The Perfect Match

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On the road and looking for kicks? If soccer's your game, with a little advance planning, you can pound the pitch with players whose abilities match your own in a variety of capital cities:

• Brussels' Parc du Cinquantenaire in the E.U. quarter is popular for its central location and many flat fields. Head to the Bois de la Cambre in southern Brussels on any weekend afternoon and you'll find several games in progress. On weekdays, try the British School in Tervuren, just 12 km from central Brussels and easily accessible via the No. 44 tram.

• Prague's large expat community ensures plenty of competition. Dynamo Zizkov FC (members.lycos.co.uk/dynamozizkov), founded five years ago by soccer-mad Brits, is the best-known amateur club. Serious drop-ins are welcome at the weekly practice sessions. Tuesdays, from 8 p.m. on the Astroturf pitch behind the primary school at Námestí Jirího z Lobkovic 121/22, Prague 3 (Metro: Green line, Skalka stop).

• In Tokyo try Aoyama Park (three minutes walk from Nogizaka Station, Chiyoda line), which is popular with expat amateurs on the weekends. Saturday morning is the best time to show up. Local team Vertex is always looking for new blood — it practices every weekend, but time and venue vary (contact vertex@mlc9.infoseek.co.jp).

• You can be fined for playing near Berlin's Reichstag, but Tiergarten Park is a great spot. On weekends and after 4 p.m. weekdays there are often games in progress.