Europe's best Subbuteo players headed to Kent for two of the game’s biggest championships.

The iconic tabletop football game returned to its home county, welcoming almost 40 clubs from 10 countries to Abbey School in Faversham.

The Champions League and Europa League tournaments are held every year and are among the most prestigious events on the Subbuteo Table Football calendar.

Organisers told spectators to expect “world-class matches, tactical brilliance and a unique atmosphere” ahead of the two days of intense competition.

Two teams from the county were among those competing for the top prizes.

Kent Invicta, the fourth-best team in England, were one set of hopefuls vying for the Europa League crown.

Kye Arnold from Gillingham thought the tournaments coming to Kent were an opportunity to build off the success of Tunbridge Wells hosting the sports World Cup last year.

The 23-year-old said: “Traditionally, it’s always held in Belgium, but last year it was held in a couple of different places in Athens and Portugal.

“But this year we’ve got both events held right here, and overall, everything's going really well.

“We were definitely the underdogs today, but we went to the Europa League in Belgium two years ago and came last.

“So, this year, our goal is simple, do better than that, and we feel really confident because we’ve improved so much since then.”

The Subbuteo Champions and Europa League events have teams compete in group stages before the knockout rounds and finals.

Also from Kent, Langton Green from Tunbridge Wells competed in the Champions League last weekend.

They formed following last year's World Cup, and features international players as well as others from around England.

Mr Arnold, who has played in several youth categories and even reached the quarter-finals in the under-12s, was excited by the sport's growth in recent years.

“Especially since lockdown, it’s grown. Before that, not so much, and it started to die out, but we’ve had a lot of revitalisation,” he said.

“It’s great to see, and now there are clubs all over. If you search on our website, no matter where you look, there’s always one within an hour's drive.”

In the event, players from two teams compete across four tables, all playing at once, with goals scored added to their respective teams' totals.

Samuel Curtis, who played for Yorkshire Phoenix TFC in the Champions League, said it makes for a great spectator sport.

“The games can change really quickly. One minute you’re 3-1 up and the next a goal down. There’s a bit of tension with it, really.

“I think a lot of people see it as a game you had or played in your living room - maybe your dad wheeled it out at Christmas - whereas abroad it’s definitely taken more as a sport.

“There’s a lot of technical aspects to it where you’re thinking five, six steps ahead a lot of the time, if not more.

“There are a lot of different aspects that come into play, and it’s a bit different from just playing in your living room.”

This year's competition included teams from Spain, Malta, Greece, France, Belgium, England, Scotland and Italy, who last year took home the men’s World Cup.

The Italian dominance continued with Bari Reggio Emilia, and Lazio taking home the Champions and Europa League titles respectively.

Kent Invicta managed 12th out of 16 teams in the Europa League.

While Langton Green ended up 16th of the 19 competing in the Champions League.

The world number one player, Carlos Flores, was also in attendance this weekend.

Subbuteo was invented in 1947 by Peter Adolph in Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells. The game’s name is derived from the Latin name for the Eurasian hobby, a swift bird of prey.

The game requires players to flick miniature models of football players around a replica stadium with their fingers to score.

Mr Adolph’s initial design featured cardboard players on circular bases with lead weights.

Over the years, Subbuteo evolved with the introduction of three-dimensional plastic players, different playing surfaces and accessories.