The official name of the game is table soccer, but the in the USA everybody calls it “Foosball” - the American word for the German “fußball” which means foot and ball – while in some European countries like Switzerland, Germany and Belgium it is well known under the name kicker (after a Swiss company from Geneva, named Kicker). This game is played on a foosball table.
The origins of the game are located somewhere around 1800, but it really spread around the world after World War II. The first patented football table belonged to A. Finisterre in 1937. It is a popular belief that the game gained its success due to the help it gave rehabilitating war veterans.
Although competitions have been held in Europe since 1950 (in Belgium) the unification of
the different leagues took place in 1976 and there are still problems because each country prefers it’s own foosball table brand and game style. But the competition is small with regards to prize money, while in America there is a pro tour with a million dollars in prize money and due to this many European players adopt the American rules and foosball tables. The person who made foosball famous in America was E. Lee Peppard, the president of a firm called Tournament Soccer. He was a man of vision and in 1972 in Montana he organized the first foosball tournament with prize money. After his idea was successful, for the second tournament, a year later, a new table was created having a solid rod, which led to a more controlled and powerful style of play. The table, named Tournament Soccer Game was different from the German model used so far and even today presents standard features.
About foosball game tables
A foosball table can vary in size, but is generally 4ft long and 2ft wide. It usually contains 8 rows of "foos-men". The figues are made of plastic, metal, wooden, or sometimes carbon-fiber. They are mounted on horizontal rotating metal bars and are used to kick the ball and score. There are many different types of foosball game tables and that has a great influence on the played style. Some tables are endowed with sloped corners to return the ball, others don't need them because they have three goalies to reach the ball (one in the center and one in each corner). The balls can also vary. They can be made of cork, plastic, marble or metal.
For international ITFS tournaments the following table brands are accepted: “French-style" Bonzini, "American-style" Tornado, "Italian-style" Roberto-Sport, "Belgian-style" Eurosoccer/Wood (Jupiter/ABC).
Some of the best foosball game table manufacturers are: Harvard, Tornado, Halex, Sportscraft, Gibraltar, Rene Pierre, Carrom, Shelti, Million Dollar, Garlando.
Harvard foosball tables
This is one of the most respected names in the manufacturing of foosball tables. The prices vary from $300 to $500 depending on the material used and if the legs are or are not folding. Usually the top is of maple laminate or maple gloss. One of their best articles is The Harvard Granite Foosball Table. This is a styled lack marble laminate table. It is ultra-tough with crossbar support and sturdy 4" thick legs. It also includes 2 drink holders and 4 balls.
Shelti foosball tables
Although Shelti are quite new in the business, they have set their goal to “design and manufacture the most thoroughly “playable” games in the world”. And they seem to have succeeded if we have a look at the Pro Foos series (I, II, III). The tables have adjustable height legs, adjustable foot levelers, a Server ball-holder, high pressure laminate interior play field walls protected by polyester. The Shelti foosball tables can be used either in pubs, commercial locations, clubs or at home.
If you are in love with the foosball game, among 1.9 million people that play it every week in The United States, but you can't afford a brand new table, you could try a used foosball table. You'll get a very reasonable price if you find them on the Internet, if you keep an eye on the newspaper announcements, or if you take part in some auctions (here you could get lucky and purchase a beautiful antique foosball table at a good price).
