As the Champions League reaches the final in Rome, we give you a complete round up of footy in town. By Nick Measures and Nuttaporn Srisirirungsimakul, illustrations by Sunchai Kuttikrut

The final (May 29) might have most of Thailand mad for the beautiful game, but, here at BK, we’ve got both football junkies and some seriously novice soccer fans. If you’re a newbie too, then let us take you from Football 101 (what’s that rule that no one understands, anyway?), to advanced footie tips (like top pitches and which boots work for you).

Where to Watch

Ok, we admit it, being on at 1:45 in the morning on a week night makes it tricky to catch the final live. So here’s the alternative, spend the whole of the next day avoiding the result and then head to one of these bars to watch the re-run on a big screen.

 

The Pickled Liver

Tucked away in Sukhumvit Soi 11, this scruffy but welcoming British pub is where die-hard football fans flock to enjoy the live games at all hours of the day. Just pick from one of the numerous screens amid the soccer scarves and shirts that line the walls and even the ceiling. Soak up the beer with delicious sausage rolls.
• Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-254-3484. www.thepickledliver.com. Open daily 2pm-late

 

Suan Lum Night Bazaar

The night market beer garden is known to attract large crowds of supporters for the big games, giving it a great, if a little sticky, atmosphere. We can easily see why: giant screens, cheap food from loads of stalls and plenty of beer pretty’s on hand to keep your thirst quenched. And, if the game is really dull, you can always laugh at the karaoke wannabes on the main stage.
• Intersection of Rama 4 and Wireless Rd., 02-252-4776, 02-252-4876. www.suanlum-nightbazaar.com

 

Bar@Siam

Equipped with pool tables, an air hockey table and darts, this all-black sports bar is a dream basement for sports fanatics. The multiple screens also make it a great spot to root for your team when you tire of playing the pub version. In fact, practically almost every sport, not just football, is covered: Tennis, rugby, basketball, you name it and they also serve up a mean pizza.
• Novotel Siam Square, Siam Square Soi 6, Rama 1 Rd., 02- 209-8888. Open daily 6pm- 2am
 

Offside for Dummies

Introduced back in the 19th century to stop strikers from hanging around the goal, the offside rule has been a source of huge controversy, confusion and arguably at least one war ever since. In a bid to end nearly two hundred years of hurt, we give you the definitive guide to the most mystifying law in football.

 

He is closer to the opposition team’s goal than both the ball and at least two opponents (including the goalkeeper) when the ball is played to them by one of their own team  (see fig. a).
 

 

• He is in his own half.
• He is level with the second last opponent.
• He plays for Manchester United.
• He is not gaining an advantage by being there­—like he’s really bad at       football (see fig. b).

 

Plus:
You can’t be offside if a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, a throw-in or a corner kick.

 

Manchester United

Not surprisingly, the décor matches the team this bar’s named after: red, red and more red. Of course, you’ll find yourself surrounded by Red Devil fans at this shrine to the current world champions, which is decorated with Man U memorabilia and photos of players. Still there’s plenty of room and the bar does have huge projectors and flat screen TVs showing the matches.
• G/F, President Palace, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-2933.
www. mufbthai.com. Open daily 11:30am-late

 

Woodstock

Considering its stateside theme and its location in Thong Lor, it’s quite a surprise that this diner style bar is such a great spot to watch a game of soccer. But if you head upstairs to the third floor, you’ll find a cozy space complete with comfy sofas where you can sit back and enjoy the match. Or stay downstairs and play on their crazy version of pool while you tuck into a juicy burger.
• 44 Soi Thonglor 13, 02-712-0202/3. Open daily 11-1am

 

HOW TO Watch a Game of Football

Do pick a team to support. Trust us it   makes it more exciting. It can be for any reason—you like the kit, the team’s name or the legs on their center forward (don’t admit to these reasons in public).

Do stick with the same team throughout. Changing allegiance half way through a match because your team has already conceded five goals is seriously frowned upon.

Do celebrate goals. Unlike stupid American sports, goals don’t come along that often in football, so feel free to go crazy, leap around, hug/kiss/have sex with the person standing next to you.

Do make sure it’s your team that scored. Tip: work out who also supports your team and watch their reaction, it saves having to pay attention to the game.

Do drink beer. A fruity cocktail or a lovely glass of chardonnay are not considered fitting football beverages.

Do know how long a game lasts. That’s an hour and half broken down into two halves lasting forty five minutes each. So if the game starts at 8pm don’t book your manicure for 9:30pm.

Do join in with the chants. They might be loud, tuneless and crude but a group chant about the referee’s solitary pastimes will bond you with your fellow fans.

Don’task to turn over mid-game to catch your favorite soap. Once you start you’re only allowed to move at half time and the end of the game, and that includes toilet breaks (doing otherwise is deemed to be highly unlucky).

Don’t start chatting about the latest celebrity gossip. Unless it is related to one of the players you are watching or if Victoria Beckham happens to be in the crowd.

 

Pitch Perfect

It’s all well and good watching the game on TV, but here are the best places where you can show off your own ball skills.

 

S-One

What: An indoor arena with four 7-aside pitches. You’ll be playing on a 35m x 50m, soft-yet-impact-absorbing, artificial turf.
 

How much: From Mon-Fri, it’s B1,300 per hour (9am-3pm) and B1,500 (3pm-1am), inclusive of floodlights. On weekends, it’s B1,500 all day, including floodlights. If you need a referee, it’s an extra B150 per hour.
 

Other facilities: Air-con locker rooms, spacious parking area, a café serving up fusion food and beer. There are three cameras installed at each pitch to record your match on DVD (B300 for the first one, then it’s B50 per extra copy). Wifi is free.

• 706 Bangna-trad Soi 48, across from Index Living Mall, 02-746-7433. Open daily 9-1am. www.s-one.in.th

 

Crystal Football Club

What: The club has three pitches. The Crystal Ground is an outdoor 11-aside, 95m x 55m field with real grass playing surface. Those afraid of the heat can opt for the Crystal South or the Crystal North, indoor 7-aside pitches with artificial turf.

How much: It costs B6,000 per hour Wed-Fri and B7,000 on Sat-Sun for the Crystal Ground. The fee includes a referee, lighting and linesmen. Note that the field is closed on Mon and Tue. The indoor pitches are available daily at B1,300 per hour on weekdays and B1,500 per hour on weekends. For committed players, there are cheaper deals at B13,000 for 10 hours worth of playing time or B25,000 for 20 hours.

Other facilities: Air-con changing rooms.

• 64 Moo 5, Ladprao Rd., 02-515-0755, 08-2085-0755. Open daily 9-1am. www.crystalfc.co.th

 

Foosball Fanatics

If you love footy but would rather poke your own eye out than run around, why not try taking foosball (a.k.a. table soccer) seriously. Here, Kenny Tan, a member of Foosball Lover, tells us more about this more relaxed version of the beautiful game.

What attracts you to foosball?

It’s an exciting, fast-paced game that keeps me alert. It also helps improve my hand-eye coordination.

How did the Foosball Lover club get started?

The founding members are like-minded foosball lovers who usually meet at pubs and bars. We started two years ago because we wanted to promote the sport to a wider audience and encourage more people to give it a try. Now we have almost 200 members.

What do you think makes a good foosball player?

Foosball is an exciting and fast-paced game, so you need to be alert all the time. You can’t be distracted from the ball for even a second.

Where do you usually meet up for a foosball game?

Any hotel bar, restaurant or pub that has foosball tables. But Sode Samo is our favorite hangout. The club currently hosts a foosball competition every two months but we hope to find a sponsor so that we can make it a monthly event.
Keep tabs on future foosball events and tournaments at
http://foosballlover.hi5.com.

 

BARS WITH FOOSBALL TABLES

• Sode Samo
Ekamai Soi 3, 02-711-4252, 089-791-7555. Open daily 7pm-1am.

• Gulliver’s
2/2 Khaosan Rd., 02-629-1988. www.gulliverbangkok.com. Open daily 7pm-1am.

• Roadhouse BBQ
Rama 4 Rd., 02-236-8010. www.roadhousebarbecue.com. Open daily 10:30am-1am.

 

If the Boot Fits

Whatever your position on the pitch, we find the football boot to match your style.

1. Adidas Predator Rome

Released to celebrate this year’s Champions League Final, this is the latest version of the hugely popular predator series. The main difference is the flash gold stripe down the toe but it’s also lighter and Adidas claims it offers even more swerve than before.
Great for: Midfielders and freekick specialists.
Worn by: Steven Gerrard and David Beckham.
Where: Adidas Originals Store, 3/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1492.
Cost: B6,990.

 

2. Puma v-Konstrukt III

Released in January, this is the third edition of the Konstrukt boot. With a real focus on protection and comfort, it comes fitted with a ball impact guard and the DuoCell unit which creates additional cushioning for the sole and heel.
Great for: Goalkeepers and defenders who spend more time kicking the opposition than the ball.
Worn by: Nemanja Vidic, Shay Given.
Where: Puma Store, various branches. Try 1/F, The Esplanade, Ratchadapisek Rd.
Cost: B6,995.

 

3. Nike Tiempo

These classic boots have been around in various forms for a while. They offer excellent touch and feel with the fold over tongue designed to give a smoother ball-striking surface.
Great for: Strikers and attacking midfielders.
Worn by: Carlos Tevez, Cesc Fabregas.
Where: Nike shop, 3/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd.
Cost: B1,800.

 

7Shoot Football Club

What: There’s only one outdoor, 7-aside pitch with artificial grass but it is popular among avid (and competitive) players as the pitch’s staff can help find a team to play against you, and also host a “Friendly League” throughout the year.
How much: B1,200 per hour before 6pm. After that, it’s B1,400 per hour, including floodlights. It’s B150 extra for a referee.
Other facilities: Changing rooms and TV screens showing live matches. Sign up for its free membership and you’ll get discounts, updates on 7Shoot leagues and a dozen bottled waters each game.
• 26/84 Moo 9, Ramindra Soi 34, 08-3778-8700, 08-6514-7795.
Open daily 4-11pm. www.7shoot.com

 

The Kick 48

What: Three outdoor fields with natural grass: two 33m x 50m 7-aside pitches and one 48m x 70m 9-aside pitch. There’s also an outdoor concrete futsal pitch.
How much: The 9-aside is B1,000 per hour before 6pm, B1,300 after 6pm. The 7-aside is B800 per hour before 6pm and B1,000 afterwards. The futsal pitch is as affordable as B350 per hour.
Other facilities: Wifi, clubhouse, locker rooms and TVs screening live matches.
• Petchkasem Soi 48, 08-5917-7058, 08-9773-4172. Open daily 7am-midnight. www.thekick48.com

 

Futsal Park Bangkok

What: Three 20m x 40m indoor fields with artificial turf.
How much: Mon-Fri, B600 per hour (8am-5pm) and B950 per hour (5pm-2am). Sat-Sun, B750 per hour (8am-5pm) and B950 per hour afterwards. The fee includes floodlight charge. If you need a referee, it’s B150 extra per hour.
Other facilities: Changing rooms, a TV screening live matches and an internet café serving coffee and snacks.
• 112/1 Moo 5, Rama 2 Rd., Soi 23, 08-5119-2233,
08-5021-9898. Open daily 10-1am. www.futsalparkbangkok.com

 

Vichupa

What: A spacious complex that consists of three 11-aside fields, one 9-aside, three 7-aside and three 5-aside pitches. You’ll be playing on real grass. Vichupa also has another 11-aside pitch at its Nawamin branch in Soi Nuan Chan 36.
How much: Pay B4,000 for an 11-aside 90-minute match, inclusive of floodlights. The cost is split between the two teams. If you don’t know that many people they can help set you up with another team. The fee for 7-aside and 5-aside are B3,000 and B2,500 per match respectively.
Other facilities: This is a basic field with locker rooms and booths selling drinks and instant noodles.
• Ramindra Soi 46, 08-1916-5025, 08-1925-5954. Open daily 8am-midnight. www.vichupa.com

 

Get the Gear

As we go to press, even we can’t predict which of the four reaming teams will make this year’s final in Rome. So to hedge your bets, get a bit of everything and look like a true fan come May 29.

Manchester United shirt, B2,650
• Manchester United Store, 1/F, Central Ladprao, Phaholyothin Rd, 02-937-1238. You can also check out Manchester United counters at SuperSports CentralWorld 3/F, Ratchadamri Rd. BTS Ploenchit.

Arsenal shorts, B1,050
• Arsenal Store, 3/F, CentralWorld, 02-613-1467.

 

 

 

Chelsea shirt, B2,590
• SuperSports (02-646-1318. www.supersports.co.th). Try its CentralWorld (3/F) and Central Chidlom
(3/F) branches (Ploenchit Rd., BTS Chidlom)

 

Barcelona shorts, B1,050
• SuperSports (02-646-1318. www.supersports.co.th). Try its CentralWorld (3/F) and Central Chidlom
(3/F) branches.