The tiny side of soccer

World Cup of comeback game on same day as Premier League match.

- Tunbridge Wells

SUBBUTEO: ALL YOU NEED IS A TABLE, GREEN CLOTH AND MINIATURE PLAYERS.

With a quivering finger, Subbuteo England veteran Rudi Peterschinigg conceded the free-kick that sent his country's World Cup quarterfinal into extra-time before smashing his plastic goalkeeper on the floor in frustration.

In the genteel southern English town of Tunbridge Wells, 300 elite players have gathered to play the game they love.

"I won't say this is the best weekend I've ever had in my life, but it's certainly in the top two," said Hughie Best, 58, who flew in from Perth, Australia, to compete and commentate at the event.

Tunbridge Wells is the "spiritual home" of Subbuteo, which was invented there in 1946, before being copied around the world.

The game of skill and strategy fell out of fashion with the advent of computer games, but is enjoying a renaissance among nostalgists and also the younger generation, with this year's tournament the largest yet.