M mark.  Boldizsár was second on nearly 17M while Cesare was third after a relatively quick game by his usual standards. [![The final scores in the Side Tournamernt](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/57-apo-2017-1024x726.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/57-apo-2017.jpg) The final scores in the Side Tournamernt So, Krisztián won overall, Boldizsár was in second place, with Cesare third. Here are the full results of the Side Tournament: | | | --- | | **Austrian Pinball Open Side Tournament** | | | | | | --- | --- | | **1** | **Krisztián Szalai** | | 2 | Boldizsár Botka | | 3 | Cesare Datri | | 5 | Fabio Francescato | | 5 | Markus Stix | | 5 | Sandor Varga | | 8 | Piller Zsolt | | 8 | Rene Stiegler | | 8 | Johannes Ostermeier | | 11 | MArco MArocco | | 11 | Peter Krajnc | | 11 | Reiner Pfeiffer | | 13 | Ingo Götzhaber | | 16 | Klaus Löffler | | 16 | Roberto Pedroni | | 16 | Alexander Muer | | 16 | János Sándor | | 16 | David Mainwaring | | 21 | Wolfgang Haid | | 21 | Herbert Buchberger | | 21 | Roland Schwarz | | 21 | Jasmin Ibric | | 21 | Michael Heiler | | 21 | Arno Nöbl | | 27 | Ewald Rath | | 27 | Mirko Bogic | | 27 | Sabine Ramsner | | 27 | Enrico Giorgio de Stefani | | 27 | Herbert Mittelmaier | | 27 | Laszlo Hornyik | | 35 | Martin Satzinger | | 35 | Ralph Alexander | | 35 | Željko Vasic | | 35 | Stefan Karlhuber | | 35 | Daniela Neuberger | | 35 | Stefan Herold | | 35 | Benjamin Gräbeldinger | | 35 | Sabine Fasching | | 35 | Elin Wilhelmsen | | 44 | Martin Ayub | | 44 | Gregor Weisgerber | | 44 | Szabo Istvan | | 44 | Peter Boncza | | 44 | Ernestine Lachnit | | 44 | Andreas Frank Meyer | | 44 | Balázs Pálfi | | 44 | Zsolt Somogyvari | | 44 | Martin Obetzhofer | | 53 | Morten Søbyskogen | | 53 | Ales Rebec | | 53 | Gregor Ponert | | 53 | Reinhard Hager | | 53 | Stefan Riedler | | 53 | Jenna Muer | | 53 | Bernd Prucher | | 53 | Helmut Hribesek | | 53 | Kurt Ploier | | 66 | Andrej Demsar | | 66 | Andrej Bukovšek | | 66 | Andrej Rižner | | 66 | Zsolt Csiszka | | 66 | Karin Eisenstecken | | 66 | Felix Radinger | | 66 | Simone Götzhaber | | 66 | Jürgen Ostermeier | | 66 | Matej Kos | | 66 | Zana Hrastovsek | | 66 | Zsolt Szabo | | 66 | Tamas Odler | | 66 | Franz Polsterer | | 66 | David Schrittwieser | | 66 | Oyvind Winther | | 66 | Helmut Fritz | | 66 | Gábor Vanderer | | 85 | Sandra Søbyskogen | | 85 | Tom-Andre Andersen | | 85 | Dave Christensen Schützinger | | 85 | Rudi Haferl | | 85 | Wolfgang Wetl | | 85 | Maximilian Hollwöger | | 85 | Kondora Zita | | 85 | Vid Kuklec | | 85 | Antonella Iannotta | | 85 | Sonja Heiler | | 85 | Markus Ramsner | | 85 | Uwe Ramsner | | 85 | Gabriella Medgyesi | | 85 | Gerhard Hornik | | 85 | Reinhard Kremsmayr | | 85 | Péter Szamosi | | 85 | Jürgen Letzel | | 85 | Frank Goeltl | | 85 | Markus Schrodt | | 85 | Susanne Schrittwieser | | 85 | Mirko Hertrich | | 85 | Walter Grill | | | | Then it was the turn of the main tournament to reach the final.  This time there was just the one machine used – *Star Wars*.  Two of the three players were the same as the Side Tournament – Cesare Datri and Krisztián Szalai.  They were joined by Zsolt Szabo for the five ball game. [![The last game of the final was on Star Trek](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/60-apo-2017-1024x699.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/60-apo-2017.jpg) Stefan explains the details of the last game of the final on the Star Wars LE [![Cesare Datri begins the last game of the final](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/61-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/61-apo-2017.jpg) Cesare Datri begins the last game of the final [![Zsolt Szabo plays second](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/62-apo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/62-apo-2017.jpg) Zsolt Szabo plays second [![Krisztián Szalai plays third](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/63-apo-2017-1024x707.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/63-apo-2017.jpg) Krisztián Szalai plays third Although it was clearly explained before starting that it was a five-ball game, some in the audience forgot and thought it was all over after the third ball.  The players knew well-enough though. *Star Wars* is a game where the scoring is relatively modest until you string the shots together and build-up the playfield multiplier, at which point your score really starts climbing quickly.  Zsolt got into the flow of the game and his score jumped by 100M in a short space of time, giving him a commanding lead which he kept to the end.  It was very close for second place with Krisztián narrowly pipping Cesare again. [![The final scores on Star Wars](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/64-apo-2017-1024x620.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/64-apo-2017.jpg) The final scores on Star Wars With all the tournaments over, the prize-giving ceremony could begin. First came the presentations for the Side Tournament. [![Third place, Cesari Datri](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/67-apo-2017-1024x722.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/67-apo-2017.jpg) Third place, Cesari Datri [![Second place, Boldizsár Botka](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/68-apo-2017-1024x673.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/68-apo-2017.jpg) Second place, Boldizsár Botka [![Winner of the Side Tournament, Krisztián Szalai](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/69-apo-2017-1024x724.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/69-apo-2017.jpg) Winner of the Side Tournament, Krisztián Szalai Then we had the main tournament presentations and the players who finished joint ninth. [![The ninth place finishers](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/71-apo-2017-1024x697.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/71-apo-2017.jpg) The ninth place finishers Then the losing semi-finalists. [![Fifth places (Stefan Karlhuber had already left)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/72-apo-2017-1024x748.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/72-apo-2017.jpg) Fifth places (Stefan Karlhuber had already left) Then the top three who besides their trophies and beer glasses, also won baskets of assorted cured and potted meats. [![Third place, Cesare Datri](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/73-apo-2017-1024x712.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/73-apo-2017.jpg) Third place, Cesare Datri [![Second place, Krisztián Szalai](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/74-apo-2017-1024x693.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/74-apo-2017.jpg) Second place, Krisztián Szalai [![Winner of the Austrian Pinball Open 2017, Zsolt Szabo](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/75-apo-2017-1024x677.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/75-apo-2017.jpg) Winner of the Austrian Pinball Open 2017, Zsolt Szabo [![The top three in the Main Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/76-apo-2017-1024x658.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/apo-2017/76-apo-2017.jpg) The top three in the Main Tournament Here are the full results of the Austrian Pinball Open Tournament: | | | --- | | **Austrian Pinball Open Main Tournament** | | | | | | --- | --- | | **1** | **Zsolt Szabo** | | 2 | Krisztián Szalai | | 3 | Cesare Datri | | 5 | Stefan Karlhuber | | 5 | Alexander Muer | | 5 | Oyvind Winther | | 9 | Szabo Istvan | | 9 | Sandor Varga | | 9 | Johannes Ostermeier | | 9 | Roberto Pedroni | | 9 | János Sándor | | 9 | Piller Zsolt | | 18 | Martin Ayub | | 18 | Boldizsár Botka | | 18 | Jürgen Letzel | | 18 | Benjamin Gräbeldinger | | 18 | Tamas Odler | | 18 | Stefan Riedler | | 18 | Herbert Mittelmaier | | 18 | Michael Heiler | | 18 | Ales Rebec | | 18 | Fabio Francescato | | 18 | Andrej Demsar | | 18 | Andrej Bukovšek | | 25 | Jasmin Ibric | | 25 | Željko Vasic | | 31 | Roland Schwarz | | 31 | Felix Radinger | | 31 | Gregor Weisgerber | | 31 | Jürgen Ostermeier | | 31 | Stefan Herold | | 31 | Balazs Takacs | | 31 | Balázs Pálfi | | 31 | David Schrittwieser | | 31 | Peter Krajnc | | 31 | Markus Stix | | 41 | Ingo Götzhaber | | 41 | Patrick Jim Weisz | | 41 | Reinhard Kremsmayr | | 41 | Mirko Hertrich | | 41 | Martin Obetzhofer | | 41 | Gábor Vanderer | | 41 | David Mainwaring | | 41 | Andrej Rižner | | 41 | Mirko Bogic | | 47 | Andreas Frank Meyer | | 47 | Markus Schrodt | | 47 | Arno Nöbl | | 49 | Martin Satzinger | | 50 | Kurt Ploier | | 51 | Wolfgang Haid | | 52 | Edith Mayer | | 53 | Péter Szamosi | | 55 | Franz Polsterer | | 55 | Reiner Pfeiffer | | 55 | Walter Grill | | 55 | Vid Kuklec | | 58 | Enrico Giorgio de Stefani | | 59 | Maximilian Hollwöger | | 60 | Helmut Hribesek | | 61 | Elin Wilhelmsen | | 61 | Herbert Buchberger | | 63 | Herbert Mayer | | 64 | Helmut Fritz | | 65 | Ewald Rath | | 66 | Rudi Haferl | | 67 | Simone Götzhaber | | 68 | Jenna Muer | | 69 | Alexander Ralph | | 70 | Siegfried Niegelhell | | 70 | Sonja Heiler | | 72 | Zsolt Somogyvari | | 72 | Markus Ramsner | | 74 | Zana Hrastovsek | | 75 | Gregor Ponert | | 76 | Wolfgang Wetl | | 77 | MArco MArocco | | 78 | Frank Goeltl | | 79 | Zsolt Csiszka | | 80 | Daniela Neuberger | | 81 | Sabine Fasching | | 82 | Gerhard Hornik | | 83 | Tom-Andre Andersen | | 84 | Ernestine Lachnit | | 85 | Rene Stiegler | | 86 | Peter Boncza | | 86 | Klemens Jim Weisz | | 88 | Laszlo Hornyik | | 89 | Karin Eisenstecken | | 90 | Matej Kos | | 91 | Morten Søbyskogen | | 92 | Uwe Ramsner | | 93 | Klaus Löffler | | 94 | Kondora Zita | | 95 | Reinhard Hager | | 95 | Gabriella Medgyesi | | 97 | Sandra Søbyskogen | | 98 | Antonella Iannotta | | 99 | Sabine Ramsner | | 100 | Susanne Schrittwieser | | | | With all the presentations over, we sprinted through the rain to jump in the car and start the two-hour drive back to Vienna airport. The Hall of Pinball-Fame continues to amaze, with the best selection of games and an impressive main hall packed with machines, but still providing seating, tables and a bar.  Prices were very reasonable for the food, drinks and to enter the tournaments.  Having a Friday night warm-up even is also a fun way to begin a weekend of competitive pinball.  The location in the countryside south of Graz is a little restrictive, with only one guest house within walking distance – and a long, wet walk at that – but it’s easy to imagine how a similar building in a city would be prohibitively expensive. But if a more remote location means we can enjoy such a great dedicated venue and jaw-dropping selection of machines, it’s a journey we are happy to make every time. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: a7af1410-6a6d-408b-85f9-a72fe07112f0*