Subbuteo

Subbuteo, aka Table Soccer, aka Flicking Football, is a remarkable blend of table game, miniatures, and physical skill game. The pieces are on weighted bases which are perfect size for a well-aimed finger flick. Pieces can be purchased in almost any uniform, and are highly collectible.

The game is played on a miniaturized playing field which can be as detailed as the pieces. Like the pieces, the playing fields are also collectible and faithfully designed to the colors and dimensions of actual soccer fields. There are many sources on the web about this rather amazing little game. Here's a good one to start with.

If you haven't played Subbuteo, this all seems arcane and, well, perhaps even odd - more of a collector's passion than an actual game. But the game turns out to be remarkably fun, as strategically complex as checkers and satisfyingly skillworthy as marbles.