With the Scottish football season just around the corner and Euro fever gripping millions across the globe, I decided to try my hand at the beautiful game with a twist.

Subbutteo is a tabletop game created by Peter Adolph back in 1946 with the first sets containing goals made of wire and paper nets, a ball and cardboard playing figures on bases made from buttons weighed down with lead washers.

As the decades passed the equipment was modernised with the lightweight figures being introduced in the 1980s causing a boom in the game's popularity amongst children.

Now in the present day the game is gaining popularity across Europe once again. Players are now competing in a number of international competitions with England hosting the World Cup this September.

With months to go until the first ball is flicked at the tournament I wanted to see if I had what it takes to represent Scotland.

As I walked through the doors of The Royal British Legion in Knightswood to meet the Glasgow Table Soccer Association I was met with two players already deep into a match.

To the uninitiated it is fascinating to watch as two competitors battled it out on the table top pitch. It was fast paced and tactical with each person rushing around the playing surface to outsmart their opponent.

For what was once the chosen game for many children of the 90s the rules are rather complicated. It took me a while to get my head around the fact that each 'player' on the pitch can touch the ball three times, you do not have to wait for your opponent to take a flick before you can and goals can only be scored in the final goal.

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I quickly realised that last rule was something I wouldn't have to worry about. Compared to the game prior, where both players were locked in an intense battle as they attempted blocks and curved the ball into the top corner, I was a mess.

Getting the right weight on a flick proved to be difficult, working out patterns of play whilst trying to decipher what the opposing manager was thinking was almost impossible for a novice.

I set myself the aim of scoring one goal during my time with the group but, sadly, the bar I set was too high.

Between the games I spoke to the experts who were hoping to play down south in September and asked how they got into it. Many played it as a kid and then life got in the way, now as they get older they are able to return to the game they loved.

Others merely took up the sport after being introduced to it by family members. The one issue Glasgow's Table Soccer Association are facing is the struggle to get younger generations of players through the door.

They explained that countries such as Italy and Spain are playing Subbutteo to an extremely high level and if Scotland wants to compete with them, children need to start getting involved.

From my brief time playing the game it is easy to see why it could be hugely beneficial for a youngster. It forces you to act fast and think ahead, developing many cognitive skills that can be helpful in life.

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It is also fantastic for making friends with people who have shared interests. When I started playing I thought I'd be in the hall for 45 minutes or an hour at most.

However, as soon as you flick the ball for the first time you become lost and engrossed in the action. You visualise controlling some of your favourite players on the field of play as the figures ping and slide across the pitch.

I played two games and ended up spending almost two and a half hours in the hall. Whether I watched or played it was addictive and drew me in.

I may not have managed to put one past the keeper, in fact I conceded more than I am willing to admit, but Subbutteo is a game that doesn't deserve to be dying out amongst children, it should be on the shelf of every sport lover in the nation.