Kicking, flicking, building: Pure football passion
Everything revolves around football - not just during the European Championships
By Peter Thomas
Magical moves
Passing and shooting at lightning speed as if by magic: with Weykick table football games, the figures are moved by magnets under the playing surface. The miniature footballers, usually two per team, glide across the pitch seemingly without any intervention from the human players who control their moves invisibly under the table. The clever idea behind the beechwood table football game from Giessen is around 20 years old and is constantly undergoing further development. The magnetic games train hand-eye coordination as well as being great fun. The classic version with four players costs around 200 euros. The Weykick stadiums with attractively decorated figures are just some of the wide range of toys and collectables that have evolved out of the fascination with football. Although football is very much in focus during the 2024 European Championship in Germany, football as a toy game has large fan bases all year, not just during special competitions.
Football stadium kit
How about a career as a stadium builder? No problem with Bryx, the Berlin-based manufacturer of building block sets. The "Stadium Series" includes architectural models of four well-known arenas, all licensed by the respective clubs. The building sets contain between 300 and 470 bricks and cost between 30 and 45 euros, depending on the size. The European Championship venues Olympiastadion Berlin (where the European Championship final will be held on 14 July 2024) and the Frankfurt Arena are also included. Clippys also has stadium kits as well as an arena, clipped together with building bricks, twelve miniature players and a tilting mechanism for shots at the opponent's goal.
A century of football matches
Football as a toy has been around for at least a century. In Germany, Mieg’s Tipp-Kick table football game, which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2024, is one of the best examples. At this year's International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, the traditional manufacturer presented players wearing the German national team’s classic stripe for the first time – perfect timing for their anniversary and the European Championship year.
In Tipp-Kick, the square ball is played by pressing the characteristic red button on the player’s head. A lever mechanism converts the push into a shot. Different foot shapes and a wide variety of playing figures make it possible to use high precision and sophisticated tactics in the game. The English game Subbuteo has been around for almost 80 years. Here, the playing figures stand on a hemispherical base and are flicked with the finger to move the ball and change the position of the players.
Table footballers have created their own sports scene
Table football is a very fast moving and highly dynamic game. Classic football tables were originally found in pubs. However, many fans have long since bought their own tables with the typical rotating rods. The hobby has developed into a lively sports scene, with its own global umbrella organisation, the International Table Soccer Federation founded in 2002, as well as leagues and major tournaments. The game is played on tables made by the German manufacturers Leonhart and Ullrich as well as Bonzini from France. The best players reach ball speeds of 50 km/h with the plastic ball weighing just under 30 grams. Whirring spins, precise stops and deceptive, lightning-fast manoeuvres make for exciting matches. Matches between top teams at major tournaments are even streamed live on a regular basis.
Trade cards: a test of patience for football fans
When it comes to collecting cards, football fans need a lot of patience – just the opposite of the speed of the game. There is a long tradition of sticker cards and albums in shops. The idea goes back to the trade cards issued by Liebig's meat extract company in the 19th century. Later, similar collectible pictures were issued by manufacturers of various products, from margarine to cigarettes, with the aim of promoting customer loyalty.
Instead of printed collectibles, Playmobil has developed a collector's edition of the German national team for the German supermarket chain Edeka for the 2024 European Championships. Will the "Playmobil DFB stars" also be the new European champions? Collectors will find out on 14 July 2024 at the latest.
About the author Peter Thomas:
Telling stories about technology and people: This has fascinated the journalist, author, cultural scientist and lecturer for more than 30 years. Technical toys are always in focus, from construction kits to interactive digital educational toys. After studying and working as a research assistant at university, Peter Thomas writes for daily newspapers, magazines and corporate publications in German and English-speaking countries. In addition to the world of games, his focus is on mobility, security, energy and medical technology.
